Current Conditions

Water Levels

Use the links below to check water levels on Big Thicket's major waterways:

• Neches River in Beaumont
• Neches River in Evadale
• Pine Island Bayou in Sour Lake
• Village Creek in Kountze

Closures

Closures are in effect for the following areas of Big Thicket National Preserve:

Trail Closures (Storm Damage)

Update (March 15, 2025): Woodlands and Birdwatchers trails have reopened. Hikers should still use caution, as repairs are ongoing on some of the small wooden bridges on the Woodlands Trail.

Following Hurricane Beryl, the following trails are CLOSED until further notice:

• Big Sandy Trail

Park staff have determined that these trails are unsafe due to fallen trees, damaged bridges, and washouts. Maintenance crews will work to repair the damage; however, we do not have a timeline for when they will reopen.

Road and Trail Conditions

Following severe spring storms, many roads and trails in the Big Thicket region have suffered damage, including flooding, washouts, and fallen trees.

Updates as of October 29, 2024:

• Timber Slough Road in the Jack Gore Baygall Unit has a large washout (see photo). We do not currently have a timeline for when it will be repaired.
• The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is upgrading and replacing a bridge on Sunflower Road in the Big Sandy Creek Unit that was damaged by spring and summer storms. Work is expected to be completed by mid-2025. Detours may be in effect while crews are working. Please contact us for updates.
• Hikers may encounter fallen trees and washouts on trails.

These conditions are not exhaustive; other areas of the preserve may have damage that has not been reported. Contact us for more updates.