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Print Friendly MapThe Terry Hershey Park Hike & Bike Trail is an east-west route along the banks of the Buffalo Bayou in western Houston. It provides more than 10 miles of trail from Barker Dam (near State Highway 6) to Texas Beltway 8 and the Sam Houston Tollway. The park also offers restrooms, exercise stations, a playground, and places to picnic.
On its west end, the trail connects to the George Bush Park Hike and Bike Trail, so trail-goers could seamlessly extend their trip by another 11 miles.
Future plans call for extending the trail north, under I-10, to the Addicks Dam, then east to Eldridge Parkway and west to Metro's Addicks Park and Ride Lot.
The trail is named after Terry Hershey, whose first step into the conservation movement began with something close to home that sprinted all the way to the national level with former President George H.W. Bush calling her a “force of nature.” In 1966, Hershey jumped into action after observing the Army Corps of Engineers denuding the banks of the Buffalo Bayou in her Houston neighborhood in preparation for straightening and paving the waterway. She mobilized the community to derail the effort, including enlisting the help of then-congressman Bush. These efforts culminated in the 1970 passage of the National Environmental Policy Act, which requires public input and environmental impact statements for major federal projects. She is also a founder of the Bayou Preservation Association.
Parking lots are available along the trail at:
- Highway 6 (west end of the trail)
- Beltway 8 (east end of the trail; access off southbound tollway service road)
- Dairy Ashford Road (mid-trail on the south side of the bayou)
This is the perfect bike route for great flat rides and also a good number of small hills and elevation changes. The Dairy Ashford to Beltway 8, Eastbound section is the most challenging in my experience. The whole route distance is a nice balanced route for a really good workout.
My first and all time favorite bike trail in Houston. Public art installations along the path, water features, dog park, beautiful people & beautiful skyline view. ¿
This is a lovely bike trail where you only encounter occasional pedestrians. The only downside is a narrow overpass bridge which makes me nervous but it’s, generally speaking, very safe and it’s great that it connects with Bush park. No need to cross roads, etc. I highly recommend it.
Lovely on a crisp Fall Saturday. A bit busy. But everyone deserves a lovey Saturday
Very good trail, you can start at beltway 8 and bike pretty far. There are many paths for all types of riders.
The entire trail has been rendered worthless as a meaningful bike trail. Today I was clocked and then stopped by a Constable for exceeding 10mph on my bicycle beside the dam. Just to make it clear, you cant push the pedals and stay below 10mph. If thats the park rule, then fine, just quit calling it a bike trail.
10 miles of clean and wide concrete roads to be shred with pedestrians. Sometimes you can deviate into gravel trials and vary the experience. You will enjoy this easy trial for sure.
A great ride for the casual cyclist. I was out on a Sunday (late morning into mid afternoon) for about 3 hrs and found it to be it good shape. Two things that could be improved: some wayfinding signage and some intermediate "facilities"!
We were in Katy,TX over Christmas 2016 and rode in Hershey Park.Not knowing what to expect we chose the cyclocross bikes and that was the right choice.The paved paths are quite rolling and rough at times because of the early summer floods that impacted the trail.Segments on the east end were impacted and in some cases based away.You can get around some of the damaged areas but the last east mile is closed as it was totally wasted out.Overall an interesting ride with some sharp transitions along the way.We parked in the park on Memorial Drive off Hwy 6.Restrooms and kids park there.Would be very helpful if there was signage on the west end which connects with the George Bush Park.No way to figure it out unless you see another rider making the transition between the two.
don't go inline skating here parts are horrible
As a runner, this is about as good as it gets in Houston. There is a great diversity of terrain (for Houston), and many paths to choose from.
I work right off of this park and run during lunch or after work (mornings in the summer).
The section known as 'The Anthills' provides some much needed terrain for runners, as it is carved out of some rare elevation in Houston, and provides a bit more technical footing for runners who are looking for some level of challenge compared with their daily road training.
Alternatively, there are miles of paved asphalt trails to choose from, much of it with an accompanying dirt path alongside the main routes. Also, along the park are numerous sidewalks that are easily accessible to runners who are looking for a more traditional road feel.
Between the east and west end of the trails you will find bayou paths, hills and much needed summer shade. There are also numerous side paths, some asphalt some dirt, so that you can mix up your routine from day-to-day.
At the far west end of the park is an easy transition to Addicks Dam, which opens up many more options and trails that run along the dam, as well as back into George Bush Park.
Overall, for the elevation-challenged city of Houston, this is some of the best running around.
Terry Hershey Park is not a challenging bike trail, but it has lots of pathway diversity. You travel under road bridges, over several small creek bridges, and the trip includes a lot of nice park benches where you can find respite. Riding with small children? There are several spots along the path that may present danger for them to ride into small gullies.
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