Lake Conroe lies on the San Jacinto River, around 60 miles north of downtown Houston. Created in the early 1970s by the construction of Lake Conroe Dam, it extends to 21 miles in length and has a surface area of around 21,000 acres. The lake and surrounding area provide plenty of fun recreation opportunities for kids, with many of these available for free.
Hiking and Biking
Sam Houston National Forest (fs.usda.gov) surrounds the northern end of Lake Conroe, and this wilderness area provides opportunities for some fun outdoor activities. A number of trails run through the forest, and these include the Lone Star Hiking Trail, as well as few other multiuse trails. Hiking or biking these well-used trails can be a way for kids to get back to nature and enjoy some exercise.
The Little Lake Creek Wilderness (fs.usda.gov) lies in the Sam Houston National Forest to the west of Lake Conroe, covering an area of just more than 3,800 acres. The U.S. Forest Service has managed the area to keep it a pristine, natural environment since the Texas Wilderness Act of 1984 afforded it protection from development. Visiting this area provides an excellent opportunity to see some native Texas plant and wildlife. The W. Goodrich Jones State Forest (texasforestservice.tamu.edu) lies in an area to the south of the lake. Managed by the Texas Forest Service as an educational resource, kids can enjoy birdwatching and wildlife watching, as well as forest resource demonstrations.
Visit Conroe Public Parks
Conroe lies at the southern end of Lake Conroe, with the public parks in the city providing plenty of opportunities for kids entertainment. In all, the city has more than 20 parks (cityof conroe.org), with features in these including playground equipment, a skate park, a disc golf course, basketball courts and plenty of open space for playing. The Heritage Place Park outdoor amphitheater also hosts a number of free musical concerts throughout the summer months.
Heritage Museum of Montgomery County
The Heritage Museum of Montgomery County (heritagemuseum.org) in Conroe has free admission, although kids entering can help the museum by paying the suggested 50 cents donation. The museum has three galleries documenting the history of Montgomery County from prehistoric times to the construction of Lake Conroe in the 1970s. The children's gallery has fun, hands-on exhibits for kids to enjoy, as well as featuring a log cabin and old-style general store display that they can explore.
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