Claiborne West Park is one of a few county parks in Orange County. Technically, it's in Vidor, and…read morethe Vidor city limits stretch just past this park to Cow Bayou. But really, it's located in the typical Piney Wood countryside of far eastern Texas, where the biggest sign of civilization is Interstate 10. Drive in, and there are so many picnic tables that I doubt they're ever all used. Walk a bit to the right, and you get to a medium-sized lake with trees in it, it screams "Louisiana" all over it. Keep driving, and you get to sports fields where you can play baseball, volleyball, basketball, football. The camping area is to the north, tents only in a semi-primitive setting Very large pavilion to the far west, enough for a cookout for several hundred people. And then you look north. The Piney Woods have several trails going through here, getting you deep into nature. With the thick underbrush and frequent flooding, this is a place where you need to stay on the trail. Popular with mosquitos. Clearly Claiborne West Park is developed for large crowds. And, when I first met this girl who is now my wife, we went to the Texas Barbecue Festival here. But now the rating gets taken down by one star: Although you can easily see the entrance from the freeway, getting to the entrance is difficult. Driving east, you'd need to drive one more mile to be able to get off I-10 and make a U-turn under the freeway to get to the north side of the freeway where the park is. Driving west, I don't know which exit to take, but it's before Cow Bayou; there is an exit in front of the park, and you can't turn right to get there. This inconvenient setup means that the park rarely sees big crowds, and you're likely to cuss up a storm trying to get to Claiborne West. This park has lots of potential, and is developed in such a way that big cities would love to have it. The road system surrounding the park makes it difficult to get to. Oh well, more for you to enjoy.

Basketball, Softball, Football ,concerts. Family gatherings, fishing, running and disc golfread more

The most peaceful place to walk/bike and see lots of wildlife. If you love birds, it's wonderful…read moreespecially in the spring. I walk my dog here regularly. She loves it, too. You can buy a season pass so you don't have to pay the $3.00 every time you go. You can also get a military discount with ID. Lots of trails to enjoy! Don't miss it!

Liked the park. We stayed 4 days. Great hook ups and level spots. It's really close RV parking…read moreright on top of your neighbors. Other than that great quiet park

Good trails takes a couple of trips around to squeeze out a mile. Watch out for the straw covered…read morehazards because they can sneak up on you. One thing if you're not familiar with the area, don't go off the address on Yelp or the internet it takes you to a subdivision. Go to google maps and look for it there then touch it on the screen, that's how I finally got there. There's no signage to let you know your there.

Beautiful newly built park. Disc golf course, hiking trail, picnic tables with roof kids play…read moreground. Very nice wooded area.

I usually go on hikes with the Houston Women's Hiking group Clear Lake edition, but when I want to…read morego on a good adrenaline hike on a Saturday I come here. Jack Brooks is the only park in the area that I know that has high slopes with deep dips and some flat terrain that is similar to something you'll find in Hill Country, Central Texas. I get here very early in the morning to beat the MTB (mountain bikers) since the trail was essentially designed for them. However, it's also perfect for hikers too. Trekking poles are recommended when doing this trail that crosses over ponds, wooden planks curved in to create a high endurance speed track, and different props throughout. A suggestion is to wear good hiking shoes non-slip with good grip support. Ones that don't slip and slide around when you're walking. I would even wear toe covers to protect your toenails from shoe impact if not, you might have hikers toes (hematoma in the nail bed) otherwise. I don't recommend physical disabled, limited ROM, or anyone ridiculously out of shape to experience this trail. It isn't easy and it is very challenging; it's best if you have somewhat physical fitness under your belt since you'll need that abdomen and legs strength to pull yourself up and down between all the dips. If not, you'll be very much out of breath and unhappy. It isn't wheelchair or any assistive devices friendly as you may experience falls if you're unstable on your feet. The signage on the trail is themed based on your experience when attempting each path such as they have some that say: Hell II, Autobahn, and Hell I. When I come with the hiking group and alone, I hike up to 5.5 miles. And if you get lost, I tend to rely on AllTrails app to guide me. It can be very helpful when it working. The whole trail is heavily shaded, but since it's located in Santa Fe/Hitchcock, TX which is closer to Galveston (Gulf of Mexico) then the temps are typically muggy hot humid leaving me in a sweat bath. I suggest bringing some electrolytes and a hydration pack because whew, you can get dehydrated or overheated just by hiking this trail. The mosquitoes can be bad, so spray yourself first. There's wildflowers, spider webs blocking paths, and flying bugs. Nonetheless, this park trail system is by far the most fun I've experienced. I love it! I was a tad bit leary of hiking solo since it's in Santa Fe, TX has a history of KKK rallies dating back to the 1980s and the presence of hateful looks from the locals are still present today (my mum experienced it at Haak Winery and my sister experienced it at the Walmart). That's why I like to go early or with a group of ladies (all races) because I don't want no flack from anyone when I'm simply trying to have fun burning calories. To get to the trail, at the stop sign once you enter the park, take a left turn then go to the big parking lot. Park then walk at the starting point according to AllTrails. I posted in photos the whole trail system screenshot from the AllTrails app. Come, have fun, and leave no trace!

