Greens Bayou Paddling Trail
Paddle this 7.7 mile trail through a secluded natural jewel located in the middle of urban Houston. The bayou is wide and smooth, with many interesting coves and tributaries to explore, serene with heavily wooded banks. You will not realize you're in an urban area!
Trail Access
Brock Adventure Park
- Type:
- Access Point
- GPS Coordinates:
- 29.8423, -95.2317
Strickland Park
- Type:
- Access Point
- GPS Coordinates:
- 29.7931, -95.2068
Thomas Bell Foster Park
- Type:
- Access Point
- GPS Coordinates:
- 29.7743, -95.2020
Navigating the Trail
Trail Description
Trail Length: 7.7 miles total
Float Time:
Total time for full 7.7-mile trail: 2-3.5 hours (depending on water levels, tide, flow rate, and wind). Individual segments can be paddled in 1-1.5 hours.
Suitable to all levels of paddlers.
There is parking at three manicured launches along this trail at beautiful parks: Brock Adventure, Strickland and Thomas Bell Foster Parks. Encounter wildlife, from great blue herons, turtles, fish and even the occasional bald eagle and alligator as you paddle the tidal stretches of this beautiful bayou. This trail is the route for the Annual Greens Bayou Regatta, held in early October.
Please note: Due to steep banks and heavy undergrowth all the way to the edge of the water, takeout along banks is difficult. Be prepared to takeout at launches..
Hours:
Brock Adventure Park - Spring & Summer: 8am-8pm; Fall & Winter: 8am-6pm.
Strickland and Thomas Bell Foster Parks - sunrise to sunset
Private Property
Respect private property by not trespassing or littering and keeping noise levels down. This river is classified as navigable, which permits public use of the streambed and, if necessary, the banks to portage any hazard. Any other use of private river banks without permission of the landowner can be considered trespassing. Under Texas Penal Code (§30.05), criminal trespass occurs when one enters property after receiving notice not to enter. Notice includes verbal notice, a fence, sign(s), purple paint on posts or trees, or the visible presence of crops grown for human consumption.
Enjoy fishing, wildlife-watching and natural scenery on this paddling trail. Be sure to check the TPWD Paddling Events Calendar for regularly updated activities.
Trail Map
Things to Do and See
Fishing
The bayou supports numerous sunfish, bass and catfish. Small lures such as jigs, plastic worms, spinner baits and lite-line are recommended. A fish consumption advisory was established for Greens and Buffalo Bayous and to determine the most current status, please contact the Department of State Health Services for more information at 512-834-6757 or see the web site, www.dshs.state.tx.us/seafood/, before eating fish caught on the bayou.
Wildlife and Ecology
The riparian corridor of the Greens Bayou supports a great diversity of plant and animal life, along the bayou and beyond the banks. Birds spotted here include egrets, herons, ducks, even bald eagles! Common wildlife encountered include turtles, squirrels, and alligators. Loblollly Pine, American Elm and Sycamore, Live, White and Shumard Oak trees, along with other native and invasive species, grow along the bayou.
Rentals and Shuttles
Kayaking Texas
Performance kayaks and specialized paddling equipment
832-686-3231
Website: KayakingTexas.com
Pinky's Kayak Rental
713-510-7968
Website: https://pinkyskayakrental.com
Partnership
This trail has been made possible through a partnership between Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Houston Parks Board, Greens Bayou Coalition, Houston Parks and Recreation Department, National Park Service, Bayou Preservation Association, North Belt Utility District, Parkway Utility District, and North Houston District.
Greens Bayou Coalition – www.greensbayou.org
Bayou Preservation Association – www.bayoupreservation.org