Texas Hiking Trails
Cypress, Texas and the greater Houston metropolitan area aren’t known for their abundance of fantastic hiking
Hiking in Texas
trails. That doesn’t mean Houston lacks hiking trails, however, it simply means you have to look a little bit harder to find them. To help you and your family get out of the house and into nature, I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite hiking trails within a couple hours driving of Cypress.
Stephen F. Austin State Park
Perched on the banks of the Brazos River, Stephen F. Austin is a great place to take the family for a day. A maze of trails north of the campground leads up to the river and makes for a perfect afternoon stroll. Pack a picnic to eat on the walk or afterwards at one of the day-use areas. Bring fishing poles too, as there are quite a few fishing areas along the river. An overlook at the northeast end of the park provides a very pretty view of the river and makes for a good walking destination.
Brazos Bend State Park
Also situated along the Brazos River, Brazos Bend has an extensive network of trails which circle a few of the park’s lakes and lead through some of the hardwood forests that aren’t accessible to the casual visitor. Fishing is available on many of the park’s docks. Visitors are advised to be cautious of the park’s abundant alligator population. Seen from a viewing platform or pier, the alligators are a wonderful part of the Brazos Bend’s ecosystem and one of the most exhilarating parts of hiking the park.
Memorial Park
For hikers who don’t want to watch their feet for alligators, Memorial Park in downtown Houston is the place to be. While Memorial won’t feel quite as “natural” as some of the area’s state parks, it’s a great place to walk with family and affords some fantastic views of the Houston skyline. Memorial is a favorite for the city’s joggers and includes a golf course and tennis courts for those family members who might not want to hit the pathways.
Kleb Woods Nature Preserve
Kleb Woods Nature Preserve is located near Tomball, Texas and offers a 2.2 mile loop that winds through the woods for an easy day hike. It’s the perfect spot to bring the family on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Dogs are allowed in the park but must be kept on a leash. For residents of Cypress, the best part of Kleb Woods is that it’s only a few minutes away and you don’ t have to deal with any highway traffic to get there.
W.G. Jones State Forest
Located north of the Woodlands, W.G. Jones has twelve miles of trails that wind through the forest and make for a pleasant day hike. It’s a relatively flat course and is often used for horse riding and mountain biking. The park is owned and operated by the Texas A&M Forest Service which practices sound stewardship of the native flora and fauna. The park is a great resource for those interested in forest management.
Dr. Mina Tadros, a Cypress dentist, is the founder of Tadros Dental which provides cosmetic, resotrative and general dentistry services to Cypress, Texas and surrounding communities.
2 comments
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for the post. Some interesting trails here. Have shared. Hope to have another post published after this weekend.
Cheers,
Barry.
Author
Thanks for sharing Barry. I’m headed over to your blog right now. I always enjoy your posts & photos. Don’t hesitate to share links on future comments. I think others will enjoy your website also.
Take care,
Kevin