Big Sandy Creek Unit: The bridge over Big Sandy Creek on Sunflower Road is closed for construction.

Bridge Closure on Sunflower Road

Big Sandy and Birdwatchers trails are CLOSED due to damage from Hurricane Beryl. Work is ongoing to repair damaged bridges and washouts.

Storm Damage

Hunting is allowed in the following units: Big Sandy Creek, Beech Creek, Lance Rosier, Beaumont, Neches Bottom & Jack Gore Baygall. People entering those units should wear orange. Most hiking trails are NOT in hunting zones (exception: Big Sandy Trail).

Hunting Season Underway: Sep 28 to Feb 28

We usually reply to emails within one week.

Life of all types abounds in the Big Thicket. This national preserve protects the incredible diversity of life found where multiple habitats meet in southeast Texas. Hiking trails and waterways meander through nine different ecosystems, from longleaf pine forests to cypress-lined bayous. It is a place of discovery, a place to wander and explore, a place to marvel at the richness of nature.

Leafless bald cypress trees and knees stand in a swamp filled with leaves and branches in winter.

Wintry Cypress Slough

An iron bridge above a murky creek surrounded by dense woods.

Village Creek Bridge

a mossy bald cypress tree displaying fiery orange leaves amid a background of green forest.

Bald Cypress in Fall

A log cabin in a forest beneath a canopy of sprawling live oak trees.

Staley Cabin

A wooden boardwalk curving through dense ferns and pines.

Sundew Trail

Bright green swamp with shallow water and many kinds of trees and jungle-like plants.

Cypress Swamp

Close-up of a carnivorous pitcher plant with the shadow of an insect inside.

Pitcher Plant

A woodpecker with bright red head clinging to a dead tree.

Red-Headed Woodpecker

Shadowy-looking cypress knees and their reflections in still water.

Cypress Knees

Sunlight poking through the canopy of a sprawling oak tree.

Kirby Oak

Big Thicket

Big Thicket National Preserve is open 24 hours. To camp in the preserve, you need a backcountry camping permit, available from the visitor center.

All Park Hours

Hiking

<p>Free admission to Big Thicket National Preserve</p>

A wooden platform set in a clearing in a pine forest.

Longleaf Pine Trail

<p>6102 FM 420<br /> Kountze, TX 77625<br /> <br /> Trail begins on the east side of the visitor center parking lot. Look for a wooden boardwalk that leads to park headquarters and follow the trail signs.</p>

<p>Opened in 2024, the Longleaf Pine Trail begins at the visitor center and leads to a viewing platform in a young longleaf pine forest.<br /> <br /> <strong>Distance:</strong> 1 mile roundtrip | out-and-back<br /> <strong>Location:</strong> Turkey Creek Unit<br /> <strong>Trailhead: </strong>Big Thicket Visitor Center on FM 420<br /> <strong>Lat/Long:</strong> 30.458335, -94.387404</p> <h2>The Hike</h2> <p>To begin, follow the boardwalk from the visitor center parking lot toward park headquarters. Trail signs point the way; head to the right along the service road, go past the maintenance yard, then go left to where the trail begins at the edge of the woods.<br /> <br /> From here, follow the winding path through shady forest, over small bridges, and eventually to a sunny, open longleaf pine forest. Eventually the trail meets an old road; turn right (south) along the road until you reach the newly-constructed observation platform.<br /> <br /> A little further past the platform, a 3-sided display provides information about the preserve's ongoing <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/learn/nature/longleaf-pine.htm">longleaf pine</a> restoration project. Many of the young longleaf pines in this area were planted by volunteers.<br /> <br /> To return to the visitor center, retrace your steps.</p> <h2>More Information</h2> <ul> <li>Download a <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/planyourvisit/images/Longleaf-Pine-Trail_map.jpg">trail map</a></li> <li>The <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/planyourvisit/visitor-center.htm">visitor center</a> parking lot is open 9:00 am–5:00 pm daily. After hours, park along FM 420 (do not block gates).</li> <li>Explore the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/planyourvisit/turkey-creek-unit.htm">Turkey Creek Unit</a></li> </ul>

<p>Pets must be on a 6-foot leash at all times. Please pick up your pet's poop!</p>

1 mile roundtrip | Stroll through a longleaf pine forest near the visitor center on Big Thicket's newest trail.

<p>Visitor center parking lot open 9:00 am–5:00 pm daily</p>

Hike the Longleaf Pine Trail

Forests and Woodlands

Thickets and Shrublands

Pond reflecting the bright green trees growing from within and along its banks.

