🥾 ActiveWeekend · from Houston, TX

Gulf Coast Wilds & Piney Woods Trails

Explore pristine cypress swamps and alligator-rich wetlands before pushing into the East Texas pinewoods for forest trails and Gulf-fresh seafood.

Day 1 — Brazos Bend State ParkDay 2 — Huntsville State Park

Day 1 — Brazos Bend State Park

🚗 1 hr 8 min driving📍 5 stops

🌅

Morning

🚗

Drive

Houston, TX → Brazos Bend State Park

48 min8:00 AM → 8:48 AM

Brazos Bend State Park

★ 4.8

Explore pristine trails through cypress swamps and observe alligators, deer, and over 270 bird species in their natural habitat just 30 minutes south of Houston.

8:48 AM📍 See location

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Lunch

Vino & Vinyl - Supper Club

★ 4.6

Restaurant with a wide-ranging menu, featuring small-production wines & music on vinyl records.

9:48 AM📍 See location

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Evening

🚗

Drive

Brazos Bend State Park → Waterstone Ranch Restaurant

20 min5:00 PM → 5:20 PM

Waterstone Ranch Restaurant

★ 4.7

Savor authentic Texas ranch cuisine and craft cocktails while enjoying stunning Hill Country views from this scenic dining destination.

5:20 PM📍 See location

Churrascos Sugar Land

★ 4.4

Branch of a popular, Pan-Latin chain offering steaks, seafood & tres leches cake.

6:20 PM📍 See location

🛏️

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sugar Land SE - Missouri City by IHG

A well-kept IHG property in Missouri City — a practical base for Brazos Bend State Park's alligator-watching and dark-sky stargazing, close to the George Ranch Historical Park. Reliable breakfast and clean rooms at a fair Fort Bend County price.

Day 2 — Huntsville State Park

🚗 3 hr 12 min driving📍 4 stops

🌅

Morning

🚗

Drive

Brazos Bend State Park → Huntsville State Park

1 hr 25 min8:00 AM → 9:25 AM

Huntsville State Park

★ 4.7

Relax on the shores of beautiful Lake Raven with excellent kayaking, fishing, and hiking opportunities in a serene natural setting.

9:25 AM📍 See location

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Lunch

Potato Shack

★ 4.5

A Huntsville, TX roadside spot that does loaded baked potatoes exceptionally well — combinations that have no business being as satisfying as they are. A genuine road trip find.

10:25 AM📍 See location

☀️

Afternoon

🚗

Drive

Huntsville State Park → Lone Star Trail Trailhead #6

21 min12:00 PM → 12:21 PM

Lone Star Trail Trailhead #6

★ 4.7

Hike shaded forest sections of this 128-mile trail system, crossing creeks and navigating gentle elevation changes through dense East Texas pine and hardwood forests.

12:21 PM📍 See location

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Evening

🚗

Drive

Lone Star Trail Trailhead #6 → The Big E-Z Crawfish & Oyster Bar

23 min5:00 PM → 5:23 PM

🍽️ Dinner5:23 PM

The Big E-Z Crawfish & Oyster Bar

Feast on fresh Gulf seafood and boiled crawfish in a lively, casual atmosphere that embodies authentic Texas coastal charm and flavor.

★ 4.3Seafood Restaurant📍 Maps →

2 options · tap to switch

🚗

Drive

The Big E-Z Crawfish & Oyster Bar → Houston, TX

1 hr 3 min6:23 PM → 7:26 PM

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