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Brazos Bend State Park
Categories: Active Life Parks Active Life Hiking Parks, Hiking [Edit]
21901 FM 762Needville, TX 77461
(979) 553-5102
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 7 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
25 reviews for Brazos Bend State Park
25 reviews in English
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Review from Sara T.
PT WASHINGTON, FL
3/27/2012
Husband and I are novice bikers. This park has something for everyone. I like flatter trails without drops and large roots. We took some trails near elm creek. It was a beautiful park. We stopped at a park with playgrounds and bathrooms. It had picnic tables and a dock to look at wildlife. We saw the much warned about alligators (3 babies). Great park for hiking, biking, casual strolling, bird watching, playing with kids. Dogs must be leashed. $14 per adult to enter. Don't mind paying to keep the park beautiful.
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Review from carmen C.
5/22/2012
I'm hiking 2 sections of the Appalachain Trail this summer with a friend and have been on the quest to find trails for "training sessions" that are within 100 mile radius of Houston......as you can imagine, this is quite the feat!
Needless to say, I was surprised to find this park even existed so we ventured out last weekend and had a great time!
The area encompasses roughly 5,000 acres of swampy Texas bayou country where alligator sightings are the norm. The trails, though relatively flat were very well maintained. The maps provided at the welcome center were accurate and helpful. A multitude of options for camping, fishing, hiking and they even had a reptile center that kids would love.
We covered close to 9 miles then called it a day. Upon leaving we spotted a fish fry taking place on the corner at a convenient store benefitting the local fire department and had us a good ole time drinkin beer, listenin to Leonard Skynyrd (no lie) and eatin some darn tasty fried catfish....I was sure proud to be a Texan that day:-) -
Review from David N.
11/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
With the temperature dropping, but not freezing cold it's a perfect time to grab the gf and take a nature day.
We decided to come out here and explore the park. It's a bit of a drive out into the middle of no where, especially coming from ITL. But it was well worth it. There are plenty of parks in town but if you want to visit a place that is actually back to nature you're going to have to make the drive.
There's only one road and one road out, it's a bit winding, so if you leave at night be careful!
When you finally make it here, it's 7 per person for admission. They have plenty of camping sites, animals such as gators, deer, etc, but mainly it has the george observatory.
But you don't have to go to the observatory to see stars, with it being so secluded you can see the stars with the naked eye.Listed in: Houston: Parks
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Review from Edward W.
Houston, TX
Updated - 10/29/2011
Screaming kids! wtf is with all the ritalin laced crazy kids?
200+ Boy Scout cubs and Girl Scout brownies! What a nightmare!
You know what happens when you have so many kids together? It becomes a Jumanji nightmare!
My biggest mistake was camping here on the weekend with 200+ kids. My friends and I have been planning this camping trip for 2 months. We reserved 5 campsites for two nights at the primitive camping area, meaning we camped with no electricity and supposedly in a secluded area in the woods. We came in on a Friday and it was nice and quiet. Then when it got to 7PM we were overwhelmed with screaming kids.
You would figure that being cub scouts they have some discipline but I guess whistle blowing doesn't calm a horde of kids. Even with their parents, they were out of control.
So at 10PM it was curfew time. At around midnight, I was in my tent and I heard two horned owl hooting. I was enjoying my escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Then all of a sudden in the middle of the night some kid screamed for no reason!! Maybe he or she saw a bug?!?
The public restroom was very conveniently located for the primitive area. It was maybe 150 yards away. It was great to know that this park has FREE hot showers! As I was in the restroom, I saw new track signs of a new specie of creatures. These were very similar to tennis shoe foot prints but instead they were smaller and seam to be in great numbers and they seem to congregate indoors! hmmm.....could they be related to the pesky cub scouts?!? It was a mess in the restroom and I had to watch every step even when I was twinkling! I was afraid to step in the pool of yellow water that was around each urinal.
At 5AM in the morning, we heard the scoutmaster talking loud to herd the pesky cub scouts. Guess I don't need my alarm clock.....
Needless to stay with our baggy eyes, we canceled our next night stay due to the unwanted horde.
I love kids. I have the tendency to pick up crying kids and soothe them to sleep. However having witness 200+ kids together makes me want to give up parenthood! Then again those aren't my kids.