Fun biking/hiking park. Good hills and ramps for experts and flatter trails for the beginner…read more Very woodsy. Bring mosquito spray. Water tends to pool in the flat areas after a good rain. Summer time brings orb spiders on the trails. I have seen small snakes and rabbits in the spring on the trails. I have heard there are wild hogs and have seen the prints and areas where they are digging for grubs and such but have never seen one. There are areas for frisby golf and other open areas for other sports and picnicking. Covered areas are available and restrooms are clean and well maintained. The whole park is well maintained.

Very cool climate and comfortable environment. I carry all this weight on me but when I'm there my…read moreage is put to rest. Also it make me sleep like a baby.

This is a popular park in Alvin, TX. It is a rather large city park that includes playgrounds,…read morepavilions, a dog park, and a lighted 18-hole disc golf course. My first trip here was to play disc golf with my son. He is an avid player and has played this course numerous times. We started before dark and we're able to almost complete the entire course before it was simply too dark to finish. You may be asking, "If it's lit, why was this a problem?" The answer is my skill level of playing. Like regular golf, if you stay in the fairway, you can find your ball, or in this case, disc. However, my throws are not always accurate and losing discs in the trees where, after dark and with lights, it can still be difficult to find a them, could get expensive. Therefore, we quit after 14 holes. The course is open enough that it can work for beginners but has enough water/tree hazards to be a challenge if you're trying to get scores of par or lower. Bottom line - I do recommend this park for the disc course. It can be a challenge for every skill level. The lights help you finish your round if you start too late in the day to finish with sunlight. However, relying 100% on the lights could be challenging. Enjoy your round.

Great park for kiddos 3+ limited parking. This park was easy to locate. Very clean and well…read moremaintained grounds. If you love disk golf i highly recommend enjoying the course. We met our friends here on a Saturday for a playdate, Around 10am. I do recommend getting here early for good parking. I wish there were more shade near the swings. However, my kiddos had a great time running around.

I'll stop here sometimes when I'm in the Woodlands area to walk around and get clarity. Pretty…read morecool the Woodlands has this. Has a circle path, dog park, basketball court, tennis court, picnic areas, and a playground for kids. Quite clean and kept up well. Not much else to say. Wish it was a bit bigger and had more walking trails but it serves it's purpose well.

This is a long review because I've worked on it for a long time…read more.. If you asked me to pick one place that defines Houston, it would be Buffalo Bayou Park. I've spent countless hours here running and riding my bike. Some days it's a quick evening jog, other days it's a long ride from Eleanor Tinsley Park toward Memorial Park or connecting through the trails to the University of Houston. No matter how many times I come back, it never gets old. The park has been the backdrop for so many of my favorite Houston memories. I came here for Free Press Summer Fest back in the day, Freedom Over Texas fireworks, the Art Car Parade, Pride celebrations, marathons, half marathons, 5Ks, and even the Texas Independence Relay. It's one of those places that feels completely different depending on the day. Sometimes it's quiet and peaceful, and other times it's filled with thousands of people celebrating everything that makes Houston unique. It also reminds me of some of the city's hardest moments. I'll never forget walking down after Hurricane Harvey and seeing the bayou swollen all the way up to Allen Parkway. It was hard to comprehend just how much water had moved through here. Seeing the park recover over time has been a reminder of Houston's resilience. One of my favorite discoveries has been the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern. It's such a unique experience and a reminder that there's always something new to explore, even after years of visiting the park. What I love most is how connected everything feels. The trails weave through the city with incredible downtown views, public art, green spaces, bridges, and plenty of places to stop and take it all in. Whether you're training for a race, out for a casual walk, riding your bike, or just enjoying the skyline, there's a reason people keep coming back. Buffalo Bayou Park isn't just another park to me. It's where I've made memories, challenged myself, celebrated with the city, and found a place to unwind. Every visit reminds me why I love living in Houston. I already can't wait for my next run, and I hope to see you out there.

BEAUTIFUL PARK! I have lived in Houston for years and only ever scratched the surface of this…read moreBuffalo Bayou Park. It's so clean and I absolutely love all the wild flowers this time of year. This is one of the best place to bike in the inner loop with the separated biking and pedestrian trails. Connects to the heights and all major neighborhoods. A lovely place to get a walk or bike ride in on the evenings or weekends! There are quite a few manicured grass spots for picnics or to bring a book, as well as shaded areas. I have always felt very safe at this park. A 'not so hidden' gem as parking can be a little tough, but leads to not very busy trails. I never realized how beautiful this park is compared to the days I would only drive by!