Peach Creek in Texas

Trip Overview

We had read a report about Peach Creek being a nice place to paddle due to the scenery and the gravel/sand bottom that makes the water rather clear. I called Lake Houston Park in advance to check the water levels. We were told that the creek was paddleable.

So Father's Day morning we loaded up the canoes and headed out, paid our $3/person entrance and unloaded the canoes. The road that you need to take to unload canoes is for lodge users only but just tell them at the front desk that you have canoes to unload and you can drive back there. You will have to then park your vehicle back near the office parking lot and walk back to your canoes. Kind of a pain but not a huge deal.

The creek was very shallow. It was hard to find a place deeper than ankle deep. We thought that maybe the creek would get deeper as we got closer to where Caney Creek joins so we decided to pole our way down. Only problem was that there were so many place that we got stuck in the shallow water that one of us was usually pushing/pulling the canoe.

After about 1/4 mile of struggling to push, pole and pull the canoes over various obstacles, including a strainer with rotting fish, we decided to turn around and make it back to put in and call it a day. The trip back was hot and hard work as the sand sucked your feet with every step. When we got out of the water we all smelled like rotting fish. Terrible smell!

The good points: beautiful scenery, clear water, lots of critters for the kids to observe, nice sandy/gravel bottom, fairly easy put in
Bad points: smell, lots of obstacles that could be dangerous if the water were high and moving

Overall, we had a great time despite the low water. The kids enjoyed splashing in the water and we all got a good work out and a lot of laughs. I'll probably be looking for places other than Peach Creek to paddle in the future.

Accommodations:

Ex-state park now belongs to Houston; hiking trails; creek access; lodges available for rent

Fees:

$3 per person ages 13 and up

Directions:

From Hwy 59 N leaving Houston, turn right at FM 1485/New Caney exit; right on Loop 494; Right on FM 1485; Right on Baptist Encampment Rd; arrive at park at 22031 Baptist Encampment Rd There will be signs to guide you