State Parks near Friendswood, TX

Nature lovers can’t say enough good things about Brazos Bend State Park in southeast Texas, located roughly an hour southwest of Houston. This nearly 5,000-acre park is situated on the Brazos River and contains multiple ecosystems. Bring your cameras and binoculars and keep a tally of how many different animals you see on your Brazos Bend adventure.Brazos Bend State Park has a diverse history, all of which is on display in the unique exhibits throughout the park. First settled by natives, the land was later used for cultivating cotton and pecans, cattle grazing, and hunting. The state of Texas acquired the property in the late 1970s, and it became a state park shortly after, with the main focus …

South-central Texas is home to three of the biggest cities in the state: Houston, San Antonio, and Austin. And centrally located within a few hours of all of them is the scenic Lost Pines area. Buescher State Park is a 1,000-acre park nestled right in the heart of Smithville in Lost Pines.The CCC constructed many of the buildings and structures in the park in the mid-1930s. Plagued with a recent history of record-breaking heatwaves, this park was nearly burned to the ground back in 2011. Large swathes of loblolly pines were destroyed, but a few patches were saved. This gives the park its unique landscape and interesting history.If you plan to do a bit of …

You might find it hard to believe that one of the most popular recreation areas in Texas once housed a commune of pirates and outlaws. After pillaging and plundering their way through the towns along the Gulf of Mexico coast, famous French pirates Jean and Pierre Lafitte fled to Galveston Island to escape conviction. They set up a makeshift government on the island, where they continued their privateering operations — and the rest, as they say, is history.The colorful legends of this barrier island are just one reason why folks flock from near and far to camp at Galveston Island State Park. This 2,000-acre swathe protects a diverse ecosystem of marshland, beaches, and prairies, making it a seventh heaven …

Ten miles south of Huntsville, 65 miles north of Houston, and 31 miles southwest of Montgomery, you'll find Huntsville State Park. Neatly situated near the western border of the southern pine belt, this state park in the heart of Sam Houston National Forest features a landscape of shady loblolly pines. Aside from its breathtaking natural beauty, Huntsville State Park also provides a plethora of exciting picnic and state park RV camping areas.Huntsville State Park campers can enjoy an array of fun activities. A few of these include hiking, biking, horseback riding, mini golf, and swimming. To accommodate the needs of its visitors, the park also offers boat rentals, dump stations, screened shelters, and a recreation hall. …

When visiting the Lone Star State, you’ll want to venture roughly an hour north of Houston to the picturesque town of Livingston. Conveniently located off US 59, the town serves as the seat of Polk County and neighbors Lake Livingston State Park. A unique feature of the park is that it contains both wetland and woodland habitats. Livingston campers are likely to notice the variety of wildlife while on one of the park’s hiking trails.Everything is bigger in Texas, and the roughly 90,000-acre Lake Livingston is no exception. The lake separates Livingston and the city of Coldspring. In 1969, construction of the Lake Livingston Dam was completed, forming the reservoir. Not only does Lake Livingston supply water …

Plan your next RV camping trip to include Lake Somerville State Park near Somerville, Texas. No worries if you don't own an RV — book an RV in Burleson County and explore the vastness of Texas. The park is centered on Lake Somerville and is a great place to get active or just lounge around taking in the beauty of the park. Drop by College Station to stock up on camping supplies before parking your rental RV at Lake Somerville State Park.The bustling metropolis of Austin is only about an hour and a half to the west of the park, whereas the smaller town of Caldwell is less than 30 minutes from the park and is the county seat, …

Located in Eastern Texas near New Waverly and approximately an hour’s drive from the city of Houston, Sam Houston National Forest covers 163,045 acres. This national forest was established in 1936 and extends to three counties. Fifty-nine thousand seven hundred forty-six acres are in San Jacinto County, 54,153 acres are in Walker County and 47,609 acres in Montgomery County. Its rolling terrain features lakes, meadows, creeks, woodlands, and wilderness. Major attractions include 22,000-acre Lake Conroe and 82,600 acres- Lake Livingstone. Sam Houston National Forest is divided into several recreational areas.Sam Houston National Forest has a wide array of recreational activities. For land lovers, there are ample opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, wildlife watching, birding, biking, and hunting. While …

Sea Rim State Park is a park located in Jefferson County, Texas. The park is in southeast Texas and runs along the shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico. This state park has forested areas, a beach, marshes, and wetlands. Essentially, Sea Rim State Park offers a full experience of nature in southeast Texas. There are several types of flora and fauna here that are difficult to find in other parts of the state.The land that eventually became the park was originally purchased by Planet Oil and Mineral Corporation. Another tract of land was owned by Horizon Sales Corporation. The state bought the land in 1972 and opened the park in 1977. With its location being so close to the …