Beaver Slide Trail

<p>The trailhead is a pullout along FM 943. It is just west of the intersection with FM 1276 near Segno.</p>

<p>The Beaver Slide Trail is a gem of a hike! A short loop takes hikers past ponds, sloughs, and Big Sandy Creek. See beautiful bald cypresses and American beeches along the way.<br /> <br /> <strong>Distance:</strong> 1.5 miles roundtrip | combination loop and out-and-back<br /> <strong>Location:</strong> Big Sandy Creek Unit<br /> <strong>Trailhead:</strong> FM 943<br /> <strong>Lat/Long:</strong> 30.573174, -94.642417<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/planyourvisit/upload/FINAL-Big-Sandy-Creek-Unit-Trail-Brochure-June-2017-508.pdf">Trail Map »</a></p> <h2>The Hike</h2> <p>Begin the hike at the pullout along Farm to Market Road (FM) 943. From there, the trail descends into the woods, going over a few short wooden bridges to a scenic pond lined with bald cypress trees.<br /> <br /> Shortly after going over some large, exposed tree roots, you reach the beginning of the loop section. Take a glance around to familiarize yourself with this intersection—it can be easily missed when returning to the trailhead.<br /> <br /> Along the loop, you will pass several more scenic sloughs and eventually reach a bend in Big Sandy Creek. When you reach the loop intersection, return to the trailhead.</p> <h2>More Information</h2> <ul> <li>No Signage: The Beaver Slide Trail does not have any signage at this time.</li> <li>Explore the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/planyourvisit/big-sandy-creek-unit.htm">Big Sandy Creek Unit</a></li> </ul>

<p>Pets must be on a 6-foot leash at all times. Please pick up your pet's poop!</p>

<p>The cypresses and beeches display bright fall colors in late November and early December. April is a great time to see bright green foliage. Mosquitoes are common in late spring and summer.</p>

1.5 miles roundtrip | The Beaver Slide Trail is a hidden gem. This short hike leads hikers past several scenic ponds and sloughs. Keep an eye out for beaver dams along the way!

Hike the Beaver Slide Trail

River and Riparian

Wetlands

<p>Big Thicket National Preserve does not charge entrance fees.</p>

Bright fall colors displayed on a pair of beech trees above a trail.

Beech Woods Trail

<p>The trailhead is on FM 2992, east of Woodville.</p>

<p>The Beech Woods Trail is home to the American beech, a tree species found in much of the eastern U.S. and Canada. The Big Thicket, in southeast Texas, is at the extreme southwest limit of this tree's range. Its roots begin above the ground, appearing as if the beech is grasping the earth. Colorful patterns of lichen and moss often cover beeches' trunks. Bright, electric green leaves characterize the tree in spring; in fall, its leaves turn a yellow-orange hue.</p> <h2>Distance</h2> <p><em>1.5 miles roundtrip (out-and-back & loop combination)</em></p> <h2>Getting Here</h2> <p>GPS Coordinates:<br /> 30.719469, -94.227299<br /> <br /> The trailhead is east of Woodville on FM 2992. From Woodville, go east on FM 1746, and then south on FM 2992. From Kountze, go north on US 69/287, then go east on FM 1013 in Hillister, and then go north on FM 2992.</p> <h2>The Hike</h2> <p>Walk past the metal gate at the trailhead to begin the hike. Follow an old dirt road down a forested corridor until you reach a junction marked with a wooden trail sign. Turn right at the trail sign and follow the meandering trail through the woods. The next junction marks the beginning of the loop section; go left or right to continue.<br /> <br /> After completing the loop, return the way you came.</p> <h2>Trail Map</h2> <p><a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/planyourvisit/upload/Beech-Creek-Unit-Trail-Brochure-02062017-508.pdf">► Beech Creek Unit</a></p> <h2>More Information</h2> <p>Read more about the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/planyourvisit/beech-creek-unit.htm">Beech Creek Unit</a> of Big Thicket National Preserve.</p>

<p>Pets must be on-leash (no longer than 6 feet). Please pick up your pet's poop!</p>

<p>See bright green foliage in spring; fall colors in late November.</p>

See a forest of American beeches on this pleasant 1.5-mile loop hike.

Hike the Beech Woods Trail

green prickly pear cactus grows low to the ground among pine needles and grasses

Prickly Pear Cactus

<p>Use the southbound Turkey Creek Trailhead on Gore Store Road, about 4 miles east of US 69/287, and about 10 miles north of Kountze. The trailhead will be on the right (south) side of Gore Store Road, just past the northbound trailhead.</p>

<p>Desert plants in the Big Thicket? Even though it rains frequently, the soil in this part of the forest is sandy and does not hold much water. Plants like prickly pear cactus and yucca, typically found in arid climates, do well in this unusual environment. Longleaf pines grow tall in this open, sunny part of the forest.</p> <h2>Distance</h2> <p><em>9 miles roundtrip (out-and-back & loop combination)</em><br /> <br /> Overall, this hike is 9 miles roundtrip. The Sandhill Loop is 1.4 miles but to get to it, you’ll need to hike 4 miles along the Turkey Creek Trail.</p> <h2>Getting Here</h2> <p>GPS Coordinates:<br /> 30.521094, -94.343759<br /> <br /> The hike begins at the Turkey Creek Trailhead on the south side of Gore Store Road. To get there from Kountze, take US 69/287 north for about 10 miles until you reach Gore Store Road. Turn right (east) onto Gore Store Road and go about 3.5 miles. Drive past the northbound Turkey Creek Trailhead, cross the bridge over Turkey Creek, and then you will arrive at the southbound Turkey Creek Trailhead on the right.</p> <h2>The Hike</h2> <p>Heading south on the Turkey Creek Trail, you’ll hike past cypress sloughs, some of which can be fun to explore off-trail. Continue over several small wooden bridges across small streams. Along the way, you’ll pass through very dense, shaded, dark parts of the forest where little sunlight reaches the ground.<br /> <br /> After 4 miles, you’ll reach the junction with the Sandhill Loop, marked with a couple of benches. Take the left fork to go clockwise on the loop. Notice how the forest canopy opens—suddenly, you’re in a very sunny part of the forest with tall pines looming above. Look for desert plants growing among the pine needles on the forest floor.<br /> <br /> Continuing clockwise on the Sandhill Loop, you’ll reach a junction with a large metal bridge over Turkey Creek. Take the right fork to walk past the bridge. (If you were to cross the bridge, you would end up at the Kirby Nature Trail.) Continue heading north until you reach the familiar Turkey Creek/Sandhill Loop junction with the benches. Take the left fork to go north on the Turkey Creek Trail for 4 miles to return to the trailhead at Gore Store Road.</p> <h2>Trail Blazes</h2> <p>The Turkey Creek Trail is marked with red trail blazes; the Sandhill Loop is marked with yellow blazes. The short section where the two trails overlap is marked with both colors.</p> <h2>Trail Map</h2> <p><a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/planyourvisit/upload/Turkey-Creek-Unit-Trail-Map-508.pdf">Turkey Creek Unit Trails »</a></p> <h2>More Information</h2> <p>Read more about <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/learn/nature/plant-communities.htm">plant communities</a> and the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/planyourvisit/turkey-creek-unit.htm">Turkey Creek Unit</a> of Big Thicket National Preserve.</p>

