Big Thicket National Preserve

The Big Thicket--a 100,000-acre swath of the Pineywoods is a maze of swamps, rivers, and impenetrably dense forests, a place both weird and wonderful. It is truly one of the undiscovered gems of the National Parks and Preserves system. If nothing else, make sure you hike the Kirby Nature Trail and boardwalk.

The waterways of Big Thicket National Preserve draw boating enthusiasts from all over Texas, the country, and the world. Big Thicket has two official canoeing trails, but these are just a fraction of the canoeing, kayaking, and other boating experiences the preserve affords, which also include wild-river experiences along the Neches River and the primal pleasures of paddling through cypress and tupelo swamps in Pine Island Bayou. Boating is permitted from April through October. For more information, visit the preserve’s Information Station on arrival or consult the websites listed below.

Visitor Center: 8 miles north of Kountze; take FM 420 east and follow the signs.
Daily hours: 9:00 to 5:00; closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Websites:
www.nps.gov/bith/
www.bigthicketdirectory.com/canoeing.html

Phone:(409) 951-6725