Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Big Thicket National Preserve
Until the mid-19th century, the Big Thicket was a dense and mysterious forest where Civil
Texas' most interesting ecosystems: where coastal plains meet desert sand dunes, and
cypress swamps stand next to pine and hardwood forests. Growing here are 145 different
tree and plant species, plus 20 rare (and hard to find) orchids.
The park is broken into nine widely separated units that together total more than
105,000 acres. Several of the units are linked by narrow, sinuous corridors that follow
creeks and rivers. The
Big Thicket Preserve Visitor Center
( 409-951-6700;
www.nps.gov/bith
; 6102 FM
420, Kountze; 9am-5pm)
, 30 miles north of Beaumont on US 69/287, has maps and trail
info, which is also available online.
About 3 miles east of the visitor center on FM 420, the interpretive
Kirby Trail
(1.7 to 2.5
miles round trip) is a good area introduction, cutting through swampy land that supports
magnolias and cypress communities, as well as slope forest with beach and tall, tall, tall
loblolly pines. You can continue on to see cacti on the
Sandhill Loop Trail
(2-mile round-trip
extension). About 5 miles northwest off US 69/287, the
Sundew Loop Trail
(1 mile round
trip) provides a look at bizarre carnivorous plants (four of North America's five species
grow here). Look for wildflowers on this trail in late spring to summer.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Orange
POP 18,744
The smallest of the Triangle cities, Orange may have been named for citrus trees that once
grew here or for some Dutch settlers; no one is certain. A widely scattered Cajun popula-
tion lives along the secluded bayous and tributaries of the Sabine River, which forms the
border with Louisiana.
Prominent turn-of-the-20th-century local businessman WH Stark and his philanthropic
son HL Stark have greatly influenced the cultural offerings in Orange. You can tour the
Stark Museum of Art
( 409-883-6661;
www.starkmuseum.org
;
712 W Green Ave; 10am-5pm Tue-Sat)
, which has collections of native wildlife and bird art, including works by John J
Audubon. Or visit
WH Stark House
(
409-883-0871;
http://starkculturalvenues.org
;
610 W Main St; tours
10am-3pm Tue-Sat)
, a museum itself. But our favorite family-funded
$5, no children under 10yr;
