News Release

Big Thicket National Preserve Closes Due to Hurricane Laura

Date: August 25, 2020
Contact: Jason Ginder, 409-951-6721

KOUNTZE, Texas – Effective immediately, the national preserve will be closed to public use until further notice as a safety measure in anticipation of Hurricane Laura. This closure includes all preserve facilities as well as lands and waterways within the preserve. As announced yesterday, Big Thicket National Preserve has temporarily suspended the issuance of all permits including, back-country camping, trapping, and special use permits until further notice.

Hurricane Laura is expected to make landfall tomorrow, Aug. 26, along the Southeast Texas coast as a category 3 or stronger storm. Visitors are encouraged to take appropriate measures to prepare themselves for the upcoming storm system and seek up-to-date weather information from local media and the National Weather Service.