As the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, it becomes park weather. Houston is a hub for outdoor opportunities to play places and release all the pent-up energy. So whether you are looking for a sports field, a splash pad or anything in between, you won’t have trouble finding great Houston parks to have some sun and fun.
We have Discovery Green, Hermann Park, Buffalo Bayou, Memorial Park, and others mentioned below in Houston. Therefore, we have compiled a list of off-the-beaten-path Houston parks worth visiting.
Houston Parks Off The Beaten Path – Great for Picnics Too!
1. Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens
The Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens need to be first on your list of Houston Parks off the beaten path parks to visit. Located in Humble on 325 acres of land, The Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens are divided by Aldine Westfield Road.
The east side has the botanic gardens with over 20-acres of beautifully maintained gardens, an extensive walking trail system, a Remembrance Walk for memorials and honorariums, ponds, a visitors’ center, and a courtyard plaza, and more.
The west side features two playgrounds, a picnic area with 58 picnic tables, two barbecue pavilions, a hickory bog, a boardwalk, a cypress swamp, a maple collection and several miles of walking trails.
While you are there, you can enjoy lunch at the Garden Cafe, and if you go on the right day, you can even buy some plants to take home and plant your fabulous garden.
Address: 22306 Aldine Westfield Rd, Humble, TX 77338
Hours: All days except Thanksgiving. 8.00 AM to 7.30 PM
Perks: No entry Fees
Parking: Free lot parking in the surrounding area
2. Oyster Creek Park and Trail
To enjoy this Houston Park that is off the beaten path park, take a drive to Sugar Land, where you will find Oyster Creek Park and Trail. Accessible from Lexington Blvd., Dulles Ave., and Hwy 6, this three-mile trail gives you plenty to look at with a water feature with rock-lined falls and a pond.
Picnic tables and grills and a covered amphitheater holds outdoor concerts and events and restroom facilities. In addition, there are emergency call boxes along the trail for additional security.
Address: 4033 Hwy 6, Sugar Land, TX 77478, United States
Hours: 6:00 am to 9:00 pm
Parking: Available- 78 spaces
Pet Friendly: Yes
3. Lake Houston Wilderness Park Nature Center
The Lake Houston Wilderness Park Nature Center is not only a Houston Park that is off the beaten path but a fun educational place for young and old alike. Unlike other Houston Parks, you can camp out overnight here or just enjoy a day trip to New Caney, where you can hike and bike on 12 miles of trails, kayak on tree-lined creeks, and horseback ride 8 miles of equestrian trails.
Oh, and you can bring your horse if you have one! This park is heavily forested, so expect to see plenty of wildlife, wetlands and a beautiful mural depicting the life cycle of butterflies, which was created through a collaboration between the Artist Boat, M.D. Anderson YMCA and H.P.A.R.D and funded by a United Way Kids Way grant.
Not all the Houston Parks are outside the city, take a short drive to the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, and you will feel like you are outside of the city without having to leave Memorial Park. The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is 155-acres of over 5 miles of walking trails where you will see the forest, ponds, wetlands and meadow habitats.
Inside the building, there is a Discovery Room that offers hands-on interactive exhibits, microscopes, touch screens, and more to learn about the habitats and plants and wildlife found at the Center. This is a great place for education and fun.
Address: 25840 FM 1485, New Caney, TX 77357, United States
Hours: Open 24 hours
Parking: Free parking on Thursdays and $5 per vehicle on all other days
Pet Friendly: Yes
4. Brazos Bend State Park
Brazos Bend State Park might not be a day trip, considering it is 40 miles from Houston, but it is a park that is off the beaten path that is worth the trip to visit. While hiking or looking at the wetlands, you might see an alligator or a bear, but if you are at one with nature and don’t disturb them, they shouldn’t disturb you.
As you venture into the Live Oak forest, you might see deer, so bring a camera and watch for snakes and crawlies. If you come across Bison, gaze at the beauty because where else can you find something like this close to the city? The fishing is plentiful, and you don’t need a license to fish inside Brazos Bend State Park. So bring the bug spray and a water bottle.
Address: 21901 Farm to Market Road 762, Needville, TX 77461, United States
Hours: Every day, 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. However, the George Observatory is open on Saturday evenings and Friday nights for groups of over 30 people.
Entry Fee: Free for 12 Years and Under
Facilities: BBQ pits, campsites with water and electricity, picnic areas with pavilion, restrooms for campers/day visitors, screened shelters and trailer dump station.
Pet Friendly: Yes, but they must be on a leash not longer than six feet.
5. Bane Park
Have you had a chance to hit Bane Park, located southeast of Jersey Village? This Houston Park that is off the beaten path is loaded with barbecue grills, picnic pavilions, picnic tables, two lighted ball fields, a five-acre wheelchair-accessible fishing lake, gazebo, horseshoe pits, paved walking trail, playground, rock climbing wall, sand volleyball court, splash pad, and restroom facilities.
