The landscape in and around Houston, Texas, is ideal for hiking. Whether you want a short hike or a longer trek, the city and surrounding countryside have something to offer you. Please take a look at our list of the most impressive hikes near Houston.
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Galveston Island State Park
For an easy to moderately challenging hiking experience, journey to Galveston Island State Park. There you’ll find several trails that are perfect for a relaxing hike. Visitors are most fond of the Galveston Island State Park Trail, the Clapper Rail Trail to the Carcara Trail Loop, Prairie Trail to Freshwater Loop, and the Clapper Rail Trail to Heron’s Walk.
The park also offers bird-watching, beach swimming, nature study, camping, fishing, and mountain biking opportunities, so it has something for you no matter what your outdoor leanings are. For a gorgeous landscape full of everything from wetlands to sand dunes, visit Galveston Island State Park.
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Sam Houston National Forest
Named for the founder of the city, the Sam Houston National Forest is a picturesque landscape full of woodland creatures of all types. This national forest is 163,000 acres in size, so you could explore for years and not see it all. The Sam Houston National Forest is home to one of the most challenging hiking trails in the country, the Lone Star Hiking Trail, which stretches into the woods for a breathtaking 128 miles.
Don’t worry, there is no need to take the whole trail in one visit. The rangers at this national forest welcome hikers of all skill levels and are glad to give useful tips to anyone new to the activity.
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Stephen F. Austin Park
Fifty miles outside of Houston, you’ll find a 12-acre park that was home to the first colony in Texas history. Explore the site where Texas began and view the landscape first settled by Stephen “Big Daddy” Austin, the father of Texas. Stephen F. Austin Park includes a 6-mile hiking trail through the land that was initially released under contract with the Mexican government for three years. If you get hungry during your hike, wander over to Taco Cabana and have a bite to eat. The restaurant hosts hikers year-round.
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The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
At 4501 Woodway Drive in Houston, you’ll find a hike so full of life that the creatures there will follow you into your dreams. This 155-acre arboretum and natural sanctuary are just four miles west of downtown Houston. Five miles of hiking trails cut through the parks, wetlands, and forests in the Houston Arboretum and the nature center plays host to a nature shop, aquariums, interactive exhibits, and microscopes.
Pick up a list of common wildlife around Houston and see how many varieties of frog, turtle, bird, and other species you can spot on your hike. The grounds are open until nightfall, so night hiking is not permitted.
Whether you like to wander for short distances or take on the challenge of epic hikes, the area in and around Houston has a trail for you. Take on these trails and form memories that will last a lifetime.
Image by Michelle Orelup from Pixabay
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