Big Thicket National Preserve

Knobby knees, extensions of the root system, are a distinctive feature of the bald cypress trees.
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.
Map showing location of park.
a male hunter wearing camo and orange vest and hat aiming a shotgun while standing in a green forest.
Big Thicket National Preserve Hunting Permit Registration Opens September 1, 2026
Hunters can get a free hunting permit at the visitor center beginning September 1, 2026. Permits will be available first-come, first-served throughout the hunting season.
little girl smiling while holding a small green fish in her hands.
Big Thicket to Host Free Fishing Day for National Park Week
Go fish! Join rangers for a morning of free, family-friendly activities at Collier's Ferry Park in Beaumont on August 29. Kids can fish for free and enjoy a free boat ride on the Ivory Bill.
A family of 4 paddles a green canoe on a wide river. Each person is wearing a red life vest and holding a wooden paddle. There is another canoe in the background being paddled by 2 people and a kayak with 1 person inside.
Summer 2026 Programs at Big Thicket
This summer, Big Thicket is offering night hikes, canoe trips, free fishing days, nature walks, and free movies. Check our calendar for more information on dates and times.
close-up of a hand holding a wooden junior ranger badge with text that reads Junior Ranger Big Thicket National Preserve, and an image of a bald cypress swamp.
2026 Junior Ranger Day Celebration at Big Thicket National Preserve
Join us for Junior Ranger Day on Saturday, April 11, 2026! All ages are invited to stop by the visitor center for family-friendly activities and earn a badge.
Reflections of twisting tupelo trees in calm water below a green canopy.
Photo by NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga
An iron bridge above a murky creek surrounded by dense woods.
Photo by NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga
A patch of palmettos glowing in warm afternoon sunlight in a forest.
Photo by NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga
A leaf-covered trail leading through a tree tunnel of dense green vegetation.
Photo by NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga
Leafless bald cypress trees and knees stand in a swamp filled with leaves and branches in winter.
Photo by NPS Photo / Steve Heineke
Tupelo trees growing on the edge of a reflective pond in the woods in spring.
Photo by NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga
A log cabin in a forest beneath a canopy of sprawling live oak trees.
Photo by NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga
Close-up of a carnivorous pitcher plant with the shadow of an insect inside.
Photo by NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga
A woodpecker with bright red head clinging to a dead tree.
Photo by NPS Photo / Nathan Pattee
A calm pond reflecting red, green, and yellow foliage of trees along its shore.
Photo by NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga
Shadowy-looking cypress knees and their reflections in still water.
Photo by NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga
A wooden boardwalk meanders through a sunny forest of pines and ferns.
Photo by NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga