Bear Creek Pioneers Park
Park
2,174 acres23.1 mi of trail
Plummer TraceHigh Road ConnectorEldridge View TrailBoy Scout Field Trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lot
Photo: Katie Haugland Brown · CC BY 2.0A−Outdoors
Outdoors in Houston
11% of Houston’s land is conserved: 44,899 acres
The biggest trail networks: Bear Creek Pioneers Park (23.1 mi), George Bush Park (18.7 mi), Hermann Park (12.1 mi). 444 miles of mapped trail cross Houston, 0.7 per square mile of land. 80% of residents live within a half mile of a park.
Ahead of 76% of U.S. towns · #87 of 642 in Texas. What drives it
Conserved land
11%
44,899 acres · of 640.8 sq mi of land
Trails
444 mi
0.7 per sq mi of land
Park land
29,030 ac
12 acres per 1,000 residents
Near a park
80%
of residents within ½ mile
Bike routes
544 mi
222 mi lanes · 307 mi paths
Highest peak
10 ft
Blackwell Peninsula
Lakes & rivers
64
4 beaches · 9 boat launches
What kind of outdoors town is Houston?
Read from the map. The page puts what stands out first.
Outdoors grade
How much outdoors does Houston have?
On conserved land, trails, park land and how close residents live to a park, Houston is ahead of 76% of U.S. towns, #87 of 642 in Texas. All four inputs are above most U.S. towns; conserved land ranks highest, park acres per resident lowest.
A−
OutdoorsA character grade: shown, never part of Houston’s overall grade.
Conserved land11% of the land · typical TX town 2% · U.S. 4%A−Trails0.7 miles of mapped trail per square mile of land (444 mi) · TX 0.2 · U.S. 0.4B+Park land12 acres of park per 1,000 residents (29,030 acres) · TX 9 · U.S. 13B−Parks close to home80% of residents within a half mile of a park · TX 69% · U.S. 72%B
All U.S. towns we grade (21,298)Ahead of 76%
LessMore
Texas towns of 2,500+ (642)Ahead of 87%
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Houston ranks #231 on Outdoors.
Few Texas towns conserve much land (a typical one, 2%; the U.S., 4%), so Houston’s 11% is ahead of 91% of Texas towns, while its trails per square mile lead 81% of them.
How sure. Graded on any three of the four inputs instead, the letter would range from B+ to A−. Trails and many small parks come from OpenStreetMap, mapped by volunteers, so coverage varies from town to town; the half mile is a straight line from each census block, so a river or highway in the way isn’t counted against it. A citywide figure averages neighborhoods that differ a lot.
PAD-US, OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors), Census 2025 Gazetteer and 2020 blocks; details in Sources below. How TownRatings grades the outdoors →
The map
Conserved land, trails & bike routes
Tap a number to zoom to a park. Tap a layer to hide it.
Easements protect land from building but are usually private.© OpenStreetMap contributors · USGS PAD-US
Places to walk
Pick a walk
The longest trail network is Bear Creek Pioneers Park, with 23.1 miles. Directions go to the nearest trailhead or public parking.
