Account 
Reservations 
Support 
Where to Find the Best Hiking in Houston
Thinking about moving to Houston, Texas? If you’ve been hesitant to move to one of the largest urban settings in the country for fear of being stuck indoors for most of the year, guess again. Even though Houston’s hot and humid summers can be pretty oppressive at times, the weather doesn’t stop residents from getting outside and being active—and there is no shortage of options to choose from.
Hiking in Houston is actually a pretty popular activity, whether you’re looking for shorter, more casual hikes in some of the city’s popular and bustling parks or longer hikes closer to nature within an hour’s drive from Houston.
If you’re looking for chances to get outdoors, here are the top 18 hikes close to Houston, including:
- Brazos Bend State Park
- Huntsville State Park
- Armand Bayou Nature Center
- Sam Houston National Forest
- Stephen F. Austin Park
- Lake Houston Wilderness Park
- Memorial Park
- Hermann Park
- Buffalo Bayou Park
- Houston Arboretum
- White Oak Bayou Trail
- Terry Hershey Park
- Galveston Island State Park
- Lake Livingston State Park
- Baytown Nature Center
- George Mitchell Nature Preserve
- Cullinan Park
- Green Tee Terrace Trail
Let’s get started!
1. Brazos Bend State Park
Located 45 miles southwest of Houston, Brazos Bend State Park is known for offering a versatile experience for hikers and trail runners. In addition to 37 miles of trails that allow visitors to choose their distance and duration, the park is filled with prairie, marsh, and woodland terrain that serve as the home to native wildlife, most notably alligators.
2. Huntsville State Park
Venture 65 miles outside of Houston and you’ll find yourself in the East Texas Pineywoods at Huntsville State Park. Beginner and experienced hikers alike will find their paradise in the over 2,000-acre state park, which is part of the larger Sam Houston National Forest.
If you’re an avid birdwatcher, you’ll also be pleased to learn the park is home to 218 species of birds, as well as other wildlife such as white-tailed deer, alligators in the lake, and the state’s signature armadillos.
3. Armand Bayou Nature Center
Located in the Bay Area, just 26 miles outside of Houston, Armand Bayou Nature Center is one of the country’s largest urban wilderness preserves. The 2,500-acre center is great for those who love short hikes, offering five miles of trails for solo ventures, as well as guided night hikes and bat hikes. Keep your eyes out for armadillos and alligators!
4. Sam Houston National Forest
Just 50 miles north of Houston is Sam Houston National Forest, which offers hikers 163,000 acres of land to enjoy. This park is a great option for ultra-endurance athletes to cruise into, as it’s home to the winding 128-mile Lone Star Hiking Trail, as well as Huntsville State Park and the hiking options outlined above.
5. Stephen F. Austin Park
Hikers can easily get away from the bustling city and into this tranquil 12-acre park on the Brazos River. Just 50 miles outside of Houston, Stephen F. Austin Park is the perfect day trip, whether you want to explore the park on foot or bike its six-mile bike trail.
6. Lake Houston Wilderness Park
Just 32 miles from Houston, the 5,000-acre Lake Houston Wilderness Park will take your breath away as you hike around the serene forested area surrounding Lake Houston. The park offers more than 20 miles of trails for avid and casual hikers to stroll through as they take in the scenery and possibly stop to camp.
7. Memorial Park
Memorial Park is known to be somewhat of a home base for runners in Houston. It’s also a great way to escape to nature within the city, even if hiking or walking is more your jam. Take a stroll around the three-mile Seymour Lieberman Trail, making sure to stop to admire the lake and wetlands at the recently completed Eastern Glades. Or, spend your time in Memorial Park exploring the more technical hike and bike trails.
8. Hermann Park
Hermann Park is widely considered to be a family-friendly oasis, as it’s home to the Houston Zoo, the famed red toy train, and playgrounds and splash pads to entertain the little ones. However, it’s also a popular spot for avid exercisers, offering several short paved and gravel trails shared by runners, walkers, and cyclists.
Take a stroll around McGovern Lake or venture over to the Brays Bayou Trail, which runs for miles southeast toward the Houston Ship Channel or southwest toward the Meyerland area.
