THE GOVERNMENT NEWS DESKPERMANENT NPS STORY ARCHIVE
Organized by publication date and destination. Each story retains its permanent State & Nation address and official NPS source.
Hunters can get a free hunting permit at the visitor center beginning September 1, 2026. Permits will be available first-come, first-served throughout the hunting season.
Official NPS source
Go fish! Join rangers for a morning of free, family-friendly activities at Collier's Ferry Park in Beaumont on August 29. Kids can fish for free and enjoy a free boat ride on the Ivory Bill.
Official NPS source
This summer, Big Thicket is offering night hikes, canoe trips, free fishing days, nature walks, and free movies. Check our calendar for more information on dates and times.
Official NPS source
Join us for Junior Ranger Day on Saturday, April 11, 2026! All ages are invited to stop by the visitor center for family-friendly activities and earn a badge.
Official NPS source
Enjoy the cool winter weather at Big Thicket! Join us for a variety of ranger-led programs, a new art exhibit, volunteer opportunities, and feral hog trapping permit registration.
Official NPS source
Volunteer at Big Thicket on December 13, 2025, to help us plant longleaf pines and native plants. All ages are welcome!
Official NPS source
Fall is a great time to explore Big Thicket! Join rangers for a series of free programs and special events in the preserve this fall season.
Official NPS source
Big Thicket National Preserve begins issuing free hunting permits at the visitor center at 9:00 am on Friday, August, 29, 2025. Permits are available first-come, first-served through the end of hunting season.
Official NPS source
Hunters can pick up a free hunting permit beginning Friday, August 29, 2025. Big Thicket allows hunting for deer, hog, squirrel, rabbit, and waterfowl. Texas hunting license required.
Official NPS source
Join rangers at a variety of free programs and events this summer! Experience the park after dark, paddle a canoe, go fishing, explore off the beaten path, and more.
Official NPS source
For the first time, Big Thicket is celebrating Junior Ranger Day at night! Head over to the visitor center to learn about bats, walk a night trail, and stargaze with us.
Official NPS source
All hunters who received a hunting permit are reminded that harvest cards are due by April 1. Return your card to the visitor center via email, mail, or in-person.
Official NPS source
Winter has a lot going on! Join free night hikes, history programs, and canoe trips. See student art at the visitor center. Volunteer with us and plant native plants. Get a hog trapping permit to help remove invasive feral hogs.
Official NPS source
You can make a difference! Help restore longleaf pine savannah habitat in Big Thicket by planting trees and native plants with us on Martin Luther King Day and Presidents' Day.
Official NPS source
This Saturday, celebrate 50 years of Big Thicket National Preserve! Stop by the visitor center to listen to special presentations, enjoy free food, and explore a new trail.
Official NPS source
Fall is a fantastic time of year to enjoy the woods and waters of Big Thicket National Preserve. You're invited to join us on ranger-led programs, volunteer days, and our not-to-be-missed 50th Anniversary Celebration!
Official NPS source
Free hunting permits for Big Thicket National Preserve will be available at the visitor center beginning Friday, August 30, 2024. Hunters must have a valid Texas hunting license and picture ID to get a permit.
Official NPS source
Big Thicket National Preserve is throwing a 50th anniversary party and you're invited! The free event on October 12, 2024, features family-friendly activities, guest speakers, a trail grand opening, cultural demonstrations, free food, and more!
Official NPS source
Three trails are closed while crews fix damage from Hurricane Beryl. Big Sandy, Birdwatchers, and Woodlands trails have downed trees, damaged bridges, and washouts following strong winds and rain from last week's storm.
Official NPS source
Need something to do this summer? Join rangers at Big Thicket to observe the night sky, paddle a canoe, learn how to fish, and look for carnivorous plants. All ranger-led events are free!
Official NPS source
As a part of Big Thicket National Preserve's ongoing 50th anniversary celebration, the park is hosting a Science Symposium on May 18. Join us to hear from scientists conducting research in the Big Thicket.
Official NPS source
Junior Ranger Day is for the young and the young at heart. On Saturday, April 20, enjoy free family-friendly activities at the visitor center and learn all about the different things that park rangers do. Be among the first to earn our new junior ranger badge!
