50th Anniversary

Logo courtesy of Western National Parks Association

Big Thicket National Preserve turns 50 in 2024!

On October 11, 1974, Big Thicket was established as America's first national preserve. Fifty years later, the preserve remains an outstanding place to experience the natural, scenic, and recreational wonders of the woods and waters of southeast Texas.

Throughout 2024, we invite you to celebrate with us and learn why "there's no place like Big Thicket!"

Celebrate With Us

• Choose Your Adventure Challenge
  Are you up for a challenge? Explore and exercise in the preserve to earn rewards.
• 50th Anniversary Junior Ranger Badge
  Complete anniversary-themed activities in our Junior Ranger book to earn a unique badge.
• Anniversary Special Events
  Celebrate by volunteering, becoming a junior ranger, meeting scientists, and more at special events in 2024.
• Photo Contest
  Share your view of Big Thicket through your camera's perspective and you might be featured.

Check back throughout the year for more content and information about Big Thicket's 50th anniversary.

 

50th Anniversary Activities

• 

  Explore, Exercise, Earn

  Choose Your Adventure Challenge

  Are you up for a challenge? Explore the preserve to earn adventure pins!

• 

  A birthday badge

  50th Anniversary Junior Ranger Badge

  Earn a special Junior Ranger badge during our 50th anniversary year!

• 

  A Year-Long Birthday Party

  Anniversary Events

  Planting Days, Junior Ranger Day, Science Symposium, our 50th Anniversary Celebration, and more! All events are free.

• 

  Through Your Lens

  Photo Contest

  What does Big Thicket look like through your lens? Share your favorite photos and you might be featured!

 

 

Florida National Parks Association

Our twin, Big Cypress National Preserve, is celebrating 50 years, too!

Did you know that Big Thicket is only one of two national preserves established on October 11, 1974? The other, Big Cypress National Preserve, protects tall strands of bald cypress, low-lying estuaries lined with mangrove trees, and everything in between! With only inches to differentiate between distinct ecosystems, Big Cypress is known to be one of the most ecologically diverse areas of the country and protects almost 730,000 acres of land in Southwest Florida. With so much to do and see there is an adventure for people of all abilities!

Big Cypress National Preserve protects not only the land, but also the traditional uses of the land. That includes Off-Road Vehicle usage, hunting and fishing, traditional use and occupancy by the Miccosukee and Seminole Tribes, private land ownership, prescribed fires and more! It is our responsibility to strike a balance between the natural and human agendas in order to protect this land, and its traditional uses for generations to come.

Whether you take a stroll on one of the four (4) boardwalks within the preserve, an Off-Road Vehicle into the backcountry or get your feet wet on a swamp walk, we know that you’ll find something that interests you!

Traveling to Florida? Check out Big Cypress National Preserve and celebrate their 50th anniversary!