George Bush Park
Park
8,030 acres18.7 mi of trail
Barker Dam
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lot
Hermann Park
Managed by Houston Parks and Recreation Department
430 acres12.1 mi of trail
Marvin Taylor Exercise TrailGreenway
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lotWebsite ↗
Terry Hershey Park
Nature preserve
533 acres11.8 mi of trail
Anthills
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lot
Memorial Park
Managed by Houston Parks and Recreation Department
1,447 acres10.7 mi of trail
Outer LoopSeymour Lieberman Exercise TrailRavine TrailCouch Birding Trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lot
East End Park
Park
260 acres5.2 mi of trail
South Loop TrailNorth Loop TrailPelican Overlook Loop TrailEagle Point Trail+1
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lot
Houston Arboretum Park
Park
103 acres4.1 mi of trail
Outer LoopInner LoopRavine TrailWildflower Trail+1
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lot
El Franco Lee Park
Park
388 acres3.5 mi of trail
Hail Cesar! 2.0Slowpoke RodriguezGator RunSilo Ridge
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lot
All 306 parks & preserves
Bear Creek Pioneers Park2,174 acres · 23.1 mi of trail
DirectionsGeorge Bush Park8,030 acres · 18.7 mi of trail
DirectionsHermann Park430 acres · 12.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsTerry Hershey Park533 acres · 11.8 mi of trail
DirectionsMemorial Park1,447 acres · 10.7 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsEast End Park260 acres · 5.2 mi of trail
DirectionsHouston Arboretum Park103 acres · 4.1 mi of trail
DirectionsEl Franco Lee Park388 acres · 3.5 mi of trail
DirectionsLake Houston Wilderness Park618 acres · 2.4 mi of trail
Alexander Deussen Park309 acres · 2.4 mi of trail
DirectionsCullen Park91 acres · 2.4 mi of trail
DirectionsThe Commons24 acres · 2.2 mi of trail
DirectionsBuffalo Bayou Park182 acres · 2 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsMoody Park42 acres · 1.7 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsJesse Jones Park109 acres · 1.6 mi of trail · Harris County Precinct 3
DirectionsHerman Brown Park97 acres · 1.6 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsSan Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site388 acres · 1.5 mi of trail · Texas Historical Commission
DirectionsMacGregor Park61 acres · 1.4 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsT C Jester Parkway176 acres · 1.2 mi of trail
DirectionsLaw Park315 acres · 1.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsWillow Waterhole Greenway303 acres · 1.1 mi of trail · Willow Waterhole Greenspace Conservancy;Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsSylvan Rodriguez Park121 acres · 1.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Tidwell Park79 acres · 1.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsBlueridge Park42 acres · 1.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsFinnigan Park18 acres · 1.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsBrock Park382 acres · 1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsArthur Storey Park109 acres · 1 mi of trail
DirectionsFreedom Park42 acres · 1 mi of trail
DirectionsDodson Lake Park42 acres · 1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Boone Road Park24 acres · 0.9 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
West 11th Street Park24 acres · 0.9 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsWilson Memorial Park42 acres · 0.8 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsWiess Park24 acres · 0.8 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsMontie Beach Park18 acres · 0.8 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsWestwood Park12 acres · 0.8 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsRay Courtyard6 acres · 0.8 mi of trail
DirectionsSunnyside Park55 acres · 0.7 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsTownwood Park30 acres · 0.7 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsLents Family Park East24 acres · 0.7 mi of trail
DirectionsEdith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary18 acres · 0.7 mi of trail
Schwartz Park18 acres · 0.7 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsHarwin Park12 acres · 0.7 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsHill at Sims309 acres · 0.6 mi of trail · Harris County Precinct 1
DirectionsBlackhawk Park55 acres · 0.6 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Stude Park42 acres · 0.6 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsRobert Stuart Park30 acres · 0.6 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsMeyer Park18 acres · 0.6 mi of trail · Harris County Precinct 4
DirectionsSquatty Lyons Park12 acres · 0.6 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsEastwood Park12 acres · 0.6 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsMcGovern Centennial Gardens6 acres · 0.6 mi of trail
DirectionsLovett Field6 acres · 0.6 mi of trail
DirectionsKeck Field6 acres · 0.6 mi of trail
DirectionsRick Rice Park18 acres · 0.5 mi of trail
DirectionsHutcheson Park18 acres · 0.5 mi of trail
DirectionsTuffly Park18 acres · 0.5 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsFiorenza Park East18 acres · 0.5 mi of trail · Harris County Precinct 3
DirectionsNob Hill Park12 acres · 0.5 mi of trail · Harris County Precinct 3
Middlebrook Park12 acres · 0.5 mi of trail · Middlebrook Community Association
DirectionsNorthline Park12 acres · 0.5 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsGarden Villas Park12 acres · 0.5 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsCloverland Park12 acres · 0.5 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsChristia V. Adair Park61 acres · 0.4 mi of trail
DirectionsMarian Park18 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsHaviland Park18 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsReveille Park18 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsThe Yolanda Black Navarro Buffalo Bend Nature Park18 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Harris County Precinct 2
DirectionsHaden Park12 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsCarverdale Park12 acres · 0.4 mi of trail
DirectionsHidalgo Park12 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Pleasanton Manor Park12 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsOak Forest Park12 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsDiscovery Green6 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Discovery Green Conservancy
DirectionsDylan's Park6 acres · 0.4 mi of trail
DirectionsJames W. Lee Park6 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Busby Park6 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsBayland Park79 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Harris County Precinct 4
DirectionsSchnur Park36 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsWoodland Park30 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsVeterans Memorial Park18 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsAlief Amity Park18 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Harris County Precinct 3
DirectionsGlenbrook Park12 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsHobart Taylor Park12 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsIngrando Park12 acres · 0.3 mi of trail
