Hike the Boardwalk Trail

Southeast of Houston is flat. It's damp, lots of bugs, not the place many visitors think of as having outdoor recreation opportunities. But hidden away about 5 miles south of Alvin, TX is this wonderful county park with a network of trails meandering around the aptly named Chocolate Bayou, a snaking body of brownish water that traverses the park's land.The 1.7 mile trail loop is signed LLT thro...

Boasting 160 acres, Buffalo Bayou is a common go-to destination for some relaxation and recreation for local Houstonians. At any given time you will find people here enjoying a picnic, playing pick-up volleyball or basketball games, walking their dog, biking, or simply just enjoying the views of the Houston skyline. The park is situated between Memorial Drive and Allen Parkway, while stretching...

Galveston Island State Park is one of the several state parks in Texas offering coastline to the Gulf of Mexico. The park is good to visit during any time of the year, and offers several hiking, biking and paddling trails. In order to take advantage of the paddling trails you must bring your own kayak.The park has two different parts. There is the beach side which has sand dunes and prairie typ...

Memorial Park is a hub for Houstonians looking to escape that busy day-to-day urban rush. With a 3 mile running loop and 10 miles worth of multi-use trails to offer, the park does tend to get pretty busy, however it is rare that you would not be able to find parking on any given day.The best trails of Memorial however are the Color Trails (formerly Ho Chi Minh Trails) on the South end of the pa...

The Arboretum is a 155 acre nature sanctuary located within Memorial Park, about 6 miles from downtown Houston. The trails alternate between gravel, dirt, and wooden walkways and wind through a variety of Houston habitats: everything from bayou, to pond, wetland, meadow and prairie with virtually no elevation change. This easy-going walk can add up to 5 miles, but is composed of multiple smalle...

Looking for the chance to get up close and personal with some American Alligators? Brazos Bend will do just that and more. Located within a stone's throw from the thriving metropolis of Houston, the park is home to more than 300 different species of wildlife. With about 25 miles of trails in the park that permit hiking, biking and equestrian, it is unlikely you will run out of things to do. In...