Outdoors
Day-use and picnic areas near Galveston on public land, from quick drives to full-day outings.
Good to know: Group picnic sites can often be reserved; fire rules change with the season, so check before bringing a grill.
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…
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 11 places loads as you scroll.
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…
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
Points of interest in this majestic "Big Thicket" region of Texas include four National Forests and an Indian Reservation.
This recreation area is part of Somerville Lake
Nearby points of interest include Bluebonnet Trails, Independence Day Trek and Salt Grass Trek.
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.
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.
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
A local activity Short shared by My Curly Adventures.
Watch on YouTube ↗
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
A local activity Short shared by Hubert Campbell Travels.
Watch on YouTube ↗
Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge (Fish and Wildlife Service), about 33 miles southwest of Galveston as the crow flies. Next are Wallisville Lake (39 mi) and San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge (54 mi).
Based on Galveston’s average highs, October–May. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
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.