A great day or overnight hike, this 9-mile roundtrip hike leads past cypress sloughs, slope forest, to an open, sunny part of the forest where desert plants grow.

Hike to the Sandhill Loop

Big Thicket National Preserve does not charge entrance fees.

Sundews

Located about 4 miles south of Warren and 14 miles north of Kountze in the Hickory Creek Savannah Unit. From US 69/287, head west on FM 2827, then turn left (south) onto County Road 1910. Follow the signs to the Sundew Trail parking area.

<p>Sundews are tiny, red carnivorous plants that attract insects with dew-like droplets at the ends of their leaves. Their small size can make them hard to spot from a distance. Are you up to the challenge? The Sundew Trail leads hikers through a wetland pine savannah to two patches of sundews. Along the way, enjoy walking through a longleaf pine forest.</p> <h2>Distance</h2> <p><em>0.3-mile inner loop; 1-mile outer loop</em></p> <h2>Getting Here</h2> <p><em>GPS Coordinates:</em><br /> 30.548274, -94.409666<br /> <br /> The trailhead is located about 4 miles south of Warren and 14 miles north of Kountze. From US 69/287, head west on FM 2827, then turn left (south) onto County Road 1910. Follow the signs to the Sundew Trail parking area.</p> <h2>The Hike</h2> <p>From the trailhead, follow the paved path clockwise to reach a small bog of tall, funnel-shaped pitcher plants. Look closely at the ground between them to find the dime-sized reddish rosettes of sundew plants. Continue along the boardwalk to an open pipeline right-of-way, where the tiny red sundews grow profusely during the winter and spring. At the right-of-way, go right to continue on the inner loop or cross the pipelane and go left to follow the outer loop through a longleaf pine forest.</p> <h2>Trail Map</h2> <p><a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/planyourvisit/upload/FINAL-Carnivorous-Plants-Brochure-July-2017-508.pdf">► Sundew and Pitcher Plant Trails</a></p> <h2>More Information</h2> <p>Read more about <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/learn/nature/carnivorous-plants.htm">carnivorous plants</a> and the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/planyourvisit/hickory-creek-savannah-unit.htm">Hickory Creek Savannah Unit</a> of Big Thicket National Preserve.</p>

Pets must be on-leash (no longer than 6 feet). Please pick up your pet's poop!

<p><span style="color:null;">Sundews produce their small pink blooms from April into early summer. Sundews are most abundant in winter and spring, becoming much harder to find through the summer and fall.</span></p>

Search for tiny red carnivorous plants known as sundews on an easy 1-mile loop hike through a lush wetland pine savannah.

Go in the morning to see sundews sparkle in the morning sunlight.

Hike the Sundew Trail

Unique Species

fly sitting on the lip of a carnivorous pitcher plant

Fly and Pitcher Plant

<p>Located east of Warren near the north end of the Turkey Creek Unit. From US 69/287 in Warren, go east on FM 1943 for 4.3 miles until you reach unpaved County Road 4850. Turn right (south) onto County Road 4850 and go 2 miles to reach the trailhead.</p>