In a way, it was not the kids fault. It was a combination of irresponsible parents and how the park rangers allow these kids to gather up in the general public area. The park rangers should have posted signs of boy scout and girl scout activities. They also should have a designated area for these kids so they can be kids. It just doesn't make sense to have them staying at the dining hall next to primitive camp site when campers enjoy the serenity of being outdoors with maybe a few crickets chirping.
The park is still great when you don't have a 200+ rowdy kids.
It seems that the park has RV hook up.
So my advice to you future campers, CALL before you come to make sure the cub scouts or brownie fiends are not in the area.Listed in: Blue Sky, Fresh Air, Green…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/13/2009
I love being in the outdoors! This is a great place to enjoy nature. You can camp at designated… Read more »
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Review from Victor B.
Sugar Land, TX
8/13/2011
This place is beutiful. I come here every other week with my grandmother to fish. The park is amazing. The birds, alligators, everything.
The fish dont bite when it is hot I only caught 1 bass in 6 hours. Now me and my grandmother go right when they open (7am) and they bite like crazy. (hale lake and new horseshoe lake, elm lake is okay)
You can catch: largemouth bass, channel catfish, crappie, sunfish, buffalo, freshwater drum, carp, flathead catfish, blue catchish, hybrid catfish!
This is a great place to spend time with family and to fish. I reccomend this place alot! -
Review from Jackie M.
Houston, TX
10/15/2011 ROTD 2/3/2012
we used to come to this park from time to time when i was a kid. we didn't know what it was called when we were kids, so we called it alligator park, since there's alligators all over the place. i've never seen a park ranger, or any other employee on the grounds other than at the toll booth. i'm not sure how many accidents happen each year, or if the alligators simply aren't interested in eating people, but it amazes me that there are no barriers between us and them. i even remember one time when an alligator was sunbathing on one of the trails, and we were stupid enough to step right over it and continue hiking.
as previously mentioned, there are trails for hiking and biking. there are also lakes, but no swimming is allowed, unless you'd like to donate yourself to the alligators for lunch. the park also has barbeque grills and picnic tables. they tell you not to feed the alligators, but i'm still not sure what the alligators are eating everyday to survive. be sure to bring lots of bug spray, and keep an eye out for ticks and chiggers. also don't play around on the muddy banks on some of the trails and accidentally push your friend into the swampy river like my friend did to me back in the day.
if you come later in the evening and stay until nightfall, you can head over to the observatory to ogle some celestial bodies. that's a nice way to end the day! -
Review from Melissa G.
Katy, TX
6/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
What a great state park! The trails near the entrance are more swampy, but going further back into the park they are more "country" or prairie. It's like you get to see two different habitats all in one place.
I've been to this park about 4 times in the past 2 years so it's safe to say I really enjoy it. In the spring, there are lots of ducks, birds and in the fall and summer the alligators and banana spiders come out more. Lots of great picture opportunities with the animals and also being able to watch the sun rise over the lake/swamp area. You can hike or bike on the lake trails.
In the back of the park you have the Brazos River with more fields and trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. The same picture opportunities exist here, but more with the creeks, butterflies, and birds.
And then there is the observatory. I have yet to go here when it is open so I can't say anything about that experience, but I do love the idea that we have one here. -
Review from Steve M.
6/5/2011 6 Check-ins Here
I love this park!! There is so much to do and see here that it is always a great destination for a day trip out to nature.
I visit the park at least twice a month to do some hiking, as well as being an amateur photographer, I usually tote my camera with me to take some great photographs of nature.
There are over 35 miles of hiking trails ranging from walking around lakes to walking thru forests. Other activities include camping, fishing, geo-caching, cycling, running, picnics, and the list goes on.
The wild animals are the main attraction at the park. You can see deer, squirrels, birds, spiders, alligators, raccoons, and armadillos. There are lots of signs up warning of poisonous snakes, but in the 5+ years that I have been coming here, I have yet to see a snake.
Admission to the park is very cheap (currently it is $5 a person), or you can get a yearly pass for $60 which allows any number of people in your car to enter for free. This pass also works for any of the other state parks within Texas.
