Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center image

Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center

Tourist attraction Park State park

One of the Best Places To Visits in Sheldon


Address

14140 Garrett Rd, Houston, TX 77044

Website

www.tpwd.state.tx.us

Contact

(281) 456-2800

Rating on Google Maps

4.50 (1.4K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Monday: 8 AM to 5 PM
  • Tuesday: 8 AM to 5 PM
  • Wednesday: 8 AM to 5 PM
  • Thursday: 8 AM to 5 PM
  • Friday: 8 AM to 5 PM
  • Saturday: 8 AM to 5 PM
  • Sunday: 8 AM to 5 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: park (30) trails (21) tower (14) time (11) visit (10) Great (8) wildlife (7) beautiful (6) view (6) water (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Victoria G. 1 year ago on Google • 68 reviews
    One of my favorite parks in Houston, I’m always happy to see the diversity from the beautiful prairie to the pounds and woodland. It is free admission and has a good amount for parking. I’m never disappointed with each visit and get to see new wildlife and insects during the changing seasons. Also, the trail is quite big and they also have a tall bird tower with a great view.
    9 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Review Q. 2 years ago on Google
    My family and I love this park . Every since we heard about it we have been going. It is really close to our house making it very convenient for us. So we have been packing up our stuff and we find ourselves at the park quite often. It is very family friendly. It's also so so so relaxing for us all. I love the fact it's a state park. So it kept pretty clean And that we can go fishing with out a licence. Great park to visit and bring your entire family!!!!!!🥰🥰😁 Once you visit it will become your regular spot to visit. Im sure of it.
    9 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Maria S. 9 months ago on Google
    Beautiful park, clean restrooms, and no entrance free. Perfect !
    9 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Luis R. 4 months ago on Google • 73 reviews
    Great place! The air is crisp, the setting is relaxing, and it’s free! Great place for family & friends and / or a cool spot for the 7th or 8th date with a special someone (assuming they enjoy the outdoors). Do not take someone here on the 1st or 2nd date, that may be weird. Anyways, make sure to bring water with you. Everyone must check this place out at least once. Best times to go: fall, winter, or spring. 😊
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Erica B. 1 year ago on Google
    Well maintained, smaller of state parks in the Houston area--so a great option for a 1-2hr visit. There is no entrance fee. I reserved a day pass to be safe, but headquarters was closed/locked, so maybe they don't give windshield tickets like the other parks (or maybe only when they're expecting to be full)? Bring your bug spray and stick to the trails - spotted snakes and alligators not far from the path. The tower had great views, and as others have mentioned, does seem to be home to many bees and wasps especially at the top. Great park for nature-spotting!
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Meera Kanakamma M. 3 months ago on Google • 178 reviews New
    Despite the fact that it is comparatively secluded, I would still recommend you to visit this place. You shouldn't follow the directions on Google Maps because you'll end up in the backside of the park, which is closed at the moment. You should give the street address and you will reach the front side of the park where there will be security personnel who are very friendly and helpful to provide you with proper advice. A unique thing about this area is that it has trails that you can walk through to explore the wetlands.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nicole H. 1 year ago on Google
    Nice little State Park. There’s no visitor center located in this park, which is unfortunate because it might make them money. It’s free to enter the park. It has a couple of short trails that are ADA accessible (please note the elevator isn’t working for the viewing tower). Over all it’s a cute day trip and a good way to cross off another Texas State Park!
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Leslie B. 2 years ago on Google
    This is a beautiful location. Unfortunately we only had time to walk up the path and visit a few of the ponds. But we had the chance to talk to two different rangers while we were there and they were very helpful. They took their time to thoroughly answer our questions. And one of them patiently pointed out an alligator hiding in one of the ponds. The paths were tree lined with overhanging branches with. And the drive-in to the pond area was also gorgeous. We look forward to returning and spending more time exploring the paths, the lake and climbing the lookout tower. The bathroom was also very clean.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Jake H. 2 years ago on Google
    Sheldon Lake State Park and Environmental Learning Center is a nice little park that does well educating. I saw 3 small alligators in the ponds. The observation tower has 96 steps up to the top; the elevator is not working at this time. Be careful at the top as there were lots of wasps and big nests. Overall, pretty area.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Emma Minett (. 11 months ago on Google
    A wonderful place, I went on a weekday & it was deserted. Was serene, quiet & had a lovely time wandering the trails. Its a fairly small state park but highly rated. Im looking forward to taking my two children!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sydney V. 3 months ago on Google • 78 reviews New
    Great little park for viewing water birds, turtles and alligators. The trails are relatively short and you can't view Sheldon lake except from the observation tower. Observation tower had great views and an elevator. Boardwalk trails through the prairie and gravel trails through the reservoirs.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Cooper B. 1 year ago on Google • 74 reviews
    Really nice park. Well maintained, but because of the heat and drought the water in the fish hachery ponds is really low. So not a lot of wildlife. Some birds, turtles and big spiders! Lots of plants. Beautifully put together with the trails. The tower has really awesome views. Did not get to venture to the marsh trails as a rain storm was approaching. Hope to come back soon!!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 J&J D. 2 years ago on Google
    Nice place.Good for walking..We've seen different wildlife..I also took some nice photos there..But we didn't take long because my husband has a problem with his foot so we've decided to leave early..But we'll definitely comeback again..
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Hitomi G. 1 year ago on Google
    Came here around 2pm and walked on the trails. It was very hot and most of the animals were probably hiding and all we heard was cicadas and the sound of them made me feel even hotter. Also went to the observation tower and had a nice view on top but I'm a little afraid of hights so climbing up and down skeleton stairs (you can see far below you) was scary. There's an elevator but it was out of order. Would come back at a different time of the day if there's a cooler time.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Joni M. 2 years ago on Google
    Gorgeous views from the tower, including Houston skyline. They were closing at 5, so be aware of the early time that you need to exit the park.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Olivia T. 1 year ago on Google
    I loved the big area of trails and signs showing info on animals you might see along the trail. The kids liked the walk and the golden acorn story got them encouraged to walk abit further.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jackie K. 2 years ago on Google
    Nice outside temperatures to visit the park. Flowers are starting to bloom and wildlife activity is visual.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Carol G. 3 months ago on Google • 38 reviews New
    I had heard about this state park but never been there. We decided to go check it out. This is a hidden gem!!! There's so much scenery, awesome trails and not crowded at all. Very peaceful and full of wildlife. I highly recommend for a quick getaway and pack a lunch there's plenty of places to sit and eat/rest. FYI- pets have to be on a leash.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 vhanie h. 1 month ago on Google • 16 reviews New
    Very easy trail. Nice view and the look-out has even a functional elevator, impressive.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Action 1 R. 2 years ago on Google
    Beautiful wild life. Fishing lures do clutter the trees, but fishing is permitted. The tires in the water remind you that the city isn't so far away. Still, beautiful sounds of the birds and ducks fill the air, bringing a peace that makes going there a treat! You have to have a kayak or small boat to go onto the deeper parts of the reservoir. Watch out for the alligators if you are adventurous to go out there!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Joshua B. 10 months ago on Google
    This place is not just a park with very few people in it, but its also a learning center of some kind. They do something with the intention to improve waterway life and thats refreshing. I hope to come back and learn more since I visited on a holiday, my time was limited and everything was closed.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Santos G. 8 months ago on Google
    There is so much history and scenery here at the Sheldon Lake State Park. Their trails are beautiful and there is so much wildlife here to see. The scenery at the 82' John Jacob observation tower is breathtaking overlooking the Houston skyline and the San Jacinto Monument.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 James F. 5 months ago on Google • 11 reviews
    It's a lovely little park, lots of beautiful flowers and pollinators all over. Sadly the water was too low for any fishing. Visited 11/5/23
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 darlene g. 9 months ago on Google
    Awesome place. I take my grandbabies often. So peaceful. Never a crowd. Plenty of space to enjoy nature. We always see wildlife. Gators,turtles,snakes,huge tadpoles. Always an adventure. The lookout tower is amazing. We have lunch at the top. Restrooms are clean. There is a catch and release pond so take your poles for fishing 🎣
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Tabitha C. 2 years ago on Google
    It is a beautiful park! Was concerned that the garden exhibit seemed to have gone to seed, lol. Hope this is just because of the difficulty of the past year, and that the park will be able to continue to be there for future generations 😀
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Brandi C. 1 year ago on Google
    Former fish hatchery turned environmental education center. Primitive landscape in parts. Alligators. Snakes. Bats. Spiders. Bird sanctuary. Poison ivy along the sides. Wooden plank trails. Crushed granite trails. Dirt trails. Bring sunscreen, bug spray and a camera. Public restrooms available. Tent camping. Picnic tables. Fishing. Trail lined with wooden benches and lookouts. Dogs welcome on leashes. Tower is five flights of large holed metal stairs- big enough to get a paw stuck. Great view on top! Warning signs posted with instructions on how to keep safe in the park and prevent furry friends from becoming delicious morsels. FREE educational pamphlets and workshops.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jessica H. 2 years ago on Google
    Lovely park with lots of different choices for trails and scenery. We went on the Prairie Trail and Wetland Loop today. Perfect short walk for an afternoon.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Angela C. 2 years ago on Google
    The grounds were very well kept, even in the midst of the winter season. The tourist center and classes were not available, as it was a weekend, but I'll sure go back and visit again!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Happily Ever O. 2 years ago on Google
    Beautiful park and sightseeing, well kept trails and lookout tower. Clean restrooms and picnic tables. Such an interesting place with the sectioned ponds and places to study nature.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Christopher K. 1 year ago on Google
    This location gives you and your kids a great opportunity to get up and personal with nature while not being so far out of town. We saw alligators, snakes, turtles, and plenty of wild birds.

