Backcountry Camp at Big Thicket National Preserve

Camp in the Big Thicket backcountry with a free permit.

NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga

Choose Your Own Adventure

Big Thicket doesn’t have any campgrounds. Instead, you’re welcome to camp in much of the preserve’s backcountry with a free permit. Many miles of trails on land and water offer backcountry camping opportunities for hikers and paddlers.

Get Your Permit

Stop by the visitor center to get a free camping permit. You’ll need to know where and when you’ll be camping. If you’re unsure, ask a ranger for their recommendations.

Choose Where to Camp

Camping areas vary by season. In spring and summer, you can camp in most of the preserve. In fall and winter, during hunting season (Oct 1–Feb 28), camping is limited to areas that do not allow hunting.

• Turkey Creek Unit – all year
• Village Creek Corridor – all year
• Neches River Corridor – all year
• Canyonlands Unit – all year
• Loblolly Unit – all year
• Big Sandy Creek Unit – all year with restrictions: camping during hunting season limited to Woodlands Trail area
• Neches Bottom & Jack Gore Baygall Unit – all year with restrictions: camping during hunting season limited to Neches River sandbars
• Beech Creek Unit – spring–summer only
• Lance Rosier Unit – spring–summer only
• Beaumont Unit – spring–summer only

More Information

Our backcountry camping page has all the information you need to plan your trip, including camping rules and regulations, FAQs, and more.

Details

Activity

Backcountry Camping

Pets Allowed

Yes

Pets must be on a 6-foot leash at all times. Please pick up your pet's poop!

Activity Fee

No

Camping permits are free. Big Thicket National Preserve does not charge an entrance fee.

Location

Kountze, TX

Get your free permit at the visitor center, located at 6102 FM 420, Kountze, TX 77625.

Reservations

No

You can pick up your permit on the same day as your trip or up to 14 days in advance.

Season

Year Round

Accessibility Information

Campers entering the backcountry should be prepared to encounter thick brush, fallen trees, tree roots, uneven terrain, and shallow water crossings.