Doobage
12-27-2005, 03:34 PM
Brazos Bend State Park is a nice park for the coastal plains. It contains an astronomical observatory that is open on Saturdays, about 5 miles of hiking trails around large ponds full of alligators. Deer are in mass abundance, as well as racoons, squirrels, opossum, snakes, and bugs.
Cost $3 to enter...$12 for primitive camping. $21 for a screened in cabin (highly recommend if mosquitos are swarming).
Facilities: I've never used the showers, but they have them. There are tons of camping sites throughout the park. Racoons are everywhere so guard your food well. Aside from the astronomical observatory, there is a viewing tower of the wetlands on the trails and many viewing stands along the wetland trails which are well maintained.
The visitor center contains some live specimens that the rangers will let you see and they often have shows throughout the day discussing the animals in the park.
Since the park is a wetland, it is prone to having large amounts of insects, so be prepared. Lots of bug spray and long garments I feel are necessary. However there have been days where I haven't noticed any bugs whatsoever (but that is not the norm). Between the months of May and September it is usually VERY hot. Africa Hot! The humidity is very high (90%) and the thicket blocks any wind movement. So it is similar to being in a sauna. During the heat of summer it will cool down to only 85 degrees in the dead of night. So watch your water levels.
Roads:
Many people on the south side of Houston will travel out towards Brazos Bend on their bikes because the roads are typically in good condition and less travelled. However, it is flat out here and the trees/thicket typically block most views. Most roads are fairly straight as well, so the combination of no view and lack of twisties isn't enough for me to rate the roads very high, even though they are in good condition and lightly travelled.
This park might make for an excellent stay if you are into Astronomy or reptiles. It would probably also make for a good overnighter if you are headed to Galveston or headed down to Corpus Christi.
The rangers are very pleasant, informative and do their best to inform you of anything unusual in the park. Houston is a major migratory path for birds...and this is a place birds feel happy.
Cost $3 to enter...$12 for primitive camping. $21 for a screened in cabin (highly recommend if mosquitos are swarming).
Facilities: I've never used the showers, but they have them. There are tons of camping sites throughout the park. Racoons are everywhere so guard your food well. Aside from the astronomical observatory, there is a viewing tower of the wetlands on the trails and many viewing stands along the wetland trails which are well maintained.
The visitor center contains some live specimens that the rangers will let you see and they often have shows throughout the day discussing the animals in the park.
Since the park is a wetland, it is prone to having large amounts of insects, so be prepared. Lots of bug spray and long garments I feel are necessary. However there have been days where I haven't noticed any bugs whatsoever (but that is not the norm). Between the months of May and September it is usually VERY hot. Africa Hot! The humidity is very high (90%) and the thicket blocks any wind movement. So it is similar to being in a sauna. During the heat of summer it will cool down to only 85 degrees in the dead of night. So watch your water levels.
Roads:
Many people on the south side of Houston will travel out towards Brazos Bend on their bikes because the roads are typically in good condition and less travelled. However, it is flat out here and the trees/thicket typically block most views. Most roads are fairly straight as well, so the combination of no view and lack of twisties isn't enough for me to rate the roads very high, even though they are in good condition and lightly travelled.
This park might make for an excellent stay if you are into Astronomy or reptiles. It would probably also make for a good overnighter if you are headed to Galveston or headed down to Corpus Christi.
The rangers are very pleasant, informative and do their best to inform you of anything unusual in the park. Houston is a major migratory path for birds...and this is a place birds feel happy.