DirectionsBraeburn Glen Park12 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsAron Ledet Park12 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsLincoln Park12 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsHouston Gardens Park12 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Hartman Park12 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsRay Miller Park6 acres · 0.3 mi of trail
DirectionsBayou Bend Collection and Gardens6 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Museum of Fine Arts Houston
DirectionsShady Lane Park6 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsLee Hager Park6 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Songwood Park6 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Cutten Green Community Garden6 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Cutten Green HOA
Karl Young Park6 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsChimney Rock Park6 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsPumpkin Park6 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsIndependence Heights Park6 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsJaphet Creek Park6 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsProctor Plaza Park6 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Melrose Park103 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsCambridge Village Park67 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsGeorge Bush Park Pavilions Area48 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsDeer Ridge Park42 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsAlief Community Park24 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
White Oak Parkway24 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsTony Marron Park24 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Spotts Park24 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsPeiser Park18 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
San Jacinto Park12 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Taub Greenspace12 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Meadow Creek Park12 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
Freeway Manor Park12 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsGrimes Park12 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsMonsignor Bill Pickard Park12 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Harris County Precinct 4
DirectionsBonham Park12 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Windsor Village Park12 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsTanglewood Boulevard Esplanade12 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
Southcrest Park12 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsDow Park6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsRosewood Park6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsEdgewood Park6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsLangwood Park6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsWillow Park6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsShepherd Park6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
Brewster Park6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsSpringSpirit Sports and Education Complex6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
Forest West Park6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Cleveland Park6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsOak Meadows Park6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsSouth Main Estates Park6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsJudson W. Robinson, Sr. Park6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsSycamore Springs Park6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
Verde Forest Park6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Regency Green Pocket Park6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Harris County Precinct 3
DirectionsBriarbend Park6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsKatharine Randall Schweppe Park6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsAutry Park6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsMoritz Pech Family Park6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsGlenmore Forest Park6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsFannin-Greenbriar Triangle6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsQuebedeaux Park6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsExploration Green200 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsMason Park103 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsRiver Grove Park91 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsMilby Park42 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsCullinan JS and LH36 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsTimbergrove Manor Park36 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsAgnes Moffitt Park36 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
Hunting Bayou Greenway36 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsJ. T. Trotter Park36 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsWatonga Parkway Park30 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Margaret Jenkins Park30 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsBurnett-Bayland Park24 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsMcClendon Park24 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Harris County Precinct 4
DirectionsSabine-to-Bagby Promenade24 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsHogg Bird Sanctuary18 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsNottingham Park12 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Harris County Precinct 4
DirectionsSelena Quintanilla Perez Park12 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsSam Houston Park12 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsEleanor Tinsley Park12 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsBeech-White Park12 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Godwin Park12 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsLynn Eusan Park12 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsSam Houston Landing12 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Port of Houston Authority
DirectionsTrinity Gardens Park12 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsFreed Park6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsClark Park6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Winzer Park6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsGreenwood Park6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Freshmeadow Park6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Francklow Park6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsJaycee Park6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsCoastal Prairie6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsCrestmont Park6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Westbury Park6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsSettegast Park6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsDanny Jackson Dog Park6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Harris County Precinct 3
DirectionsMabry Mill Park6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsAndover Park6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Stein Family Park6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsLakeview Park6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
