Big Thicket National Preserve · Texas

Big Sandy Trail

8.1 mi of trail, end to end · Hike the Big Sandy Trail: 14.7 mi round trip in the Service's write-up · about 150 ft of climbing · 166 ft–257 ft · bike, hiking, horse

Picnic areas

255 ft 208 ft · 6.6 mi high 257 ft

Along the way Day Use Area

Trailhead Big Sandy Trailhead 255 ft Drive there

Hike the Big Sandy Trail 14.7 mi round trip · the Park Service's write-up

dogs allowed · season <p>Hunting is allowed in this area Oct–Feb; wear orange if you hike Big Sandy Trail during hunting season.</p>

Start Big Sandy Creek Unit | Dallardsville, TX

A wide curving path lined with grass leads into a dense green forest on a sunny spring day.
Hike the Big Sandy Trail to explore the backcountry of the Big Sandy Creek Unit. Photo: NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga

The Big Sandy Trail follows old logging roads that wind through the woods. This is the only trail in the preserve open to bicycles and horses.

Distance: 14.7 miles roundtrip

Type: Out-and-back and loop combination

Location: Big Sandy Creek Unit

Trailhead: Parking lot on Sunflower Road

Lat/Long: 30.614694, -94.671056

Overview

Big Sandy Trail has some elevation gain and loss as it follows gentle slopes. This trail is a great option for those looking to camp in the Big Thicket backcountry.

From the trailhead on Sunflower Road, walk past the metal gate next to the information kiosk to begin the hike. The trail intersects several old logging roads—follow the signs for the horse trail to stay on the main trail. Side paths may be explored on foot, but they are not maintained and may be overgrown.

At 3 miles, cross a bridge over Simmons Branch. This small tributary flows south to Big Sandy Creek. At 6.6 miles, the loop section begins. Go left or right to continue on the 1½-mile loop.

When you complete the loop, return 6.6 miles to the trailhead.

Safety

Hunting is allowed in the vicinity of the Big Sandy Trail from October 1 to February 28. Wear orange if you visit this trail during hunting season. The Big Sandy Trail is the only trail in Big Thicket National Preserve that goes through a hunting area.

More Information

Download a trail map

Explore the Big Sandy Creek Unit

Accessibility The Big Sandy Trail follows wide, old dirt roads. Trail users can expect to encounter tree roots, muddy stream crossings, and washboarded sections. While the grade is gentle, there are prolonged uphill and downhill sections.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

All 26 trails in Big Thicket National PreserveFind a trailOn the parks mapPark on nps.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do" text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.