Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary

08/24/2026

TRAIL REPORT
If you draw a line from our front gate on FM945 north to Joe’s Gate, All tractor paths west of this line have been mowed. This opens access to the following hiking trails …

Big Tree - where you will find the third largest Swamp Chestnut Oak in the State of Texas. Rest on the historic stone bench nearby.

Hully Gully - be careful crossing the many gullies created by the run off rain water. This trail will work your calf muscles for sure!

Little Jordan (North & South banks)- as dry as it’s been, this creek remains wet and hosts a number of varieties of ferns. The creek was once used by Mt. Moriah Baptist Church as a place for baptisms.

Mushroom Walk - while it’s been a bit dry, we still have an assortment of mushrooms to view here. If hiking at dawn or dusk, keep an eye open for “Edna”, our local fox seen at the south end of this trail.

Half Moon Lake - is dry but makes for some unique photo shots with a great open understory and Pines lining the banks of the pond outline.

For more information, feel free to comment below. To hike the 650 plus acres of Little Thicket, simply become a member! Annual family membership remains only $15.

08/15/2026

Wow !! … in the heat of the day yesterday I hiked up to one of our meadows…. John Halm Cullinan Meadow. Absolutely gorgeous display of native wildflowers.

Snow on the Prairie
Rattlesnake Master
Partridge Pea
Prairie Blazing Star

… and I need to correct my prior post where I indicated I thought one of our ponds was dry due to the heat. Clearly it is not and note the wildlife track imprints in the sand.

08/11/2026

2 weeks ago, I received a phone call from a gentleman in upstate New York who detailed his experience camping at Little Thicket with his dad some 70 years ago.

He expressed genuine gratitude for having been a part of Outdoor Nature Club and was overjoyed to hear that Little Thicket remains available for all nature lovers.

He appreciated our efforts to preserve the sanctuary and followed up with a generous donation to assist in our mission.

Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary is available to anyone interested in enjoying Mother Nature in her all her glory. With over 20 miles of walking trails, observation benches, picnic tables and endless solitude, many have described the sanctuary as the hidden gem of the East Texas Pineywoods!

With a $15 annual family membership, you too can become a member of this nonprofit organization and enjoy 657 acres of endless adventures while also helping to preserve the land for future generations.

07/21/2026

Dear members, please note we are closed today through Thursday afternoon as we have a youth group camping at the facility.

03/27/2026

Open house at Little Thicket…. Join us this Saturday! Drop in anytime between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.

03/10/2026

Please note Little Thicket will be closed to members and guests Saturday (14th) and Sunday. We will reopen Sunday at 2:00 PM. For more details please visit our web site at www.outdoornatureclub.org

03/02/2026

On Saturday, Outdoor Nature Club (ONC) volunteers and members of Girl Scout Troop 124182 removed non-native invasive Nandina from ONC’s Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary as part of the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) “Big Pull” statewide event during National Invasive Species Week.

02/25/2026

02/25/2026

Mushroom Walk sign posted - message us and ask about membership!!!