Woodland Trails Park6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
Sergeant J.R. Hatch Park6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsLakeside Park6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsCastillo Park6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsCullen Family Plaza Fountain6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsMilroy Park6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsWilhelmina's Grove6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsBear Branch Pool6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
Wiley Park6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsBurnett Street Park6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsAvondale Promenade Park6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsHerman Brown Park Nature Preserve721 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsKeith-Wiess Park478 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsAntoine Greenspace254 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsBlue Ridge (County) Park242 acres
DirectionsCoolgreen Park157 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsEldridge Stormwater Detention Basin and Park103 acres
DirectionsWest Mount Houston Park67 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Mike Driscoll Park61 acres · Harris County Precinct 3
Brays Greenway Park55 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsMaxey Park48 acres
DirectionsFun Fair Positive Soccer Park42 acres
DirectionsDad's Club Sports Park36 acres
DirectionsFarnsworth Park36 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Sheldon Lake State Park and Environmental Learning Center30 acres · Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Clinton Park30 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsStuebner-Airline Park30 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsE.R. and Ann Taylor Park24 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Beverly Hills Park24 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsHackberry Park24 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
North Park Recreation Area24 acres
DirectionsMary Pierce Withers Park24 acres
Eagle Springs Pool & Sports Complex18 acres
South Post Oak Park18 acres · Fort Bend County Precinct 2
Clear Lake Sports and Recreation Complex18 acres
DirectionsLents Family Park West18 acres
Bendwood Park18 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsLittle Thicket Park18 acres
DirectionsRichard & Meg Weekley Park12 acres
DirectionsWortham Island Reserve12 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Gragg Park12 acres
DirectionsClub Creek Park12 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsGlenshire Park12 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsCrooker/Moody Park12 acres
DirectionsGulf Palms Park12 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsSagemont Park12 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsSims Bayou Park12 acres
Walter Rasmus Park12 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsLakewood Park12 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Brentwood Park12 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsGreens Bayou Greenway12 acres
DirectionsLake Forest Park12 acres
Sharpstown Park12 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Kenneth W. Royal Park12 acres · Clear Lake City Community Association
South Woodland Hills Park12 acres
DirectionsCharlton Park12 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsCurry Street Park12 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Freed Art & Nature Park12 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsParkwood Park12 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
McCullough Park12 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Alabonson Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsLittle Villa Wetland Park6 acres
DirectionsAmerican Legion Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsGrand River Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Jones Park6 acres
DirectionsPine Brook Park6 acres
DirectionsEmancipation Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsCandlelight Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsBrookline Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsStrickland Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsBoyce-Dorian Park6 acres · Harris County Precinct One
DirectionsFonde Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsGail Reeves Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsGarver Greenspace6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Love Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsFiorenza Park West6 acres
DirectionsAnderson Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsMeyerland Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsCrain Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
That Duck Park Lake Park6 acres
DirectionsIrvington Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsBuckboard Park6 acres
Thomas Bell Foster Park6 acres · Houston Parks Board
DirectionsRiverchase Park6 acres
Linkwood Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsHuntington Village Park6 acres
Warren Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Allen's Landing Memorial Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsSouthwest Crossing Community Pool6 acres
Ray Park6 acres
Tranquillity Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsCooper Road Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
De Zavala Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsGerald D. Hines Waterwall Park6 acres
DirectionsSneed Spark Park6 acres · Alief ISD
DirectionsGreens Bayou Park6 acres
J.P. White Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsVictoria Gardens Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsNorth Woodlands Hills Park6 acres
DirectionsBricker Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Pelham Park6 acres
Park at Palm Center6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
James Bute Park6 acres · Harris County
Village Place Community6 acres
Fleming Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Hogg Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsBeeler Memorial Pocket Park6 acres
DirectionsSt Lo. Park6 acres
Apache-Elbert Triangle6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Houston International Promenade6 acres
DirectionsCamp Logan Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsMary Elliott Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Rosslyn Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Samuel Spaceway Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsCampbell Woods Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsMalone Park6 acres
Confederate Ship Area Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsNottingham West6 acres
DirectionsPark Place Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Park Drive Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Marguerite Ray Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsRandall P. Jones Park6 acres · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsAllen Family Courtyard6 acres
DirectionsWho protects it
44,899 conserved acres
11% of Houston’s land. Who manages Houston’s conserved land, from the USGS Protected Areas Database. Approximate, because parcels can overlap.
