THE BIG SANDY TRAIL, in the SE corner of the Big Sandy Unit, can be
reached by turning left from FM 1276, 0.5 mile (0.4 km) north of Dallardsville
and proceeding 3 miles (4.8 km) on Sunflower Road to the trailhead located
on the left. This 18-mile (28.8 km) roundtrip trail is designed for horseback
riding, hiking, and all-terrain bicycling. The trail meanders through upland pine
forests and beech-magnolia-loblolly pine slopes before crossing Simmons
Branch to a floodplain forest of basket oak, sweetgum, hornbeam, and holly.
See Horse Trail Regulations

THE TURKEY CREEK TRAIL, a 15 mile (24 km) linear trial which roughly
parallels Turkey Creek, provides opportunities for backcountry camping and
extended hiking. There are four main trialheads. The northern trailhead (milepost)
is 3.5 miles (5.6 km) east of Warren on FM 1943. the Pitcher Plant Trail
intersects the Turkey Creek Trail at milepost 3. A third trailhead is reached by
following Triple D Ranch Road until is crosses Turkey Creek (milepost 6).
Another trailhead (milepost 9) is located 4 miles (6.2 km) east of Hwy. 69 on the
Gore Store Road. On the south end the trail connects to the Kirby Nature Trail's
Sandhill Loop.

THE PITCHER PLANT TRAIL LOOP, located on the NE side of the
Turkey Creek Unit, is a 1.5 mile loop that leads through a mixed pine forest and
across the corner of a wetland savannah. To reach the trailhead follow FM1943
east from Warren 4.3 miles (6.9 km), turn south and continue 1.9 miles (3 km)
along the east boundary of the Turkey Creek Unit. The first 1.25 mile is fully
accessible and allows close-up views of several kinds of carnivorous plant,
including pitcher plants.

THE KIRBY NATURE TRAIL LOOPS, located at the southern tip of the
Turkey Creek Unit on FM 420, 2.5 miles (4 km) east of the junction of US 69
and FM 420 -  are excellent introductory hikes for first-time visitors. The trails
begin behind the Information Station where a ranger is on duty daily (usually from
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). This is a triple loop trail. The inner loop has a self-guiding
booklet and is 1.7 miles (2.7 km) long. An outer loop is 2.4 miles (3.9 km) long.
The Sandhill Loop is a 5-mile hike. The trails wind through forested slopes,
acidic baygalls, floodplains, cypress sloughs, and even arid sand hills.

THE SUNDEW TRAIL. At the eastern edge of the Hickory Creek Savannah
Unit, is located 0.5 mile (0.8 km) south of FM 2827. The dirt road leading to the
trailhead intersects FM 2827 1.5 mile west of US 69. A booklet that cost 50
cents guides you around a 1-mile (1.6 km) loop through an open longleaf
pine/wetland savannah. The Sundew Trail is a premier area for wildflowers from
the late spring through summer. A short, 0.5 mile (1.8 km) long inner loop is fully
accessible.

THE WOODLANDS TRAIL, at the NW tip of the Big Sandy Creek Unit,
provides options for hikes of varying lengths. The outer loop of the trail is 5.4
miles (8.6 km) long, with two shorter loops of 4.5 and 3.3 miles (7.2 and 5.3
km). The trailhead is located on FM 1276, 3.3 miles (5.3 km) south of US 190,
or 5.9 miles (9.4 km) north of Dallardsville. The trail traverses a great variety of
habitats including the Big Sandy Creek  flood-plain and dense stands of huge
hardwood trees with sparse ground cover. Portions of the trail cut through
upland pine stands and old pastures being reclaimed by nature. This, plus the
mature forest, provide a rich diversity of plant and animal life.

THE BEAVER SLIDE TRAIL, in the SE corner of the Big Sandy Creek
Unit, is located on FM 943 approximately 1.25 mile west of the FM 1276/
FM 943 intersection. This 1.5 mile (2.4 km) loop trail winds around a series
of ponds formed by old beaver dams. The trail provides access to Big Sandy
Creek and several excellent fishing spots.

THE BIRDWATCHER'S TRAIL, located at the confluence of the Menard
Creek Unit and the Trinity River, is 3.1 miles (5.0 km) north of Romayor off of
FM 2610 on Oak Hill Drive. the 0.5 mile long trail offers a panoramic view of
expansive sandbars on the Trinity River from high bluffs on the east bank. The
trail offers good birding opportunities for shore birds, raptors, and migrant
songbirds.

THE BEECH WOODS TRAIL,  near the SW corner of the Beech Creek
Unit, is accessible from FM 2992, 1.5 miles (2.4 km) north of its junction with
FM 1013. The 1-mile loop trail is reached via a short walk on an old dirt road.
The trail meanders through a magnificent mature stand of beech and magnolia.
After walking the loop, hikers may want to continue north on the dirt road to
view the various stages of forest development that have occurred following
logging and insect attacks.

THE BEECH CREEK UNIT is typical of the rolling terrain with numerous
spring-fed streams that favors a beech-magnolia-loblolly forest community.
Originally, beech-magnolia-loblolly forests were limited to the area between
the longleaf pine uplands and the floodplains where moist soil and ground
cover prevented the spread of fire. As wild fires were suppressed in the
upland areas, the magnolia and beech trees spread into the surrounding terrain.
Most of the large pine trees were logged from the area in the 1930's. In 1974,
the year the Preserve was established, a massive southern pine beetle infestation
eliminated most of the second growth pines, leaving isolated pockets of Loblolly.
Eastern hardwood species such as American beech and southern magnolia
dominate much of the unit today.