Places to See Longleaf Pine in Texas

ANGELINA COUNTY

Boykin Springs Recreational Area

Location: Texas Highway 63 east from Zavalla for 10.5 miles; turn right (south), on Forest Service Road 313 for 2.5 miles to the Boykin Springs campground.

Owner: U.S. Forest Service, National Forests & Grasslands of Texas,

Features: 5.5 miles of hiking trails through longleaf pine forests and pitcher plant seepage bogs. Endangered and rare species are protected here.

Notes: For more information go to http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/regions/southern/BoykinSprings/index.shtml

 

HARDIN COUNTY

Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary

Location: 4208 Highway 327 West, Silsbee, Texas 77656 (public entrance)

Owner: The Nature Conservancy

Features: 8.5 miles of hiking trails through longleaf pine forests and associated habitats along Village Creek. Endangered and rare species are protected here. Prescribed burning, chemical and mechanical treatments have been applied.

Notes: Free Admission, open daily. The preserve is noted for its diverse plant life. For more information go to www.nature.org/texas

 

Big Thicket National Preserve - Sandhill Loop Trail

Location: Parking is at the Kirby Nature Trail parking area on FM 420, 2.5 miles east of the intersection with US 69.

Owner: National Park Service, Big Thicket National Preserve

Features: Longleaf forest associated with xeric sandhill soils along Turkey Creek

Notes: A 0.85-mile offshoot of the Turkey Creek Trail, access is via Kirby Nature Trail and Turkey Creek Trail, 1.7 miles from the Kirby Nature Trail trailhead. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/bith

 

POLK COUNTY

Big Thicket National Preserve - Centennial Forest Trail

Location: Parking is on Lily Road, approximately 0.5 miles from the intersection with FM 1276, near Dallardsville, TX

Owner: National Park Service, Big Thicket National Preserve

Features: Ongoing longleaf restoration sites adjacent to mature longleaf pine forest.

Notes: Parking is roadside. Hiking is permitted off trail. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/bith

 

TYLER COUNTY

Big Thicket National Preserve - Pitcher Plant Trail

Location: Trailhead and parking area are located on FM 4850, 2 miles south of the intersection with FM 4455 near Warren, TX

Owner: National Park Service, Big Thicket National Preserve

Features: Wetland seepage bog with longleaf pines and carnivorous plants.

Notes: Boardwalks allow easy up-close viewing of the wetlands. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/bith

 

Big Thicket National Preserve - Sundew Trail

Location: Trailhead and parking area are located on FM 1910, 0.5 miles south of the intersection with FM 2827

Owner: National Park Service, Big Thicket National Preserve

Features: Wetland and upland longleaf pine

Notes: The shorter 0.42-mile loop is fully paved and boardwalked. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/bith

 

Watson Rare Native Plant Preserve

Location: 527 County Road 4777, Warren, TX 77664 (Located in the Lake Hyatt Estates subdivision, off Highway 69/287 North)

Owner: Watson Preserve Trust

Features: Longleaf pine forest and pitcher plant herbaceous seepage bogs along Lake Hyatt

Notes: This 6- acre private preserve is open to the public. Hiking trails and boardwalks traverse the preserve. There is no fee and access is from sunrise to sunset daily. The site is known its diversity of plant life and uses prescribed burning to promote herbaceous plants including pitcher plants, and orchids. For more information go to www.watsonpreserve.org

Driving directions: The preserve is off of US-69 in Warren, TX. From US-69 turn east on County Road 4770, drive about half a mile to the bridge and then across the dam. At the top of the hill turn left on CR-4777. About a quarter mile on the left is the entrance to the preserve and a parking area. There are no restroom facilities on the preserve