Town or city38,764 ac
County31,739 ac
Joint10,289 ac
Land trusts & nonprofits2,392 ac
Regional agency684 ac
Other state land533 ac
Private owners151 ac
Conservation Easement · 38,159 acLocal Park · 31,764 acLocal Recreation Area · 6,038 acRecreation or Education Easement · 6,001 acLocal Conservation Area · 1,290 ac
Good to know
Conserved doesn’t always mean open to visitors. 5,123 acres are conservation easements, usually private land. Public access isn’t recorded for 16 of 877 parcels. The walks above are places people visit.
The biggest protected parcels
| Parcel (PAD-US) | Managed by | Acres | Public access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cullen Park (Lease) Local Park | Town or city | 10,459 | Open |
| George Bush Park Local Park | County | 7,976 | Open |
| Bear Creek Park Local Park | County | 3,058 | Open |
| Barker Cypress Local Park | Town or city | 2,277 | Open |
| Memorial Park Local Recreation Area | Town or city | 1,514 | Open |
| Brown Park Local Recreation Area | Town or city | 908 | Open |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Park Local Park | County | 799 | Open |
| Lake Houston Wilderness Park Local Conservation Area | Town or city | 612 | Open |
| Terry Hershey Park Local Park | County | 569 | Open |
| Keith-Wiess Park Local Recreation Area | Town or city | 478 | Open |
5 smaller protected places aren’t shown.
Things to do
1,134 places to go in Houston
Beaches, playgrounds, peaks, falls and more. Pick a kind.
Beaches in Houston
4 beaches without a name on the map. Tap “Show all on map” to see them.
Public pools in Houston
Baby Pool
DirectionsCambridge Oaks Pool
DirectionsClubhouse Pool
DirectionsCrusader Pool
DirectionsEast Pool
DirectionsElm Grove Community Center & Pool Complex
DirectionsGlenbrook PoolIn Glenbrook Park
Directions19 more public pools
Havenpark Pool
DirectionsHotel Omni Hotel
DirectionsKiddie pool
DirectionsKings River Community Pool
DirectionsKirkwood Country Pool
DirectionsLap Pool
DirectionsMabry Mill PoolIn Mabry Mill Park
DirectionsMiddlebrook Community PoolIn Middlebrook Park
DirectionsMission West Pool
DirectionsNorth Woodland Hills PoolIn North Woodlands Hills Park
DirectionsOmni Houston Hotel
DirectionsPool
DirectionsPool
DirectionsPool
DirectionsSagemont Pool
DirectionsSouth Woodland Hills PoolIn South Woodland Hills Park
DirectionsStone Loch Community Pool
DirectionsThornwood II Pool
DirectionsTrailwood Village Pool
Directions49 public pools are on OpenStreetMap in all; the list shows named ones from the first 30.
