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Overview
Brazos Bend State Park is located about 28 miles southwest of Houston, in Fort Bend County, Texas. It is about 5000 acres in size and has a variety of habitats, such as lakes, swamp, woodland and prairie. It's eastern boundary lies along the Brazos River. This birding hotspot is part of the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail site no. UTC 117.
Birds
Notable Species
Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Anhinga, Bald Eagle, Cinnamon Teal, Vermilion Flycatcher (winter), Prothonotary Warbler (summer).
Rarities
Rusty Blackbird, Tropical Parula in mid Jan, 2009 (no recent reports). Least Grebe seen Mar.16th, 2009. Streak-backed Oriole and Masked Duck several years ago.
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
To do
Other Wildlife
38 species of reptiles, amphibians and mammals, including:
American Alligator, a variety of snakes, turtles, frogs and lizards, Fox Squirrel, Nine-banded Armadillo, Raccoon, Nutria, River Otter, White-tailed Deer, Bobcat and Coyote. Good for butterflies and dragonflies, too.
Site Information
History and Use
The land was purchased by the state of Texas in 1976-77 and was opened to the public in 1984.
Areas of Interest
- About 35 miles of hiking and biking trails, also one equestrian trail with primitive campsite - see map links below.
- 3 picnic areas with barbeque pits, 2 of them with group pavilions.
- Creekfield Lake Nature Trail has interpretive signs and is wheelchair accessible.
- Elm Lake, 40-Acre Lake, Old and New Horseshoe Lakes, Hale Lake.
- Observation Tower overlooking Pilant and 40-Acre Lakes.
- The George Observatory, part of the Houston Museum of Natural Science, is located in the Park.
Access and Facilities
- The park is open 7 days a week, all year.
- Please check the main website below in External Links, for emergency or scheduled closures.
- Gate Hours: Fri-Sun: 7am-10pm; Mon-Thu: 8am-10pm.
- Entrance fees: $5 per day, per person 13 and older, unless you have a Texas State Parks Pass, which costs $60 per year.
- Nature Center - open Mon-Fri 11am-3pm, Sat & Sun 9am-5pm.
- Headquarters (at entrance) has gift shop, open daily.
- There are camping facilities for RVs and tents) and cabins available in the Park.
- See below for links to park maps and bird checklists.
Contact Details
Brazos Bend State Park
21901 FM 762
Needville TX 77461
Tel: 979-553-5102
External Links
- Bird Check list
- Park Map
- Trail Map
- Texas Parks and Wildlife official website for Brazos Bend State Park
- BBSP Volunteers Website for details of park activities
Content and images posted by HelenB