Big, diverse, not crowded and safe. The wildlife it's great, the only bad thing about is that some entitled people still walk their dogs without leach. read more

Willow Waterhole Conservation Reserve - Maybe the best Houston park. - Dog Parks Near Me - Houston, Texas

This is such an unexpected gem in this area of Houston! This park is not popular at all. There are nice plants and wildlife to see, and the flowers bloom in the springtime. For such a nice park, it is surprising that there are no restrooms. There is construction going on directly adjacent to the park. As in, the noise is deafening and dust flies into your lungs on one part of the trail because you are a few feet away from major construction. Although it looks like a mine, and I wouldn't be surprised if they are drilling for something. read more

See all

Newly built pavement over multiple lakes (A-F) and easily accessible by foot. There's plenty of parking available and the A loop is pretty scenic for the area. Plenty of people walking their dogs, running, and biking. The general area around the Willow waterhole is not a great area; plenty of dudes working on cars on the street and suspicious activity going on adjacent to the parks so just be vigilant. read more

Willow Waterhole Conservation Reserve - Dog Parks Near Me - Houston, Texas

See all

Willow Waterhole Greenway is the perfect park for a peaceful stroll near the inner loop! There are a few nice bridges to take photos at and multiple trails that surround four large manmade retention lakes. The park is managed by the Willow Waterhole Greenspace Conservancy. When we first visited, we didn't realize how large this park was! You will need to walk across a few streets (see map below) including Willow Dr and Gasmer Dr to view all four lakes and explore the entire park. When we visited in early March, there were many flowers in bloom. The park is one of the many places to view bluebonnets during the spring season! The park serves many functions including flood prevention and supporting conservation efforts by providing a home to Houston's native wildlife. Houston has a flood problem, and more greenery like this helps prevent future floods! The park also provides a great learning opportunity. There are many native trees growing here. One section of the park includes a garden with trees labeled by species. Here you can observe the difference between live oak and water oak trees. Aside from plants and flowers, this is also a great place to view wildlife. There were even signs to watch out for gators when we visited. We didn't see any gators, but we did see a few birds. read more

So pretty. There's really no parking signs but I parked on the gravel road in front of the park. I'll most definitely be coming here to run. read more

See all

A nice place to get a walk in and enjoy some decent scenery!!! The trails are worth the visit. There is ample of parking and upkeep is a plus. In the recent months there has been additional improvements, but you're still able to access the trails. Another favorite hidden jewels in Houston. read more

this is a nice place to walk. paths are big and is like 2 miles loop around. some nice flowers & good views of the water. read more

See all

Great little park to check out the blue bonnets! It does not have very much shade so avoid going in the middle of the day like we did. Parking is very easy here with street parking. There are bugs so maybe wear some bug spray! read more

See all

A lot to like and a lot to dislike - this park consists of 5 interconnected water retention ponds (with a 6th on the other side of S Post Oak Road). The main "lake" is Westbury Lake. It's a good place for locals who are bored of the other city parks to have an urban adventure, but not a place to bring out-of-town guests. This park is a true reflection of real Houston, with pockets of beauty interspersed among urban blight. One moment you're looking at rolling hills along a tree-lined lake, then you round the corner to see a massive eyesore of a gravel dumping ground below Highway 90. Part of Westbury Lake (one of the 6 lakes) is next to an abandoned industrial site. With that said, Westbury Lake is quite nice. Everything else not worth writing home about. If you live in the neighborhood it's a great place to go for a run or a walk. The park has a redevelopment planned so perhaps in 5 years it will be the next Buffalo Bayou Park or maybe even Levy Park - it does have great potential, with good walking trails (partially gravel and partially paved). Not a lot of shade so avoid in the summer heat. Not for road bikes as some paved trails turn into gravel trails. Hybrid bikes would work but it's a short ride around. Good for walkers. A volunteer association takes care of the grounds and the park is very clean with no trash. Probably the best thing about this park is the lack of crowds. Unlike Memorial Park and Hermann Park, very few people come here and parking is a breeze. The main parking lot is 5300 Dryad St; the Googlemaps listing for Willow Waterhole is 5201 S Willow Drive which you can't park at - if you used this address, then just as you start questioning your park choices, you should see RiceCrest Street, on which you can park right next to the walking trails. Note that the RiceCrest parking is next to Triangle Lake, but the main lake you want to visit is Westbury Lake (an easy stroll south from Triangle Lake). read more

See all

What a lovely neighborhood park! Certainly seems like a secret only locals know about because it was a beauty day and not many people were around. Like some other reviewers mention, the park is a work in progress with some trails paved and others just crushed stone or grass. There are several signs educating you about the park and it's wildlife, plenty of benches, and lots of picnic tables. Fishing and kayaking are allowed in the lakes as well. read more