The lake is stocked with rainbow trout by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and also contains bluegill, channel catfish, and largemouth bass for some catch and release fishing with your family and friends.
Address: 9600 W Little York Rd, Houston, TX 77040, United States
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. However, the Saturday and Sunday hours depend on the league schedule.
Parking: Bike Parking, Private Lot Parking
Pet Friendly: Yes
6. Little Cypress Creek Preserve
Northwest of Houston in Spring Cypress, there is a park that is off the beaten path called Little Cypress Creek Preserve. This is a 58-acre park site that has hiking trails, equestrian trails and 10 man-made fish ponds for fishing. Bring your binoculars because there are lots of birds to watch!
Address: Harris County Precinct 4 1001 Preston, Suite 950 Houston, Texas 77002
Hours: Open daily from dawn to dusk except on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Parking: No paved parking areas, but there’s still ample parking
Pet Friendly: Yes
7. Pundt Park
This Houston Park that is off the beaten path is actually in Spring, Texas. Pundt Park has everything on the 380-acres it covers. So whether you want to bring your dog to their dog park, take out a canoe at the primitive canoe launch, take your kids to the playground, or picnic at the picnic loop with ten tables and two pavilions, ride your bikes and park them safely.
At the same time, you explore restrooms, either the equestrian or multi-use trails or fish in one of the two lakes. So you certainly won’t be bored at Pundt Park.
Address: 4129 Spring Creek Dr, Spring, TX 77373, United States
Hours: 8 a.m. to dusk. It is open except on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Parking: Private Lot Parking, Bike Parking
Pet Friendly: Yes
8. Lindsay/Lyons Park and Sports Complex
This Houston Park located in Humble has it all and caters to those with special needs for those sports-minded. Lindsay/Lyons Park and Sports Complex are where all the teams meet up for their club sports practices and games, but this 136-acre park has more than just 10 lighted baseball fields and four lighted softball fields, two lighted football fields, 18 unlighted soccer fields, and two lighted soccer fields.
In addition, Lindsay/Lyons Park and Sports Complex include a barbecue pavilion, two playgrounds (including one all-inclusive playground and restroom facility for children of all physical abilities), picnic tables, barbecue grills, and restroom facilities, and a concession stands with a pavilion.
But that’s not all! There is also a paved walking trail around the playground, three 30-seat picnic pavilions, a sensory garden for sight-impaired children, and a donor pavers garden.
Address: 2310 Atascocita Rd Humble, TX 77396
Hours: 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. – Tournaments can affect the closing time.
Parking: Available but might be crowded during tournaments
9. Armand Bayou Nature Center
Armand Bayou Nature Center is our last Houston Park off the beaten path and is a must-visit, even though it is in Clear Lake! Surrounding Armand Bayou, you can bird-watch, hike on the Nature Center’s trails, or view the live animal displays of snakes, alligators, turtles, hawks and bison when you visit this piece of nature.
Then, take a pontoon tour or a guided canoe tour of the bayou from a different perspective and visit the Center’s Martyn Farm to see what it was like to live on a farm in Texas back in the 1800s. This will surely be a family experience you won’t forget and want to come back and visit again and again!
Address: 8500 Bay Area Blvd, Pasadena, TX 77507, United States
Hours: Wednesday to Saturday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Sundays – 12 Noon to 5:00 PM
Perks: Free entry for kids below three years from Wednesday to Saturday and on the first and third Sunday of every month.
Pet Friendly: No
Accessibility: It can accommodate specially-abled people and also people with strollers.
Caution: Drinking Alcohol, Smoking and Picnicking is prohibited
10. Discovery Green
This 12-acre park is located across George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston, and it features some enjoyable and eclectic elements. They include eye-catching public art, interactive water features, and free community programs like workout classes and writing workshops.
Although the Discovery Garden grounds are well-manicured, fauna and wild flora inhabit one acre of a lake, and it’s dotted with remote-controlled battery-operated boats and rentable kayaks. If you want something to bite, there are two restaurants: The Lake House, a fast-casual choice or The Grove, a contemporary sit-down restaurant.
Address: 1500 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010
Hours: 6 AM – 11 PM (daily)
Parking: Private Lot Parking, Street Parking, Bike Parking, Garage Parking
Pet Friendly: Yes
11. Buffalo Bayou Park
Suppose you want to visit one of Houston’s crown jewels. It is renowned for being the biggest bat colony in the city and home to various wildlife species. In addition, Buffalo Bayou Park offers 160 acres of skyline views and picturesque scenery with bike and hike trails.
Buffalo Bayou Park has jogging tracks, a play area, kayaking, fountains, skating areas, etc. It also boasts a Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern, an underground space with art installations and several public tours.
