Theodore Roosevelt Presidential LibraryPublic Lands Directory

Alerts and conditions

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.

Read the full alert

Overview

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.

From the National Park Service

History

The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.

What to see and do

Activities

  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Backcountry Camping
  • Canoe or Kayak Camping
  • Fishing
  • Food
  • Picnicking
  • Hands-On
  • Citizen Science
  • Hiking
  • Hunting and Gathering
  • Hunting
  • Paddling
  • Canoeing
  • Canoe or Kayak Camping
  • Kayaking
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Birdwatching
  • Park Film
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store
  • Gift Shop and Souvenirs

Browse hiking, biking and paddling routes on AllTrails

Plan your visit

Hours

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

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.

Visitor centers

Weather

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.

Phone: 409-951-6700

Whose lands these are

These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.

Photos

An iron bridge above a murky creek surrounded by dense woods.
Village Creek Bridge · NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga
A patch of palmettos glowing in warm afternoon sunlight in a forest.
Palmettos · NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga
A leaf-covered trail leading through a tree tunnel of dense green vegetation.
Kirby Nature Trail · NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga
Leafless bald cypress trees and knees stand in a swamp filled with leaves and branches in winter.
Wintry Cypress Slough · NPS Photo / Steve Heineke
Tupelo trees growing on the edge of a reflective pond in the woods in spring.
Beaver Slide Trail · NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga
A log cabin in a forest beneath a canopy of sprawling live oak trees.
Staley Cabin · NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga

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