Horseshoe Lake Loop, TX

Brazos Bend State Park
Brazos Bend State Park is just southwest of the Houston Metro region with over 5000 acres of Bottomland and Upland Coastal Prairie. The wetlands and forests are home to birds, deer, wild boar, and alligators. There are over 300 species of birds, 21 species of reptiles, and 23 species of mammals. The various species of oak and pecan trees make up some of the largest trees in the forested areas. This park has some impressive large oak trees. Brazos Bend Park has accommodations for hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and camping. The main watercourse in the park is Big Creek with its many side creeks and lakes that eventually drain into the Brazos River on the East side of the park. There are over a dozen trails most of which are in the 1 to 2-mile range and easily connected to make longer day hikes. This is a great place to view the many species of birds and unexpected encounters with alligators. See park literature for more details.


Horseshoe Lake Loop
The Horseshoe Lake Trail splits off to the Northwest from Elm Lake. This is a 1.4-mile loop trail that walks the perimeter of two oxbows of Big Creek, one older than the other. Big Creek bypasses these oxbows now but left two small lakes behind. This is a good area to view birds and alligators. The trail follows along an old two-track dirt road used by both hikers and bicycles. When not along the 2 lakes this trail passes through hardwood forest and the evidence of wild boars is everywhere. The Big Creek Loop Trail junction is halfway in on this trail and is a good opportunity to do this 2.2-mile loop also. The closest access point to the Horseshoe Lake Trail is along the park road on the north side of Elm Lake.

2020-12-06 markthurman53