Less than an hour southwest of Houston, the hardwood forests and alligator-rich waterways of Brazos Bend State Park create a welcome respite from big-city hustle and bustle.

“Definitely Brazos Bend State Park! This place is awesome, with miles of well-maintained hiking and biking trails, nice campsites and facilities, great nature center, and lots of birds and other wild-life … especially alligators!”

—REBECCA SYKES, MANVEL

Popular activities here include hiking, biking, and fishing in the park’s six lakes. (When you spy the abundant gators, you’ll understand why the park doesn’t allow swimming.) On Saturdays from 3-10 p.m., visitors can explore the skies (and stars!) at the park’s George Observatory—a satellite of the Houston Museum of Natural Science—which maintains three domed telescopes.

For more information, contact Brazos Bend State Park at 979/553-5102.

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