Houston offers numerous easy hiking trails that are perfect for leisurely strolls or exercise. From walking across the Buffalo Bayou at Terry Hershey Park Trail to the wooded trails at Lorraine Cherry Nature Preserve, Houston’s Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails offer diverse environments for you and your dog to explore. This is not a complete list of Houston’s Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails, but highlights some of our favorites.
Lorraine Cherry Nature Preserve
Lorraine Cherry Nature Preserve features over a mile of unpaved walking paths that wind through wooded areas. It is home to more than 200 species of plants. Including 153 bird species, a butterfly garden, and a dedicated wildflower area, making it an excellent place to explore native Texas wildlife. You must keep your dog on a leash and make sure your dog stays on the trails. If you’re looking for a nearby dog park for your dog to roam and play, Levy Dog Park features two separately fenced areas. There are dedicated ares for both for large and small breed dogs, complete with artificial turf, mounds, and water stations.
Willow Waterhole
The Willow Waterhole features six trails that loop around different lakes. These hiking trails are popular for birdwatching and provide an easy walk through the wetlands. The paths are paved or crushed granite, with over 8 miles of trails. Dogs are welcome but must be on leash. The Bob Schwarz Gazebo, a popular location for photos, is located near Westbury Lake.
Buffalo Bayou Loop
The Buffalo Bayou Loop is a five-mile trail that offers scenic views of the Houston skyline from both sides of the bayou. This loop is inside Buffalo Bayou Park, which is a 160 acre park that also contains Johnny Steele Dog Park, gardens, public art displays, nature play areas and multiple trails. Johnny Steele Dog Park is a great place to socialize your dog, with two separately fenced areas for small and large dog breeds. It features a large pond to splash around in, washing stations and drinking fountains.
Terry Hershey Park Trail
Terry Hershey Park Trail is situated in Terry Hershey Park, a vast 496-acre area featuring over eleven miles of trails. The park runs 5.5 miles along Buffalo Bayou. It features paved paths for walking and cycling, with sections of the trail illuminated. This park features wooden pedestrian bridges, forested areas and the picturesque views of the Bayou. It is a popular place for dog walkers, hikers, and cyclists.
Terry Hershey Park is near Millie Bush Dog Park, which is a large 8 acre park with separately fenced areas for small and large dogs. Millie Bush Park also includes ponds for dogs to swim in and washing stations.
The Congressman Bill Archer Dog Park is nearby. This park includes two agility courses and separate fenced areas for small and large dogs. This park covers eight acres and includes dog washing stations.
Houston Arboretum and Nature Center Outer Loop Trail in Memorial Park
This trail is located in Memorial Park. This is a huge 1500 acres in size with over six miles of trails along the bayous. It contains a diverse range of wildlife and flora.
The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center Outer Loop Trail is one of our favorite trails. It is an easy two-mile loop through the arboretum areas with ponds, boardwalks, and forested areas. There are approximately eleven other hiking trails in Memorial Park, making it a perfect place to explore over multiple trips.
We’re here to help
Whether you’re hiking through the forested areas of Memorial Park, the banks of the bayou at Terry Hershey Park, or looping around the lakes at Willow Waterhole, Houston’s Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails provide a range of scenic adventures. If you would like your dog to walk better on a leash, reliably respond to recall, or be less reactive to strangers and other dogs, you can schedule a free consultation with our Pet Behavior Team. Our team can develop a customized training program designed to meet your specific training objectives. All of our training programs are conducted as one-on-one sessions at your home, in your local neighborhood, or on your local trails. We also offer board and train programs, where your dog stays at your trainer’s home for training. Follow-up lessons will then take place with you to ensure continued success in their training.
If you prefer to connect virtually or are located outside of our service areas, you can connect with our cofounder and Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Dr. Echterling-Savage, who provides virtual consultations. During these consultations, she can help you achieve your training goals by designing a personalized plan with detailed step-by-step guidance.