<p>Carnivorous pitcher plants wait silently with open "mouths" in the Big Thicket's bogs, hoping to trap and eat insects that come a little too close. See these plants in their natural habitat on an easy, looping trail through a wetland pine savannah. Keen observers might be able to spot other types of carnivorous plants on this hike.</p> <h2>Distance</h2> <p><em>1-mile loop</em><br /> <br /> The Pitcher Plant Trail is a 1-mile loop with options to extend your hike by going north or south on the Turkey Creek Trail.<br /> <br /> For an alternate, 7-mile roundtrip hike, take the Turkey Creek Trail south from FM 1943 for 3 miles, do the 1-mile Pitcher Plant loop, then return the way you came.</p> <h2>Getting Here</h2> <p><em>GPS Coordinates:</em><br /> 30.582384, -94.336575<br /> <br /> From US 69/287 in Warren, go east on FM 1943 until you reach County Road 4850 (unpaved). Turn right to go south on 4850 for about 2 miles and the Pitcher Plant Trail will be on the right.</p> <h2>The Hike</h2> <p>The first ¼ mile of the trail passes through a forest of longleaf pines. As you walk, look for burn scars on the pines—this section is intentionally burned every few years to encourage new tree growth. Longleaf pines are able to survive low-intensity fires that burn the leaf litter on the forest floor.<br /> <br /> When you reach the wooden boardwalk, you've arrived at the entrance to the pitcher plant bog. In spring and summer, you'll see hundreds of pale pitcher plants in this muddy, boggy field.<br /> <br /> After passing through the bog, the trail becomes a dirt path and heads into the woods where it joins the Turkey Creek Trail for a short distance before looping back to the trailhead. Keep making left turns to stay on the Pitcher Plant Trail, marked with <span style="color:null;">green</span> trail blazes.</p> <h2>Trail Maps</h2> <p><a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/planyourvisit/upload/FINAL-Carnivorous-Plants-Brochure-July-2017-508-2.pdf">► Pitcher Plant and Sundew Trails</a><br /> <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/planyourvisit/upload/Turkey-Creek-Unit-Trail-Map-508.pdf">► Turkey Creek Unit Trails</a></p> <h2>More Information</h2> <p>Read more about <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/learn/nature/carnivorous-plants.htm">carnivorous plants</a> and the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/planyourvisit/turkey-creek-unit.htm">Turkey Creek Unit</a> of Big Thicket National Preserve.</p>

<p>See pitcher plants' large yellow flowers in late March and April. The pitcher plants are usually small in the spring and reach their peak size in summer and early fall. These plants die each winter, so a January or February visit is not recommended if you want to see the pitcher plants.</p>

Follow an easy 1-mile loop through a pitcher plant bog to see dense patches of these carnivorous plants in spring and summer.

Hike the Pitcher Plant Trail

Biking

low angle view of a mountain bike on a trail in the forest

Biking Big Sandy

The trailhead is on Sunflower Road, about 3 miles west of FM 1276 near Dallardsville.

<p>The Big Sandy Trail is a wide path on old logging roads through pine and hardwood forest in the preserve's Big Sandy Creek Unit. It's the only trail in the Big Thicket open to bicycles. Spend a whole day riding the whole trail or spend a couple of hours riding down to the tupelo swamp and wooden bridge over Simmons Branch.<br /> <br /> Don't be fooled by the name! The Big Sandy Trail is not sandy—it's named for nearby Big Sandy Creek. As you ride, you might notice some burned sections of the forest. Recent prescribed fires in the area keep the pine forest healthy by clearing away thick brush on the forest floor. Longleaf pines thrive in this fire-adapted environment.</p> <h2>Distance</h2> <p><em>18 miles roundtrip</em><br /> <br /> The Big Sandy Trail is mostly out-and-back with a short loop section at the end.</p> <h2>Getting Here</h2> <p>GPS Coordinates:<br /> 30.614785, -94.670931<br /> <br /> The trailhead is on Sunflower Road, about 3 miles west of FM 1276 near Dallardsville.</p> <h2>The Ride</h2> <p>Start at Sunflower Road and head south on the Big Sandy Trail. The beginning might be washboarded, but it smooths out further down the trail. Cross a wooden bridge over the Simmons Branch of Big Sandy Creek and ride past a scenic tupelo swamp. This section is the lowest part of the trail and may involve a few muddy crossings. You'll encounter a few junctions along the way; follow the horse trail signs to stay on the Big Sandy Trail. Eventually you'll arrive at the beginning of the loop; go left or right to continue.<br /> <br /> Once you complete the loop, follow the Big Sandy Trail back to the trailhead on Sunflower Road.</p> <h2>Safety</h2> <p>Here are a few potential hazards and things to know before you ride:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Hunting</strong> is allowed in the area from October 1 to February 28. Wear orange if you go during hunting season.</li> <li><strong>Mountain bikes recommended</strong> due to uneven terrain</li> <li><strong>Hazards </strong>include exposed tree roots and muddy crossings</li> <li><strong>Several junctions</strong>—follow signs for horse trail</li> <li><strong>E-bikes are allowed</strong> but using the electric motor to move an e-bike without pedaling is prohibited.</li> <li><strong>Wear a helmet!</strong></li> </ul> <h2>Trail Map</h2> <p><a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/planyourvisit/upload/FINAL-Big-Sandy-Creek-Unit-Trail-Brochure-June-2017-508.pdf">► Big Sandy Creek Unit Trails</a></p> <h2>More Information</h2> <p>Read more about the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/planyourvisit/big-sandy-creek-unit.htm">Big Sandy Creek Unit</a> of Big Thicket National Preserve.</p>

Hunting is allowed in the area from Oct 1 to Feb 28. Wear orange if you go during hunting season.

Take your mountain bike on an 18-mile roundtrip trail through the woods of the Big Sandy Creek Unit. See different kinds of forest habitats along the way.

Bike the Big Sandy Trail

Junior Ranger Program

Hand holding a wooden badge that says Junior Ranger, Big Thicket National Preserve.

