Towering pine trees, forested lands, and lakefront thrills await in Conroe, a quiet retreat about 45 minutes north of Texas’ largest city of Houston. Take a stroll through the walkable downtown area full of eateries, nightlife, merchants, art galleries, and theaters, and then head into nature, where the real adventure begins in the form of water activities, hiking, birdwatching, and more.
Lake Conroe
At 22,000 acres and with 156 miles of shoreline, Lake Conroe is an aquatic playground. Relax on its shores with a good book and a cocktail, or take to the open water for paddling, boating, fishing, and watersports. Reel in a record-size largemouth bass, or head out with a fishing guide to look for bass and other fish such as black and white crappie, channel catfish, and bluegill.
Several marinas are on the lake, making it easy to fuel up, grab some bait, or a bite to eat before heading back out onto the water. Don’t have your own vessel? Rent a private boat, jet ski, kayak, or canoe from 1097 Watersports and spend the day exploring Lake Conroe as you wish. North Lake Conroe Paddling Company also rents kayaks, and their waterfront location means it’s easy to get straight into your adventure.
For more water-based relaxation and celebration, check out Cruisin’ Tikis, which offers raft-based tiki huts complete with a floating bar that allow you to relax while sipping your favorite drink. Southern Empress Cruises, a 131-foot paddle-wheeler boat, offers romantic dinner cruises on Lake Conroe, with delicious dining, drinks, and dancing. And Waterpoint Marina’s Little Palm yacht also offers dinner cruises, sunset cruises, and more.
Texas Tidbit: Aside from the Lake Conroe Dinner Cruise, Southern Empress Cruises offers an array of other trips, including a lunch cruise, cocktail cruise, and even a murder mystery cruise.
Sam Houston National Forest
Back on land, lace up your hiking shoes and hit the trails at Sam Houston National Forest, one of only four national forests in Texas. This forest contains more than 163,000 acres and the Lone Star Hiking Trail, a 128-mile trail that is the longest wilderness footpath in Texas, with three major sections running through Conroe.
Camping is available in the forest at Cagle, Double Lake, and Stubblefield Recreation…
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