Galveston skyline looking south toward the Gulf of Mexico

Outdoors

Biking and mountain biking near Galveston

Trails and recreation areas near Galveston open to biking and mountain biking.

11places to ride
29 mito the closest
1within 30 miles
October–Maybest months

Good to know: Wilderness areas are closed to bikes; check each area’s trail rules and yield to hikers and horses.

Closest picks

1

Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge

29 mi northeast · Fish and Wildlife Service

Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge (originally named Anahuac) was established in 1963 to provide wintering and migration habitat for ducks and geese.

2

Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge

33 mi southwest · Fish and Wildlife Service

Established in 1966 to provide wintering habitat for migratory waterfowl and other migratory bird species, the refuge provides more than 45,000 acres of salt marsh and freshwater sloughs, impoundments and potholes among native coastal…

3

San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge

54 mi southwest · Fish and Wildlife Service

Established in 1968, San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge is a diverse refuge that protects salt marsh and saltwater lakes, coastal prairies, freshwater lakes and marshes, intermittent streams, and riparian and bottomland forests.

Map of all 11 places

Map of 11 places loads as you scroll.

Within 30 miles (1)

29 mi northeast · Fish and Wildlife Service

Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge

Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge (originally named Anahuac) was established in 1963 to provide wintering and migration habitat for ducks and geese.

  • Beach
  • Biking
  • Birding
  • Boating
  • Educational Programs
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Hunting

30 to 75 miles (3)

33 mi southwest · Fish and Wildlife Service

Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge

Established in 1966 to provide wintering habitat for migratory waterfowl and other migratory bird species, the refuge provides more than 45,000 acres of salt marsh and freshwater sloughs, impoundments and potholes among native coastal…

  • Biking
  • Birding
  • Boating
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Hunting
  • Motor Boat
  • Non-Motorized Boating

54 mi southwest · Fish and Wildlife Service

San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge

Established in 1968, San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge is a diverse refuge that protects salt marsh and saltwater lakes, coastal prairies, freshwater lakes and marshes, intermittent streams, and riparian and bottomland forests.

  • Biking
  • Birding
  • Boating
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Hunting
  • Motor Boat
  • Non-Motorized Boating

60 mi northwest · US Army Corps of Engineers

Buffalo Bayou

These normally dry reservoirs are on the west side of Houston on both sides of I-10 at TX6. They contain the largest municipal park in the Nation and provide a unique recreational experience for the metropolitan area.

  • Biking
  • Hiking
  • Horseback riding
  • Picnicking
  • Wildlife viewing

75 miles and farther (7)

87 mi north · USDA Forest Service · Campground

Double Lake Recreation Area

Double Lake Recreation Area was built in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and offers a little of everything, including camping, fishing, swimming, picnicking, hiking and simply relaxing in nature.

  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Kayaking
  • Mountain Biking
  • Picnicking

92 mi west · Fish and Wildlife Service

Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge

Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1972 to provide habitat for one of the last populations of the critically endangered Attwater’s Prairie-Chicken , a ground-dwelling grouse of the coastal prairie…

  • Biking
  • Birding
  • Hiking
  • Photography
  • Picnicking
  • Ranger programs
  • Wildlife viewing

96 mi northwest · USDA Forest Service · Campground

Cagle Recreation Area

Cagle Recreation Area is a popular campground and day-use area that sits along the shoreline of Lake Conroe on the west fork of the San Jacinto River, just 1 hour north of Houston, Texas.

  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Water sports

111 mi north · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Sandy Creek

Sandy Creek Park is located on the southeast side of B.A. Steinhagen Lake between the towns of Woodville and Jasper in southeast Texas. The lake provides a great getaway for fishing, boating, picnicking, camping and birding.

  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Hunting

113 mi north · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Magnolia Ridge

Magnolia Ridge Park is located on the northwest side of B.A. Steinhagen Lake, between the towns of Woodville and Jasper, Texas. The lake provides a great getaway for fishing, boating, picnicking, camping and birding. Recreation B.A.

  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Hunting

125 mi north · USDA Forest Service · Campground

Boykin Springs Pavilion

Located on Boykin Springs Lake in Angelina National Forest, this recreation area offers a little of everything, including camping, hiking, fishing, picnicking and relaxing in nature.

  • Biking
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Non-Motorized Boating
  • Wildlife viewing

126 mi northwest · US Army Corps of Engineers

Somerville Lake

Nearby points of interest include Bluebonnet Trails, Independence Day Trek and Salt Grass Trek.

  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Horseback riding
  • Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
  • Picnicking

Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Galveston. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.

Get outside around Galveston

Guidebook for your next trip to Galveston, TX 🏝️ Most Texans travel to @galvestonisland to hang out video thumbnail

THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT

Guidebook for your next trip to Galveston, TX 🏝️ Most Texans travel to @galvestonisland to hang out

A local activity Short shared by My Curly Adventures.

Watch on YouTube ↗

Around Galveston

First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Galveston, Texas
First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Galveston, TexasJim Evans · CC BY-SA 3.0
Galveston photograph by E's & D's Adventures in Life
2021 05 16 Galveston (6) 01E's & D's Adventures in Life · CC BY 2.0
Pleasure Pier, Galveston
Pleasure Pier001Da Lien · CC BY-SA 4.0

More outdoors near Galveston

Questions

Where is the closest place for biking near Galveston?

Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge (Fish and Wildlife Service), about 29 miles northeast of Galveston as the crow flies. Next are Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge (33 mi) and San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge (54 mi).

When is the best time for biking near Galveston?

Based on Galveston’s average highs, October–May. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.

Who manages these places?

Federal agencies including Fish and Wildlife Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, USDA Forest Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.

Galveston AI

Your Galveston local guide
Hey there!

I'm Galveston AI. Ask about neighborhood food, independent shops, local history or planning a visit.

AI recommendations may be inaccurate. Verify hours and prices. Questions are processed by Cloudflare. Privacy