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Lake Houston Wilderness Park is the only park in the HPARD system where overnight camping is available. This 4,786.6-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 25840 FM 1485, New Caney, TX 77357. 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 - 25840 FM 1485, New Caney, TX 77357.
Lake Houston Wilderness Parks New Attractions
On March 23, Mayor Annise Parker and state, county, and local officials, along with representatives from the National Recreation and Park Association and local green groups, previewed new Lake Houston Wilderness Park amenities. A relocated park entrance, new cabins and screen enclosures, roads, trails, and improved access to creeks for canoes and kayaks opened to the public on April 18, 2012. (Photo Gallery)
Park History
The State of Texas purchased 4,584.22 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 25840 FM 1485 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 Master Plan for the park that was presented to council on January 28, 2009. PDF’s of the Lake Houston Wilderness Park Master Plan are available for printing in the Reports & Publications section of the HPARD website.
- 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
A $3 entry fee is required for all visitors ages 13 64
Holiday weekends add $50 to nightly rate. This requirement is only applicable to rentals of any cabin or lodge.
Friday and Saturday nights must be rented together. This requirement is only applicable to rentals of any cabin or lodge.
Hotel occupancy tax, day use fees, & deposits are not included in listed rates
A refundable $75 deposit is required for all cabins, lodges, and the dining hall
Reservations will be taken for new lakeside cabins and campsites beginning May 1, 2012. First rentals begin on May 18.
| Lakeside Tent Platforms Occupancy up to 6 |
| Nightly Rate |
$35/night |
| Screen Shelters Occupancy up to 6 |
| Nightly Rate |
$25/night |
| Group Campsites Occupancy up to 50 |
| Nightly Rate |
$40/night |
| Walk-in Campsites Occupancy up to 8 |
| Available for rental 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. |
$7/night |
| Backpacking Campsites Occupancy up to 8 |
| Nightly Rate |
$7/night |
| Pine Grove Dining Hall |
| Available for rental 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. |
$100/day |
Lodges
A $3 entry fee is required for all visitors ages 13 64
Holiday weekends add $50 to nightly rate. This requirement is only applicable to rentals of any cabin or lodge.
Friday and Saturday nights must be rented together. This requirement is only applicable to rentals of any cabin or lodge.
Hotel occupancy tax, day use fees, & deposits are not included in listed rates
A refundable $75 deposit is required for all cabins, lodges, and the dining hall
Reservations will be taken for new lakeside cabins and campsites beginning May 1, 2012. First rentals begin on May 18.
| Forest Lodge Occupancy up to 12 |
| Nightly Rate |
$180/night |
| Lazy Creek Lodge Occupancy up to 26 |
| Nightly Rate |
$250/night |
| Lakeside Cabins – Occupancy up to 6 |
| Nightly Rate |
$125/night |
| Pine Grove Dining Hall |
| Available for rental 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. |
$100/day |
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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.
To Make Reservations
Lodges, cabins, screened shelters, day use lodge and campsite reservations should be made in advance; we accept reservations up to 6 months in advance. Call 281.354.6881 for more information and reservations. Lake Houston Wilderness Park 25840 FM 1485, New Caney, Texas 77357.
- A $3 entry fee is required for all visitors ages 13 64
- Holiday weekends add $50 to nightly rate. This requirement is only applicable to rentals of any cabin or lodge. *
- Friday and Saturday nights must be rented together. This requirement is only applicable to rentals of any cabin or lodge.
- Hotel occupancy tax, day use fees, & deposits are not included in listed rates
- A refundable $75 deposit is required for all cabins, lodges, and the dining hall
- Reservations will be taken for new lakeside cabins and campsites beginning May 1, 2012. First rentals begin on May 18.
| Forest Lodge - Occupancy Up to 12 |
| Nightly Rate |
* $180/night |
| Lazy Creek Lodge - Occupancy Up to 26 |
| Nightly Rate |
* $250/night |
| Lakeside Cabins - Occupancy Up to 6 |
| Nightly Rate |
* $125/night |
| Lakeside Tent Platforms - Occupancy Up to 6 |
| Nightly Rate |
$35/night |
| Screen Shelters, Occupancy Up to 6 |
| Nightly Rate |
$25/night |
| Group Campsites, Occupanc y Up to 50 |
| Nightly Rate |
$40/night |
| Walk-in Campsites, Occupancy Up to 8 |
| Nightly Rate |
$7/night |
| Backpacking Campsites, Occupancy Up to 8 |
| Nightly Rate |
$7/night |
| Pine Grove Dining Hall |
| Available for rental 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. |
$100/day |
| Horse Rentals - Concessionaire |
Rocking RW Ranch
1 to 2 Hour Guided Trail Rides
www.vickiesridesandmore.com
281.399.1181 |
$20/hour per person |
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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.
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