Lake Houston Wilderness Park is the only park in the HPARD system where overnight camping is available. This 4,986 acre wilderness park is approximately 30 minutes north of downtown Houston off of Highway 59 near the town of New Caney. Cabins and walk-in campsites are available for rental. Activities include hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, and horseback riding (Bring your own bikes, watercraft, and horses). The park is a wilderness park and is heavily forested so visitors need to be aware that wildlife in the park includes several species of snakes.
Lake Houston Wilderness Park is located north of Houston at 22031 Baptist Encampment Road, in New Caney, Texas. It is accessible from Hwy 59 and FM 1485. Signs point the way from that intersection. With approximately 5,000 acres of forest, 12 miles of hike and bike trails, 8 miles of equestrian trails and camping facilities, the park offers a variety of activities for visitors to experience.
Call (281) 354-6881 for more information and reservations. Lake Houston Wilderness Park - 22031 Baptist Encampment Road, New Caney, Texas 77357. (more)
A project that began February 1 and runs for 60 days requires the footbridge over Peach Creek to be closed on weekdays. It will be open from Friday afternoon through closing time on Sunday for the convenience of campers. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause park visitors.
Nature Center
Camping
Lodges
Park Activities
Reservations
Fees
Park Schedule
Park Facts
Nature Center
The Lake Houston Wilderness Park Nature Center is a fun educational place for young and old alike. The center opened its doors on November 9, 2007. It offers four ecosystem rooms with displays of forest and wetland habitats, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates, and a mural depicting the life cycle of butterflies. The mural was created through a collaboration between the Artist Boat, the M.D. Anderson YMCA, and HPARD. It was funded by a United Way Kids Way grant. The Lake Houston Wilderness Park Nature Center was made possible through the generosity of George Mitchell.
Camping
Facilities include walk-in campsites with a lantern post, picnic table, fire ring, and grill; water is centrally located. Camp Oakwood and Camp Ironwood each have 8 campsites and share a picnic pavilion, and Camp Magnolia, also with 8 sites, is a short hike away. A shower building with restrooms is available.
Alongside Peach Creek is an area of six walk-in campsites, with a fire ring, tent pad, picnic table, and lantern hook. A restroom/shower area is in the vicinity. Campers can access 12 miles of hike and bike trails and 8 miles of equestrian trails, with a maximum of 20 riders per day. As development of the park continues, more trails will be opened.
Lodges
Lazy Creek Cottage Lodge has bunk beds that can accommodate 26 and showers and restrooms for the comfort of guests. There is a full-size kitchen, a fireplace for rustic singalongs, and heat and air conditioning. Bring your own linens as well as cooking and dining utensils.
Forest Cottage Lodge meets the requirements set out in the Americans With Disabilities Act and can accommodate 12 guests. The cottage has a cathedral ceiling, a fireplace, heat, air conditioning and ceiling fans, and kitchen facilities. There are bunk beds in the main living area, a private bedroom with 2 twin beds, and shower facilities and a changing area, and, again, bring your own linens. Besides a large dining/activity area, there is an outdoor patio with a grill, fire ring, and a lovely view. Bring your own linens as well as cooking and dining utensils.
Pine Grove Dining Hall / Day Lodge contains a dining room where groups of up to 100 can be entertained comfortably. Bring your own linens as well as cooking and dining utensils.
Please note that there is a one time cleaning deposit of $75.00.
Birdwatching
Sandbar
Trail
Activities at Lake Houston Wilderness Park include camping, hiking, biking, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, and horseback riding. Bring your own bikes, watercraft, and horses. Most of the park is heavily forested and is blessed with beautiful trails. It is a perfect spot for photography, nature study, and bird watching, and the birds may watch you back
Hikers will be happy they made the effort to reach the park’s ponds, well off the beaten path. These lovely spots are surrounded by pines and cypresses and peace. Deer populate the woods. Birds abound, and other than an occasional passing jet from Intercontinental Airport, there is nothing there to remind you that civilization is close by.
Lake Houston Wilderness Park is ideal for canoe adventures, but remember that conditions on natural waterways change without warning, so keep safety in mind as you paddle the creeks.
Night Hike! Open to All Ages Saturday Oct. 10th, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Do you want to get a close up look at the nocturnal creatures that inhabit the Park? Join us for a night hike! We will take a hike through woodland trails in search of raccoons, opossums, snakes, owls and more. Get your cameras ready!
Crayon Creatures! Open to All Ages Saturday Oct. 17th – 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Join us as we use fallen leaves to make beautiful pieces of art. See how the surface of a crayon can bring out the fine details of nature in the leaves we collect. Reservations not required.
Owl Pellet Dissection For Ages 5 – 13 Saturday Oct. 24th – 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Join us in learning how owls live and what they eat. We will dissect real owl pellets to discover the remaining bones inside and identify what they ate.
Owl Prowl For Ages 14+ Saturday Oct. 31st – 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
What better way to spend Halloween than on an owl prowl? Join fellow enthusiasts for a night time adventure and catch glimpses of the owl species that inhabit our Park. Get your cameras ready as we will try to call in the owls!
Swamp Tromp for Kids For Ages 5 - 13 Saturday Nov. 7th – 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Join other nature lovers on a journey to remote sections of the park as we check out wildlife in its natural setting. Bring your rubber boots, a lunch and bug spray!
Snakes! Open to All Ages Saturday Nov. 14th – 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Are you afraid of snakes? Don’t be! Join us for an informative, hands-on presentation of these misunderstood creatures. Learn facts, myths and first aid for snake bites.
Park after Dark Open to All Ages Saturday Nov. 21st – 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Do you want to get a close up look at the nocturnal creatures that inhabit the park? Join us on the Park after Dark tour for a trip to remote areas of the Park. Get your cameras ready!
To Make Reservations
Lodge and campsite reservations should be made in advance and may be made up to 2 weeks prior to your visit. Call (281) 354-6881 for more information and reservations. Lake Houston Wilderness Park - 22031 Baptist Encampment Road, New Caney, Texas 77357.
Fees
Entrance fee $3.00 per person 13 years and older
Pine Grove Day Lodge $100.00 per day plus park entrance fees, taxes and a one time cleaning deposit of $75.00.
Forest Cottage $125.00 per night plus park entrance fees, taxes and a one time cleaning deposit of $75.00.
Lazy Creek Cottage $160.00 per night plus park entrance fees, taxes and a one time cleaning deposit of $75.00.
Peach Creek Camp $40.00 per night
Walk-in Tent sites $7.00 each
Park Schedule
The gate opens at:
- 8:00 a.m. and closes at 8:00 p.m. Sunday - Thursday
- 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Office hours are from:
- 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day.
Park Facts
The climate varies from an average January low temperature of 46 degrees to an average July high of 93 degrees. Average rainfall is 42.6 inches. Check the weather forecast if you plan to camp or enjoy water sports. And keep in mind that parts of this park are in the flood plain.
Equines brought into Lake Houston Wilderness Park must have a completed VS Form 10-11 proving a negative finding for Equine Infectious Anemia within the past 12 months.
Pets are not allowed in buildings in the park. Keep those dogs on a leash.
Mosquitoes are part of the forest environment. For your own comfort, remember to use mosquito repellant.
Nature Center 
Camping
Lodges
To Make Reservations
Park Facts