Playgrounds in Houston
Bunnell Family Playground
DirectionsChildren's Park
DirectionsChrist Memorial Lutheran Church Playground
DirectionsCole Creek Park Playground
DirectionsCountry Village Playground
DirectionsExplore the Wild Nature PlayspaceIn Hermann Park
DirectionsFleming Park
Directions22 more playgrounds
Frolic's Castle
DirectionsGeorge Butler Park
DirectionsH-E-B Gorilla ForestIn The Commons
DirectionsHavenpark Park
DirectionsJerold B. Katz Family Playground
DirectionsJohn P. McGovern Playground
DirectionsLittle Thicket Park PlaygroundIn Little Thicket Park
DirectionsMillie Bush Bark ParkIn George Bush Park
DirectionsMonkey Joe's
DirectionsNature PlayscapeIn Houston Arboretum Park
DirectionsPlay Area 1In Blueridge Park
DirectionsPlay Area 2
DirectionsPlayground
DirectionsPlayground Without Limits
DirectionsRon Meek Park
DirectionsSpace Adventure PlaygroundIn The Commons
DirectionsSpark Park
DirectionsSpider Web
DirectionsSplash CoveIn The Commons
DirectionsThe ThicketIn The Commons
DirectionsThornwood II Playground
DirectionsToddler TerritoryIn Houston Arboretum Park
Directions864 playgrounds are on OpenStreetMap in all; the list shows named ones from the first 30.
Dog parks in Houston
33ThirtyThree Dog Park
DirectionsBagby Dog Park
DirectionsBark Park
DirectionsBill Archer Dog Park
DirectionsEadog Park
DirectionsHarriet and Joe Foster Small Dog Run
DirectionsHartman Dogpark
DirectionsJohnny Steele Dog ParkIn Buffalo Bayou Park
Directions10 more dog parks
Kinder Large Dog Run
DirectionsLarge Dogs
DirectionsMaxey Bark & Run Dog ParkIn Maxey Park
DirectionsMcWilliams Dog ParkHours: Tue–Sun 6 am – 11 pm · In Hermann Park
DirectionsMean Dog
DirectionsMillie Bush Bark ParkIn George Bush Park
DirectionsSmall Dogs
DirectionsSneed Dog ParkHours: Mo-Fr 16:00-21:00, Sa-Su 07:00-21:00 · In Sneed Spark Park
DirectionsStone Loch Dog Park
DirectionsTC Jester Dog ParkIn T C Jester Parkway
Directions58 dog parks are on OpenStreetMap in all; the list shows named ones from the first 30.
Boat launches in Houston
9 boat launches without a name on the map.
Fishing spots in Houston
7 fishing spots without a name on the map.
Scenic views in Houston
Pond OverlookIn Houston Arboretum Park
DirectionsThe MountIn Hermann Park
DirectionsWatonga Bat Sighting Spot
DirectionsPlus 4 scenic views without a name on the map.
Peaks in Houston
Blackwell Peninsula10 ft elevation
DirectionsPicnic areas in Houston
Beverly and Staman Ogilvie Seating Area
DirectionsCenterPoint Energy Seating Areas
DirectionsEdith Smith Outdoor ClassroomIn Willow Waterhole Greenway
DirectionsJP Morgan Chase Bench Area
DirectionsJanie's Picnic AreaIn Willow Waterhole Greenway
DirectionsLake Picnic AreaIn Hermann Park
DirectionsPicnic Area 1In Memorial Park
DirectionsPicnic Area 2In Memorial Park
Directions4 more picnic areas
Picnic Area 3In Memorial Park
DirectionsPicnic Area 4In Memorial Park
DirectionsSarofim Picnic Lawn
DirectionsShelter A
Directions114 picnic areas are on OpenStreetMap in all; the list shows named ones from the first 30.
Campgrounds in Houston
1 campground without a name on the map. Tap “Show all on map” to see it.
Disc golf in Houston
1 disc golf course without a name on the map.