  • 5/5 Linda Holland B. 10 months ago on Google
    We had a brilliant visit to the park and redevoir. We spotted a blue heron and a purple gallinule among the water lilies. Lovely spot for a picnic.

  • 5/5 Justin F. 2 years ago on Google
    Such a serene, peaceful time and place. I can see the potential for stress with the area not being the best or very secure. However, in this day it wasn't hard to find peace

  • 4/5 L w. 7 months ago on Google
    Nice hiking trails, some shaded and others not. Mostly gravel and boardwalk throughout the park. The park staff were all friendly and very helpful. I can't wait to spend time here once we're out of this year's drought and many of the dried ponds are full again. The observation tower is 96 steps to the top, but a solar-powered elevator is also available. Once at the top, there is an awesome panoramic view all across Houston.

  • 4/5 Gloria O. 2 years ago on Google
    Nice trails, not so crowded! Great for a day walk to see nature. I didn't know this park existed till today. I really liked it, nice and clean and good for a picnic with the family.

  • 5/5 Jason B. 2 years ago on Google
    This place is all nature and they have fishing, trials and bird watch areas. I would recommend this park if you love nature. Thwy hqve this high tall building that lets you see the overview. Please Like, Share and Follow. #JaysTrueRatings

  • 5/5 Brooks W. 2 years ago on Google
    Great park with nice trails. Well maintained, and a good place to find snakes.


Call (281) 456-2800 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Pets
    • ✓️ Dogs allowed
  • Activities
    • ✓️ Hiking
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

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