It’s almost here! Fall is finally (almost) here! The first cold (slightly cool?) front has come, Halloween decorations are out in the stores next to pumpkin spiced everything, and Costco is selling Christmas decorations (anyone else think this is too soon?). Even with temperatures reaching the 90s every day, it’s still been beautiful every morning, and I for one, am ready to stop hibernating in my air conditioning and get outside. Whether you’re solo walking like Megan Clanahan in her weighted vest or looking for a place to play with your littles, we’ve got you covered, literally, with these favorite Shady Spaces.
Edith Moore Nature Sanctuary
Edith Moore has been a family favorite since we first discovered it a few years ago. Its 1.5 miles of completely shaded trails offer a great reprieve from the Houston sun, but it’s nature center, pond, and 20 in-trail boardwalks make it a full day’s fun for the littles. My own love to make a game out of finding each one and then racing ahead to the next. And if that gets boring, there’s a short path down to Rummel Creek where they can explore by the water. The Houston Audobon also offers a great education program there with youth activities, summer camps, and a live stream birding camera.
Address: 440 Wilchester Blvd. 77079
Parking: Park by the Cabin or at the church next door.
Hours: 7AM to 7PM daily, with gates that unlock and lock automatically on a timer.
Memorial Park
With over 25 miles of trails, Memorial Park is a small escape to the woods right in the middle of the city. Stretched along Buffalo Bayou, the Bayou Wilds area is great for day hikes that offer twists, turns, dips, and even some tree stumps to navigate. And of course, lots of shade. While the hikes are by no means difficult, they make for a fun adventure. Check the park’s Trails Guide for more information and to pick your favorite trail to tackle.
Address: Picnic Lane 77007
Parking and Hours: Park anywhere in the Picnic Loop Area (5AM to 7PM daily) or at the Cullen Running Center (6AM to 7PM Monday through Saturday, 6AM to 2PM Sunday) for easy access to the Bayou Wilds Trail Area.
Lake Houston Wilderness Park
Feeling like you want to get out of town but don’t actually have time to get out of town? Let me suggest a day trip to Lake Houston Wilderness Park in New Caney. This nearly 5,000 acre forested park is the perfect destination for an adventure out of the city that isn’t really too far away. The park offers over 20 miles of trails to hike, a nature center for the kids to explore, and several small beach areas along Peach Creek where you can launch a canoe or kayak and head down to Lake Houston just 5 miles south. It’s also the only city park that allows overnight camping with a mix of cabins and campsites available.
Address: 25840 FM 1485 New Caney, TX 77357
Fees: Daily Ages 13-35 $3/Children, Seniors, Military FREE
Hours: 7:00 AM to Dusk Daily
Kleb Woods Nature Preserve
Located in Tomball, the Kleb Woods Nature Preserve has more to offer than just its 4 miles of completely shaded trails. The preserved homestead of the Kleb family, who immigrated here in the 1840s, is an educational step back in time and a fun place to explore with kids. The Nature Center gives visitors a detailed look at the natural environment and cultural history of the area. Take a guided bird walk or historical craft class, join a homestead tour or ecological survey, or participate in one of the many annual festivals that they host. The annual Hummingbird Festival is happening this month, and there’s an Archeological Dig every November.
Hours: Trails, 7AM to 9PM daily/Nature Center and Farmhouse Monday through Saturday 8AM to 5PM
More Shady Places
I can’t vouch for all of the shady parks around town because I still have more exploring to do myself. But all of these come highly recommended and are definitely worth a trip.
Terry Hershey Park comes highly recommended by our own Elizabeth Baker. The nearly 10 mile stretch between Highway 6 and Beltway 8 is a favorite for mountain bikers.
The Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Center is another local nature preserve. Its 312 acres include miles of trails, a nature center, and a preserved homestead to explore.
The George Mitchell Nature Preserve in the Woodlands is another great place for outdoor recreation, offering 2 miles of wooded hiking trails and 3 miles of biking trails. It connects to the greater Spring Creek Greenway and the 14 miles long Spring Creek Nature Trail.
Shady Playgrounds
If you prefer playgrounds to logging miles for your outdoor escape, look no further than these fabulous playgrounds, which offer a mix of either full or partial shade. No matter how you do it though, now is the perfect time to get outside!
