Float and paddle an old-style flatbottom boat from 9 to 78 miles of the Big Thicket National Preserve’s Neches Corridor Unit in East Texas.

The “Big Thicket” has been called the biological crossroads of North America. The diversity of fauna and flora can be found no where else. Simply put, it is “A unique collection of ordinary things.”

THE TRIP

Neches River in the Morning

Float trips down the Neches River will start in April and go through October. During the winter months from November to March, the river is generally too low to navigate.

Round Lake in the Spring		Neches River

A float trip down the river is leisurely with frequent stops along the way for short hikes into the forest, woods, and swamps. This is an excellent experience for nature lovers, bird watchers, photographers, and students of all ages, 8 to 80. As part of the experience you will be expected to do your share of paddling and camp chores.

Great Blue Heron		Spiderwort

An experienced guide will help insure your safety, prepare simple meals, and share with you the special places and history along the way that you might otherwise miss.

We provide transportation to and from the river, all equipment and gear (excluding personal sleeping bag and pad, clothes, and personal needs), and food.

Trips can be booked for two to six days, with the six day trips being preferred. The trip can begin at any one of four locations: Town Bluff ramp, Sheffields Ferry (Scotts Landing), County Park (Clarks Camp), or US 96 Bridge. Take out will be at any of these four locations: Sheffields Ferry (Scotts Landing), County Park (Clarks Camp), US 96 Bridge, or Confluence Park at RM 30. Trips longer than six days can be arranged on request.

Normally trips are planned for two to six people. Larger parties may be offered on request, but 30 days advanced notice will be needed to cover the logistics of a larger party.

A non-refundable deposit of 20% of the trip cost will be required in advance in order to confirm a trip date.

Student trips will not be co-ed.

Weather patterns along the Neches Corridor are unpredictable and can be extreme. From late March until late September violent thunderstorms may occur suddenly, especially in late afternoon. In the summer, temperatures may go over 100*F with humidity at or near 100%. The outfitter will not cancel a trip because of weather, short of a predicted hurricane.

Personal gear will be limited to two cubic feet (a space of two feet wide by one foot deep by one foot high) of cargo space.

Cooked meals will be offered twice a day, at breakfast in the morning and at supper at night. Lunch is a catch as can snack in the middle of the day. The boat will stop for lunch and rest but a cooked meal will not be prepared.

Breakfast will consist of bacon and eggs the first morning after camp. The rest of the trip will offer pancakes, dry cereal, or oatmeal, in any order. The evening meal will most often be one of a variety of rice dishes. Changes in the menu may be discussed with the outfitter, but it must be well in advance of the trip. There will be no short orders, different orders for each person on the trip. Everyone will dine on the same menu. Limited cargo space requires thoughtful planning.

The remoteness of some stretches of the Neches River requires that filtered river water be used for cooking and drinking. There are no industrial discharges into the lower Neches River between Dam-B and Evadale. So the water from the flow is free of industrial pollutants. The paper mill at Evadale discharges cooling water into an unnamed tributary of the Neches River, therefore from that point south to Confluence Park water will either be filtered from tributaries or obtained from wells on shore.

SNAKES and WILDLIFE

Armadillo		Neches River Turtle laying eggs

A short but comprehensive orientation will be conducted at the beginning of each trip on the subject of snakes and other wildlife.

To enhance your experience on the trip, I recommend that you read “Reflections on the Neches” by Geraldine Ellis Watson (Big Thicket Association publication from the University of North Texas Press) available at local or online book stores.

Possession or use of alcohol or narcotic drugs or firearms are prohibited by the US Park Service.

The cost of a trip by number of people per day is listed in the table below.

Gratuities are not expected but are a nice way to show your appreciation to your guide for a most worthwhile trip.

Boating, floating, hiking, and other outdoor activities include a certain amount of risk and hazard. Therefore, each person will be asked to sign a “Release of Liability” form which will show each person's willingness to accept personal responsibility for the risks on the river trip.

A camping permit is required by the US Park Service for camping along the river. This permit will be taken care of by your outfitter.