Official NPS source
Winter is a great time to join a free ranger-led guided hike or canoe trip, plant native plants, and view an art show at the visitor center.
Official NPS source
Join Big Thicket staff for 3 volunteer events this winter, where you can plant native grasses and trees to help restore longleaf pine forest habitat.
Official NPS source
October 14 is your chance to see a solar eclipse in the skies over southeast Texas. See this celestial wonder through special telescopes and eclipse glasses. Celebrate the preserve's 49th anniversary with us as we look ahead to our golden anniversary next year!
Official NPS source
Lend a hand to your public land on National Public Lands Day, September 23, 2023. Big Thicket is hosting 3 volunteer events: native plant garden revitalization, adopt-a-trail, and Village Creek sandbar clean-up.
Official NPS source
Fall is a fantastic time to explore the Big Thicket. Join rangers on free fall color walks, canoe trips, and volunteer with us at special events. Hunters can pick up 2023-2024 hunting permits at the visitor center beginning September 1.
Official NPS source
Four abandoned oil and gas wells, plugged in the 1970s-1980s, posed navigational hazards to boaters on the Neches River. The NPS partnered with the State of Texas to remove and remediate the exposed wells.
Official NPS source
Big Thicket National Preserve will receive $550,000 to plug orphaned oil wells in an effort to address legacy pollution.
Official NPS sourceNo fishing or paddling gear? No problem! Big Thicket is hosting several fun events throughout the summer where you can borrow our gear and learn skills from park rangers.
Official NPS source
Junior Ranger Day at Big Thicket is Saturday, April 22, 2023. Bring the family out for a day of free activities in the preserve!
Official NPS source
The final volunteer planting event of the winter season will be held Monday, February 20, in the Big Sandy Creek Unit of the preserve. Volunteers can help plant native grasses and trees in a longleaf pine forest.
Official NPS source
What's going on in the preserve this winter? Visitors can see a temporary exhibit featuring student artwork at the visitor center, attend free ranger-led walks and canoe trips, and get a free permit to trap invasive feral hogs.
Official NPS source
Hunters with permits to hunt the Big Sandy Creek Unit are encouraged to hunt exotic axis deer, which were unexpectedly introduced to that area of the preserve. A limited number of permits for the Big Sandy Creek Unit are still available.
Official NPS sourceJoin Big Thicket staff for 3 volunteer events this winter, where you can plant native grasses and trees to help restore longleaf pine forest habitat.
Official NPS sourceNPS staff at Big Thicket and the Geologic Resources Division have partnered with the Texas Railroad Commission to develop a plan to plug and remediate seven orphaned oil wells.
Official NPS source
Lend a hand to your public land on National Public Lands Day. Big Thicket is hosting 3 simultaneous events where volunteers can pick up trash, beautify a trail, or plant a pollinator garden.
Official NPS sourceHunting permits for the 2022-23 season will be available at the Big Thicket Visitor Center beginning Thursday, September 1, 2022. All hunters are required to have a valid Texas hunting license. Permits are issued first-come, first-served.
Official NPS source
Bring the family out this Saturday, August 6, and fish for free in Beaumont! Learn all about fishing and give it a try with our gear.
Official NPS source
No fishing license, no problem! Fish for free on Saturday, June 4, as we celebrate Texas Free Fishing Day at the Hwy 327 boat ramp at Village Creek in Silsbee. All are welcome to meet a ranger and learn some fishing skills.
Official NPS sourceApproximately $9.8 million in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will go toward seven national parks, including Big Thicket, to close and reclaim orphaned oil and gas wells.
Official NPS source
Looking for something fun, free, and family-friendly to do this summer? Check out Big Thicket's ranger-led programs, including canoe trips, nature walks, night hikes, fishing days, and more!
Official NPS source
Junior Rangers of all ages are invited to Big Thicket this Saturday, April 23, for a fun day of free activities. Participants can do a scavenger hunt, see ranger vehicles, help plant restoration, and grab a bite at a food truck.
Official NPS source
Junior Rangers of all ages are welcome to join us on Saturday, April 23, 2022, for a fun day of free activities! Meet park rangers, firefighters, and scientists, and learn all about different park ranger careers.
Official NPS source