Thirty miles from Downtown Houston is the Lake Houston Wilderness Park, a 5,000- acre stretch of natural wilderness that is part of the Houston Parks and Recreation Department. Home to several species of snakes and fish and providing a natural habitat for numerous types of birds, Lake Houston offers a chance to see some of Texas' wildest animals in their natural surroundings.
Within the park are a variety of activities including kayaking, hiking and horseback riding, with numerous trails paving different routes throughout the preserve.
The park has a selection of lodging choices from camping in the Baptist Encampment to renting one of three lodges. 2010 prices for the park begin at $7 per night for tent accommodation and go to $160 per night for Lazy Creek Cottage. Entrance fees to the park for 2010 are $3 per person.
Lake Houston Wilderness Park and Campsite
22031 Baptist Encampment Rd.
New Caney, TX 77357
houstontx.gov
Over 97,000 acres of waterways, forestry and land make up the Big Thicket National Preserve. Approximately 110 miles from Houston, this diverse wilderness offers an abundance of outdoor recreation including fishing, hiking, kayaking and swimming. Although no formal camping grounds are within the preserve, camping permits can be obtained from the visitors center, and some areas of the park are are allocated for camping. Although only 2 hours from downtown skyscrapers, Big Thicket is a world away from the big-city feel of Houston and is an ideal place for a weekend camping trip.
Big Thicket National Preserve
Visitor Center 6102 FM 420
Kountze, TX 77625
409-951-6700
nps.gov/bith
A mere 55 miles from Houston is Galveston Island, a seaside resort full of historic areas, tropical gardens and sandy beaches. For theater goers there is the Grand 1894 Opera House that holds performances all year round, while for the young and the young at heart there is the Schlitterbahn Waterpark with its water flumes and slides. Elsewhere, visitors can explore Moody Gardens with its host of tropical plants and IMAX cinema or simply relax on the 32 miles of sandy beach that line Galveston Island's coast. A wide range of accommodation choices from hotels to beachfront rental homes mean something is available to suit everyone. Just over an hour from Houston, Galveston Island is a great destination for family vacations and short breaks.
Galveston Island
Galveston TX 77550
galveston.com