9. Buffalo Bayou Park
Did you know “urban hiking” could be a thing? That’s exactly what you’ll get at Buffalo Bayou Park, which is located just outside of downtown Houston. Hikers can enjoy beautiful skyline views as they explore the several trails that run throughout the park, connected by industrial bridges and surrounded by an underground cistern. The area also features an abundance of trees and plants, and of course, the flowing Buffalo Bayou for which the park is named.
10. Houston Arboretum
Located within Memorial Park, the Houston Arboretum is another well-kept secret when it comes to scenic hiking spots right in the city. Visitors will find a five-mile trail network that includes a birding trail and a wildflower trail. There is also a 1.76-mile trail that loops around the entire park, allowing you to take in the many local plant species and birds that call the park’s conservation area home.
11. White Oak Bayou Trail
The White Oak Bayou Trail is one of the longest continuous trails in Houston, offering nearly 17 miles of trails that stretch between the Rice Military and Heights neighborhoods and run along the White Oak Bayou. Whether it’s a long hike, a walk, or a bike ride you’re after, this is a peaceful spot that will allow you to turn your mind off and go without having to think about stopping for car traffic.
12. Terry Hershey Park
Terry Hershey Park’s hike and bike trail offers over 10 miles of gravel and paved trails for visitors wanting to escape the noise of the city without straying too far. Whether you’re seeking a long hike, run, or bike ride, this park provides a calm environment with plenty of tree cover to protect you from the hot sun.
13. Galveston Island State Park
Most people don’t think of hiking when they plan a beach getaway to nearby Galveston, Texas. However, Galveston Island State Park offers a great escape in the form of coastal hikes on 15 miles of trails. Located just 10 miles from the city of Galveston, the park features wetlands and other coastal ecosystems, along with wildlife such as herons, pelicans, and other coastal birds.
14. Lake Livingston State Park
Just 73 miles north of Houston is Lake Livingston State Park, which is another great option to escape for a hiking getaway. The park offers several short trail options, with a total of six miles of trails among the quiet forest paths and the Lake Livingston shoreline.
15. Baytown Nature Center
Baytown, Texas, which is just 20 miles east of Houston, is home to the Baytown Nature Center, which unsurprisingly also offers easily accessible hiking options across seven miles of trails. The center sits on a 450-acre peninsula surrounded by Burnet, Crystal, and Scott Bays and is known for its birding. The area’s hardwood uplands, tidal marsh, and freshwater wetlands are home to 317 species of resident and migratory birds.
16. George Mitchell Nature Preserve
Whether you live in The Woodlands, a Texas suburb 32 miles north of Houston, or are eager to escape the city, you won’t regret making the George Mitchell Nature Preserve your hiking destination of choice. Featuring miles of hike and bike trails surrounded by native plants and wildlife, the 1,800-acre preserve is connected to the Spring Creek Greenway Forest and is accessible via the Flintridge Drive Trailhead.
17. Cullinan Park
Located in Sugar Land, Texas, a suburb 24 miles southwest of Houston, Cullinan Park offers 754 acres in one of the largest nature parks in the Houston area. The park includes six hiking trails and two lakes that offer plenty of photo opportunities, as well as a variety of wildlife.
18. Green Tee Terrace Trail
For a shorter hike, check out Green Tee Terrace Trail, which spans 1.5 miles and connects Brazoria and Harris counties. Visitors can hike, walk, or bike along the eco-friendly trail or simply stroll and enjoy nature. The Green Tee Terrace Trail is also connected to the surrounding neighborhood trails to get you to commercial and retail areas, making it easier than ever to navigate the city of Pearland, Texas, on foot or by bike.
Looking to explore the great outdoors in Houston?
In sum, if you’re an outdoorsy person who has been hesitant about moving to an urban area like Houston for that reason, rest assured: You have plenty of great hiking options both in and near the city itself. Consider leasing a fully furnished apartment with Landing, which offers flexible lease terms to let you explore the city for as long as you like while taking advantage of the ample hiking options the greater Houston area has to offer.
Related Articles