Community gardens in Houston
Community Garden
DirectionsFamily GardenIn McGovern Centennial Gardens
DirectionsHerman Brown Park Community Garden and Fruit OrchardIn Herman Brown Park · Houston Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsHershe Street Garden
DirectionsLauren’s Garden
DirectionsWestbury Community Garden
DirectionsWillow Meadows Baptist Church GardenWillow Meadows Baptist Church
DirectionsPlus 12 community gardens without a name on the map.
Trails & water
25 named trails and 64 lakes & rivers
Named trails
Open to bikes · 40.4 miHorses · 1.3 miUnpaved · 98.8 mi
Greenbelt Trails28.2 mi
Anthills8.7 mi
Barker Dam8.6 mi
Greenbelt Trail8.0 mi
Ameri Trail2.5 mi
South Loop Trail2.1 mi
Marvin Taylor Exercise Trail2.0 mi
Matt's Trail1.9 mi
Outer Loop1.8 mi
Paul Carr Jogging Trail1.8 mi
15 more trails
Palmetto Trail
1.2 miNorth Loop Trail
1.1 miHail Cesar! 2.0
0.8 miCreekside Trail
0.8 miPelican Overlook Loop Trail
0.7 miNorth Travis Tunnel
0.7 miNorth Louisiana Tunnel
0.7 miSouth Louisiana Tunnel
0.6 miMare Island
0.6 miHutcheson Park Hike & Bike Trail
0.6 miInner Loop
0.6 miGreens Bayou Greenway
0.6 miTunnel Loop
0.6 miRavine Trail
0.5 miEagle Point Trail
0.5 miLakes & rivers tap for directions
Alicante PondpondArrowwood PondpondArthur Storey Park Stormwater Detention BasinreservoirBayou PondpondBig EddyBrowns LakelakeCamden Holly Springs PondpondCullen Family Plaza Pond FountainpondDead Man's LakeEagle Springs Community PondpondEllington Field PondpondExploration Green Phase 1pondExploration Green Phase 2pondExploration Green Phase 3ApondExploration Green Phase 3bpondExploration Green Phase 4pondExploration Green Phase 5pondFriendship PondpondHarris GullypondHines LakelakeHodo LakepondKinder LakelakeLake AnnelakeLake CharlespondLake DorrispondLake MeredithlakeLake RyanlakeLily PondpondLittle EddielakeLorrie LakelakeLost LakepondMcGovern LakelakeMeadow PondpondMecom FountainMecom Rockwell ColonnadeNorth Woodway PondpondPatti Lynn LakelakePedal Boat LagoonRick Rice PondpondRobin LakelakeThe CisternWillow Oak PondpondBear CreekBerry BayouBrays BayouBuffalo BayouClear CreekCypress CreekGarners BayouGreens BayouHunting BayouKeegans BayouLittle White Oak BayouPanther BranchReinhardt BayouSan Jacinto RiverSims BayouSouth Mayde CreekTurkey BendTurkey GullyVogel CreekWest Fork San Jacinto RiverWhite Oak BayouWillow Waterhole Bayou
Biking & sports
544 miles of bike routes
Bike lanes are often missing from the map in smaller towns, so that number is likely low.
222 mi
painted or protected bike lanes
307 mi
off-road bike paths
16 mi
shoulders & shared lanes
AnthillsBike route
8.7 miCourts & fields
971Tennis
450Soccer
444Baseball
303Basketball
106Football
85Pickleball
59Beach volleyball
54Softball
Includes school and college facilities, which aren’t always open to the public.
History along the way
History →292 places on the National Register, 4 of them National Historic Landmarks
The country’s official list of places worth saving (National Park Service). The map also marks 80 historic points from OpenStreetMap: plaques, memorials and old buildings.
★
Space Environment Simulation LaboratoryNational Historic Landmark · Structure · listed 1985
About it1884 Houston Cotton Exchange BuildingBuilding · listed 1971
About itSweeney, Coombs & Fredericks BuildingBuilding · listed 1974
About itU.S. CustomhouseBuilding · listed 1974
About itKellum-Noble HouseBuilding · listed 1975
About itCleveland Harding Sewall HouseBuilding · listed 1975
About itOld Houston National BankBuilding · listed 1975
About itAnnunciation ChurchBuilding · listed 1975
About it1879 Houston WaterworksStructure · listed 1976
About it280 more on the History page.
