Beaver Slide Trail

1 mile roundtrip | The Beaver Slide Trail is a hidden gem. This short hike leads hikers past several scenic ponds and sloughs. Keep an eye out for beaver dams along the way!

• The trailhead is an unpaved pullout along the highway, with a small gap in the trees that indicates the beginning of the trail. The trail slopes gently downward into the forest, surrounded on both sides by dense shrubs and trees that form a shady canopy overhead.

Beech Woods Trail

1½ miles roundtrip | See a forest of American beeches on this pleasant loop hike in the northeastern corner of the preserve.

• The Beech Woods trailhead is shaded beneath large trees, with an unpaved parking area, restrooms, and picnic table. The trail begins next to a metal gate.

Big Sandy Trail

14.7 miles roundtrip | The Big Sandy Trail follows old logging roads through the woods. This is the only trail in the preserve open to bicycles and horses.

• The Big Sandy trailhead has an unpaved parking area with vault toilets, picnic tables, and a hitching post. The trail starts next to a metal gate.

Birdwatchers Trail

¾ mile roundtrip | This short hike leads to views of Menard Creek and the Trinity River, an important migration route for birds.

• The Birdwatchers trailhead is very primitive, with an unpaved parking area, picnic table, and trail into the woods.

Cattail Marsh

Cattail Marsh provides habitat for many kinds of birds. A boardwalk and shaded viewing area provide opportunities for birding and scenic views. Several miles of trails go along the edge of the wetlands.

• Just beyond the paved parking area, there is a large, two-story viewing platform with a small visitor center on the second floor. The first floor has a shaded, open-air picnic area. from here, the trails into Cattail Marsh begin. A long, quarter-mile boardwalk ventures out into the wetlands, often full of colorful birds and occasional alligators.

Centennial Forest

In honor of the National Park Service's centennial anniversary in 2016, this former logging site has been replanted in hopes that future generations may enjoy a thriving longleaf pine savannah.

• There is a dirt road leading into forested area. A wayside exhibit explains some of the details of the longleaf pine forest, the primary tree found in this part of the woods. There are many young longleaf pine trees growing in this area, and grasses and shrubs on the forest floor.

Collier's Ferry Boat Ramp

Collier's Ferry boat ramp provides access to the Neches River. The Collier's Ferry to Lake Bayou Paddling Trail begins here.

• Collier's Ferry is a large city park with paved boat ramp, parking lot, sheltered picnic tables, restrooms, a playground, and grass along the river.

Confluence Boat Ramp

This boat launch provides access to the confluence of the Neches River and Pine Island Bayou. It's located northwest of Vidor, across the river from the Saltwater Barrier.

• The Confluence boat ramp has a wide dirt parking area in a wooded area, with a picnic table, info kiosk, and paved boat ramp. Many trees grow along the Neches riverbank.

Cooks Lake Day-Use Area

Find a nice view of Pine Island Bayou from Cooks Lake Day-Use Area. This is a popular spot for fishing. Bring your own chairs, as there are no picnic tables or benches here. Located between Beaumont and Lumberton.

• Cooks Lake Day-Use Area is a primitive fishing area along Pine Island Bayou, with an unpaved parking area along the road next to a few trees and a clearing that overlooks the bayou.

Edgewater Day-Use Area

This pleasant picnic area sits on the bank of Pine Island Bayou. A picnic table and shaded path along the water await you. Edgewater is located north of Beaumont.

• Edgewater is a simple picnic area with picnic table, grill, information kiosk, restrooms, and dirt parking area. The picnic area is in a forested environment next to Pine Island Bayou. Many bald cypress and tupelo trees line its banks.

Four Oaks Day-Use Area

This quiet spot is a nice place to have a picnic and fish along the Neches River. It's located northwest of Vidor.

• Four Oaks is a primitive picnic area on the bank of the Neches River with a single picnic table, dirt parking area, and trash can in a wooded area.

Franklin Lake

This remote oxbow lake near the Jack Gore Baygall invites paddlers to explore its cypress-tupelo forest.

• There is a large dirt parking area next to Franklin Lake with an unpaved boat ramp leading into the water. The lake itself is somewhat forested, with many cypress and tupelo trees growing out of the water.

Has Your GPS Misled You?

