Lake Houston Park is a beautiful, lushly forested expanse of nearly 5,000 acres 30 miles north of Houston. It is located where Caney Creek and the East Fork of the San Jacinto River meet near the town of New Caney, and it straddles the Harris-Montgomery County line.
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 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 Park became Houston's newest park property. Read more about this historic occasion here.
Nature Center
The Lake Houston 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 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.
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.
Park Activities
Birdwatching
Sandbar
Trail
Activities at Lake Houston 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 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.
“Spring Migration Adventure”
Fri., April 25 & sat., apr. 26. Friday evening,
Learn about spring bird migration & how to better identify spring migrants at a fun & educational workshop. Saturday, take your newly learned skills to high island to find numerous beautiful spring migrants as they arrive during migration. Stay-over in park lodge plus dinner on friday is optional. For additional details & reservations (required), call (281) 354-0173.
“Butterfly Bonanza” Saturday, May 3 - 10:00 a.m.
Join us for this fun and educational walk in search of the many beautiful butterflies that call Lake Houston Park home. An added bonus will be all the wildflowers we will see along the way. Call (281) 354-0173 for required reservations.
“Wildflower Walk” Saturday, May 10 – 9:00 a.m.
Join us for this exciting adventure as we search for dozens of wildflowers found in Lake Houston Park. Learn what medicinal and nutritional properties these beautiful plants may have and how they were used by Native Americans and early settlers. Call (281) 354-0173 for required reservations.
“Bird Blitz” Saturday, May 17 – 8:30 a.m.
Join fellow birding enthusiasts on this fun and educational walk through Lake Houston Park in search of the many beautiful avians that call the park home. Ages 13 & up. Call (281) 354-0173 for required reservations.
“Park After Dark” Saturday, May 31 – 7:00 p.m.
This exciting adventure will take participants through this wildlife park to see what nocturnal creatures become active after the sun goes down. Ages 13 & up. Call (281) 354-0173 for required reservations.
Park entry fee is $3.00 per person. Ages 13 and up. Lake Houston Park is located at 22301 Baptist Encampment Rd., New Caney Texas 77357. (281) 354-6881.
Lake Houston 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 Park - 22031 Baptist Encampment Road, New Caney, Texas 77357
To Make Reservations Lodge and campsite reservations should be made in advance and may be made up to 2 weeks prior to your visit. The State Park reservation office will still handle bookings for Lake Houston Park. You may call 512-389-8900 or 281-354-6881 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
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 Lake Houston Park is open every day, year-round. Call or check the Calendar of Events for restrictions that may arise.
The gate opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 8:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 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 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.
The 
Nature Center 
