Big Slough Wilderness

Big Slough Wilderness is a protected natural area in Davy Crockett National Forest featuring mixed forests of hardwoods and pine trees near the Neches River floodplain. The landscape contains diverse plant communities that grow in different sections based on soil and water conditions.

Timber operations dominated the region starting in the late 1800s until protection came through the Texas Wilderness Act in 1984. The designation ended commercial logging and allowed forests to recover naturally over the following decades.

The wilderness preserves natural habitats within the Gulf Coastal Plain ecosystem, maintaining native species and traditional outdoor recreation opportunities.

The Four C National Recreation Trail provides the main way to explore the area and winds through the higher sections of the protected land. Plan for wet conditions in some parts, especially near wetland areas, and bring appropriate gear for forest walking.

The area contains several hundred acres of beaver and alligator ponds ringed by button bushes, forming distinct wetland habitats. These water bodies are created by beaver dams and support wildlife found nowhere else in the region.

Location: Texas

Inception: 1984

GPS coordinates: 31.49380,-95.11740

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:09