National Preserve

Big Thicket National Preserve

Big Thicket National Preserve is a National Preserve in Texas. The NPS currently lists 2 active alerts (1 closure), 0 campgrounds and 1 visitor center, and no entrance fee.

Texas National Preserve No entrance fee

Updated Oct 28, 2026, 3:52 AM EDT · NPS Data API

Reflections of twisting tupelo trees in calm water below a green canopy. — Edgewater · Photo: NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga (via nps.gov)

About the park

“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.”

— National Park Service, nps.gov/bith

Active alerts

Closures

Campgrounds

Visitor centers

Current alerts and closures

2 active NPS alerts as of Oct 28, 2026: 1 closure, 0 danger, 1 caution and 0 information.

Closure

Pitcher Plant Trailhead Closure Oct 30

The Pitcher Plant Trail parking lot will be closed on Friday, October 30, for herbicide application and invasive shrub removal. Work is expected to be completed by the end of Friday. Please call 409-951-6700 for updates.

Posted or updated Oct 26, 2026 ·Park conditions on nps.gov

Caution

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.

Posted or updated Sep 19, 2026 ·Details on nps.gov

Entrance fees and passes

This site has no entrance fee, according to NPS fee data.

Things to do

A camper builds a small fire while another camper sits on a fallen log with a tent in background. — Photo: NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga

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.

Year-round Pets allowed

Backcountry Camping

Hand holding a wooden badge that says Junior Ranger, Big Thicket National Preserve. — Photo: NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga

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!

20-60 Minutes Year-round

Junior Ranger Program

low angle view of a mountain bike on a trail in the forest — Photo: NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga

Bike the Big Sandy Trail

Take your mountain bike on a 14.7-mile roundtrip trail through the woods of the Big Sandy Creek Unit. See different kinds of forest habitats along the way.

4-8 Hours Year-round Pets allowed

Biking

See all 20 things to do in Big Thicket →

Activities the NPS lists for Big Thicket.

BikingBoatingCampingBackcountry CampingCanoe or Kayak CampingFishingFoodPicnickingHands-OnCitizen ScienceHikingHunting and GatheringHuntingPaddlingCanoeingKayakingJunior Ranger ProgramWildlife WatchingBirdwatchingPark FilmShoppingBookstore and Park StoreGift Shop and Souvenirs

Operating hours

Big Thicket National Preserve is open 24 hours. To camp in the preserve, you need a backcountry camping permit, available from the visitor center.

All Park Hours
Day	Hours
Monday	All Day
Tuesday	All Day
Wednesday	All Day
Thursday	All Day
Friday	All Day
Saturday	All Day
Sunday	All Day

Weather: SPRING: Expect comfortable weather in Mar/Apr, with heat & humidity increasing in May. SUMMER: High heat, high humidity, and thunderstorms are common. Hurricane & tropical storm activity peaks in late summer.

Contact and directions

Phone: 409-951-6700
Email: [email protected]
Address: 6102 FM 420, Kountze, TX 77625
Coordinates: 30.4580, -94.3867· View on OpenStreetMap

Official park page on nps.gov Directions

Visitor centers

Visitor center	Standard hours	Phone	Passport stamp
Big Thicket Visitor Center	Daily: 9:00AM - 5:00PM	409-951-6700	Yes

Campgrounds

No NPS campgrounds are listed for this site. Nearby national forests or state parks may offer camping.

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More parks in Texas

Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument Amistad National Recreation Area Big Bend National Park Blackwell School National Historic Site Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail Chamizal National Memorial El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail Fort Davis National Historic Site Guadalupe Mountains National Park Lake Meredith National Recreation Area Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park All in Texas

Nearest other NPS sites

Sources

Park details, alerts, fees and passes, visitor centers and campgrounds: National Park Service Data API, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
Official park page: https://www.nps.gov/bith/index.htm
Data: National Park Service (NPS) Data API, U.S. Department of the Interior (developer.nps.gov). This product uses the NPS Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the National Park Service. The National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior do not endorse OpenParks. Photos are NPS images shown with their original credits; park descriptions are short excerpts credited to the NPS. Always confirm current conditions on nps.gov before you travel.