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Photo by HelenB
Wood Storks roosting on the north side of Elm Lake, September 2010

Photo by HelenB
Observation Tower at the NE corner of 40-Acre Lake, Mar. 2009

Photo by HelenB
40-Acre Lake, looking southwest from the Observation Tower. Photo taken Oct 24th, 2008, six weeks after Hurricane Ike did quite a lot of damage in the Park. Click on photo to see a larger image.

United States, Texas

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, almost all accessible by a great trail system. 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

Photo by HelenB
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, at the SW corner of Elm Lake, April 2008

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, and one equestrian trail with primitive campsite.
• 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 (Houston Museum of Natural Science) is located in the Park.

Access and Facilities

• The park is open 7 days a week, all year.
• Check the website in External Links, for emergency or scheduled closures.
• Gate Hours: Fri-Sun: 7am-10pm; Mon-Thurs: 8am-10pm.
• Fees: $7 per day, 13 and older; Seniors (65 and older) 50% off with a Texas Parklands Passport; free with the Texas State Parks Pass ($70 per year).
• Nature Center - open Mon-Fri 11am-3pm, Sat & Sun 9am-5pm.
• Headquarters (at entrance) has gift shop, open daily.
• Camping facilities and cabins available in the Park.
• See below for links to park maps and bird checklists.

Directions: The Park is about 1 hour drive from the center of Houston. Take the 59 Freeway south and exit at Crabb River Road, follow the brown signs south, onto FM 762. The park entrance will be on the left.

Contact Details

Brazos Bend State Park
21901 FM 762
Needville TX 77461
Tel: 979-553-5102

Photo by HelenB
Woodland trail in Feb. 2009

Photo by HelenB
Autumn afternoon on the north side of Elm Lake, Nov. 2008

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
• Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail - Brazoria Loop

Content and images posted by HelenB