The State of Texas purchased 4,786.2 acres from Champion Paper Company in 1981, and an additional 202.4 acres from the San Jacinto Girl Scout Council in 1990. Home to Peach Creek Girl Scout Camp since the mid-1950s, this second section came complete with campsites, lodges, and an equestrian area.
The camp facilities were updated by the state as the basis for Lake Houston State Park. The park was opened by the state for day use in 1992, and overnight camping was instituted in 1995. In August of 2006, the park was transferred to the Houston Parks and Recreation Department. The park is located at 22031 Baptist Encampment Road in New Caney. It can be reached from U.S. 59 and F.M. 1485; just follow the signs.
Lake Houston Wilderness Park is not currently an access point for boating on Lake Houston. The park takes advantage of the woods along the creeks and rivers that empty into the lake, but does not front onto the lake. Canoes can navigate Peach and Caney Creeks, although there may be low points that require portage.
On August 25, 2006, Lake Houston Wilderness Park became Houston's newest park property. Read more about this historic occasion here.
In November of 2007, the SWA Group was selected to assist in the creation of a master plan for Lake Houston Wilderness Park. The result is a Draft Master Plan for the park that was presented to council on January 28, 2009. PDF’s of the Lake Houston Wilderness Park Draft Master Plan are available for printing in the Reports & Publications section of the HPARD website.
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