Field guide
Buffalo Bayou Park trail information for runners
Official information for running or hiking the Buffalo Bayou trail. Find details on trail surfaces, park hours, parking, restrooms, and rules.
Buffalo Bayou Park is a 160-acre green space in Houston. It is located between Shepherd Drive and Sabine Street, bordered by Allen Parkway and Memorial Drive.
This guide provides official information for runners and hikers on the park's trails, operating hours, access points, and regulations for trail users.
Official facts at a glance
- Park size and type
- 160-acre green space
- Park location
- Shepherd Drive to Sabine Street, between Allen Parkway and Memorial Drive
- Sandy Reed Memorial Trail surface and width
- Ten-foot-wide concrete trail
- Kinder Footpath surface and width
- Five-foot-wide asphalt
- Lighted areas hours
- 6 AM – 11 PM daily
- Other areas hours
- Dawn to dusk daily
- Allen Parkway parking hours and fees
- 140 spots between Sabine and Taft streets, $1 for 3 hours (3-hour maximum), available 9 AM – 7 PM Monday – Sunday.
- Restrooms at The Water Works hours
- Open daily, 8 AM – 8 PM
- Restrooms at Lost Lake hours
- Open daily, 8 AM – 10 PM
- Leash rule
- Pets must remain on leashes except in Dog Parks.
- Pet waste cleanup
- Owners must clean up after their pets.
- Asphalt trails usage
- Asphalt trails from Shepherd to Sabine Street are for walkers/runners only.
- Cycling speed and distance
- Reduce speed under 10 mph and maintain a 3-foot distance from pedestrians.
- Gus S. Wortham Memorial Fountain
- Fountain known as 'Dandelion' that sprays joggers, cyclists, and walkers, offering a cool respite from the heat.
Source: Buffalo Bayou Park (buffalobayou.org). Official page, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Trail surfaces and usage
The park offers different trail surfaces for pedestrians. The asphalt trails that run from Shepherd to Sabine Street are designated for the use of walkers and runners only.
The Sandy Reed Memorial Trail is a ten-foot-wide concrete path. For a different surface, the Kinder Footpath is a five-foot-wide asphalt trail.
Hours, parking, and facilities
Lighted areas in the park are open daily from 6 AM to 11 PM. All other areas are open from dawn to dusk. Restrooms at The Water Works are available from 8 AM to 8 PM daily, while restrooms at Lost Lake are open 8 AM to 10 PM daily.
Parking is available in 140 spots along Allen Parkway, between Sabine and Taft streets. These spots are open from 9 AM to 7 PM, Monday through Sunday. The fee is $1 for 3 hours, with a three-hour maximum stay.
Trail rules and etiquette
Pets are permitted but must remain on leashes unless they are in a designated Dog Park. Owners are required to clean up after their pets.
When sharing trails with cyclists, be aware that they are instructed to reduce speed to under 10 mph and maintain a 3-foot distance from pedestrians. The Gus S. Wortham Memorial Fountain, known as the 'Dandelion', sprays water on trail users.
Before you go
- Check park hours for the specific area you plan to visit, as lighted sections have different hours than others.
- Note that parking along Allen Parkway has a 3-hour maximum and is available from 9 AM to 7 PM.
- Confirm restroom hours, as they vary by location within the park.
- If you bring a pet, remember that leashes are required outside of designated dog parks.
- Walkers and runners should use the designated asphalt trails between Shepherd and Sabine Street.
Nearby options: running and active spots in Houston. All cities: City running and hiking guides.