Texas

Five days prior to Labor Day weekend of 2017 we were the crazy ones who decided to raft on the Rio Grande when we heard it jumped up to a flow of 10,000 cubic feet per second. This was one of the first times in 10 years that the water had ever been this high.  The 3 of us had canoed this stretch ...

The trick to this view is that the park gate closes at 5 pm. Therefore you have two options: Option 1Park at the entrance of the park (outside of the gate) and hike into the park. From there walk along the road to the park entrance ($5 entrance fee) and continue to the first left road ...

Start at the day use overflow parking lot, there is a picnic area and a paved road will lead you to the trailhead for the  East and West Trail Loops. Continue along, following the signs to the West Trail Loop. You'll come across little river crossings, but much of the trail is rocky with a nice g...

A simple, quiet drive down a dirt road (Grapevine Spring) leads you through desolate landscape until a parking lot sprouts up to your right.  From here you can see that a stretch of land sandwiched in a little valley where the trail heads directly east.  The trail is easy to follow, just keep yo...

There isn't an official trail to Turkey Peak, but it is one of the best views in the park. This is no easy climb, so be prepared to be sweating! From the parking lot head towards the Gazebo. From there begins the Summit Trail that leads to the top of Enchanted Rock, but you want to stay right, t...

Southeast of Houston is flat. It's damp, lots of bugs, not the place many visitors think of as having outdoor recreation opportunities. But hidden away about 5 miles south of Alvin, TX is this wonderful county park with a network of trails meandering around the aptly named Chocolate Bayou, a snak...

The Southeast Metropolitan Park Primitive Trail is a quick 2.3 mile hike, perfect for families, hikers, and trail runners. This trail is dog friendly, and is open for use year round. This hike is lightly trafficked, so this is a great place to go if you are looking for some solitude. 

After turning off Highway 1431 you'll drive through a little quiet and narrow one road neighborhood to arrive at the entrance to Shaffer Bend Recreation Area. From there you will drive down a dirt road which will take you almost all the way through Shaffer Bend's 523 acre lot, and lead you direct...

Park in the dirt lot off of Hunter Road (see map) to access the trail. Trail is open year round and is dog-friendly. 

NOTICE:For this activity it is necessary to have someone with lead climbing and belaying expertise. There is a wide range of difficulties on the routes. A guide that has climbed at this wall before is recommended. GETTING THERE:You can enter Gus Fruh from a couple of different points starting in ...

The Hike and Bike Trail around Lady Bird Lake provides great views of the city skyline from several different perspectives. It's perfect for exercising or just taking a stroll on. It's about a 10 mile looping trail however there are several points in which you can cross the river and make the loo...

Copper Breaks offers some great, private and group campsites that boast beautiful, Texas overlooks, click here for reservations. The two loops to the northeast and southeast are group camping sites. This quiet park is great for camping, picnicking, backpacking, mountain biking, and wildlife viewi...

The Four Notch Loop is a relaxing ~10 mile hike just north of Houston. The southern half of the loop follows on a 4 mile stretch of the 140 mile Lone Star Hiking Trail while the north part circles back to complete the loop.  From the large dirt and leaf covered Four Notch and Hunter Camp TH hike ...

Before I describe this trail, what season are you hiking? If summer, stop reading now and find another hike. Not summer? Okay, great, let's get started. Do not take inexperienced hikers on this trail, particularly in hotter weather. While it's only 8 miles total (4 out, 4 back), it's constantly ...

Mayfield Nature Preserve is a 21-acre park located just west of downtown Austin, Texas. This nature preserve is unique from all other parks in Austin in that it that features free-roaming peacocks. It's a beautiful park full of beautiful nature and the trail leads down near the lake. The trail is...

The Arboretum is a 155 acre nature sanctuary located within Memorial Park, about 6 miles from downtown Houston. The trails alternate between gravel, dirt, and wooden walkways and wind through a variety of Houston habitats: everything from bayou, to pond, wetland, meadow and prairie with virtually...