Places to Go: Piney River Narrows CA

Piney River Narrows Conservation Area

A nice little place to hang out 

Tell someone you’re going to Texas in August to cool off, and they’ll assume you’re crazy. Tell someone you’re going to Texas County to cool off, and they’ll assume you’re headed to Piney River Narrows Conservation Area (CA).

Both the Big Piney River and West Piney Creek traverse the 258-acre area, drawing folks looking for relief, said Piney River District Supervisor Nick Girondo.

“West Piney Creek runs through the dead center of the area and makes one border of the natural area,” Girondo said. “People are going there just to jump in the creek and swim and play.”

The limestone bluffs on the creek’s west side, part of the topography that creates the “narrows,” also contribute to the creek’s comfort level, he said.

“It stays a lot cooler with the orientation blocking that westerly sun in the evenings,” he said. “It’s just a nice little place to hang out and enjoy the river.”

The area’s Big Piney River section sees paddlers through the spring, but by August, the real floating begins after the two waterways merge.

“After the rivers come together, Dog’s Bluff Access is just kind of catacorner on the other side of the road,” he said. “That’s really where everybody starts to float. Everybody pretty much puts in at Dog’s Bluff.”

Piney River Narrows Conservation Area consists of 258 acres in Texas County. From Houston, take Highway 17 west 1 3/4 miles.