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.
Outdoors
Boating and kayaking near Galveston
Lakes, reservoirs and rivers near Galveston for boating, kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding.
27places to boat and paddle
29 mito the closest
1within 30 miles
February–Decemberbest months
Good to know: Life jackets are required for children on most waters, and many lakes require an invasive-species inspection or a launch fee.
Closest picks
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…
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Within 30 miles (1)
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 (7)
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
Wallisville Lake
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
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
Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge
The 30,000-acre Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1994 to protect what was once a much larger, frequently flooded, bottomland hardwood forest ecosystem along the Trinity River.
- Archery
- Birding
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Motor Boat
- Non-Motorized Boating
- Photography
McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge
The refuge supplies important feeding and resting habitat for migrating and wintering populations of waterfowl, as well as other wildlife.
- Beach
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Texas Point National Wildlife Refuge
The Karankawas fished and hunted here in 10-12,000 B.C. and the discovery of stone scraping tools, arrows and spear points, along with bones of bison, mastodons, wooly mammoth and saber-toothed tigers, suggest a bountiful hunting and…
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
Big Boggy National Wildlife Refuge
Established in 1983, Big Boggy National Wildlife Refuge is primarily salt marsh habitat located along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, near the community of Chinquapin.
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Motor Boat
- Non-Motorized Boating
75 miles and farther (19)
Big Thicket National Preserve
Life of all types abounds in the Big Thicket. This national preserve protects the incredible diversity of life found where multiple habitats meet in southeast Texas.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Paddling
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
Sabine National Wildlife Refuge
The refuge is managed to provide habitat for migratory waterfowl and other birds, and to preserve and enhance coastal marshes for wildlife and fish.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Ranger programs
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
Lake Texana
Lake Texana is formed by Palmetto Bend Dam which is feature of the Palmetto Bend Project . The lake provides over 11,000 acres of water surface and 125 miles of shoreline. Accessible from numerous roads.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Recreational Vehicles
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Steinhagen Lake
Points of interest in this majestic "Big Thicket" region of Texas include four National Forests and an Indian Reservation.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
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
Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge
Created in 1988, Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge was the 447th refuge established. Consisting of fresh marsh, coastal prairie, and old rice fields, Cameron Prairie NWR is located at the convergence of two major flyways.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Paddling
- Ranger programs
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
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
Lake Somerville Marina & Campground
This recreation area is part of Somerville Lake
- Boating
- Camping
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Picnicking
- Water sports
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
Yegua Creek
Yegua Creek is located at Somerville Lake near Somerville, Texas. The lake offers various types of recreation such as camping, fishing, boating, nature trails and much more for registered campers only.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
Rocky Creek (Somerville Lake)
Rocky Creek Park is located at Somerville Lake near Somerville, Texas. The lake offers various types of recreation such as camping, fishing, boating, swimming, nature trails and much more for registered campers only.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
Ebenezer Park
Ebenezer Park features some of the most beautiful horseback riding trails in southeast Texas. It's the only Army Corps of Engineers park on Sam Rayburn Reservoir with equestrian campsites, making it the go-to destination for horse-owners.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Swimming
- Water sports
Sam Rayburn Reservoir
A 114,000-acre lake in the Big Thicket country of Texas, with native flora including orchids, insect-eating plants and scores of animal species.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Picnicking
- Water sports
Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge
Created in 1937, Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge was the 123rd refuge established within the National Wildlife Refuge System.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Paddling
- Ranger programs
Twin Dikes
Twin Dikes Park is located on the waters of the Sam Rayburn Reservoir, in the Piney Woods of southeast Texas.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hunting
Rayburn
Rayburn Park lies on the north shore of Sam Rayburn Reservoir, a popular family destination with boating and fishing and access to hunting less than a mile away.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
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.
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Questions
Where is the closest place for boating & paddling 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 Wallisville Lake (39 mi).
When is the best time for boating & paddling near Galveston?
Based on Galveston’s average highs, February–December. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.