Nature, Nearby

Top 5 Texas State Parks Within 2 Hours of Houston

Trade traffic for nature—trails, lakes, and starry skies are closer than you think.

10/22/2025 By Saba Khonsari

Spooky season

Houston’s Creepiest Trails to Explore This Halloween

Haunted forests and zombie chases on local trails promise chills, thrills, and family-friendly frights.

10/08/2025 By Saba Khonsari

Step By 10K Step

Where to Walk 10,000 Steps in Houston—And Why It’s Worth the Sweat

From heart health to longevity, the hype is real. Here's how to hit that number in Houston, even in the heat.

07/11/2025 By Mellanie Perez

Adventure Time

The Best Trails and Neighborhoods in Houston for Biking

Despite what you might have heard, there’s never been a better time to be a cyclist in the Bayou City.

04/12/2024 By Daniel Renfrow

PARKS AND RECREATION

New Park and Trail Opens in East Downtown

After breaking ground in 2020, the brand-new park and 0.4-mile bike trail extension now connect Buffalo Bayou to Austin Street.

06/17/2022 By Jessica Lodge

Safe Travels

Reconnect with the Great Outdoors in Dog-Friendly Aspen

Hikes, pools, patios, and your pup.

08/31/2020 By Jayme Lamm

Get Out

Visiting Memorial's Eastern Glades Is Like Going to a Brand New Park

What to know about the best new outdoor space in town.

08/07/2020 By Gwendolyn Knapp

Sponsored Content

Eight New Sculptures in Wide Open Space: Yet Another Reason to Visit the Houston Heights

There’s a lot to attract area residents and visitors to the Heights Boulevard esplanade: old-growth native trees, architectural gardens and pavilions, one of the most popular walking/jogging trails in the city and now, eight fantastic new sculptures.

05/04/2020 By Katy Bomar

Get Out

Our 3 Favorite Walking Paths in Houston

These are some of the shadiest spots for a stroll.

05/01/2020 By Gwendolyn Knapp

Year in Review

Your Favorite Outdoors Coverage of 2019

Running trails, a new BMX park, and asps gone wild (eek).

12/27/2019 Edited by Gwendolyn Knapp

Green Day

Houston Just Got Three New Bayou Greenways Trails

You can now bike, walk and jog three miles of new trails.

05/16/2019 By Gwendolyn Knapp

Happy Trails

If There’s One Thing You Do Saturday, Head to Mason Park for Bayou Greenway Day

Celebrate the Bayou Greenways Initiative at this super fun and free festival.

04/04/2019 By Gwendolyn Knapp

Under The Boardwalk, Boardwalk

The New Katy Boardwalk District Will Have Its Own 90-Acre Nature Preserve

Shop, stay, or bird watch.

01/02/2019 By Gwendolyn Knapp

Native Habitat

A New Stretch of Running Trail Is a Pleasant Surprise at Memorial Park

Bathrooms, parking and native species: How lovely.

10/12/2018 By Gwendolyn Knapp

Get Out

Spring Creek Needs Your Trailbuilding Help This Summer

Everything is bigger in Texas—including its trails and greenways.

05/02/2017 By Katharine Shilcutt

The Great Outdoors

Get Out: Buffalo Bend Nature Park

The beautiful new 10-acre wetlands conservation area is just the beginning for this previously industrial section of the Ship Channel.

04/08/2016 By Katharine Shilcutt

Fitness Friday

Happy Trails: The Off-Road Running Events You Don’t Want to Miss This Summer

It's tempting to ditch your running shoes in favor of a swimsuit, but trail running can keep your mileage exciting all summer long.

04/08/2016 By Andrea Park

Fitness Friday

Busted: The Top Five Myths About Houston’s Running Scene

Separate running fact from fiction before you hit the trails.

03/18/2016 By Andrea Park

Trail Mix

Run On: The Brays Bayou Trails Offer the Best of Many Worlds

There are few things more satisfying than a sudden shift of scenery.

03/09/2016 By Leah Lucio

The Cyclist’s Guide to Houston

Joy Ride: 4 Bike-Friendly Itineraries to Get You Rolling

These routes will get you started, plus food, drink and entertainment ideas along the way.

07/09/2015 By Sarah Rufca Nielsen and Kyle Nielsen