Join Houston Arboretum & Nature Center’s New Year’s Walking Challenge and kick off 2026 with quality time in nature!
This annual tradition lets participants enjoy the great outdoors with the chance to earn a free Arboretum Individual Membership (a $45 value). In honor of over 10 years of the Walking Challenge, we’re changing things up! Instead of capping registration at 200 individuals, this year everyone is invited to participate, but we’re making things a little more challenging.
Each week in January, starting Monday, January 5, we will focus on a different route along the trails at the Arboretum. At a different time each day that week, a single discount code will be hidden along the route. Be the first person to find the day’s code and redeem it online for a free Individual Membership.
No registration or social media posts are required – although we’d love to see photos of your walk and of you finding the discount code – just walk the assigned route, search for the hidden prize, and claim your Membership.
The Challenge will run from January 5-31, 2026, which means you have 27 different chances to find and redeem a free Individual Membership!
Eligibility
- Participants must be 18 or older to receive a free Membership.
- Memberships cannot be stacked. If you already have a Membership, it must expire within 6 months to use a discount code.
- Discount codes are valid for 6 months and can be used only once.
How to Participate
- Check the weekly route – use the list below to see which route we will be focusing on each week. The routes will also be posted each Monday at 9:00 am on the Arboretum’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.
- Follow the route at the Arboretum and search for the discount code hidden in a waterproof envelope along your walk. Remember, a new code will be hidden along the route each day. Don’t forget to stay on the trails – no codes will be hidden off-trail.
- Redeem your prize – if you find one of the codes, visit the Arboretum’s Become a Member page and use the discount code for a free Individual Membership or a $45 credit toward a higher Membership level.
Schedule of Walking Challenge Routes
- January 5-11: Accessibility Hike
- January 12-18: Prairie Hike
- January 19-25: Ravine Hike
- January 26-31: Woodland Hike
Saturday, January 31 will be the last day that a discount code is hidden on the trails.
Additional Details
- Credit applies to an Individual Membership; upgrades are available by paying the difference.
- Contact us at 713.681.8433 or [email protected] with any questions.