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Brazos Bend State Park

Easy walkBest in the morningAccessible
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About this spot

Close to 5,000 acres along the Brazos River, about 45 miles southwest of downtown Houston, where coastal prairie, bottomland hardwood forest and wetlands meet. It's the most reliable place near Houston to photograph American alligators, and the lakes are busy with herons, egrets, ibises, anhingas and whistling-ducks all year. Start at 40 Acre Lake and its three-story observation tower, then take the link trail to Elm Lake; both lakes have flat levee loops with water on one side and marsh on the other. More than 300 bird species have been recorded here, with spring and fall migration the standouts. On Saturday evenings the George Observatory opens its telescopes (separate ticket).

When to go

Seen here

Great blue heronGreat egretSnowy egretLittle blue heronTricolored heronRoseate spoonbillWhite ibisAnhingaBlack-bellied whistling-duckRed-shouldered hawkBarred owlPileated woodpeckerWhite-tailed deerNorth American river otterAmerican alligatorRed-eared sliderCommon green darnerGolden silk orb-weaver

Please tread lightly

Alligators nest along the lake edges in early summer. Give nests, and any gator guarding one, a very wide berth, and stay on the levee trails.

From the journal

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