Accessible Trails, Gardens and Fishing Sites around Houston

A Houston mom recently asked me to add to my list of accessible parks and playgrounds with universally accessible gardens and trails. My goal is to make a list of Houston area accessible trails, gardens and fishing sites for all ages and abilities.

The following list was compiled from internet research... but please help me add to it and fix it with your feedback.

If the site was marked as accessible, I've noted that. If I am asking if that a site is accessible, I've noted that as well. Ideally, this list will someday include parks, trails and gardens that are accessible by wheelchair or walker and for those that are deaf, blind or are cognitively impaired. (And I know it has a long way to go!)

Jump to:

Accessible Trails
Gardens
Wheelchair Accessible Fishing Sites

Accessible Trails

Houston Arboretum
- Trail Map
- North Meadow Trail, Donor Boardwalk, Post Oak Trail, Wildflower Trail and Willow Oak Trail are all marked at Universal Access
Memorial Park
- There are over 25 miles of trails available in Memorial Park broken out into 5 main park subdivisions as part of 1500 acre park boundary. The following trails are marked as accessible.
- Memorial Loop - Two trails circle around through Memorial Loop and the Sports Complex subdivisions. These trails are handicap-accessible, gravel trails.
- Eastern Glades - There are 2 miles of trails and paths available to walkers in the Eastern Glades division of the park. All are handicap accessible. Bikes are not allowed on these trails.
  - Oval Promenade - The Promenade is a loop through the heart of lawn and native savanna islands in Eastern Glades. You will see Hines Lake, the Donor Wall, Live Oak Food Truck Court.
  - Lake Trail - This trail follows a lower boardwalk along the lake edge and the South Pier on Hines Lake.
  - Wetlands Boardwalk Trail - Walk a boardwalk through native wetlands and upland forests. This trail loops around the southern end of Hines Lake and connects with the Seymour Lieberman Exer-trail and the Oval Promenade.
Brazos Bend State Park
- The interpretive trail, Visitor Center and exhibits, amphitheater, and trail to the fishing pier are wheelchair accessible.
- The Creekfield Lake Nature Trail is fully paved and takes you on a .5-mile loop of a wetland area. Look for a series of panels with tactile bronzes of wetland wildlife along the trail.
- The trail also has an accessible boardwalk and observation deck and rest areas with shaded benches. Check out an audio-described tour at park headquarters.
More Texas Parks and Wildlife Trails, Accessible Parks and Wheelchair Accessible Wildlife Viewing Sites
- These parks and facilities are marked as accessible by Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Buffalo Bayou Park
- I cannot find anything that officially says this trail is accessible... the main trail is paved (but there are hills). Is this accessible with walkers and wheelchairs?

Do you know of more accessible trails around Houston? If so, please tell us!

Gardens

McGovern Centennial Gardens at Hermann Park
- I cannot find anything that officially says this trail is accessible... the paths are paved or gravel and a lot like those at the Eastern Glades. Tell me... is it accessible?
- At the Centennial Gardens, visitors can explore a variety of themed garden rooms arranged situated along a spacious central lawn, the Centennial Green, and are home to more than 490 new trees of over 50 species, 760 hedge shrubs, 55,000 perennial bulbs, 650 azaleas and 4.5 acres of grass. They include the Arid Garden, the Rose Garden, the Celebration Garden, and the Woodland Garden, and an educational Family Garden, which produces seasonal vegetables, herbs and fruit trees.
Houston Botanic Garden
- I cannot find anything that officially says this trail is accessible... paths are paved. Tell me... is it accessible?
- At the Houston Botanic Garden, Sims Bayou runs through and around the northern edge of the site. This creates two distinct spaces, the Island and the South Gardens, connected by a bayou bridge. The Houston Botanic Garden features 132 acres of horticultural displays, natural ecosystems and walking trails.

Do you know of more accessible gardens or therapy gardens? Please tell us!

Wheelchair Accessible Fishing Sites

Texas Parks and Wildlife
- The following parks are marked as having Wheelchair Accessible Fishing Sites
- Sea Wolf Park — Galveston, TX
  - Restrooms are wheelchair accessible.
- Galveston Fishing Pier — 9001 Seawall Blvd., Galveston, TX
- Bastrop Bayou Public Fishing Area USFWS — Mims,TX
  - Restrooms are wheelchair accessible.
- Oyster Creek Park — Oyster Creek, TX
  - Restrooms are wheelchair accessible.
- Fort Anahuac Pier — Anahuac, TX
  - Restrooms are wheelchair accessible.
- Sea Breeze Park — 1300 Bayshore Dr, La Porte, TX
  - Restrooms are wheelchair accessible.
- Quintana Beach County Park (Saltwater)
  - R.V. Campground with wheelchair accessible restrooms
  - Fishing Pier is further down beach and an automobile would make it easier to move from the park to the pier.
- Quintan Jetties (Saltwater) — left of Quintana Beach County Park
  - If coming from Quintan Beach County Park an automobile would make it easier to move from the park to the jetties.
- San Luis Pass County Park (Saltwater)
  - R.V. Campground with wheelchair accessible restrooms
- Surfside Jetty County Park (Saltwater)
  - Located on the Surfside Beach with wheelchair accessible restrooms
- Hanson Riverside County Park (Freshwater)
  - Located along the San Bernard River between West Columbia and Sweeney
- Albert Finkle Memorial County Park (Freshwater)
- Old Brazos River (Saltwater)
  - Freeport's Texas City Park with wheelchair accessible restrooms
- Buffalo Camp Bayou (Freshwater) — Lake Jackson, Texas
  - No restroom facilities