Trails Information
Explore the ecological crossroads of Brazos Bend.
- American alligator
We invite you to enjoy, appreciate and learn from the trail system at Brazos Bend State Park. Watch the many kinds of birds that feed in the park’s lush wetlands. Observe the interrelations of nature and listen to sounds of the marsh, prairie and woodlands as they reveal many species of wildlife.
We have an all-terrain wheelchair for use in the park; call us to reserve it for your visit: (979) 553-5101, x0.
Trails
All trails are hiking and biking unless otherwise indicated.
This list may not include all trails in the park.
| Trail | Distance | Time | Difficulty | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Creek Loop | 1.7 mi. | 1 hr. | Moderate | This primitive trail takes visitors on a hike along the creek and to the park’s Loop Trail north boundary. |
| Elm Lake Loop | 1.7 mi. | 1 hr. | Moderate | This very popular route gives you some of the best wildlife viewing anywhere. |
| Red Buckeye Trail | 1.4 mi. | 90 min. | Moderate | For visitors looking to get away from the crowds and take a walk in the woods, this trail offers miles of tranquility and wild discovery. |
| Pilant Slough Trail | 1.2 mi. | 1 hr. | Moderate | This trail starts near the amphitheater at the nature center and follows Pilant Slough as it meanders through the bottomland forest. |
| 40 Acre Lake Trail | 1.2 mi. | 1 hr. | Moderate | An excellent way to view the American alligator, this hike allows you to experience several different aquatic habitats. |
| Prairie Trail | 1.3 mi. | 1 hr. | Moderate | This short trail takes visitors to an elevated observation platform overlooking a coastal tall grass prairie and boardwalk over a small temporary pond. |
| Live Oak Trail | 1.7 mi. | 90 min. | Moderate | Hike this route along the park's southern boundary to experience the wetlands ecosystem, a major part of our park. |
| Creekfield Lake ADA Trail | 0.5 mi. | 90 min. | Easy | This short trail with ADA accessible attributes makes it easy for you to see many different kinds of wildlife and features interpretative signs along the way. |
| Creekwood Lake Trails | 6.0 mi. | 2.5 hrs. | Challenging | Hike these two backcountry trails for a rigorous trek through the wilderness of Brazos Bend. |
| Hoots Hollow Trail | 0.7 mi. | 30 min. | Moderate | One of our shorter trails, Hoot's Hollow offers a fairy tale view of our park's woodland ecosystem. |
| Spillway Trail | 0.6 mi. | 30 min. | Moderate | This short trail serves as a shortcut between the 40 Acre Lake Trail and Elm Lake Loop and provides excellent wildlife viewing. |
| Horseshoe Lake Loop | 1.2 mi. | 1 hr. | Moderate | Following our horseshoe lakes, this trail provides an excellent location for bank fishing. |
| Campground Trail | 0.3 mi. | 15 min. | Moderate | Convenient for our campers, this trail provides an easy path from our camping loops to the Nature Center and the Creekfield Lake ADA Trail. |
| Creekfield Lake Woodland Trail | 0.6 mi. | 30 min. | Moderate | This trail explores the wooded areas surrounding Creekfield Lake and the George Observatory, with a small pier overlooking the lake. |
| Observatory Trail | 0.03 mi. | 5 min. | Easy | Accessed through the Creekfield Lake ADA Trail, this trail provides easy access to the George Observatory. |
| Hale Lake Loop | 2.5 mi. | 90 min. | Moderate | Walk this scenic trail with access to benches, a fishing pier, a gazebo, and the Hale Lake day-use area for a perfect view of all that Hale Lake has to offer. |
| Hale Lake Woodland Trail | 0.4 mi. | 10 min. | Moderate | This short, wooded trail provides easy access to the Hale Lake Loop. |
| White Oak Trail | 1.7 mi. | 1 hr. | Moderate | This trail winds through the woodlands near the Hale Lake day-use area and provides access to many trails including Red Buckeye, Franky's Dam and Bluestem trails. |
| Big Creek Bridge Trail | 0.5 mi. | 30 min. | Moderate | This wooded trail provides visitors with a perfect view of Big Creek and provides easy access to our equestrian trails. |
