Houston, TX: Spring Creek Paddle

Though much of the shoreline flanking this mellow, flat water paddle is still private property, Montgomery and Harris counties are working to acquire 12,000 acres alongside Spring Creek to ensure it’s preservation. This route provides an up-close preview.
Starting at the boat launch in the Old Riley Fuzzel Preserve, head upstream 0.5-miles to a sandbar area perfect for a family picnic. Turn downstream (east) after lunch for an easy cruise under Riley Fuzzel Road and into a set of sandbar-lined curves preceding Pundt Park. The take-out there is a great option for a shorter cruise, but this route continues southeast on the mellow waterway another 8.3 miles to a take-out at Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center. Watch for migratory birds, or the area’s most sought-after sighting: the small, brown Swainson’s warbler.
This one-way cruise requires a two-car shuttle, and it is necessary to file a float plan with Jesse H. Jones Park. Call (281) 446-8588 for information about filing—and to ensure the park gates remain open (5 p.m. in winter and 7 p.m. in summer) in case you’re late completing the 8-hour journey.
-Mapped by Melissa Stolasz

Trail Facts

• Distance: 19.5

Waypoints

SCP001

Location: 30.0927121, -95.4056168

Pass through the gate at the reserve parking area and head downhill to the riverside boat launch area. The river runs east, under Riley Fuzzel road, but this route begins with a half-mile upstream detour instead of heading straight downhill.

SCP002

Location: 30.0946437, -95.411195

Nice sandy bars upstream make a great place for a picnic. Much of the land alongside the shore is private property, so stick to sandbars mid-river, leave no trace principles apply.

SCP003

Location: 30.0829833, -95.3917122

Just after the 2-mile mark, there are several big, sandy bends in the river. When the river straightens out again, you’ll be passing Pundt Park.

SCP004

Location: 30.0845801, -95.3741384

380-acre Pundt Park is the take-out destination for the shorter, 3.5-mile version of this trip. Look for the gnarled dead tree on the right bank to help you spot the primitive take-out. There are restroom and playground facilities a short walk away, so this is a good place to stretch your legs even if you’re planning the longer trip. From here, continue downstream along lonely waterway.

SCP005

Location: 30.0461389, -95.310173

There’s a break in the trees near a pipeline at mile 10. Though you can’t see it from the water, the Cypresswood Golf Course is on the river’s west bank. Fore!

SCP006

Location: 30.032876, -95.3109026

The confluence of Spring and Cypress creeks comes near the end of the paddle. It can be hard to spot the primitive take-outs, so take note of this landmark and start looking to the south shoreline with extra attention.

SCP007

Location: 30.03217, -95.3016758

This take-out in Jesse H. Jones Park is invisible from the surface of the river, so consider leaving a removable marker of some kind to help you locate the right spot on the sandy shoreline. The 12-mile trip to this point may easily take 8 hours to complete.

Canoe Launch

Location: 30.092118, -95.4046726

Looking uphill toward the parking area at the boat launch where this paddle trip begins.

Upstream

Location: 30.0913011, -95.4056168

Looking upstream from the boat launch at the Old Riley Fuzzel Preserve.

Sandy Bars

Location: 30.0947172, -95.4110241

Sandy shorelines just upstream from the put in make great picnic spots. Don’t delay too long, the end of the trip is still 8 hours away.

Pundt Park

Location: 30.0848029, -95.37431

This tall, distinct tree is just before the Pundt Park take-out location. Take-outs are difficult to identify from the surface of the creek, so be diligent when you’re approaching.

Take-out Marker

Location: 30.0335076, -95.3018475

This small stick served as our marker for the Jesse Jackson Park take-out. You won’t be able to see the parking area and the riverbank is homogeneous, so it’s a great idea to leave a marker you can recognize to mark it.