Dwight D Eisenhower is a beautiful naturalistic park located in Harris County Texas on the south coast of Lake Houston. It was officially opened in 1988 and was formerly part of the US Army training ground Camp Bullis. The park was named after former 34th US President Dwight David Eisenhower. He served as Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in World War II and led the invasion of Normandy in 1944. In 1954, Harris State acquired 463 acres through a lease from the Army Corps of Engineers.
Today the park is owned and managed by Harris County Precinct One which acquired the park from the City of Houston in 1995. Dwight D Eisenhower is a 682 acres stunning park with beautiful landscapes and a perfect destination for various activities. The park offers activities such as a picnic area, hiking, biking, and a kids’ playground.
Address: 13400 Aqueduct Rd, Houston, TX 77044
Phone: +1 281-591-6951
Hours of Operation: Daily from dawn to dusk
Parking: Free parking in the surrounding area
Website: https://www.hcp1.net/EisenhowerPark
Here are reasons why you should visit Dwight D Eisenhower for various activities. They are fun and suitable for everyone in the family.
1. Hiking Trails
One of the popular activities at Dwight D Eisenhower Park is hiking. This park features the most incredible hiking around Houston. If you are looking for an adventurous trip, plan a visit to this park. Dwight D Eisenhower Park has three beautiful trails perfect for hiking and outdoor activities. The trails range from 3 to 19 meters in elevation gain.
The famous trails in the park include Palmetto Trail, San Jacinto Trail Loop, and Copperhead Loop Trail. The Palmetto Tail measures 2.6 km with an elevation gain of 4m allowing people to hike through the observation point trail. San Jacinto is estimated 5.3km long perfect for biking, hiking, and walking. The Copperhead Trail is 1.8km perfect for a strenuous hike. Families enjoy trips around here jogging, biking, and bird watching.
2. Enjoy Fishing
Dwight D Eisenhower Park has two beautiful lakes, ponds, and a fish hatchery. Even though the fish hatchery is for observation, people do fishing. The park has a fish cleaning station and a boat ramp for everyone. In addition, a fishing license is not a must.
Catch fish like largemouth bass, bluegill, rainbow trout, white bass, sauger, channel catfish, carp, and crappies.
3. Pet-Friendly Amenities
Dwight D Eisenhower Park is a pet-friendly spot. These 682 acres provide a pet-friendly atmosphere for your pet. Enjoy hiking the trails in the company of your big fido. Leashed dogs are allowed to join you in walking, hiking, or climbing. It is important to remember pets are not allowed in any state park buildings or restrooms.
4. Fish Hatchery
Are you looking for a place to learn about aquatic ecosystems? The Dwight D Eisenhower National Fishery was opened as an observation wildlife facility for fish. It was constructed in the early 90s to produce different kinds of fish including brook trout, Atlantic salmon, and char.
This fish hatchery is rearing fish for anglers to Vermont’s Anglers, Lake Ontario, and Lake Champlain Basin. The fish is open from 8 am to 4 am for visitors to view the fish. In addition, Dwight D Eisenhower Fish Hatchery offers formalized work training for high school and college students. They take part in natural resources programs, internships, and biological sciences.
5. Expansive recreational facilities
Dwight D Eisenhower Park is home to unique sporting activities. The park features basketball courts, swimming pools, 18 hole disc golf course, volleyball courts, a lighted tennis court, and a soccer field. All athletic pieces of equipment are provided by the park’s recreational center.
6. Wildlife
Dwight D Eisenhower Park is a popular spot for bird watching and wildlife. The park is packed with different animals that await your adventure. Some of the animals you will see include bobcats, squirrels, raccoons, armadillos, skunks, whitetail deer, wild turkeys, waterfowl, and furbearers.
7. Eisenhower Tower
Eisenhower Tower is one of the few places in Houston, where you can spend time enjoying the city’s scenic views. People spend time at the Eisenhower Tower relaxing and admiring the city’s natural environment. It is a great spot to watch magical sunrise and sunsets.
The tower features stairs to help you climb up. Eisenhower observation tower offers the best of the worlds due to shots of downtown San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country. This observation tower has a 1,278-foot elevation perfect for picnics.
8. Family-friendly activities
Dwight D Eisenhower Park is a unique family destination spot. As one of the historic parks in Houston, Eisenhower Park offers a variety of family-friendly activities. Families spend time hiking and biking on the beautiful natural hiking trails.
Eisenhower Park also has a huge kid’s playground to keep children entertained. The playgrounds is well maintained featuring various slides, swings, and climbing structures. Adults enjoy jogging or resting in the park’s picnic areas while kids enjoy biking. In addition, Dwight D Eisenhower Park provides an opportunity for families to try fishing. It is permitted to children of all ages and safety is ensured around the ponds.
9. Host an Event
Planning for an event requires a lot of cash and arrangements. Sometimes finding a cheap venue that is beautiful and accommodate all your guests is tricky. Whether you are looking forward to a simple night out or a big event, visit Eisenhower Park. Dwight D Eisenhower Park is a great place to host various events. The park has numerous gardens and two lakes providing ideal setups for weddings and birthday parties.
The natural greenery provides a serene environment for family and friends to relax. Dwight D Eisenhower Park is a popular destination for people planning events around the city. The park has an outdoor amphitheater that accommodates a lot of people. This space is ideal for events such as graduations, family gatherings, music festivals, and sports championships.
10.Nearby Accommodations
After spending your whole day enjoying various activities at the park, you will need a place to eat and relax. Dwight D Eisenhower Park has nearby accommodations to spend the night. These include Super 8 by Wyndham, Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, and Piccolo Buco