News Release

Big Thicket National Preserve to Increase Recreational Access to Backcountry Activities

You can camp in much of Big Thicket National Preserve with a free permit.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: July 27, 2020

Contact: Jason Ginder, 409-951-6700

KOUNTZE, Texas – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Big Thicket National Preserve is increasing backcountry recreational access by making backcountry camping permits and hunting permits available via phone and postal mail. The National Park Service (NPS) is working service-wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.

Beginning Friday, July 31st, 2020, we will:  

• Start issuing backcountry camping permits over the phone. Visitors wishing to get a backcountry camping permit are asked to call the park visitor center at 409-951-6700, seven days a week, between 9 am and 5 pm. Park staff will complete the paperwork over the phone and mail all the associated paperwork to the requesting party. Visitors are encouraged to place permit requests at least a week in advance to ensure the request can be processed in a timely manner.

• Visitors can find trail maps and backcountry camping information on the preserve’s website at https://www.nps.gov/bith/planyourvisit/backcountry-camping.htm .

• These modified procedures will remain in effect only during periods when the preserve visitor center is not open for in-person visitor services. When in-person visitor services resume, prospective campers seeking a backcountry camping permit will be asked to obtain those permits in-person. We will cease issuing permits over the phone once the visitor center is open.

• All other backcountry camping regulations remain in effect.

Beginning Tuesday, September 1st, 2020, we will:  

• Start issuing hunting permits over the phone. Starting September 1st, visitors wishing to get a hunting permit are asked to call the park visitor center at 409-951-6700, seven days a week, between 9 am and 5 pm. Park staff will complete the paperwork over the phone and mail all the associated paperwork to the requesting party. Prospective hunters will need to have their valid Texas State Hunting License and be able to provide the customer number to park staff over the phone.

• Visitors can find hunting maps and park-specific hunting regulations on the preserve’s website at https://www.nps.gov/bith/planyourvisit/hunting-and-trapping.htm .

• During this period of modified operations, immediate family members can request hunting permits for others, as long as they can provide that individual’s customer number from their Texas hunting license over the phone.

• These modified procedures will remain in effect only during periods when the preserve visitor center is not open for in-person visitor services. When in-person visitor services resume, prospective hunters seeking a hunting permit will be asked to obtain those permits in-person. We will cease issuing permits over the phone once the visitor center is open.

• Hunters seeking a disability permit for special UTV use in designated hunting units need to make this request at the same time as obtaining their hunting permit over the phone. A Special Use Permit application along with instructions on how to get this disability permit will be mailed along with the hunting permit.

• All other hunting regulations remain in effect.

In addition, the following park spaces continue to be available:   

• All 40+ miles of official hiking trails, including the popular Kirby Nature Trail, Sundew Trail, and Pitcher Plant Trail, are available for daytime use. https://www.nps.gov/bith/planyourvisit/hiking-in-the-big-thicket.htm

• Access to water-based recreation, such as fishing, canoeing, kayaking and motor-boating remains abundant along the Neches River, Village Creek, Turkey Creek and numerous other small tributaries throughout the preserve.

• All boat launches are open, including the Confluence Boat Launch in Orange County and McQueens Landing Boat Launch in Jasper County.

• All picnic areas are accessible, including Edgewater Day Use Area in Jefferson County, the picnic shelter at the Sundew Trail in Tyler County, and many other informal picnic spots at trailheads throughout the park.

• The issuance of special use permits, and filming permits has also resumed. More information can be found at https://www.nps.gov/bith/planyourvisit/special-use-permits.htm .

With public health in mind, the following facilities remain closed at this time:

• The Big Thicket National Preserve Visitor Center and Headquarters complex remain closed to the public. 

• All ranger-led programs, academic field trips, volunteer workdays, and special events remain cancelled until further notice.

• Most vault toilets at trailheads and day use areas throughout the preserve remain closed until further notice.

“Backcountry camping and hunting are ideal recreational pursuits to undertake during the coronavirus 19 pandemic.” stated Big Thicket National Preserve Superintendent Wayne Prokopetz. “We’re excited to offer these opportunities for everyone to find safe and meaningful recreation during these unique times.”

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Big Thicket National Preserve, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance, and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.  

While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.

The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19, and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.  

Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website www.nps.gov/bith and on Facebook and Instagram @BigThicketNPS. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.

www.nps.gov

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

-NPS-