For the astronomy buffs out there, they have an observatory that features 2 large telescopes that will allow you to see distant planets and galaxies. As well, if you go on a Saturday night, they have a bunch of astronomers that set up their personal telescopes and allow guests to look at planets and stars for free. They are also very friendly and informative and are great to talk to. -
Review from Noelle A.
Wilmington, NC
1/14/2011
This park is absolutely gorgeous in terms of swamp land, moss hanging from trees, streams, trails, plants, animals (and insects), etc.
I saw lots of alligators (big and small). It was unnerving and exciting how close they were to the trails (some of them were ON the trail) and utterly scary how quickly they could move when disturbed.
I throughly enjoyed my experience there but, word to the wise: If you visit this park...
1. DO NOT FEED THE ALLIGATORS. You're teaching them to associate people with food. Here's your sign.
2. If you take your kids (it's great for educational purposes), for the love of god, do NOT let them run around willy-nilly. While I was there I saw several parents allow their children to get near the water's edge. Alligators attack at shoreline. Here's your sign.
3. Carry insect repellent. The mosquitoes are plenty and big enough to carry you away and suck you dry. Here's my sign (I didn't take any and paid the price in pints of blood).
4. If you see a baby alligator or a nest of 'gator eggs -- STAY AWAY. If you get near or in-between a mother alligator and her babies, by the time she gets done with you there may not be enough of you left to have a funeral. Here's your sign.
Anyway, if you enjoy hiking, nature, getting an up-close view of reptiles and don't mind being extremely hot, this is a great place to visit. -
Review from Michelle L.
San Francisco, CA
1/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
I don't live in Texas. I live in California. So, I have to put it out there that I may be a bit bias towards State & National Parks. That being said, I did enjoy my day at Brazos Bend. Nice hiking trails, TONS of birds, and maintained bathrooms. :)
We came on a Friday and it was empty - we saw four people total during the 3 hours we were there. $5 each to get in (adult rate).
Didn't see any full grown alligators (it was pretty cold, I assume, for Texas)... but did get to see some babies in the nature center!
Brazos Bend helped alter my view of Texas (which prior to my day here I thought was just all desert!) -
Review from Keith M.
Omaha, NE
11/28/2010
My wife and I were here for about two weeks in the first part of November. It's been about three weeks since, and I can honestly say that it's been the best time I've had on a vacation in a long time.
Where do I start? Of course, I was curious about the alligators, and we saw about 30 or 40 total. I thought I would get used to seeing them, but trust me, they deserve -- and get -- your attention when you're hiking along the waterways. One thing that I didn't know was that they tend to just stay right where they are. They don't move at all for the most part. I guess they're either resting, soaking up the sun, or just lazily waiting for their food to come to them.
It's hard to believe this place is so close to Houston. My guess would be that it's about 30 minutes from Hwy 59. It's SO quiet and relaxing here. I loved waking up every morning with no worries. After taking off from our jobs that don't allow for too much relaxation, I can't describe the feeling of sitting in front of a fire, watching the flames and listening to the animals and birds in the distance make their way through the night. Relaxing time with family like this is time that you will always remember and makes for great memories.
We went to the Observatory on Saturday night, and it was great. The amateur astronomers are happy to let you take a look into space with their telescopes, and we really enjoyed the time there.
Being close to Houston allowed us to do the required shopping at the various malls and whatever, which my wife was able to do. Also, it's only about an hour or two to the beach (Galveston), so we took a few days to head out there as well.
A word about the facilities -- I heard there were some delays in the repair of the permanent facilities. They were supposed to be complete in November, but wouldn't be done until the first of 2011. The temporary restroom facilities were actually fine; the trailers they brought in worked great for us. There were a couple of volunteers (from Illinois, somewhere around St Louis) that apparently made it their personal duty to make sure the restrooms were well-stocked and taken care of. They deserve a special thanks from us.
The shower facilities weren't on par with the restrooms. They're pretty narrow (and I'm an average-sized guy). All I can say is that when you visit, if you have a problem you can certainly bring it up to the management there, but don't take it out on the volunteers, who aren't responsible for the delays.
EVERYONE there was really nice, and went out of their way to make sure our stay was enjoyable. Their wi-fi at the front of the park worked fine for my necessary hour or two of computer time.
