If you’re looking to stretch your legs and take in some real Texas bottomland, the Dow Centennial Bottomlands Trail is worth your time. Tucked behind MacLean Park in Lake Jackson, this two-mile loop cuts through 198 acres of riparian oak forest that runs right alongside the Brazos River.

The main trail is paved and easy going, good for a steady walk or a jog. But if you’re the wandering type, you’ll find a few offshoot paths that’ll take you deeper into the woods.

You’ll pass through Cardinal Crossing, a sweet spot for birdwatching, especially in the spring and fall when the migrants are moving through. Keep your eyes up and your ears open. Then there’s Gator Gully, swampy, quiet, and yeah… you might just see a gator sunning itself off the trail. Respect the space, and it’ll treat you right.

It’s not a hard hike, but it’s a good one — peaceful, shaded, and just wild enough to remind you where you are.