Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Entrance fee
- Free entryAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- RecommendedCan reach capacity
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- None listed
- Official site
- tpwd.texas.gov(281) 456-2800
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. Details last changed Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Alert Special EventThe park will be closed until 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17th, 2026 for the Annual Halloween in the Park event. Parking will be offsite on the… (more)
The park will be closed until 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17th, 2026 for the Annual Halloween in the Park event. Parking will be offsite on the backside of CE King High School, in the student parking lot off of Innovation Rd. Free shuttles will be running through the night to and from the park. Road Construction May 2, 2026 - Construction is underway on Park Road 138. Sections of the park road are reduced to one lane. Parking is limited. Expect temporary closures of the park and the Prairie Boardwalk Trail. Please plan for extra drive time entering and exiting the park. Check our Facebook page for updates about closures. Elevator Closure Feb. 21, 2026 - The elevator at the John Jacob Observation Tower is closed for maintenance. The tower remains open by stairs only at this time. Check back for updates.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center is a 2,654-acre park in Harris County, about 8 miles northeast of Jacinto City.
The park supports canoeing and kayaking, boating, fishing, hiking, and picnicking. Facilities for water recreation include a boat ramp and a fishing pier.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. | — |
Official wording
Open daily: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thanksgiving Day: Dec. 24 & Dec. 25. We often reach capacity, and recommend reservations for day use. To guarantee entry, reserve free passes online or by calling the customer service center before you visit.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Chicago).
Pets
Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times and are not permitted in any buildings at Texas State Parks. Some parks restrict pets on certain trails.
Statewide rule from Texas's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| No Entrance Fee | Free |
Official wording
• No Entrance Fee: Free
Texas park passes
- Texas State Parks Pass — $70 per year. Free entry for the holder and guests at the state parks it covers, plus camping and store discounts; a second pass for someone at the same address is $25 Details
- Texas Parklands Passport. Discounted or free entry for qualifying seniors, people with disabilities, veterans and Gold Star family members Details
From the Texas state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- Recommended
- Booking system
- Texas State Parks reservation system (ReserveAmerica)
- Phone
- (512) 389-8900
We often reach capacity, and recommend reservations for day use.
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Things to do
BoatingFishingHikingCanoeing and kayakingPicnicking
Trails
Walk two miles of trails through various habitats in the park. The Pond Loop Trail takes you past 28 hatchery ponds returned to nature. Along the aptly-named Prairie Trail and Wetland Loop, you’ll see examples of coastal habitats.
Explore the park’s “green” side while hiking. Look for solar panels, water collection tanks and recycled steel pipes. Download our Guide to Alternative Energy and Green Building at Sheldon Lake Environmental Learning Center | PDF.
Take a virtual tour with our interactive trails map.
Boating and paddling
Bring your own kayak or canoe and explore Sheldon Lake.
Fishing
You can fish without a license here!
Fish the 1,200-acre Sheldon Lake from boat or bank. Throw in a line at the fishing area off Garrett Road. Launch boats from the south boat ramp on Pineland Road; boats must not exceed headway speed. Learn more about fishing at Sheldon Lake.
Families (children with adults) can drop a line in one of our two fishing ponds, which are catch-and-release only.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Picnic areas
- Nature center or museum
- Park or camp store
- Wi-Fi
Water
- Boat ramp
- Fishing pier
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Sheldon Tower, framed with tree.jpg
Sheldon Boardwalk.jpg
Sheldon Fishing.jpg
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 14140 Garrett Rd.
Houston, TX 77044 - Nearest town
- Jacinto City — about 8 mi northeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 29.8575, -95.1600
- Phone
- (281) 456-2800
- SheldonLakeSP@tpwd.texas.gov
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Texas State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- TPWD state parks map (embedded park data)
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. “Last changed” (Oct 29, 2026) is when the information shown here last differed from the previous check. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology