The Best Trail for a General Overview of the Area
Kirby Nature Trail
As the main nature trail in the park, Kirby is a bit of a choose-your-own adventure. And despite being the most popular path, it’s likely you won’t see another soul and have the place all to yourself. There are a variety of routes ranging from 1.5-2.5 miles, which splits into an inner and outer loop, but you can also just do sections to make it shorter or combine it with other trails to extend your journey.
About .75 miles in is a bridge many people take photos at and where it connects up to the longer trails. At one point, it splits into a cypress slough and high-water bypass depending on what you want to see, but both junctures end up at the same place as long as you follow the numbered markers.
What to Expect: There’s a well-marked parking lot when you pull in on the left, a bathroom at the trailhead (which is temporarily closed), and an abandoned, illegal homestead at the beginning of the hike, which used to be the park office. There are clearly numbered signposts to follow so you know how far along you are, interpretive info as to what you’re looking at, and even designated selfie spots. The ground is dirt, gravel, and sand with benches throughout, making it fairly easy and accessible, but it is still deep woods, so dress and prepare accordingly. There’s ample tree coverage to keep it cooler and shelter you from the rain, but it still gets hot and very buggy.
The Best Trail for Wildflowers or A Short, Quick Nature Walk
Sundew Trail
The quickest jaunt into nature, the Sundew Trail is named for one of the four carnivorous plants found in the Big Thicket (of the five that exist in America). The inner loop is the best for photos with .5 miles of raised boardwalks, while the outer loop is a bit longer at one mile. The springtime sees abundant wildflowers (peaking in March and April), but it’s green and lush year-round. Don’t expect an insane botanical landscape, what’s impressive here are all the little things working in tandem so try to be present and take in the details of your surroundings and the symbiotic nature of it all. The sundews themselves are tiny, dime-sized red blooms that catch prey with sticky tentacles. They’re hard to spot, so keep your eyes peeled and make it a scavenger hunt. There’s also a marker to identify the carnivorous pitcher plants, which have specialized leaves and open mouths to trap insects.
What to Expect: Don’t be thrown off when following Google Maps as it looks like you’re turning into a residential area, but it will take you to a covered picnic area at the trailhead. The well-maintained boardwalks make it accessible to all and the trees make it far less buggy and cooler. Note the toilet is temporarily closed.