In addition, you can always lookout for a lineup of fun events at the park, such as the annual Freedom Over Texas fireworks on Independence Day, food, beer and music festivals.
Address: 1800 Allen Pkwy & Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77019, USA
Hours: 6 AM – 11 PM (daily)
Parking: Yes, on weekends, and after 6 pm on weekdays. The parking Lot H (Memorial Drive and Houston Avenue) has 400 free spaces open to park users.
Pet Friendly: Yes, but limited to two dogs at once.
12. Emancipation Park
If you are interested in history, this is one of Houston’s oldest parks that four enslaved people originally purchased. Emancipation park has become an important social hub for the Houston black community, and the legacy continues.
The 10-acre space hosts the annual Juneteenth celebrations that serve as a Unesco Site of Memory, forming the Slave Route Project part. The modern park has a creatively designed outdoor pool, playground and several sports fields.
Address: 3018 Emancipation Ave, Houston, TX 77004
Hours: Monday to Thursday starting at 9 AM to 9 PM but on Friday: 9 AM – 8 PM; Sat: 10 AM – 2 PM (closed on Sunday)
Parking: Street parking, bike parking
Pet Friendly: Yes
13. Hermann Park
Hermann Park is among the most beautiful and the largest parks in Houston, and it’s popular for housing the Sam Houston monument. With its splash pad and beautiful water features, the park is suitable for parents and kids. The 445-acre park has over six million annual visitors, and it’s among the most iconic treasures.
Hermann Park has some of Houston’s biggest attractions, such as the Houston Zoo, McGovern Centennial Gardens and Japanese Garden. The park is an oasis in the mid of the medical center and a lovely place to bring your visitors when in Houston.
Address: 6001 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Hours: 6 AM – 11 PM (daily)
Parking: Street Parking can be tricky on weekends, so ensure you plan.
Pet Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
14. Donovan Park
As a unique playground featuring all wooden structures, it resembles a train and a castle, and the kids will enjoy this one-of-a-kind park in the Heights.
Kids will have fun running through the fortress, climbing aboard the wooden train, and hitting the swings, monkey bars and slides in the imaginative wooden playground.
After the play, they can enjoy some food from popular eateries such as Melange Creperie, Cloud 10 Creamery, and Gold Bagel, which are a few minutes away.
Address: 700 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77007, USA
Hours: All week from 6.00 am to 8.40 pm
Parking: Street parking, Bike parking
Pet Friendly: Yes
15. Memorial Park
No one can ever list the best parks in Houston without mentioning Memorial Park. Popularly known as one of the biggest urban parks in Texas, it has it all, including a wildly popular 3-mile running track, softball/baseball fields, volleyball courts, soccer fields, skating/cycling paths, croquet, and an 18-hole golf course.
As one of the loved green spaces in Houston, it offers an all-year-round park for a lot of outdoor activities on the 1466 acres. Although it is popular for people who enjoy lifting weights and swimming indoors, free nature walks, historical tours and yoga classes are offered.
In addition, there are delicious meals you can bite from the park’s fleet of food trucks that are parked all week near the Eastern Glades.
Address: 6501 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77007
Hours: 6 AM – 11 PM (daily)
Parking: Private parking lot, street parking, and bike parking
Pet Friendly: Yes
16. Evelyn’s Park
Are you looking for a chance to unwind in the beautiful outdoors? Evelyn’s Park has five acres of relaxing green space to help you escape the sun under the canopies of live Texas oaks. You can stroll the garden and maneuver the trails allowing kids to wear themselves out on the natural playground and the expansive lawn.
The park boasts a cafe, public art installations, and fun community events, from concerts and movie nights to group fitness classes.
Address: 4400 Bellaire Blvd., Bellaire
Hours: All week from 5 am to 11 pm apart from Friday, which closes at 12 am
Parking: It has two parking lots, one is the West parking lot accessible from Newcastle street, and the other is the East parking lot accessible from Mulberry lane.
Pet Friendly: No
17. Levy Park
Levy Park, a 5.6-acre green space, is a favorite location for most families, thanks to the amazing Children’s park. It has a Children’s Pavilion, a seven-foot-wide slide, a climbing wall, lighted tunnels, a Cosmo climbing sphere, a three-tiered water feature, and play berms.
The park features a picturesque landscape, a community garden, fun programming and a dog park. Any parent will enjoy this park and give their family a great experience with activities ranging from games and art to concerts and yoga classes.
Address: 3801 Eastside St, Houston, TX 77098
Hours: Open 24 hours
Parking: Parking is available adjacent to Levy Park, Eastside Street, and Wakeforest Avenue. There is extra public parking available in the Kirby Grove parking garage located on the corner of Richmond and Wakeforest. However, the parking rate applies.
Pet Friendly: Yes
What are some of your favorite Houston Parks off the beaten path? Tell us in the comments below!
