With fall on the not so distant horizon, it’s near time to go back outside and enjoy the great outdoors. If you’re looking to take advantage of the (hopefully) crisp fall weather to come with a pleasant hiking experience, head over to Big Thicket National Preserve. Located in Houston’s backyard, 90 minutes outside of Downtown, Houston, Big Thicket is the closest national park – small “n” – to Houston offering a vast, forested expanse of wilderness, outdoor, and water activities.
Big Thicket National Preserve
Located 90 minutes northeast of Downtown, Houston, the Big Thicket National Preserve was established in 1974 as one of the first two national preserves in the United States. The key difference between a national preserve and a national park is that a national preserve allows for potential mining, hunting, and/or fuel extraction.
Spanning approximately 113, 114 acres, Big Thicket represents a significant aspect of the Southeast Texas Piney Woods. Its location at the southern end of East Coast and Midwest flora result in a wildly diverse range of flora and fauna – giving the preserve the moniker the “biological crossroads of North America”.
Furthermore, the preserve offers an abundance of outdoor activities among endless exploration: featuring hiking trails, waterways, primitive camping, birdwatching, and (with permits) hunting and fishing.
Things to do at Big Thicket National Preserve
Hiking
The Big Thicket National Preserve offer 30 miles of hiking trails – ranging from brief loops to more extensive backcountry trails. Winding through near 15 miles of logging roads, the Big Sandy Trail offers a scenic trip through the preserve that is open to hikers, horseback riders, and cyclists. The Kirby Trail is another popular hiking trail at the preserve, offering a shorter jaunt thruogh the thicket at 1.5 – 2.5 miles.
For birders, the preserve has a special quarter-mile Birdwatchers Trail that passes Menard Creek, offering a scenic vantage point to spot the preserve’s vibrant bird population.
Paddling
With miles of winding rivers, creeks, and bayous, the preserve offers ample opportunities for paddlers of all experience levels. In addition to its open, explorable waterways, the park has three designated paddling trails; the longest is the Village Creek Paddling Trail, stretching 21 miles long, the trail takes paddlers tree-lined white sandy beaches through Kountze, Silsbee, and Lumberton. Guided trips with a park ranger are also available.
Camping
While Big Thicket doesn’t feature any campgrounds, backcountry or primitive camping is available in the woods. To do so, campers must either hike or paddle in with their supplies at least 500 feet from park boundaries. Camping permits are also required; permits can be acquired at no cost at the Big Thicket National Preserve visitor center. Camping at sandbars is permitted in select areas.