I can't wait to go again next year. Everyone who reads this should head down there for at least a day visit to check it out! -
Review from Melissa M.
Sugar Land, TX
7/2/2010 3 photos
Is it strange that my sister got married here? I thought so, but to each their own. The park offers a lot! You drive in and start to get an idea about how huge it is. Depending on the time of year you'll see everything from armadillos, rabbits, deer, raccoons, alligators, snakes, spiders, etc... all of which I have personally seen at this park. When we came for my sister's wedding, she had set up some tables and a ceremony area on the shore of Elm Lake. As she got married you could hear alligators making clucking noises in the background.
We've also been there to visit George Observatory. On Saturday nights (3pm - 10pm), amateur star gazers set up their expensive telescopes and let you look for free. You can also view the sky through the larger telescopes for a small fee. It's really a fun night!
There a bunch of other things to do there such as the Challenger Learning Center where local schools will have field trips to. There are tons of trails for walking, biking, running, etc.... just watch out for the snakes!
There is also a Nature Center where there is a gift shop. They also have some caged birds outside that were rescued and use for educational show-and-tell.
overall, I really like this park. It's not so far out of town where you need to stay the night (even though they do have camping areas), but it is far enough out that you can see the stars!Listed in: Green Spaces and Outdoor…
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Review from Jay M.
5/30/2010 ROTD 7/19/2010
So a bunch of my friends have planned to go star gazing to George observatory. I love to watch the stars and planets that we get to see with the naked eye up close on a telescope. . OK...trivia question...how do you tell the difference between a star and a planet? read on.
So the picnic starts at 5pm and I am irritated. The weather was awful and i was sweating. I wonder whose idea it was to go to this park at 5pm. I reach there and pay the $5 entry fee and drive to the camp grounds to meet up with my friends. Fair warning: once you get off 59 you think you're almost there...but the road twists so much that it takes a while to get to the actual picnic spot. so...we all gather on at the picnic area near the observatory and have a picnic. So the first surprise for me is that how the trees give it so much shade and that makes the weather a few degrees cooler. It was really pleasant. Also it had rained a little and that added to the coolness of the weather.
Now this is my first time here and one of my friends offers to walk with me around the lake on the trail. I am not a big fan of hiking but this trail is different. I got to see alligators, egrets, cormorants, swans and other animal species all along the trail. The trail itself takes about 45 mins to complete on a paced walk. No worries there are plenty of others taking the trail around the lake and it was cool. There were some alligators on the bank and hence only a few feet away from the trail. BTW..there are a lot of bushes all around and you might be tempted to do something naughty there. DON'T!...there are alligators where you don't see them and I don't want you to lose one of your appendages. Over all though a very enjoyable walk.
The George observatory was phenomenal. But the part I enjoyed was the telescopes in the patio that were trained on different objects like Venus and the nebula in Orion, Polaris and the big dipper etc. These guys have these green laser pointers that shoot beams to the sky and thats a sight to behold all by itself. Overall a very fun experience.
Definitely a family spot. As a date spot I think that this would be a fun place if you're going on a group date and picnic. Its a little out there and the beach would be a better option. Oh yea...stars twinkle. -
Review from Shazia C.
Washington, DC
11/30/2008 4 photos
I was out there for sky diving but due to extreme weather it got cancelled so I decided to check the park out since it was so close to the sky diving place AND I am glad I did !
Great Park, I drove around for 30min. They have amazing bike/hike trails; I am def going to go there again. I love photography and they have amazing lakes and scenery to capture.
Also, this place is great for camping. They have pretty much everything for everyone. If you are into bird watching, fishing, camping, biking, hiking etc then you should definitely go there. Memorial park is nothing as compared to this place.
The only drawback is that it's further away from the city (40 min or so) but great get away on the weekend. So.. Switch off your TV ... Grab a book, family and friends and go there, camp out ...have bbq.. Get going ... get moving Houston! -
Review from Katie F.
Houston, TX
8/2/2009
Just a little under an hour from the urban jungle of Houston lies this incredible opportunity to get away from the pandemonium of the city and back to nature. Brazos Bend is what Houston used to be before the Allen brothers founded it: a prairie paridise filled with live oaks, birds of all kinds, and yes...alligators!
