Armand Bayou Nature Center
Armand Bayou Nature Center
4.5
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
From fields of waving prairie grasses to forested wetlands to unspoiled bayou systems, Armand Bayou Nature Center is a place like no other. At the crossroads of three vulnerable gulf coast ecosystems, ABNC protects and restores 2,500 acres of rich ecological habitat. One of the largest urban wilderness preserves in the United States, ABNC is home to over 370 species of birds mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Whether you’re seeking a relaxing place to reconnect with nature, or looking for your next outdoor adventure, ABNC offers something for everyone. • 5 miles of well maintained walking trails • Kayak tours • Pontoon Cruises • Night Hikes including Firefly and Bat Hikes • Kids STEM programs and day camps • Seasonal events & activities. Not-for-profit wildlife refuge and wilderness preserve on the southeast side of Houston. ABNC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit nature preserve.
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
127 reviews
Excellent
70
Very good
45
Average
10
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Brian C
Pearland, TX258 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Armand Bayou is a great place to get away from the city for a nice short hike and to be in nature. Our kids loved exploring the trails. The area is not enormous, but you are not bumping into people along the way either.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Meander63827
Shreveport, LA24 contributions
May 2022
We visited Armand Bayou Nature Center. We were able to do the sunset cruise on the bayou. Mike, our boat captain, was so friendly as was the volunteer who narrated the trip. The pontoon boat was powered by an electric motor so the birds and alligators were not startled so we could get a good look. We saw yellow crowned night heron, lots of little green herons, great blue heron, great egrets, white ibis, tri-color heron. We also saw some deer along the waterway. The trip was over an hour and very enjoyable. On the way to the boathouse, we went on a short hike. I will do this again when I visit the area. I would highly recommend.
Written May 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gulden E
1 contribution
May 2022
The scenery was marvelous. The trip length was perfect. The guide was very knowledgeable. I wished he stopped talking from time to time so we could feel the peace of the atmosphere. Nature is not just a scientific phenomenon but is a source of positive energy for our souls.
Written May 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nnovaj67
Friendswood, TX60 contributions
Apr 2022
Took the sunset pontoon boat cruise . It was so peaceful. Electric motor made cruising quiet. Saw lots of birds, turtles and fish. The HIGHLIGHT of the trip was all the alligators we saw. Many in the water and quite a few up on the banks. Even Shaw a mom with little baby alligators.
Would definitely go again and take friends.
Would definitely go again and take friends.
Written April 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chas A
Houston, TX3 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
Really enjoyable electric (quiet) boat trip deep into the narrow upper reaches of Armand Bayou. Early on a Saturday morning before the heat set in we saw ibis, herons, a Mississippi kite (raptor), egrets and all sizes of alligator - from 8” babies to 8’ adults. Captain James and naturalist Gene seemed to know everything there was to ask about the critters and plants and the bayou water itself. Binoculars were provided for spotting birds and gators but the silent gliding pontoon boat was often able to approach very close to redwing blackbirds, cardinals, tanagers and the larger birds in the trees and bushes. The trip was an in-depth education about our local ecology and about the history of the area with the effects of its subsidence on the bayou. Overall a very excellent outing!
Written June 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Russell D
Austin, TX2 contributions
Apr 2021
We took the sunset cruise and were not disappointed. Plenty of wildlife in their natural habitat with good narration by our guides throughout the trip. Well worth the money and a very unique experience that should satisfy all ages.
Written April 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
holidayqueen2013
essex150 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
A lovely day out with my partner walking around the nature reserve. The reserve is kept so clean and tidy. We see an alligator in the swamp and several other animals. There are trials you can walk around to see things. Also a nice little gift shop on your way out to buy souvenirs. Highly recommend a day trip here you will not be disappointed
Written May 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
coliseum
Houston, TX13 contributions
Sep 2022 • Family
I went on the sunset pontoon boat tour, and it was so nice and peaceful. On the way to the boat, we saw deer, an armadillo, beautiful spiders, bull frogs, and a mama alligator and her babies! On the boat ride, we saw so many different water birds, fish, a raccoon, and a few more alligators. The boat has an electric motor, so it’s quiet and there are no fumes. They have good binoculars on board that are handed out.
Written September 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer Scott M
League City, TX5 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
Early morning pontoon ride on the bayou. Was a lot of fun, saw some baby alligators, pelicans, osprey, and a bald Eagle. The persons facilitating the tour were knowledgeable and very personable. Highly recommend.
Written April 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tracy D
Houston, TX272 contributions
Jun 2020
We enjoyed our trip to the Armand Bayou Nature Center. Due to the pandemic the buildings including the gift shop were closed, but the trails were open. I think our favorite part was the boardwalk that led to a platform overlooking a portion of the bayou. We spotted a good size alligator and tons of frogs from the platform. During this hike (late June) there were A LOT of orb spiders. It certainly made you stay on the path, but they were interesting.
Written July 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeanette, my apologies for this tardy reply. Unfortunately, public transportation service to ABNC is a challenge. Metro Park-n-Ride on Bay Area is approximately 4 miles west. Metro also provides service to Space Center Houston which is about 2.5 miles distant, but is connected to ABNC by a series of bike paths. Harris County is currently considering a plan to re-establish bus routes in Pasadena, but so far the planned routes don't extend to ABNC.
Written September 12, 2017
Estoy de visita y me gustaria ir...
Tienen personal que hable español??
Written October 1, 2015
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