5 Beautiful Lakes In Houston, Texas

1. Lake Houston

This lake is a reservoir in San Jacinto River and is a sanctuary for waterfowl as well as a fishing site. With its great views of the magnificent mountains and clear water, it is a sight to behold. Apart from that, you can also find golf courses, shopping malls, and many more in the vicinity. All in all, this lake is a perfect place for an all-rounded vacation. Lake Houston Wilderness Park is a crowd-favorite, with great camping sites, biking, equestrian, and hiking trails, as well as various spots for you to spend your time relaxing and having fun with your family and friends. You can also go kayaking, swimming, fishing, and many more. This park is the only one in Houston that allows overnight camping activities, though many activities are currently unavailable at the time of writing. Apart from that, Lake Houston also has Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center, Sheldon Lake, Old MacDonald’s Farm, Lindsay/Lyons Park, and Sports Complex, Xtreme Off-Road Park and Beach, Dwight D. Eisenhower Park and so many more interesting places for you to create a memorable and fun-filled vacation. The lake is also adjacent to Bush Intercontinental Airport and Port of Houston; therefore, accessibility is great here.

Lake Houston

Address: 25840 FM 1485, New Caney, TX 77357

Website: Lake Houston

Price: Free entrance

2. Arboretum Lake

Located within the busy city of Houston, this lake is a favorite spot for many locals and tourists to enjoy the vast nature and relax. Its nature trails are to swoon for, as they are popular among visitors. With a plethora of flora and fauna within a myriad of terrains, this lake is a beauty on its own.

Joggers also love this place as it has great places for a quick run or even for intense jogging. Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is located here as well. This center conducts various activities and events to teach people of all ages and all walks of life about the importance of protecting plants and animals. The walking trails here are also free of charge, and the Discovery Room boasts many interactive exhibits with various fun and engaging ways to learn about nature here.

At night, the place comes alive with hikes, up-close encounters, and events to learn about nocturnal animals as well. Your trip to this place will definitely take an entire day to complete so go prepared! After you visit, quench your thirst at some of the best breweries or juice bars around the city.

Arboretum Lake

Address: 4501 Woodway Drive, Houston, TX 77024-7708

Website: Arboretum Lake

Opening hours: 7am - dusk (daily)

3. McGovern Lake

With three islands, this lake is situated in the midst of high-rise buildings and towers. It is famous for its scenic views and relaxing aura in the middle of a bustling city. Two of its islands are solely used for migratory birds. It also has wetlands, marshes, flora, meadows as well as a plethora of fauna. Apart from that, there is also a miniature train route to go around the lake. You can also go fishing here, with popular species including bass and bluegill. The McGovern Centennial Gardens is also located in this lake.

This garden houses various different garden rooms, each with themes, such as the Arid Garden, the Celebration Garden, the Rose Garden, the Woodlands Garden, and the Family Garden. There is also the Hawkins Sculpture Walk here which has sculptures of famous people. Furthermore, there are many venues for rental here if you are planning to have your event by the lake. Exploring this lake will sure take a lot of your energy so visit Houston’s best restaurants for some grub and refreshments after!

McGovern Lake

Address: 1500 Hermann Drive, Houston, TX 77004

Website: McGovern Lake

Opening hours: 9am - 7pm (daily)

4. Sheldon Lake

Famous for bird-watching and fishing, Sheldon Lake has four terrains for you to experience, which include woods, coastal prairie, open water, and marsh. With various animals and plants to explore, as well as a myriad of outdoor activities to do like hiking, fishing, jogging, boating, and more, this lake is perfect for a fun family day outing. The park is also a great place for wildlife observation and has 28 naturalized ponds, some of which are home to animals such as alligators. Apart from that, the lake also has demonstrations on alternative energy technologies for kids to learn and explore in an interactive manner. Among energies displayed are wind turbines, photovoltaic, solar, and more. Furthermore, the garden shows on local flora and fauna will also fill your day.

Sheldon Lake

Address: 14140 Garrett Rd., Houston, TX 77044

Website: Sheldon Lake

Opening hours: 8am – 5pm (daily)

Price: Free entrance

5. Kinder Lake

Also located in midst of buildings, this lake is famous for its kayaking activities. It is almost always flocked for its kayaks and remote-controlled battery-operated watercraft. You can rent these kayaks and boats here for very cheap rates. Set along the lake are Cooper Industries Water Garden, The Merill Lynch Co. Pier as well as Carruth Lake Lights. Serene blue among vast greens, this lake is a lovely place even for those who just want to have a stroll on a sunny day or a simple picnic by the waters.

Kinder Lake

Address: 1500 McKinney Houston, Texas 77010

Website: Kinder Lake

Enjoy lakeside leisure in Houston

Whether you’re hosting an event, looking to go on a splendid hike, or just wanting to spend a sunny day out, Houston has many great places for you to explore. There are lots of city tours and walking tours that’ll let you get to know Houston bit by bit. For more outdoorsy adventures, just check out one of the lakes above for a great day out!