Brazos Bend is about 15 miles from 59S on Crabb River Road. It's $5 to get in, and they give you a trail map so you can get around the park easily. Park in one of the many lots, slather on your sunscreen, and devise your hiking strategy before going too far. There are dozens of trails with options to see wetland, prairie, and woodland habitat, and some are busier than others. The first one (40 acre lake) is the busiest, and some of the others that lead to the Brazos River are practically empty. You can also fish, camp, and mountain bike in the park.
If you're around on a Saturday, make sure to stop by the George Observatory at 5pm to snag a ticket for the telescopes once the sun sets (they sell out quickly & start selling at 5pm, so be there on the dot). It's beyond incredible: the Houston Museum of Natural Science owns these three gigantic telescopes, and you get to go inside and look at things like nebulas and Saturn while a guide tells you all about what you're seeing. Amateur astronomers are also out there in force with their homemade telescopes. They'll let you look through them and are always willing to talk to you.
One final note: if you bring a pet, make sure it's on a leash at all times, and do not under any circumstances let it get near the water. It will become alligator bait. Also, bring lots of water for you & your pet, and don't forget that picnic lunch to eat while the sun's setting!Listed in: Ode to the Outdoors
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Review from Justus P.
Houston, TX
12/3/2009
yes its as everyone says, alligators! w00t! We came for the day and just thought to warn y'all to don't forget your hats and sunscreen. Its awfully bright out there and not particularly shady, especially where the alligators at. And definitely keep an eye out, and look for other folks that are pointing and staring. I guess we're not particularly observant, but that's the only way we found alligators, including a big one that was just chilling a couple feet away from the trail! In other words, if you're by one of the alligator lakes, make sure to look around before pausing at any point - you might be standing right in front of an 'gator!
Its amazing a place like this could be a so darn close thou Houston, but I'd definitely like to come back some time when we can stay the night and check out the observatory (even though my boss says that it used to be even brighter before Houston expanded so far out).
btw at $5 a person, I'd definitely recommend that you consider getting a year long state park pass. At $60 its a great deal (the card covers anyone in the vehicle) and if there's a couple of you in the car, it almost pays for itself right there!Listed in: Texas State Parks
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Review from April C.
10/5/2009
If you're looking for a nice getaway from the city, Brazos Bend State Park is the perfect retreat! There are city parks, but once you visit this state park, you'll see they aren't up to par.
My friend and I went for a lil fishing trip. (fyi, you don't need a fishing license at any state park.) There were a a couple piers and banks that we could fish from, but a couple had too much vegetation. There were parking lots near each of the locations of the lakes, which made it super convenient when having all of the fishing gear to lug around. The bathrooms were pretty clean too. (A+++ for that!)
You will see alligators, so you really do have to be careful if you're fishing off the bank. There were tons of families around - loved seeing that! The park is kept really clean.
For $5/person, we will definitely come back. I'm looking to put a camping trip together with some friends, so I'll probably write an update after that takes place. -
Review from Meticulously p.
Pasadena, CA
6/7/2011
Love it! I would have chosen five stars, but I need to take a dip in some type of water after hihking/biking. I don't dare swim in these swamps with those gators lurking. If you visit during the summer or late spring early fall you will for sure see those giants. although they do not like extreme heat.They are huge. don't settle for a little gator or baby, keep looking. they love to lay and bake in the sun. my hubby and i also visit and take the bikes. it is a nice bike trail. in the late fall and early spring it is very scenic not to mention beautiful weather-. don't see many when it is cold. park has an observatory as well. you can look tjrough telescopes on Fri and Sat nites during the summer $5.00pp. I was able to see the moon and Saturn. pretty awesome. my hubby and i sit, play cards, BBQ, drink cold beers and chill under the trees. it is nice, but i would love it if they had a gator free swim zone.-but that will never be the case.
i went last week and saw over 20 gators. it was crazy. I even saw a few fighting each other. like i said crazy.
once, while we were walking one crawled out and crossed our path. crazy.
cant believe no one has ever been injured by a gator at this park. i just got to keep reminding myself and try not to run and scream. -
Review from Shana P.
Houston, TX
10/1/2007 2 photos
With 5000 acres of park to enjoy, Brazos Bend State Park is a great weekend getaway that isn't too far from the urban sprawl of Houston.