Junior Ranger Badge

Big Thicket Visitor Center<br /> 6102 FM 420<br /> Kountze, TX 77625

<h2>Explore • Learn • Protect</h2> <p>Begin your junior ranger adventure at the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/planyourvisit/visitor-center.htm">Big Thicket Visitor Center</a>, where you can get a free activity book and meet a park ranger. Bring your activity book with you as you explore the visitor center exhibits, watch the park film, and hike a trail. When you're finished, show your book to a ranger at the visitor center to earn a junior ranger badge.<br /> <br /> All ages are welcome to participate!<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/contacts.htm">Contact us</a> if you would like us to send you an activity book.</p>

Pets on leash are allowed on trails but not inside the visitor center (only service animals are allowed inside).

Get a free activity booklet from the visitor center and earn a junior ranger badge. All ages are welcome!

Become a Big Thicket Junior Ranger

Animals

Alligators or Crocodiles

Birds

Fish

Trails

Swamps

<p>This gentle hike is a 1.5-mile loop. Boardwalks and bridges lead you through a Big Thicket slope forest, passing baygalls and seasonal streams along the way. Take the optional cypress loop (0.3 miles) to see majestic bald cypress trees and dozens of their short, knobby "knees" poking out of the water.<br /> <br /> Picnic tables and a restroom are available near the trailhead.</p>

Kirby Bridge

<p>The Kirby Nature Trail is located about 7 miles north of Kountze in the preserve's Turkey Creek Unit. From US 69/287, go east on FM 420 for 2.5 miles to reach the trailhead.</p>

<p>The Kirby Nature Trail loops through the woods, taking hikers through baygalls and dense forest to see towering bald cypress trees and their knobby knees. A great trail for families, this easy hike leads past a variety of Big Thicket forest habitats.</p> <h2>Distance</h2> <p><em>1.5- to 2.5-mile loop</em><br /> <br /> The inner loop is 1.5 miles, plus an extra 0.3-mile loop to see the cypresses. Combine the inner and outer loops for a 2.5-mile hike.</p> <h2>Getting Here</h2> <p><em>GPS Coordinates:</em><br /> 30.462038, -94.350882<br /> <br /> The trailhead is on FM 420, about 2.5 miles east of the visitor center, and 7 miles north of Kountze.</p> <h2>The Hike</h2> <p>Begin your hike at the historic Staley Cabin. Built in 1934, it used to serve as the preserve's visitor center. Going clockwise on the loop, descend through a slope forest of beech, magnolia, and loblolly pine trees. Cross bridges and boardwalks as the trail meanders through the forest. Take the cypress loop and walk along patches of strange, knobby cypress knees. Take the cutoff to return to the trailhead or continue onto the outer loop to go deeper into the woods. Stop by the picnic tables on the outer loop and see the view of Village Creek from the bridge. The 17-mile Turkey Creek Trail begins on the other (north) side of the bridge. Continue on the outer loop as it climbs back to the trailhead.</p> <h2>Trail Maps</h2> <p><a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/planyourvisit/upload/Kirby2017-Front-508.pdf">► Kirby Nature Trail Map</a><br /> <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/planyourvisit/upload/Turkey-Creek-Unit-Trail-Map-508.pdf">► Turkey Creek Unit Trails</a></p> <h2>More Information</h2> <p>A trail guide booklet is available at the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/planyourvisit/visitor-center.htm">visitor center</a> for a small fee. Read more about the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/planyourvisit/turkey-creek-unit.htm">Turkey Creek Unit</a> of Big Thicket National Preserve.</p>

Experience the Big Thicket on a gentle 1.5-mile loop hike through different kinds of forest. See majestic bald cypress trees and knees along the way.

Hike the Kirby Nature Trail

Picnicking

picnic table and metal grill in a forest next to a river

Edgewater picnic table

The Edgewater Day-Use Area is at the east end of Edgewater Drive in Beaumont.

<h2>Edgewater Day-Use Area</h2> <p>This quiet picnic area offers a place to relax along scenic Pine Island Bayou. Enjoy a meal at the picnic table, stroll down the path along the water, or fish from the riverbank.<br /> <br /> The picnic table at the entrance has a metal grill for grilling with charcoal. There is a picnic table at the end of the path as well, about 1/3-mile from the parking area.</p> <h2>Getting Here</h2> <p>GPS Coordinates:<br /> 30.177640, -94.171093<br /> <br /> Edgewater Day-Use Area is north of Beaumont. To get here, exit the US 69/96/287 freeway at Tram Road and go east until it ends at Sherwood Drive (after the railroad tracks). Turn left to go north on Sherwood and then turn right on Broadoak Street. Follow Broadoak until it becomes Edgewater Drive, then continue on Edgewater until you reach the day-use area.</p> <h2>More Information</h2> <p>Read more about the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/planyourvisit/beaumont-unit.htm">Beaumont Unit</a> of Big Thicket National Preserve.</p>

Have a picnic next to Pine Island Bayou at Edgewater Day-Use Area. A short trail starts here and follows the bank of the bayou.

Picnic by the Bayou

Watersheds

Backcountry Camping

Big Thicket National Preserve does not charge entrance or camping fees.

Camping at Big Thicket

Get your free permit at the visitor center, located at 6102 FM 420, Kountze, TX 77625.