Warning sign for those looking for the visitor center, as it's not down this dirt road.

• Dirt road lined with dense vegetation and a metal sign that reads "Your GPS has Misled You! The Big Thicket National Preserve Visitor Center is NOT down this dirt road. Visitor Center: 6102 FM 420 Rd. Kountze, TX; approximately a 20 minute drive. 409-951-6700; www.nps.gov/bith

Kirby Nature Trail

1½ to 2½ miles roundtrip | Experience the Big Thicket on a gentle loop hike through different kinds of forest. See majestic bald cypress trees and knees and Village Creek.

• Trailhead with paved parking area, restroom, and paved path leading past a historic wooden cabin set beneath stately, arching oak trees. An information kiosk and picnic tables are set next to the start of the trail.

Lance Rosier Unit Sign

Who was Lance Rosier and why is part of the preserve named for him?

• A fork in the road, where Rosier Park Road splits into two dirt roads. A wooden sign in the middle of the fork reads "Big Thicket National Preserve; Lance Rosier Unit."

Longleaf Pine Trail

1 mile roundtrip | Stroll through a longleaf pine forest near the visitor center on Big Thicket's newest trail.

• This is a hiking trail that begins at the parking lot of the visitor center. It follows a wooden boardwalk to a service road, goes past the park headquarters and maintenance facility, then enters the forest. On its path, the trail goes through shady woods, across small bridges, and then enters a sunny longleaf pine savannah. It ends at a small wooden observation platform below tall pines.

McQueens Landing Boat Launch

McQueens Landing provides kayak, canoe, and small boat access to the Neches River. This boat launch is just south of B.A. Steinhagen Lake near Jasper.

• McQueens Landing is a primitive boat launch with minimal facilities. It's an unpaved parking area with a dirt boat ramp leading down to the water. A small metal structure holds some USGS equipment.

Neches River: Evadale Boat Ramp

This boat ramp in Evadale provides access to the Neches River.

• This site has a long boat ramp down to the Neches River, next to a highway overpass. There is a large unpaved parking area above the ramp, near dense forest.

Oilfield Cemetery

Oilfield Cemetery is located in the Saratoga Oilfield, just outside the Lance Rosier Unit.

• A small pioneer cemetery surrounded by fences, trees, and thick bushes. Several dozen small gravestones are scattered around the cemetery. A large cedar tree grows in the middle of the site. The cemetery is surrounded by oil pumpjacks.

Pine Island Bayou: US 69/96/287 Boat Ramp

This location features a paved boat ramp and metal pier on Pine Island Bayou just south of Lumberton.

• This site has a paved boat ramp next to a metal pier beneath a freeway overpass. A paved parking area has room for trucks and boat trailers.

Pitcher Plant Trail

1 mile roundtrip | Follow an easy loop that leads to a boardwalk through a pitcher plant bog where you can look for carnivorous plants in spring and summer.

• The Pitcher Plant trailhead has an unpaved parking area with picnic table, vault toilet, and information kiosk. The trail starts on the paved walkway that leads into an open, sunny pine forest.

Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary

This park features trails that explore an arid sandyland, an unusual feature in the rain-soaked Big Thicket because of its variety of desert plants.

• The trailhead, just off the highway, has a small parking area, with an information kiosk and wooden fence. A network of trails explores the open longleaf pine forest environment.

Saltwater Barrier Boat Ramp

This paved boat ramp provides access to the Neches River. Paddlers can start here to reach the Cooks Lake to Scatterman Paddling Trail.

• This is a wide, paved boat ramp used for access to the Neches river. There is a small picnic area, restrooms, and a large parking lot. A small pier floats above the water.

Saratoga Oilfield

The Saratoga Oilfield, just outside the Lance Rosier Unit, was home to an oil boom in the early 1900s.

• Expansive open area, with scattered oil pumpjacks pumping up and down, connected to small tanks. Several dirt roads crisscross the area, leading to oil pumps.

Staley Cabin

This log cabin, built in 1934, was once the home of the Staley family. While the inside of the cabin is not open to the public, visitors can walk around the grounds, shaded beneath a canopy of oaks, and use the picnic tables.

• The historic log cabin has a tin roof and shaded patio. It is set in a grassy wooded area, beneath a canopy of sprawling oak trees. A wooden boardwalk path leads from the parking lot to the cabin and a set of wooden picnic tables.

