May 2023

PADDLING

Village Creek State Park

VILLAGE CREEK has a 21-mile flat-water paddling trail that winds past white sandy beaches and elegant cypresses in the Big Thicket, the biological crossroads of North America. You can paddle for an hour or a day. Expect to spot turtles, frogs, fish and maybe even an otter or a beaver. Birders will delight in searching for belted kingfishers, wood ducks and herons. Stand-up paddleboards, one- and two-person kayaks and canoes are available to rent at the park between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., depending on weather and water conditions.

Caddo Lake State Park

The park and surrounding areas offer access to 10 different Texas paddling trails, totaling more than 50 miles of watery paths through a maze of mysterious sloughs, swamps and bayous.

Martin Dies Jr. State Park

There’s a paddling trail for everyone here, covering the park’s three types of waterways: bayou, lake and river. The park’s location at the edge of the Big Thicket guarantees diverse habitats and scenic beauty.

Mustang Island State Park

Mustang Island features three paddling trails with 20 combined miles on the bay side of the island. There are great shallow-water fishing opportunities for sight-casting, and the island is home to wading birds and shorebirds.

Fort Parker State Park

The Limestone Bluffs Paddling Trail is about a 5-mile trip, featuring quiet water and bird watching along the namesake bluffs. Keep an eye out for signs of beavers as you row.