Eleven distinct ecosystems intermingle in the most diverse and best-protected swathe of East Texas' Pineywoods – the Big Thicket. Known variously as 'America's Ark' and the "biological crossroads of North America," the name refers to a wide swathe of Southeast Texas but the best public access to the region is in the Big Thicket National Preserve.
Hiking in the Big Thicket
Home to endangered peregrine falcons and Louisiana pine snakes, carnivorous pitches plants and thousands of other species; the best way to explore this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is often on foot through the forest. Ten marked trails totaling 40 miles have been developed across the preserve’s five distinct administrative units, of which the Turkey Creek and Big Sandy units have the widest diversity of landscapes covered. The 18-mile Big Sandy Trail is the only marked path in the preserve open to horseback riding and cyclists.
Paddling the Big Thicket
Three official paddling trails and over 100 miles of wild waterways in the preserve offer plenty of opportunities for paddling.
The 21-mile Village Creek Paddling Trail, arguably the best in the preserve, flows leisurely past sandy beaches and shaded birch banks to end in Village Creek State Park (though high water levels do render this route dangerous).
Two smaller loop trails, the 7-mile Collier’s Ferry to Lake Bayou and 4.8-mile Cooks Lake to Scatterman, start and end from points on the northeast side of Beaumont. The former is arguably more scenic, but both provide excellent paddling through cypress and tupelo swamp.