When to get out
April is the best month for walking in Houston
NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for the town and the daylight at its latitude. Outlined months have long days, highs of 59 to 86 °F and little rain for the place.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daylight (h) | 10.4 | 11.1 | 11.9 | 12.9 | 13.6 | 14.0 | 13.9 | 13.2 | 12.3 | 11.4 | 10.6 | 10.2 |
| High (°F) | 64 | 68 | 74 | 79 | 86 | 91 | 94 | 94 | 90 | 82 | 72 | 65 |
| Rain (in) | 4.1 | 3.0 | 3.6 | 4.0 | 5.2 | 5.8 | 4.3 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 5.0 | 4.3 | 4.1 |
February is the driest month (3.0 in) and August the warmest (highs of 94 °F). 5.8 inches fall in June, the wettest month. Summer highs reach 94 °F, too hot for the outline. The climate in Houston →
Next door
Houston and its neighbors
Houston has the most mapped trails of the 8 towns around it. Tap a town to see its outdoors.
Houston444 miAtascocita26 miSpring24 miPearland22 miMission Bend1.2 miFresno0.9 miChannelview0.8 miCinco Ranch0.3 mi
| Town | Conserved of land | Trail mi per sq mi | Park acres per 1,000 | Near a park ½ mile | Outdoors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 11% | 0.7 | 12 | 80% | A− |
| Channelview | 1% | 0.1 | 2 | 61% | C− |
| Spring | 18% | 1.1 | 34 | 82% | A |
| Atascocita | 2% | 1.1 | 3 | 73% | B− |
| Mission Bend | 1% | 0.3 | 1 | 81% | C |
| Fresno | under 1% | 0.1 | 1 | 81% | C− |
| Cinco Ranch | under 1% | 0.1 | 2 | 84% | C− |
| Pearland | 3% | 0.4 | 8 | 92% | B |
The four inputs of the Outdoors grade, from the engine; shares are of land, not water.
Questions about parks and trails in Houston
Where can I hike in Houston?
The longest trail networks: Bear Creek Pioneers Park, 23.1 miles; George Bush Park, 18.7 miles; Hermann Park, 12.1 miles; Terry Hershey Park, 11.8 miles. Each one is on the map above, with directions to the nearest trailhead or parking.
How much of Houston is conserved land?
11% of its land, against a typical 2% for a Texas town and 4% nationally (PAD-US). Conserved doesn’t always mean open to visitors: easements are usually private land.
Are dogs allowed on Houston’s trails?
Bear Creek Pioneers Park and George Bush Park don’t have dog rules recorded on the map; check the signs at the trailhead.
Where can I bike in Houston?
544 miles of bike routes are on the map: 222 of painted or protected lanes, 307 of off-road paths and 16 of shoulders and shared lanes. Named routes: Anthills.
Is there public land near Houston?
88,932 acres of parks and open public land lie inside Houston or within 10 miles of it (PAD-US), 32,429 of them inside the city line.
How much outdoors does Houston have?
Ahead of 76% of U.S. towns on the Outdoors grade, #87 of 642 in Texas. The grade combines the share of land that is conserved, miles of mapped trail per square mile of land, park acres per 1,000 residents and the share of residents within a half mile of a park. It’s a character grade, so it isn’t part of the overall grade. How it works.
Trail talk
Conditions, parking and favorite walks from Houston neighbors.
Share a tip
Sources
Where this page comes from
Conserved and public land: USGS Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US), service updated July 2026. Parks, trails, playgrounds, beaches and other places: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), map data as of 2026-10-28. Land and water area: Census 2025 Gazetteer. Residents near a park: 2020 Census blocks. National Register: National Park Service. How TownRatings grades the outdoors →