Big Thicket National Preserve
Protected park · TX, USA
Big Thicket National Preserve in TX, USA. Operated by National Park Service.
Usual hours
- Mon–Sun 0:00–0:00
About
Entrance / day-use fee applies.
This park's official page lists: Store / concessions.
This park's official page lists: Visitor center.
At the park
- Camping
- Hunting
- Fall foliage
- Backpacking
- Hiking trails
- Nature & walking trails
- Paddling (kayak/canoe)
Events
- Canoe Trip
- Off-The-Beaten-Path Hike: Canyonlands Unit
- National Public Lands Day
- Nature Walk: Beware Big Thicket!
- Stargazing Stroll
- Sundew Spooks
- Plant Native Plants with Us!
Before you go
- Limits
- These activities are allowed in the preserve by permit
- Limits
- Yes, service dogs are legally permitted anywhere in a park that visitors can go
- ⚠ Caution: Hunting Season Underway: Oct 1 to Feb 28
- All units except the Turkey Creek Unit allow hunting. In hunting areas, hunting is not allowed within 500 feet of trails. Wear orange if entering a hunting area.
- Getting there
- The main corridor through the Big Thicket is US Hwy 69/287 between Beaumont and Woodville. Many smaller roads and highways branch off of the main corridor to reach trailheads and scenic areas. The visitor center is located at the intersection of US 69/287 and FM 420, about 7 miles north of Kountze and 30 miles north of Beaumont.
- Weather & when to go
- SPRING: Expect comfortable weather in Mar/Apr, with heat & humidity increasing in May. SUMMER: High heat, high humidity, and thunderstorms are common. Hurricane & tropical storm activity peaks in late summer. FALL: Early fall can be hot, while Oct/Nov bring pleasant temperatures. WINTER: Mild, chilly weather with occasional cold spells. Snow is rare. Some Dec/Jan/Feb nights may dip below freezing.
- Visitor center
- Big Sandy Trail
- Visitor center
- Big Thicket Visitor Center — The visitor center is open 7 days a week from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm central time, except for Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1. — The visitor center is located approximately 30 miles north of Beaumont, and 7 miles north of Kountze, at the intersection of US 69/287 and FM 420. The visitor center entrance is on FM 420.
- Visitor center
- Cattail Marsh
- Visitor center
- Cooks Lake Day-Use Area
- Visitor center
- Edgewater Day-Use Area
- Visitor center
- Kirby Nature Trail
- Visitor center
- Longleaf Pine Trail
- Visitor center
- Pitcher Plant Trail
- Visitor center
- Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary
- Visitor center
- Saltwater Barrier Boat Ramp
- Visitor center
- Staley Cabin
- Visitor center
- Sundew Trail
Facilities on the park map
16 bench, 24 picnic area, 26 restroom, 13 visitor information.
History
- Opened
- 1974
- Park opened