Out of all the units in Big Thicket National Preserve, Turkey Creek is the most visited. The visitor center is on the south side of the unit. Here, you can gather information from park rangers, sign up for a hike or paddle, collect a camping permit, and even get a hunting permit starting on September 1. You can also browse the exhibit on the many ecosystems in the Big Thicket or watch a 16 minute film about the preserve's history. Additionally, this is the one stop for flush toilets and a water bottle fill up station.
Turkey Creek Unit is also home to several walking trails. The Kirby Nature Trail is a popular stop for families, school groups, and scouting troops. The trail head is only 2.6 miles from the visitor center, and the full trail is about the same length. While this trail is an easy hike, the mosquitoes can be vicious. Be sure to wear bug spray when traversing these pathways.
Kirby Nature Trail connects to the Turkey Creek Trail, which stretches the 17-miles length of the unit. In the middle is Sandhill Loop through the Arid Sandylands, a similar environment to what is seen in parts of Big Sandy and the Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary. At the opposite end of the unit is Pitcher Plant Trail, my favorite path in the park. The mile-long trail has has a boardwalk for the first quarter mile with a seating area at the end. This wildflower savannah is home to carnivorous pitcher plants. If you look closely, you might see one digesting an insect.
