Brazos Bend State Park

Brazos Bend holds about 5,000 acres of bottomland forest, coastal prairie and oxbow lakes on the Brazos River floodplain. Alligators are common along the water, and the park asks visitors to keep 30 feet back, keep pets leashed and stay out of the lakes. The 1.2-mile 40 Acre Lake trail passes an observation tower; the 1.7-mile Elm Lake loop is the park's best-known wildlife walk; the paved half-mile Creekfield Lake trail is the accessible option. Entrance is $7 for ages 13 and up and free for 12 and under. The park reaches capacity on busy weekends, so day passes are best reserved ahead.