Family Fun at Brazos Bend State Park
Enjoy the sites and sounds of nature just minutes from Katy, Texas
Brazos Bend State Park, bordering the Brazos River in fort Bend County, boasts 5,000 acres with seven lakes and more than 20 miles of Hike and Bike trails. The Park is a wildlife sanctuary where families can observe egrets and herons, ducks of all kinds, rabbits and raccoons, turtles, snakes and alligators in their natural habitat. National Geographic Traveler Magazine rated Brazos Bend one of the top ten State Parks in the Nation.
Bring your bikes and your hiking shoes for witnessing the wildlife – and for the exercise and fun. The park sells no food, but has plenty of picnic tables and grills, as well as space for picnic blankets. Even on a busy weekend you can find a spot without being too close to neighboring picnickers, unless you want to be close. So pack up your ice chests with enough food for lunch and dinner and enjoy fine outdoor dining with your kids.
Other activities include pier fishing in any of the seven lakes, a nature center and museum (open every Saturday and Sunday, or weekdays by appointment), camping, and for astronomy buffs, the George Observatory and Challenger Learning Center. The Observatory is open to the public on Saturdays with viewing after dusk. Tickets to view the telescopes in all the three domes go on sale at 5PM and cost $5 per person. Viewing through the telescopes on the deck, though, are free of charge.
Brazos Bend State Park is open every day from 8AM until 10PM. Entrance fees run $5 per person for everyone 13 years or older. Twelve and under are free. From Katy Freeway/I-10, head south on State Highway 99/ Grand Parkway. When SH99 crosses Highway 59 in Sugarland, it changes names to Highway 1462 west. From there, just follow the brown State Park signs until you get there. It’s nearly 30 miles, but well worth the drive.
The Park has a number of online features to check out before you head out:
- Birds Of Brazos Bend State Park http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_bk_p4504_0110b.pdf
- Brazos Bend Facility Map http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/park_maps/pwd_mp_p4504_110l.pdf
- Trail Map http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/park_maps/pwd_mp_p4504_0110w.pdf
- Nature Treasure Hunt Sheet http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/kids/explore/nature_treasure_hunt.phtml
- Brazos Bend State Park Scavenger Hunt page. http://www.brazosbend.org/education/scavengerhunt.pdf