| Franky's Dam Trail | 0.5 mi. | 30 min. | Moderate | This trail connecting the White Oak and River View trails provides a view of our woodlands along the Brazos River. |
| Bluestem Trail | 1.0 mi. | 1 hr. | Moderate | This trail provides access to many other routes including Franky's Dam, White Oak, River View, Bayou, and Big Creek Bridge trails. |
| Bayou Trail | 1.4 mi. | 90 min. | Moderate | Meandering along one of our many waterways, this technical trail offers excellent experience for beginner level mountain bikers. |
| Sawmill Trail | 1.7 mi. | 1 hr. | Moderate | Following the park's northern property line, this well-shaded woodland trail is ideal for equestrian use. |
| River View Trail | 1.7 mi. | 1 hr. | Moderate | This scenic trail exhibits our picturesque forests and floodplains rich with palmettos. |
| Yellowstone Landing Trail | 0.24 mi. | 15 min. | Moderate | This short trail in the northeastern corner of the park leads to the gorgeous Yellowstone Landing overlooking the Brazos River. |
Points of Interest
GPS coordinates shown in decimal degrees.
| Point | Latitude | Longitude | 360° Views | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elm Lake Wildlife Viewing Platform | 29.3770° | -95.6057° | View of Elm Lake Wildlife Viewing Platform | This well-equipped deck provides spectacular panoramic views of the many wildlife species that live in Elm Lake. |
| Observation Tower at 40 Acre Lake | 29.3738° | -95.6229° | No photo available | Ascend this tower for memorable views of the sunsets, sunrises, marshes, lakes and hardwood wetlands that set Brazos Bend apart. |
| Yellowstone Landing | 29.3956° | -95.5471° | No photo available | The steamer "Yellowstone" passed this point many times during the Texas Revolution and Republic era. Today, it's a great fishing location. |
| Creekfield Lake ADA Interpretive Trail | 29.3754° | -95.5962° | View of the Creekfield Lake ADA Interpretive Trail | A microcosm of the entire park, this paved route includes interpretive sign panels and makes wildlife accessible for all. |
| Observatory | 29.3750° | -95.5935° | View of the Observatory | Journey to the stars at this astronomical observatory operated by the Houston Museum of Natural Science. |
| The Cistern at the Nature Center | 29.3764° | -95.5968° | View of the Cistern at the Nature Center | A clue that a house once stood here, this underground water storage and collection tank provided water during the 1800s, before modern utilities existed. |
| Prairie Platform on Prairie Trail | 29.3678° | -95.6292° | View of the Prairie Platform on the Prairie Trail | This platform provides excellent views of restored coastal prairie, a remnant of an ecosystem that once covered millions of acres of prehistoric Texas. |
Staying Safe
- Know your limits. Prepare for sun and heat. Wear sunscreen, insect repellent and appropriate clothing/hiking shoes.
- Drink plenty of water. Your body quickly loses fluids when you’re on the trail. Bring a quart of water per hour of activity.
- Tell others where you’ll be. If possible, avoid exploring alone. Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.
- Wear a helmet when biking. Check with park HQ to match the trail to your skill level. Wear a helmet to protect yourself in case of a crash.
- Alligators live in this park. Stay at least 30 feet away from them. Stay out of the water! Never annoy or try to feed an alligator!
- Potentially harmful plants and animals live here. You’ll see them more easily if you stay on trails.
Trail Etiquette
- Trash your trash. Keep your park looking natural. Pack up all of your trash and Leave No Trace.
- Leave feeding to nature. Feeding wild animals will make them sick and more likely to harm people.
- Take only memories and pictures. Please don’t disturb or remove any of the park’s plants, animals or artifacts.
- Keep pets on leashes no more than six feet in length for their safety, and to protect wildlife.
- We need to know about your caches. Please check with park HQ before placing geocaches within the park.