Sundew Trail

0.3 to 1 mile roundtrip | Search for tiny red carnivorous plants known as sundews on an easy loop hike through a lush wetland pine savannah.

• The trailhead has an unpaved parking area surrounded by a low wooden fence. Next to the trailhead is a vault toilet, pavilion with picnic tables and grills, and an information kiosk where one can walk left or right to begin the trail.

Teel Cemetery

This small, secluded, historic cemetery dates back to the late 1800s. It lies deep in the woods of the Big Thicket. A long dirt road leads to the site.

• Historic cemetery with simple stone grave markers, surrounded by a chain link fence and forest. A sign near the entrance describes the history of the Teel family and their cemetery.

Teel Road Cypress Swamp

Find a bald cypress swamp full of life on the west side of Teel Road.

• Shallow swamp filled with tall bald cypress and tupelo trees, dwarf palmettos, and many water-loving grasses. During spring and summer, the amount of green filtering through the dense tree canopy can be overwhelming.

Turkey Creek Trail: FM 1943

14 miles one-way | This is the northern terminus of the Turkey Creek Trail. The trail heads south from here and roughly follows the course of Turkey Creek.

• The trailhead, just off Farm to Market Road 1943, has a looping unpaved driveway with several picnic tables inside the loop. A vault toilet sits next to the trailhead. The Turkey Creek Trail leads south into the woods from there.

Turkey Creek Trail: Gore Store Road Northbound

14 miles one-way | This is one of several trailheads for the Turkey Creek Trail.

• The primitive trailhead has an unpaved parking area, a picnic table, vault toilet and a trail leading north into the woods.

Turkey Creek Trail: Gore Store Road Southbound

14 miles one-way | This is one of several trailheads for the Turkey Creek Trail. Head south from here to reach the Sandhill Loop Trail.

• The primitive trailhead has an unpaved parking area, vault toilet, picnic table, and sign that says "Trail", which points to the start of the Turkey Creek Trail.

Village Creek: Baby Galvez Road Boat Launch

This is one of several places along Village Creek where you can launch a kayak, canoe, or small boat. From here, it's 7.1 miles downriver to the boat launch on US 96.

• The site features a small boat launch on a creek, surrounded by woods. An unpaved parking area has a small information kiosk.

Village Creek: FM 418 Boat Launch

This is one of several places along Village Creek where you can launch a kayak, canoe, or small boat. From here, it's 8.6 miles downriver to the boat launch at TX 327.

• The boat launch is a primitive, unpaved ramp down to Village Creek. It is situated below the highway, next to a small parking area surrounded by forest.

Village Creek: TX 327 Boat Launch

This is one of several places along Village Creek where you can launch a kayak, canoe, or small boat. From here, it's 2.1 miles downriver to the boat launch on Baby Galvez Road.

• The boat launch is a primitive, unpaved boat launch on Village Creek beneath a large concrete highway bridge.

Village Creek: US 96 Boat Launch

This is one of several places along Village Creek where you can launch a kayak, canoe, or small boat. From here, it's 3.2 miles downriver to the boat launch at Village Creek State Park.

• The site is a primitive boat launching area with a ramp down to the creek near a highway below a highway bridge. A large unpaved parking area next to the ramp is surrounded by forest.

Woodlands Trail

5 miles roundtrip | The Woodlands Trail loops through different kinds of forest landscapes and some hilly terrain. Find a scenic pond near the beginning of the trail.

• The trailhead has an unpaved parking area, vault toilet, trash cans, and information kiosk in a forest environment beneath tall trees. The Woodlands Trail starts next to the kiosk and leads into the woods.

“Bridge to Nowhere”

The Bridge to Nowhere is an abandoned bridge at the end of a dirt road in the Lance Rosier Unit. It's a quiet place to enjoy the scenery of Little Pine Island Bayou.

• The Bridge to Nowhere is a small concrete bridge no longer in use by vehicles. It is slowly decaying as nature reclaims the area. A murky waterway flows very slowly beneath the bridge, so slow that a current is not visible. Along the waterway, many kinds of trees and plants form a dense thicket of vegetation.

