Home › Texas › Shepherd › Big Creek Scenic Area
Big Creek Scenic Area
4.6 ★★★★★ 205 Google reviews · Running trail in Shepherd, Texas · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- 5 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Big Creek Scenic Area's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Pretty park featuring a tree-lined trail loop and 5-mile hike to a lake.
What runners say about Big Creek Scenic Area
“The trails are well kept but a few of the bridges could use some work when we visited, as a bonus there are walking sticks at the trailhead (didn't use them, nice addition though).”
“The just over an hour-long drive from the Energy Corridor to the Big Creek Scenic Area is worth the trip.”
“Trails are well maintained, clearly marked information at the trail head is current too!”
“You can visit this park at night for a very tranquil and serene experience.”
The just over an hour-long drive from the Energy Corridor to the Big Creek Scenic Area is worth the trip. There are few times have I been out there that there were no more than one or two other groups on the trail, and given how big the area is, there is little other than the occasional jetliner overhead that disturbs…
First time ever going to this national forest and I brought my family to this specific location and we definitely enjoyed it. It was our first time ever hiking together. We have two boys ages 3 and 11 and they both had a blast hiking in these woods.
What a great hike! Beautiful scenery and good trails. It's not a long or particularly difficult hike, but very rewarding. Super peaceful, but also engaging. It's easy to extend the hike with connecting trails, but make sure you familiarize yourself with a map and keep your bearings at all times, as these trails can…
A hidden gem! Not too far from Houston and perfect for a casual hike. You can easily do all three scenic trails in about two hours if you're walking slowly. Trails are well maintained, clearly marked information at the trail head is current too! Perfect place to do some "forest bathing"
Trail conditions & character
“The just over an hour-long drive from the Energy Corridor to the Big Creek Scenic Area is worth the trip.”
“The trails are well kept but a few of the bridges could use some work when we visited, as a bonus there are walking sticks at the trailhead (didn't use them, nice addition though).”
“You can visit this park at night for a very tranquil and serene experience.”
“This is a loop for a short nature hike or take the extension trails for long hikes.”
“Because I enjoy taking my dog to nature trails, I am always looking for the next trail.”
“They had choices of doing a mini, mid and 2 mile long trail ending back at the parking lots and one 5 mile trail ending at double lake.”
“Might not be the best after rain, looks like it would get muddy very quickly there.”
Plan your run at Big Creek Scenic Area
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- Loop distance5 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitefs.usda.gov
- Phone(936) 344-6205
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near Shepherd
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Lone Star Hiking Trail - Trailhead # 8
4.8 ★★★★★ 46 reviews
Wide-ranging hiking area featuring kid-friendly trails and creek crossings.
Deison Technology Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 114 reviews
Relaxed park featuring jogging trails, ponds and picnic tables, plus a wooded area.
Carl Barton Jr Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,604 reviews
201-acre park housing athletic fields & playgrounds, plus a picnic pavilion, trails & fishing ponds.
Stewarts Creek Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 10 reviews
Wiggins Village Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 202 reviews
Fenced space where pooches can roam freely, plus a few benches.
Candy Cane Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,034 reviews
Amenities at this park include playgrounds, picnic pavilions, tennis courts & Conroe Aquatic Center.