Living within the inner loop of a city has many benefits. In Houston, one of those is a plethora of urban parks with miles of walking, running, and biking trails. Buffalo Bayou Park, between Allen Parkway and Memorial Drive, is just one of the many parks that offer outdoor recreation!
Urban Hiking
Buffalo Bayou Park is one of my favorite places to go with Winter on weeknights and weekends. The park provides amazing views of downtown, both during the day and at night. Plus, the 11 miles of trails mean lots of exercise for Winter (and me)! During Spring the park has a color explosion with all the plants in full bloom. AND a majority of the plants are native plant species.
Views of Downtown 
Spring is in full bloom 
Bluebonnets in February 
View of downtown from the Rosemont Walking Bridge over Buffalo Bayou
Public Art
The Tolerance Sculptures by Jaume Plensa are at the Allen Parkway end of the Rosemont pedestrian bridge (parallel to Studemont St.), and are just beautifully lit up at night. There is a bronze spindle sculpture is near the west end of Eleanor Tinsley Park by Henry Moore and a 20 ft stainless steel canoe by locale Houston artist John Runnels at the east end of the park. Just east of the Waugh Drive Bridge is The Gus S. Wortham Fountain, a gorgeous water feature along the bayou, colorfully lite up at night.
Wortham Fountain 
Tolerance Statues 
Wortham Fountain
Throughout Buffalo Bayou Park are the Monumental Moments installations by Anthony Thompson Shumate of single word thoughts – Explore, Endure, Pause, Reflect, Listen, Emerge, and Observe. Walk the entire length of the park, on both sides of the bayou, to view these along the asphalt walking path.
Monumental Moments
The Buffalo Bayou Cistern has also recently been opened to the public and will host temporary art installations in the future. You can also get a guided tour of the Cistern hosted by Buffalo Bayou Partnership.
Lost Lake at The Dunlavy
First, I just want to say brunch here is amazing! Second, Lost Lake, and the man-made water features leading to it, are a gorgeous sight. This stop or detour along your urban hike is a must! It is just east of the intersection of Dunlavy Street and Allen Parkway. Plus, there is kayak rental here to enjoy the bayou and the park from the water!
The Waugh Drive Bat Colony
Interested in channeling your inner Steve Irwin? Okay, maybe not that extreme… BUT the Waugh Drive bridge is a year round home for a colony of Mexican Free-Tail Bats. These little guys fly out from their roosts every night around sunset and are an amazing sight! There are more bats during the summer months, so I recommend going to watch them then. Buffalo Bayou Partnership offers nightly “bat chats” during the summer in Buffalo Bayou Park, more information here.
Kayaking, Biking, and Skating
You can rent kayaks in the park from Bayou City Adventures, located under The Dunlavy at Lost Lake. For quick information about the Buffalo Bayou Paddling Trail, check the TPWD website, here. ALSO, expect an upcoming post about kayaking Buffalo Bayou from me!
The paved concert paths throughout the park are multi-use and open for folks on wheels! There are bike rental stations operated by B Cycle in various locations along the bayou, and throughout the city. You’ll always find people skating as well!
Before You Go
There are parking areas along Allen Parkway for the entire length of the park. Eleanor Tinsely Park and Johnny Steele Dog Park have the most parking, both a part of Buffalo Bayou Park. There are also plenty of water fountains, trash and recycling bins, and benches to enjoy throughout the park.
On the weekends you will find people playing volleyball, football, soccer, and working out on the hills in Eleanor Tinsley Park, at the east end of Buffalo Bayou Park. Enjoy the day, pack a picnic and a blanket, and eat lunch in the park.
For hiking, camping, biking, and more in the Houston area, click here!
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