Big Thicket National Preserve

Usual hours

• Mon–Sun 0:00–0:00

From 56 published days, 2026-10-24 to 2026-12-18; community-mapped.

About

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

This park's official page lists: Store / concessions.

This park's official page lists: Visitor center.

Official facts

Public access: Open access.

Protected area: 108,722 acres (43,998 ha).

Designation: National Preserve. Listed as "Big Thicket National Preserve" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: managed for biodiversity (GAP 2). IUCN category V.

Managed by: NPS.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1

At the park

• Camping activity
• Hunting activity
• Fall foliage scenic feature
• Backpacking trail
• Hiking trails trail
• Nature & walking trails trail
• Paddling (kayak/canoe) water

Events

• Canoe Trip
• Off-The-Beaten-Path Hike: Canyonlands Unit
• National Public Lands Day
• Nature Walk: Beware Big Thicket!
• Stargazing Stroll
• Sundew Spooks 07:00 PM–08:00 PM · Sundew Trail, Hickory Creek Savannah Unit | Warren, TX
• 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

Big Thicket Visitor Center

Visitor center

Big Thicket Visitor Center

Visitor center

Big Thicket Visitor Center

Visitor center

Big Thicket Visitor Center

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

Facilities on the park map

17 bench, 1 changing table, 1 defibrillator, 1 first aid kit, 26 picnic area, 43 restroom, 17 visitor information, 4 water fountain.

History

Opened

1974

• Park opened