Where to See Fall Foliage in Houston
Wondering where to see fall foliage in Houston? The city doesn’t exactly scream fall wonderland, but it’s got a few tricks up its sleeve once the air drops below “AC weather.” You won’t find endless rows of red maples like in New England, but scattered across the Bayou City and its outskirts are pockets where leaves trade green for amber, rust, and gold.
Best Spots to See Fall Colors Near Houston
Buffalo Bayou Park & Trails
Right in the city, this one punches above its weight. You’ll find white oaks, sycamores, Mexican plum, red maples, and others lining the bayou banks
- Location: 105 Sabine St, Houston, TX 77007
- Website: www.buffalobayou.org
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Deep inside Memorial Park, the arboretum feels like a quiet green nerve center for foliage explorations. You’ll see bald cypress turning golden and patches of harder-to-spot reds among understory plants.
- Location: 4501 Woodway Dr, Houston, TX 77024
- Website: www.houstonarboretum.org
Hermann Park
With broad lawns, groves of oaks, and crape myrtles, Hermann Park offers a more landscaped take on fall color.
- Location: 6001 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030
- Website:hermannpark.org
Armand Bayou Nature Center
A little farther out, this nature preserve is one of the spots Houston Chronicle flags for stronger fall color.
- Location: 8500 Bay Area Blvd, Pasadena, TX 77507
- Website: www.abnc.org
Terry Hershey Park
Long linear green space along Buffalo Bayou west, Terry Hershey offers stretches of mixed trees and quiet walking paths.
- Location: 15200 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77079
- Website: www.hcp4.net/parks/terryhershey
Lake Houston State Park
If you’re willing to drive a bit, this park gives you woods, water, and dense vegetation to accentuate color contrast.
- Location: 25840 FM 1485, New Caney, TX 77357
- Website: www.houstontx.gov/parks
Huntsville State Park
About an hour north, this place gives you the kind of forest mix that amplifies fall color: water oaks, red oaks, pines, and more.
- Location: 565 Park Rd 40 W, Huntsville, TX 77340
- Website: www.tpwd.texas.gov
Sam Houston National Forest
For full fall immersion, head north into the Piney Woods. The forest roads near Lake Conroe and the Lone Star Hiking Trail show plenty of orange and red leaves by early November.
- Location: Near New Waverly, TX (about 60 miles north of Houston)
- Website: http://fs.usda.gov
Houston may not be the first place that comes to mind for autumn colors, but the city and its nearby parks prove otherwise. From golden cypress trees to trails lined with oaks and maples, there are plenty of spots to enjoy the season’s beauty. So grab your camera, take a stroll, and discover where to see fall foliage in Houston before the leaves fade and winter settles in.
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