Park Capacity Closures
We usually reach full capacity on weekends, school breaks, holidays and some weekdays. People without reservations are not allowed in the park when we reach capacity. To guarantee entrance, reserve passes online, or by calling the customer service center, before you visit.

Brazos Bend State Park, a 5,000-acre gem on the Upper Texas Coast, is just 40 miles from downtown Houston and offers a wide variety of activities for every age: biking, fishing, hiking, birding, camping, star-gazing, and opportunities to learn about Texas’ bountiful natural history via free programs and guided hikes.

The park’s scenic terrain has been carved gently over time by the vigorous Brazos River, which marks its eastern boundary. Fragments of the ancient coastal prairie survive here as do dense bottomland hardwood forests and extensive marshes, making ideal habitats for the American alligator and a rich diversity of other reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. The park is an important refuge for birds, with more than 300 species recorded, and wildflowers abound during the warmer months, drawing a wealth of butterflies.

Nature Center Closure:

July 1, 2021 - The Nature Center will close on July 19 for remodeling.   The closure may last until approximately mid-September.

Elm Lake Area Road Closure:

The section of Park Road 72 that goes to the Elm Lake area is closed.   The Elm Lake area and its Pavilion will not be accessible by vehicle during the road closure, which is expected to last until the end of July, 2021.   Visitors can still access the area by using the trails.  The closest parking is at the Nature Center which is a ~1.45-mile walk to the Elm Lake Pavilion.   Restrooms and water fountains in the Elm Lake area will also be closed.   Please bring plenty of water for you and your pets on the trails.   Check back for updates or contact the park for more information.

Park features:

• Weekly interpretive hikes and natural history programs
• Nature Center
• Hiking, biking and equestrian trails
• Fishing in the Park (fishing license not required in the park)
• George Observatory
• Stargazing Locations in Texas
• Wildlife observation
• Campsites

Help support the Brazos Bend State Park Volunteer Organization with a donation.

Updated: Jul 04, 2021