Big Thicket National Preserve
National Preserve · TX
Caution · Big Sandy Creek Unit Trails
All trails are open. Hikers in the Big Sandy Creek Unit may encounter impacts from Tropical Storm Edouard, including washouts and damaged bridges. Repairs are ongoing.
More informationCaution · 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.
More information
Life of all types abounds in the Big Thicket. This national preserve protects the incredible diversity of life found where multiple habitats meet in southeast Texas. Hiking trails and waterways meander through nine different ecosystems, from longleaf pine forests to cypress-lined bayous. It is a place of discovery, a place to wander and explore, a place to marvel at the richness of nature.
- NPS site
- nps.gov/bith
- Location
- Big Thicket National Preserve (30.458, -94.387)
Track your visit to Big Thicket National Preserve
NP Tracker keeps a record of every National Park Service unit you visit — all 430-plus of them. Log visits with dates and photos, collect passport stamps, plan trips, and watch your map fill in. It's free.
Passport stamp locations
- Big Thicket Visitor Center
Hours
All Park Hourstoday: All Day
- Sat Oct 3All Day
- Sun Oct 4All Day
- Mon Oct 5All Day
- Tue Oct 6All Day
- Wed Oct 7All Day
- Thu Oct 8All Day
- Fri Oct 9All Day
Big Thicket National Preserve is open 24 hours. To camp in the preserve, you need a backcountry camping permit, available from the visitor center.
Hours are retrieved from the National Park Service and can change without notice — check the official site before you go.
Visitor centers
1
- Big Thicket Visitor Centertoday: 9:00AM - 5:00PMDirections
Self-guided tours
1
Lance Rosier Unit Driving Tour1–2 hours · 6 stops
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.
Entrance fees
No entrance fee.