All parks › Big Thicket National Preserve
Big Thicket National Preserve: fees, hours, camping and when to visit
- Entrance fee
- None[1]
- Busiest month (2025)
- December[2]
- Recreation visits, 2025
- 228,310[3]
- Visitor centers
- 1[4]
Big Thicket National Preserve is a National Park System unit in Texas[5]. NPS lists it as fee-free, so there is no entrance fee[1].
Entrance fees and passes
The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for Big Thicket National Preserve[1]. Some tours, campgrounds or permits inside a park can still have their own fees.
When to visit and hours
NPS lists the preserve as open 24 hours[6]. NPS describes comfortable weather in March and April, with heat and humidity rising in May[7]. Summer brings high heat, high humidity and common thunderstorms, and tropical storm activity peaks in late summer[7]. October and November bring pleasant temperatures, and winter is mild with rare snow[7]. In 2025 the busiest month was December with 22,351 visits and the quietest was February with 14,550[2]. NPS lists one visitor center, the Big Thicket Visitor Center[4].
Show visits by month
| Month, 2025 | Recreation visits |
|---|---|
| January | 16,523 |
| February | 14,550 |
| March | 15,986 |
| April | 17,662 |
| May | 18,936 |
| June | 19,398 |
| July | 21,286 |
| August | 20,680 |
| September | 20,547 |
| October | 18,734 |
| November | 21,657 |
| December | 22,351 |
Pets and dogs
Under the national NPS pet rule, pets must be kept in a crate or cage, or on a leash of six feet or less, where they are allowed[8]. Pets are barred from public buildings and designated swimming beaches, with service animals excepted[8]. NPS marks pets as permitted on 18 of its 20 listed things to do, but each park can close more areas to pets, so check before you go[9][8].
Before you go
- NPS lists no entrance fee, but fees and hours change, so confirm on the official park page before your trip[1].
- To camp in the preserve, NPS says you need a backcountry camping permit from the visitor center[6].
- NPS lists activities such as hiking, paddling, fishing and birdwatching[10].
- The visit counts on this page are NPS recreation visits per year[3].
Questions people ask
- Is there an entrance fee for Big Thicket National Preserve?
- NPS lists the preserve as fee-free, so there is no entrance fee[1]. Confirm on the official park page before you go.
- What are the hours at Big Thicket National Preserve?
- NPS lists the preserve as open 24 hours[6].
- Which month had the most visits in 2025?
- December had the most NPS recreation visits in 2025, with 22,351[2]. February had the fewest, with 14,550[2].
- Are dogs allowed at Big Thicket National Preserve?
- Where pets are allowed, they must be kept in a crate or cage, or on a leash of six feet or less[8]. NPS marks pets as permitted on 18 of 20 listed things to do[9].
- Do I need a permit to camp?
- Yes. For camping in the preserve, NPS says a backcountry camping permit is required, and it is available from the visitor center[6].
Facts and sources
- NPS lists Big Thicket National Preserve as a fee-free park: there is no entrance fee. National Park Service
- NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 290,837, 2022: 276,788, 2023: 262,791, 2024: 271,823, 2025: 228,310. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- Visitor centers listed by NPS: 1 (Big Thicket Visitor Center). National Park Service
- Big Thicket National Preserve is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: National Preserve) in Texas. National Park Service
- Operating hours, All Park Hours: Big Thicket National Preserve is open 24 hours. To camp in the preserve, you need a backcountry camping permit, available from the visitor center. National Park Service
- NPS weather and seasons overview for Big Thicket National Preserve. National Park Service
- National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15
- NPS lists 20 things to do at Big Thicket National Preserve: Become a Big Thicket Junior Ranger, Hike the Sundew Trail, Hike to the Sandhill Loop Trail, Hike the Kirby Nature Trail, Hike the Longleaf Pine Trail, Backcountry Camp at Big Thicket National... National Park Service
- Activities NPS lists for Big Thicket National Preserve: Biking, Boating, Camping, Backcountry Camping, Canoe or Kayak Camping, Fishing, Food, Picnicking, Hands-On, Citizen Science, Hiking, Hunting and Gathering, Hunting, Paddling, Canoeing, Canoe or Kayak... National Park Service