<h2>Choose Your Own Adventure</h2> <p>Big Thicket doesn’t have any campgrounds. Instead, you’re welcome to camp in much of the preserve’s backcountry with a free permit. Many miles of trails on land and water offer backcountry camping opportunities for hikers and paddlers.</p> <h2>Get Your Permit</h2> <p>Stop by the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/planyourvisit/visitor-center.htm">visitor center</a> to get a free camping permit. You’ll need to know where and when you’ll be camping. If you’re unsure, ask a ranger for their recommendations.</p> <h2>Choose Where to Camp</h2> <p>Camping areas vary by season. In spring and summer, you can camp in most of the preserve. In fall and winter, during hunting season (Oct 1–Feb 28), camping is limited to areas that do not allow hunting.</p> <ul> <li><strong>Turkey Creek Unit</strong> – all year</li> <li><strong>Village Creek Corridor</strong> – all year</li> <li><strong>Neches River Corridor</strong> – all year</li> <li><strong>Canyonlands Unit</strong> – all year</li> <li><strong>Loblolly Unit </strong>– all year</li> <li><strong>Big Sandy Creek Unit</strong> – all year with restrictions: camping during hunting season limited to Woodlands Trail area</li> <li><strong>Neches Bottom & Jack Gore Baygall Unit</strong> – all year with restrictions: camping during hunting season limited to Neches River sandbars</li> <li><strong>Beech Creek Unit</strong> – spring–summer only</li> <li><strong>Lance Rosier Unit</strong> – spring–summer only</li> <li><strong>Beaumont Unit</strong> – spring–summer only</li> </ul> <h2>More Information</h2> <p>Our <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/planyourvisit/backcountry-camping.htm">backcountry camping</a> page has all the information you need to plan your trip, including camping rules and regulations, FAQs, and more.</p>

You can pick up your permit on the same day as your trip. Also available in advance, if needed.

You can camp for free in much of the Big Thicket backcountry! Pick up a permit at the visitor center.

Backcountry Camp at Big Thicket National Preserve

Scenic Driving

rutted dirt road leading into green forest

Road to Nowhere

From FM 770 in Saratoga, take Rosier Park Road south, and then turn right on Teel Road, which leads into the unit.

<h2>The Heart of the Big Thicket</h2> <p>The Lance Rosier Unit is the historical heart of the Big Thicket, home to jungle-like swamps, palmetto forests, and historic sites.<br /> <br /> The site is named for Lance Rosier (1886–1970), a Saratoga resident and self-taught naturalist with an encyclopedic knowledge of the thicket. His work led to the eventual creation of the preserve in 1974. Take a scenic drive into the unit to explore the wild landscape that Rosier helped to protect.</p> <h2>Getting Here</h2> <p>The Lance Rosier Unit is south and east of Saratoga, Texas. Just east of Saratoga on FM 770, turn south onto Rosier Park Road, which leads into the unit after passing through active oil fields. At the Lance Rosier Unit entrance sign, there's a fork in the road—take the right fork to proceed onto Teel Road.</p> <h2>Teel Road</h2> <p>Teel Road is a narrow, unpaved road that leads into the dense forest of the Lance Rosier Unit. It dead-ends at Teel Cemetery. Enjoy a few scenic stops along the way:</p> <h3>Bald Cypress Swamp</h3> <p>GPS Coordinates:<br /> 30.263818, -94.513223<br /> <br /> Find a swamp full of large bald cypress trees on the west side of Teel Road. Here you can see the large, fluted trunks of bald cypresses as well as hundreds of their knobby knees growing out of the water. Nearly everything is green here in spring and summer, and the sounds of birds, insects, and frogs fill the air.</p> <h3>“Bridge to Nowhere” over Little Pine Island Bayou</h3> <p>GPS Coordinates:<br /> 30.260502, -94.525517<br /> <br /> At an unmarked junction (after the swamp), turn right to follow an old rutted road. It ends at an abandoned bridge known as the "Bridge to Nowhere." The slow-moving waterway flowing beneath the bridge is Little Pine Island Bayou, lined with bald cypresses. An unmaintained trail begins on the opposite side of the bridge and ventures into a dense thicket of dwarf palmettos.</p> <h3>Teel Cemetery</h3> <p>GPS Coordinates:<br /> 30.258308, -94.512203<br /> <br /> Back on Teel Road, follow it south until it dead-ends at historic Teel Cemetery. This small, quiet cemetery in the middle of the woods dates back to 1893. The Teel family moved from Alabama to Texas in the 1850s, settling in the Big Thicket. Many members of their family are buried here. The cemetery is privately-owned; please be respectful of the graves.</p> <h2>NPS App Self-Guided Tour</h2> <p>For an expanded tour with more stops, more detail, and a map to follow along, check out the <strong>Lance Rosier Unit Driving Tour</strong> on the NPS App. You can find the tour on the Big Thicket page, under Self-Guided Tours.<br /> <br /> Tip: Download the park's content for offline use, as mobile coverage in the Lance Rosier Unit can be spotty.</p> <h2>For a Safe Trip</h2> <p>Here are a few things to keep in mind as you explore the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/planyourvisit/lance-rosier-unit.htm">Lance Rosier Unit</a>:</p> <ul> <li>The Lance Rosier Unit has no restrooms or facilities.</li> <li>Road signs are often missing or not visible—use your GPS-enabled device for navigation.</li> <li>Unpaved roads in the unit can be muddy and impassable after heavy rains.</li> <li>Hunting is allowed in the unit from October 1 to February 28. Wear orange if you visit during hunting season.</li> <li>Rosier Park Road, before it enters the park, passes through an active oil field. Watch out for large trucks entering and exiting.</li> </ul>

Hunting is allowed in the Lance Rosier Unit from October 1 to February 28. Wear orange if you visit during hunting season.