If you're looking for a place to bike, hike, camp or picnic, Brazos Bend State Park has a lot to offer in a beautiful, natural setting. At the park there are 6 lakes for fishing. Each weekend, classes or guided hikes are held for visitors. On the premises, there is also an educational Nature Center that is open weekends and most holidays with hands on learning before you head out into the woods.
If you're into sky watching at night, this is the place to be. The George Observatory is housed at Brazos Bend State Park. It is a satellite facility of the Houston Museum of Natural Science which offers classes for those curious about astronomy or wanting to gain a little more knowledge. The observatory is an amazing addition to the park that you just won't find elsewhere. The Gueymard Research Telescope is one of the largest telescopes in the United States that is open to the general public.
Go for a weekend or just a day. Brazos Bend State Park has much to do without making a major road trip to do it. -
Review from Christine K.
Houston, TX
10/9/2007 1 photo
Brazos Bend State Park is almost 5000 acres of prairie and wetlands (with an equal number of alligators!) located 28 miles southwest of Houston. The wildlife is abundant - I've seen dozens of alligators, deer, all kinds of birds, possums, armadillos, and even feral hogs! There are miles of hiking, equestrian, and biking trails. You can also camp and fish (but you might lose your catch to a hungry alligator!). On Saturday nights, you can visit The George Observatory, with one of the largest telescopes in the nation open to the public on a regular basis. cost: free entrance with State Park pass or $4 per person + $5 for observatory tickets
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Review from Lora P.
12/6/2010
My friends and I camped here and found out that there is a pretty strict no alcohol rule (who camps w/ out beer??). As soon as we arrived and were setting up our a tents, a "deputy Dan" guy rolled up on a bike and griped at us immediately about beer. Seriously? Another major strike is that all their bathroom/shower facilities were shut down and they had port-a-potties in front of them to use instead. I'm not sure how long they're going to be shut down but it didn't look like construction had even begun on them.
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Review from Dee B.
2/18/2009
When you've been spending time in the city, particularly a metropolis such as Houston, surrounded by pavement, strip malls and traffic, you start to crave nature. Brazos Bend State Park is an excellent place to satisfy this craving. A short 45 min. drive from Houston, BBSP is a diverse and lovely park. The highlights are the alligators and the many bird species. Apparently the park is home to close to 300 different birds. If you're lucky, as we were, you might also spot an armadillo! There are many trails, there's a visitor center in which you can pet a baby alligator or see some of the native snakes. Overall, this is a wonderful and refreshing 1/2-day getaway from Houston.
Listed in: A Long Weekend in Houston
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Review from Neo K.
Houston, TX
7/13/2009
Nice short scenic ride from Sugar Land. Lots of trails from beginners to more advanced. Multiple lakes to fish from. FYI, bring a small cooler full of ice cold liquids. Visitor center has air conditioning and baby gators. Observatory Lab there too but only open on Saturdays. If you want to get away and breathe fresh air..........
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Review from jehan a.
Wheaton, IL
10/7/2009
Bigger than I expected!
Basic site (water + electric) $20/night + $5 entry fee per person
Clean bathrooms.
Well maintained trails.
So close to Houston!
Good hiking, cycling available if you're in to that, an observatory (open on Saturdays).
Great find. -
Review from Jaire Q.
I truly enjoy Brazos Bend State Park. Lucky for me my friend buys the membership and introduced me to this park. Now, I get to go and enjoy the park once in a while. I've been to this park twice, the first time we went to see the alligators around the lake, and that was fun. We recently went hiking there and it was great! I just love nature and anything having to do with walking around beautiful trees, around the river is A-ok with me. We were on White Oak and the Red Bucket trails. We visited Big creek, which has a beautiful view of Brazos River. Hiking we actually saw some deer crossing (Very fast) right in front of us! That was amazing (then we thought.. what are they running from!? lol). The park is absolutely beautiful and HUGE. You can camp, hike, fish, bike pretty much whatever you like to do outdoors. I wouldn't recommend swimming as that river doesn't look very safe. I definitely recommend this park. I think it's beautiful and I can't wait to go camping there one day!
Listed in: The Great Outdoors!