Big Thicket Visitor Center

• Big Thicket Visitor Center
• Start your trip here! Get free maps and information, meet a park ranger, and learn about the Big Thicket's plants, animals, and history. Staying awhile? Watch a short film in the theater and browse the bookstore. Outside, enjoy a shaded picnic and go for a short hike on the Longleaf Pine Trail.

• Hike the Big Sandy Trail
• 14.7 miles roundtrip | The Big Sandy Trail follows old logging roads through the woods. This is the only trail in the preserve open to bicycles and horses.

• Hike the Kirby Nature Trail
• 1½ to 2½ miles roundtrip | Experience the Big Thicket on a gentle loop hike through different kinds of forest. See majestic bald cypress trees and knees and Village Creek.

• Hike the Longleaf Pine Trail
• 1 mile roundtrip | Stroll through a longleaf pine forest near the visitor center on Big Thicket's newest trail.

• Hike the Turkey Creek Trail
• 14 miles one-way | The Turkey Creek Trail leads into the backcountry of the Turkey Creek Unit. Several trailheads at road crossings provide options for shorter hikes.

• Hike the Beaver Slide Trail
• 1 mile roundtrip | The Beaver Slide Trail is a hidden gem. This short hike leads hikers past several scenic ponds and sloughs. Keep an eye out for beaver dams along the way!

• Hike the Birdwatchers Trail
• ¾ mile roundtrip | This short hike leads to views of Menard Creek and the Trinity River, an important migration route for birds.

• Explore the Rugged Lance Rosier Unit
• The Lance Rosier Unit is the largest, wildest area of the Big Thicket. Discover its secrets on this scenic, unpaved auto tour.

• Hike the Sundew Trail
• 0.3 to 1 mile roundtrip | Search for tiny red carnivorous plants known as sundews on an easy loop hike through a lush wetland pine savannah.

• Hike the Woodlands Trail
• 5 miles roundtrip | The Woodlands Trail loops through different kinds of forest landscapes and some hilly terrain. Find a scenic pond near the beginning of the trail.

• Hike the Beech Woods Trail
• 1½ miles roundtrip | See a forest of American beeches on this pleasant loop hike in the northeastern corner of the preserve.

• Hike the Pitcher Plant Trail
• 1 mile roundtrip | Follow an easy loop that leads to a boardwalk through a pitcher plant bog where you can look for carnivorous plants in spring and summer.

• Hike to the Sandhill Loop Trail
• 4½ to 9.4 miles roundtrip | Look for longleaf pines, cacti, and solitude on this out-and-back and loop hike that leads to an arid sandyland ecosystem.

• Bike the Big Sandy Trail
• Take your mountain bike on an 18-mile roundtrip trail through the woods of the Big Sandy Creek Unit. See different kinds of forest habitats along the way.

• Become a Big Thicket Junior Ranger
• Get a free activity booklet from the visitor center and earn a junior ranger badge. All ages are welcome!

• Picnic by the Bayou
• Have a picnic next to Pine Island Bayou at Edgewater Day-Use Area. A short trail starts here and follows the bank of the bayou.

• Backcountry Camp at Big Thicket National Preserve
• You can camp for free in much of the Big Thicket backcountry! Pick up a permit at the visitor center.

• Watch the Big Thicket Park Film
• Watch a 16-minute film about the story of Big Thicket National Preserve at the visitor center or online.

• Paddle Village Creek
• Whether you want to go 2.1 miles or 21 miles, Village Creek is a great place for a paddle trip. Tall trees along the creek provide shade and white sand beaches invite paddlers to stop and relax for awhile.

• Paddle Through a Cypress Slough
• Paddle from one river to another through a cypress slough! Explore quiet oxbow lakes and bayous along the way on this 4.8-mile paddling trail.

• Birdwatch in a Wetland Pine Savannah
• Grab your binoculars and birdwatch in a popular spot for our local and migratory birds.

Lance Rosier Unit Driving Tour

Go off the beaten path on a short, unpaved driving tour into the Lance Rosier Unit, the historical heart of the Big Thicket. See historic sites and dense, jungle-like forest. The tour begins on Rosier Park Road in Saratoga, Texas. Be aware that this area does not have any typical park amenities, such as trails or restrooms. Conditions may be muddy. There are no road signs in this area. Hunting is allowed in the Lance Rosier Unit October-February.