Last updated: March 11, 2025
Thing to Do
Explore the Rugged Lance Rosier Unit
NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga
The Heart of the Big Thicket
The Lance Rosier Unit is the historical heart of the Big Thicket, home to jungle-like swamps, palmetto forests, and historic sites.
The site is named for Lance Rosier (1886–1970), a Saratoga resident and self-taught naturalist with an encyclopedic knowledge of the thicket. His work led to the eventual creation of the preserve in 1974. Take a scenic drive into the unit to explore the wild landscape that Rosier helped to protect.
Getting Here
The Lance Rosier Unit is south and east of Saratoga, Texas. Just east of Saratoga on FM 770, turn south onto Rosier Park Road, which leads into the unit after passing through active oil fields. At the Lance Rosier Unit entrance sign, there's a fork in the road—take the right fork to proceed onto Teel Road.
Teel Road
Teel Road is a narrow, unpaved road that leads into the dense forest of the Lance Rosier Unit. It dead-ends at Teel Cemetery. Enjoy a few scenic stops along the way:
Bald Cypress Swamp
Lat/Long:
30.263818, -94.513223
Find a swamp full of large bald cypress trees on the west side of Teel Road. Here you can see the large, fluted trunks of bald cypresses as well as hundreds of their knobby knees growing out of the water. Nearly everything is green here in spring and summer, and the sounds of birds, insects, and frogs fill the air.
“Bridge to Nowhere” over Little Pine Island Bayou
Lat/Long:
30.260502, -94.525517
At an unmarked junction (after the swamp), turn right to follow an old rutted road. It ends at an abandoned bridge known as the "Bridge to Nowhere." The slow-moving waterway flowing beneath the bridge is Little Pine Island Bayou, lined with bald cypresses. An unmaintained trail begins on the opposite side of the bridge and ventures into a dense thicket of dwarf palmettos.
Teel Cemetery
Lat/Long:
30.258308, -94.512203
Back on Teel Road, follow it south until it dead-ends at historic Teel Cemetery. This small, quiet cemetery in the middle of the woods dates back to 1893. The Teel family moved from Alabama to Texas in the 1850s, settling in the Big Thicket. Many members of their family are buried here. The cemetery is privately-owned; please be respectful of the graves.
NPS App Self-Guided Tour
For an expanded tour with more stops, more detail, and a map to follow along, check out the Lance Rosier Unit Driving Tour on the NPS App. You can find the tour on the Big Thicket page, under Self-Guided Tours.
Tip: Download the park's content for offline use, as mobile coverage in the Lance Rosier Unit can be spotty.
For a Safe Trip
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you explore the Lance Rosier Unit:
- The Lance Rosier Unit has no restrooms or facilities.
- Road signs are often missing or not visible—use your GPS-enabled device for navigation.
- Unpaved roads in the unit can be muddy and impassable after heavy rains.
- Hunting is allowed in the unit from October 1 to February 28. Wear orange if you visit during hunting season.
- Rosier Park Road, before it enters the park, passes through an active oil field. Watch out for large trucks entering and exiting.
Details
Duration
1-3 Hours
Activity
Scenic Driving
Pets Allowed
Yes
Pets must be on-leash (no longer than 6 feet). Please pick up your pet's poop!
Activity Fee
No
Big Thicket National Preserve does not charge entrance fees.
Location
Saratoga, TX
From FM 770 in Saratoga, take Rosier Park Road south, and then turn right on Teel Road, which leads into the unit.
Reservations
No
Season
Spring, Summer
Hunting is allowed in the Lance Rosier Unit from October 1 to February 28. Wear orange if you visit during hunting season.
Time of Day
Day
Accessibility Information
Stops mentioned on this tour have uneven surfaces, including muddy terrain and dips. The pavement on the Bridge to Nowhere is uneven and missing some pieces. Teel Cemetery is on a grassy lawn.
Photo Gallery
Lance Rosier Unit
21 Images
Photos of the Lance Rosier Unit in Big Thicket National Preserve