Lake Houston Wilderness Park, Nature reserve and park in New Caney, Texas, US
Lake Houston Wilderness Park is a 5,000-acre wooded parkland in New Caney, Montgomery County, Texas, owned and overseen by the Houston Parks and Recreation Department. It holds thick forest, creeks and swampy wetlands, with over 20 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails of varying difficulty. Facilities include lodging cabins, an archery range, canoeing and a nature center with young alligators, snakes and spotted gar.
The land was settled by cattle ranchers in 1862 and later taken over by the lumber industry, which used the railroad to harvest timber. Texas bought the property in 1981 and opened it as Lake Houston State Park in 1992, before the City of Houston took it over in 2006 and gave it its current name.
Most trails are dirt paths through dense woodland, so sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate clothing are a good idea. If you plan to stay overnight, book a cabin or campsite in advance, as spots fill up quickly.
Lake Houston Wilderness Park is the only park in the Houston Parks and Recreation Department system with overnight camping and lodging, offering A-frame cabins with running water and electricity as well as simpler cabins without them. The nature center displays young alligators, snakes, and spotted gar, while alligators are occasionally seen in the park's swamp.
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