General Information About The Big Thicket
Village Creek Map and Information
Big Thicket Map and Listing/Description of Trails

Administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of Interior, Big Thicket National Preserve is composed of nine separate land units and four water corridors, encompassing 86,000 acres. Established in 1974, the Preserve protects a remnant of the area's rich biological diversity. Big Thicket was also designated a "Main in the Biosphere Reserve" by the United Nations in 1981. This designation focuses global attention on the worldwide significance of Big Thicket resources.See A Map of The Big Thicket

HEADQUARTERS OFFICE: Preserve headquarters is located at 3785 Milam in Beaumont. Office hours are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. (409) 839-2690

ACCESSIBILITY: The Information Station, Sundew Trail, and Pitcher Plant Trail are wheelchair accessible. Day use area have wheelchair accessible picnic tables and restrooms.

FEES: There are no entrance or program fees.

PERMITS: Free permits are required for backcountry camping, hunting and trapping. Backcountry permits are issued from he Information Station.

SWIMMING: The Lakeview Sandbar in the Beaumont Unit is a popular swimming beach. In other areas, swim only in quiet water away from strong currents. Never dive without checking the depth of the water and for underwater obstructions.

HUNTING: Hunting is authorized from October to mid-January in designated units. Permits are required and are issued on a first come first serve basis each July. Sign-up date and location are publicized in local newspapers.

FISHING: Fishing is allowed with a Texas fishing license. State laws apply. Favorite fishing areas, accessible without a boat, include: Franklin Lake, the pond at the beginning of theWoodlands Trail, bridges along the southern edge of the Big Sandy Unit, beaver ponds on theBeaver Slide Trail, and the bridge across Little Pine Island Bayou in the Lance Rosier Unit.

HORSEBACK RIDING: Horseback riding is allowed only on roads that are open to auto traffic and on the horse trail in theBig Sandy Creek Unit. There are no stables in the area to rent horses from and horses must be trailered to the site.

     Horse Trail Regulations:

• Horses must be kept under physical control at all times; they may not be left to graze or water unattended.
• Off-trail horseback riding is prohibited.
• Grazing is not permitted. Hay is not permitted in the backcountry due to the likelihood of introducing seeds of exotic grasses.
• Hitchrails, when available must be used.
• No open fires.
• In the absence of hitchrails, all horses must be tied to a line strung between trees in such a manner that stock cannot damage tree trunks, tree roots or other vegetation. Tying horses directly to trees is prohibited.
• Horse manure that has accumulated from tethering must be scattered away from hitchrails.
• Horses must not be tied closer than 100 feet to any stream or water source.
• No firearms.

BOAT ACCESS: There are ramps for boat fishing at Dam B (Town Bluff Dam), Highway 96 bridge near Evadale, Highway 69 bridge at Pine Island Bayou, and at the confluence of the Neches River and Pine Island Bayou.

• Small water craft may be launched at location along the Neches River, Pine Island Bayou, and along Village and Turkey creeks. Some boat ramps on private property charge a launch fee.

NATURALIST ACTIVITIES: All programs are by reservation only. Individuals and groups can call (409) 246-2337 for information.

WILDFLOWERS: April is the peak month, but colorful displays run from March through October. The best overall trail for flowers year-round is theSundew Trail. Field guides are for sale in the Information Station. All plants are protected within the Preserve.

• Four of the five kinds of carnivorous plants in the U.S. grow in the wetland savannah habitats of the Preserve.
• Wild orchids also bloom in the savannahs in spring, and there is a fall blooming orchid. Most wild orchids are not large and showy.

WILDLIFE: There are no longer any large carnivores in the Preserve. The most watchable wildlife species are nocturnal, and visitors can schedule naturalists to lead night hikes to view wildlife.

• Bird migrations peak between late March and early May, and again in October and November. The more sought after birds are the Red cockaded Woodpecker, the Brown-headed Nuthatch, and the Bachman Sparrow.
• The last reported sighting of an Ivory-billed Woodpecker in the Big Thicket was in May 1971. The Ivory-billed Woodpecker is now officially listed as extinct.
• Dense tree canopies make birding for migratory song birds difficult in much of the Preserve. One of the best locations for viewing migrants is at High Island, 45 miles south of Beaumont. The average best day for birding at High Island is April 14. 
  Information about the Birdwatcher's Trail

NOTE: Feral hogs have been reported in Turkey Creek Unit and near nature trails. They usually avoid people, but sows will aggressively defend their young. Don't get between a piglet and a sow!

The increasing numbers of feral hogs may have contributed to the reappearance of mountain lions in the Turkey Creek Unit. Mountain lion tracks have been identified in the bottomland between Turkey Creek and Village Creek. 

Wild animals are unpredictable.  Experts in Mountain Lion behavior recommend:

• Do not let children walk out in front of the group while hiking.
• If you encounter a lion (that is not feeding), display dominance. Make yourself appear big by waving your arms, throwing things, and talking loudly. If there are children, put them on your shoulders to increase your size and to keep them from running.
• Do not bend over or turn your back toward a lion. Back away.
• If you encounter a mountain lion feeding, do not disturb it. Leave the area quietly.

Please help us monitor these animals by reporting any sightings of feral hogs or mountain lions in our trail registers or at the Information Station.

Most of the preserve is subject to seasonal flooding. Do not attempt to follow a submerged trail. Do not boat or canoe in flood water.

Avoid getting cold and wet, a combination that causes hypothermia.

Carry drinking water.

• Standing dead pine trees, poison ivy, and cat briar vines
• Ticks, chiggers, fire ants, wasps, and mosquitoes.
• Poisonous snakes including the copperhead, water moccasin, coral snake, and rattlesnake.

Lock your vehicle and do not leave valuables unattended or in clear view.

CAMPING: There are no developed campgrounds in the Preserve. Backcountry camping is allowed by permit in designated units. A permit covers a maximum of eight people and is good for up to five days. Permits are issued from the Information Station or Headquarters Office. For Camping on Village Creek - Click Here

PICNICKING: There are many picnic sites and ay use areas located throughout the Preserve. Some have barbeque grills. Open fires and firewood collecting are prohibited.

SERVICES: There are no overnight accommodations in the preserve. Grocery stores dot roadsides and smaller towns.

ROADS: Roads within Preserve boundaries are limited. Dirt roads may become impassible when wet.

TRANSPORTATION: There is no public transportation within the Preserve. There is airline, bus and train service into Beaumont. There are rental car outlets at Beaumont. Houston,, a major transportation hub, is located approximately 100 miles west of Beaumont.

PETS: Pets are not allowed on Preserve Trails. Do not leave pets in vehicles unattended. Pets are allowed in your canoes on Village Creek.

HIKING: There are hiking and nature trails in four Preserve units. Nine trails range in length from one quarter to eighteen miles. There are trail guide booklets at theKirby andSundew Nature Trails, and trail maps at other trailheads. Pets and vehicles are not permitted on any trails. All-terrain bicycles are permitted only on theBig Sandy Horse Trail.

Topographic maps for cross country hiking are available at the Information Station. Laminated topographic maps of the canoe trails are available free of charge to all customers of Pineywoods Canoe Company.