The Lance Rosier Unit is the largest, wildest area of the Big Thicket. Discover its secrets on this scenic, unpaved auto tour.

Explore the Rugged Lance Rosier Unit

Logging and Timber Cutting

Park Film

foggy river view with text that reads "Big Thicket: America's First National Preserve"

Big Thicket Video

The visitor center is located at 6102 FM 420, Kountze, TX 77625. We're at the intersection of US 69/287 and FM 420, about 8 miles north of Kountze.

<p>This 16-minute film tells the story of Big Thicket National Preserve. Learn about the area’s flora and fauna, as well as the early people and settlers who inhabited this place.</p> <h2>Viewing Options</h2> <ul> <li><strong>Visitor Center Theater</strong> – The film is shown on request between 9:00 am and 4:45 pm, 7 days a week.</li> <li><strong>Online</strong> – <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/learn/photosmultimedia/multimedia.htm">Watch the film online</a></li> </ul>

Pets are not allowed inside the visitor center. Service animals are welcome.

Watch a 16-minute film about the story of Big Thicket National Preserve at the visitor center or online.

The film is played on request between 9:00 am and 4:45 pm, 7 days a week.

Watch the Big Thicket Park Film

Colonization and Settlement

Native American Heritage

Paddling

There is no fee for using the creek but boat rental fees may apply. Check with local outfitters for kayak, canoe, and boat rentals.

2 people paddling a green canoe on a creek

Village Creek Canoeists

Village Creek has several access points between Kountze, Silsbee, and Lumberton. Find creek access on FM 418, TX 327, Baby Galvez Road, US 96, and at Village Creek State Park.

<h2>Village Creek Paddling Trail</h2> <p>Whether you have half a day or all day, paddling on Village Creek is a great way to experience the beauty and tranquility of the Big Thicket. The creek flows past beautiful white-sand beaches and towering trees, such as bald cypress and river birches. Several boat ramps along the creek allow paddlers to make trips of several varying lengths, from 2.1 miles to 21 miles. The short trip distances, large sandbars, and generally calm waters make this a great canoe or kayak trip for novices and families.</p> <h2>Distances</h2> <p>The shortest paddling trip begins at the public boat ramp at TX 327 between Kountze and Silsbee. From there, it is 2.1 miles downstream to the Baby Galvez Road boat ramp in Silsbee, a trip that can be done in less than 3 hours.<br /> <br /> <strong>Distances between kayak/canoe launch points from north to south:</strong></p> <table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:400px;" summary="table of distances between boat launch points on village creek"> <tbody> <tr> <td>FM 418 to TX 327</td> <td>8.6 mi</td> </tr> <tr> <td>TX 327 to Baby Galvez Road</td> <td>2.1 mi</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Baby Galvez Road to US 96</td> <td>7.1 mi</td> </tr> <tr> <td>US 96 to Village Creek State Park</td> <td>3.2 mi</td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong><em>Total</em></strong></td> <td><strong><em>21 mi</em></strong></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p> </p> <h2>Before You Go</h2> <ul> <li> <p><strong>Check the Water Level </strong>– While generally very calm, Village Creek is a free-flowing waterway with no dams, so water levels can vary considerably. During low water levels (< 3 ft), paddlers should expect to encounter exposed sandbars and logs. High water (10+ ft) can create hazardous conditions involving swift currents. Check the USGS website for the <a href="https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/08041500/#parameterCode=00065&period=P7D">current gage height</a>.</p> </li> <li><strong>Safety Gear </strong>– Make sure you have enough life jackets for everyone in your group, drinking water, supplies, and a map.</li> <li><strong>Boat Rentals </strong>– The preserve does not rent boats or provide shuttles. Check with local outfitters for these services.</li> </ul> <h2>More Information</h2> <p>Read more about <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/planyourvisit/paddling-the-big-thicket.htm">paddling</a> in the Big Thicket and the <a href="https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/boat/paddlingtrails/inland/village_creek/">Village Creek Paddling Trail</a>.</p>

Use a life jacket for your pet, even if they can swim! On land, pets need to be leashed (6 foot maximum length).

Whether you want to go 2.1 miles or 21 miles, Village Creek is a great place for a paddle trip. Tall trees along the creek provide shade and white sand beaches invite paddlers to stop and relax for awhile.

Paddle Village Creek

Water Trails

<p>There is no fee for using the river or boat ramp but boat rental fees may apply. Check with local outfitters for kayak, canoe, and boat rentals.</p>

a person kayaking on a creek in the woods

Paddling a cypress slough

The paddling trail starts at the LNVA Saltwater Barrier boat ramp in Beaumont. From US 69/96/287, head northeast on E Lucas Drive, then turn left (north) on Bigner Road. Follow Bigner Road until it ends at the boat ramp.

