The City of Baytown has two hiking destinations. One is at the Baytown Nature Center, where visitors can hike along trails bordering the wetlands. Birdwatching is excellent, so you should bring some binoculars. Mosquito repellent is also advised. Click here for details. The other is along the banks of Goose Creek. Through the Goose Creek Stream Project, miles of scenic trails have been created along the banks of the creek. There are access points to the trails at several parks throughout town. Click here for details.
Although none of the parks in Baytown have camp grounds, there are camping accommodations in town at the Houston East KOA. There are also many state and federal parks within a few hours of Baytown. In fact, Baytown lies near the intersection of three separate regions in Texas. A short drive will take you camping along the Gulf Coast, up in the Piney Woods, or to the Prairies and Lakes region. Sam Houston National Forest, a USDA Forest Service park, also has excellent camping and recreation opportunities. If you’re into really remote camping, you can backpack in the Big Thicket National Park, part of the National Park Service system. For those willing to travel a little further, there are some nice parks operated by the Lower Colorado River Authority and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that are less than 3 hours away.
If you’re interested in the beach, you might camp at Sea Rim State Park or Galveston Island State Park. If the woods are more your style, you can visit Huntsville State Park or Lake Livingston State Park. In the Prairies and Lakes region, you’ll find Stephen F. Austin State Park and Lake Somerville State Park within easy driving distance. Visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s website for more details.