Tag: national preserves

8 reasons why you should visit Texas’s Big Thicket National Preserve

You’re in for an adventure.

About two hours away from Houston, nature-loving adventurers can find Big Thicket National Preserve in Kountze, Texas. This intriguing destination gained national preserve status in 1974, alongside Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida. These two spots were America’s first national preserves. The National Park Service established the national preserve category to help protect precious natural resources. As an area where “multiple habitats meet,” Big Thicket is a key region for preserving biodiversity. Within the preserve, visitors can discover fascinating ecosystems, from bayous to forests. Plan your journey through the wilderness with this list of the eight best things to do and see at Big Thicket National Preserve.

Plus, find even more curiosities to explore with this guide to Texas’s top five nature destinations. Or, start planning your spring break getaway to the state’s beloved South Padre Island.

Find rare animals and strange scenery at Big Cypress National Preserve

Keep an eye out for alligators.

Just outside Florida’s famous Everglades National Park, another natural wonder calls to adventurers. At Big Cypress National Preserve, over 729,000 acres of swamp await explorers curious enough to tour the region. Here’s what visitors can expect to see on a trek through this tropical expanse.

If you want to avoid the crowds and entrance fees at Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve is the place to visit. Big Cypress requires no entrance fee but still treats guests to plenty of exciting activities. See animals slithering through the tropical landscapes, join a ranger-led hike, or kayak through the swamps. Find even more things to do at Big Cypress National Preserve with the list of attractions below.