<h2>Cooks Lake to Scatterman Paddling Trail</h2> <p>This scenic loop takes paddlers on an adventure from the wide span of the Neches River to a narrow, shaded waterway beneath towering tupelos and cypresses. Explore quiet oxbow lakes along the bayou as you pass under cypress trees draped with Spanish moss.</p> <h2>Distance</h2> <p><em>4.8-mile loop</em><br /> <br /> The paddling trail is a 4.8-mile loop with an out-and-back section at the beginning. Signs and arrows mark the route.</p> <h2>Getting Here</h2> <p><em>GPS Coordinates:</em><br /> 30.155200, -94.116000<br /> <br /> The Cooks Lake to Scatterman Paddling Trail begins at the LNVA Saltwater Barrier boat ramp in Beaumont. From US 69/96/287, head northeast on E Lucas Drive, then turn left (north) on Bigner Road. Follow Bigner Road until it ends at the boat ramp.</p> <h2>The Route</h2> <p>Start at the LNVA Saltwater Barrier boat ramp in Beaumont. Paddle north up the Neches River to its confluence with Pine Island Bayou. From there, go left and paddle up Pine Island Bayou until you reach Cooks Lake, on the right. Paddle toward the north end of Cooks Lake. After exploring the calm waters of Cooks Lake, follow the signs to the entrance of the cypress slough that leads east through a narrow, shaded waterway beneath cypress and tupelo trees. Exit the slough at Scatterman Lake and follow the south shore until you reach the Neches River. Head right and follow the Neches downriver, past the confluence and back to the boat ramp.</p> <h2>Before You Go</h2> <ul> <li><strong>Check the Water Level</strong> – The Neches River and Pine Island Bayou are generally calm waterways, though the Neches can be affected by tides and flood control from reservoirs upriver. Check the USGS website for the <a href="https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/08041780/#parameterCode=00065&period=P7D">current gage height</a>.</li> <li><strong>Safety Gear</strong> – Make sure you have enough life jackets for everyone in your group, as well as drinking water, supplies, and a map.</li> <li><strong>Boat Rentals</strong> – The preserve does not rent boats or provide shuttles. Check with local outfitters for these services.</li> </ul> <h2>More Information</h2> <p>Read more about <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/planyourvisit/paddling-the-big-thicket.htm">paddling</a> in the Big Thicket and the <a href="https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/boat/paddlingtrails/inland/cookslake_scatterman/index.phtml">Cooks Lake to Scatterman Paddling Trail</a>.</p>

<p>Use a life jacket for your pet, even if they can swim! On land, pets need to be leashed (6 foot maximum length).</p>

Paddle from one river to another through a cypress slough! Explore quiet oxbow lakes and bayous along the way on this 4.8-mile paddling trail.

Paddle Through a Cypress Slough

Lakes

Birdwatching

woman in the woods looking upward with binoculars

birdwatcher

Park at the visitor center at 6102 FM 420 in Kountze, then walk 285 yards east on FM 420 to a tan gate across a dirt road leading into the savannah. Birders can also park along the road shoulder near the gate. GPS coordinates: 30.457401, -94.383218

<p>The dense woods of the Big Thicket make birdwatching a challenge, but this is a little easier in the open grassland and longleaf pine forest of the wetland pine savannah habitat. A prime example of this habitat, known informally as the “Solo Tract,” lies along the north side of FM 420 just east of the preserve visitor center and headquarters.</p> <h2>Getting Here</h2> <p><em>GPS Coordinates:</em><br /> 30.457401, -94.383218<br /> <br /> Park at the visitor center at 6102 FM 420 in Kountze, then walk 285 yards east on FM 420 to a tan gate across a dirt road leading into the savannah. Birders can also park along the road shoulder near the gate. Follow the dirt road into the pine savannah and wander as you please. There are no trails in this area. Use caution, as the numerous crawfish towers make the ground uneven. Muddy conditions are common.</p> <h2>What to Look For</h2> <p>Look and listen here for birds of the grassland and pine forest, including the rare Henslow’s sparrow and Bachman’s sparrow. Woodpeckers are common, including red-bellied and pileated, as are brown-headed nuthatches. Visit during the spring migration for the best chance at seeing a variety of species.</p> <h2>Naturalist Notes</h2> <p>Look carefully along the road for small red <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/learn/nature/carnivorous-plants.htm">sundew</a> plants, which grow there profusely during the winter and spring. As this is a longleaf pine restoration area, you’ll find <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/learn/nature/longleaf-pine.htm">longleaf pines</a> in many different growth stages. Preserve staff conduct periodic <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/learn/nature/wildlandfire.htm">prescribed burns</a> here to help maintain the ecology of this ecosystem.</p> <h2>More Information</h2> <p>Read more about the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bith/learn/nature/birds.htm">birds of the Big Thicket</a>.</p>

Birds are present year-round, but the annual spring migration is the recommended time of year for this activity.

Grab your binoculars and birdwatch in a popular spot for our local and migratory birds.

Alert: Bridge Closure on Sunflower Road: Big Sandy Creek Unit: The bridge over Big Sandy Creek on Sunflower Road is closed for construction.

Big Thicket

Overview

Hours

Fees & Passes

Map

Things To Do

Category

Hike the Longleaf Pine Trail

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Hike the Beaver Slide Trail

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Hike the Beech Woods Trail

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Hike to the Sandhill Loop

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Hike the Sundew Trail

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Hike the Pitcher Plant Trail

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