Off-Road Vehicles

Big Thicket National Preserve's Enabling Legislation states that the preserve was established "to assure the preservation, conservation, and protection of the natural, scenic, and recreational values of a significant portion of the Big Thicket area", and that "lands shall be administered in a manner such as will assure their natural and ecological integrity in perpetuity."

In order to meet these mandates, off-road vehicle use is prohibited in Big Thicket National Preserve. Legally licensed vehicles must remain on designated roads. All vehicles are prohibited from operating in waterways within the preserve.


Off-road vehicle use creates several negative impacts, including

• damage to vegetation,
• erosion and compaction of soils,
• degradation of scenery, and
• disturbance to other visitors and wildlife.

Learn more about off-road vehicle use in National Park Service areas.