See all

If you have never been and want to get your first look, and want to understand the trail system around this 6 retention pond nature venue, then I very much recommend the free 2 1/2 mile guided tour the next time it is offered. The Metro #7 stops here, and there is some parking. However, be prepared for the fact that, currently, there is only 1 porta potty...out by the Gazebo. The trails are paved, dirt and gravel. Overall, a great place to walk and explore. read more

See all

I think it's a really nice park. I think they are putting in more sidewalks and everything it is a nice park despite the one I normally go too. read more

See all

Hard to figure out where to go or where to park! Some areas of the reserve are further developed than others! The park is definitely still in development. It needs a lot of work! But it's a cool place to take a walk or take your dog for a walk! read more

See all

Review #4 Definitely one of Houston's hidden gems! Close to Westbury, Meyerland, Willowbend and Bellaire. Also quick access down Main St. exit Chimney rock. Made because Houston needs retention ponds. 290 Acres turned into gorgeous green space, waterways and wildlife conservatory. It's almost unreal that you are still in the city when you come here. Although you may hear a train pass by from time to time. Turn on Dryad off of Chimney Rock And follow the road until it turns into a dirt road. Continue down the dirt road and you will be there. Park your car or bike and venture out for a picnic, walk, run (it has a trail). Several picnic tables and a gazebo. No water fountains, restrooms or emergency phones....which I think they need all three! Anyway, gorgeous wild flowers when the season is just right. Signage about wildlife you may see. There is even a warning sign for gators! However I haven't heard of anyone seeing one there. Like Willowbend Waterhole on FB or check their website www.willowwaterhole.org/ to learn about events. Pros: nature at its best! Naive flowers, trees and plants! Spring time - tons of bluebonnets. Waking trails, kid and family friendly, events scheduled often, calming, bike racks. I also think you can paddle board and kayak there! Bring your equipment. Cons: Not in the best of areas - I wouldn't go there in the evening. No emergency assistance phones if there was a problem, no water fountains, no lights at dusk or dawn. Still confused on where the walking trails connect. read more

A lot has changed at the water hole and it is really time for me to update my review! I have spent a lot of time recently at the west side of the reserve, walking the gravel trails and sitting in the gazebo. It is really so peaceful here, and you totally forget you are smack-dab in the middle of ugly concrete jungle Houston. The plants and trees are starting to grow in, and there seem to be more and more visitors each time I go. I have seen several large birds here, too, including hawks, egrets, cranes, and others, so it appears that they have taken to migrating here. The interior gravel trail is about 1 mile in length, and takes about 15 minutes to walk, and up to 20 if you stop to look around and take pictures (like me). It is a bit hilly, but not treacherous at all. You could bring a mountain bike here and have some fun. The gazebo is nearby, as well as a few benches along the path, water fountains and a port-a-potty. I am hoping they will build a more permanent bathroom solution at some point. The exterior trail extends nearly all the way back to HWY 90, and is about 2 miles in length. This area is not shaded at all, so I would suggest wearing a hat and/or sunscreen if you're going to be walking here. Water would help too, as there are no water fountains nearby. For whichever trail you choose, close-toed shoes are a must. Overall, I love coming here and I am so happy this is so close to home. The only downside (and, unfortunately it is a big one) is that the surrounding neighborhood is a bit of a problem. On more than one occasion I have witnessed teenagers hanging around drinking, as well as a few seedy looking individuals loitering near the parking lot. There are also a few homeless dogs that appear to live here, although they pay no attention to me when I pass by them. However, I can no longer bring my dogs on a walk here as one particular homeless dog attempted to attack mine. Coupled with the seedy neighborhood, unfortunately I am a bit nervous to walk alone here. I am hopeful, though, that by the time the east side of the water hole is completed (across S. Post Oak), the visitor count will increase and it will edge out the seedier population. read more

Awesome place in sW houston, for walking and birding. 2017 musicfest, good food, music and it's free entry. read more

Willow Waterhole Conservation Reserve - 2017 musicfest - Dog Parks Near Me - Houston, Texas

See all

Just went to Willow Waterhole and was sad to see the loss of native plants including shrubs and trees replaced by vast slopes of dusty scalped grass. So disappointed as I have watched this project since it's beginning. I have many photos on Flickr of the wildflowers and awesome natural landscapes. Wonderful to see in this large city but now except for one small patch, it's bare and barren. There were birds, butterflies, bees, dragonflies, wildflowers, and several varieties of grass growing in that patch but nothing but dust and grass cut very short over the rest of it. The slopes are not suitable for sports so why can't they be left in a more natural state? I think the sides of the paths should be mowed and maybe some few paths through the native growths but why scalp the whole thing? What a wasted opportunity. read more