Mushroom Walk at Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary
Mushroom Walk at Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary
When: Saturday, June 24, 2022 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Where: Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary, Cleveland, TX
Cost: $5 members, $10 non-members
Join legendary mycologist David Lewis, author of Mushrooms of the Gulf Coast States who has discovered many new species of mushrooms in Deep East Texas at the Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary (LNTS). The sanctuary is a pristine 655 acre property with trails and flowing creeks through quiet forests of huge magnolias, towering pines, holly, and dogwood trees. There are five meadows comprising a little more than fifty acres and more than twenty miles of foot trails and undeveloped roads. We feel blessed to be able to explore the flora, fauna, and funga of this diverse land!
IS THIS FOR ME?
This event is for people that want to explore the diverse ecosystem of Deep East Texas while sharpening their ID skills, and learning more about the fungi kindom. You do not need to be an expert or CTMS member to participate - this is a learning opportunity and the more eyes we have the more we will discover together. This is a family friendly event. Kids under 12 are free and must be accompanied by an adult.
PRO TIP
Plan on allowing 1 hour to travel from locations where you might be lodging or camping because this area is really spread out. Make sure you have GPS and a local map downloaded to your phone or a paper map. There are many dead zones in the Big Thicket with no cell phone service.
WHAT WE WILL PROVIDE
Field Guides & Field Data Slips
Water, Snacks
WHAT TO BRING
Water, Snacks
Basket, Knife, Small Tacklebox
Field Guide / Notebook
Camera
Rubber Boots / Waterproof Footwear
Mosquito Repellent or Mosquito netting
Folding Chair
Camping Gear (if you are camping)
DETAILED DIRECTIONS
From IH69/59, North or South, take FM 150 at Coldspring, go west on FM 150, at Evergreen Baptist Church turn left on FM 945, go 1.9 miles, look for a cemetery on right, then you will see a silver industrial fence on the left. The entrance gate is to the left of that fence. From IH45, take FM 150 and go east toward Coldspring, turn right on FM 945, and proceed as above. Or you can Google Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary and it will pop up. The gate should be open.
Lodging
Gateway Inn Motel
312 S Margaret Ave, Kirbyville, TX 75956 (409) 423-4611
Super 8 Kountze Big Thicket Natl Pres Area
990 N Pine St, Kountze, TX 77625 (409) 246-8680
Pinewood Inn & Suites
870 Hwy 96 S, Silsbee, TX 77656 409-385-5593
Woodville Inn
201 N Magnolia St, Woodville, TX 75979 +14092833741
CAMPING
All of the options below are approximately 45 miles from daily, foray meet-up points. Allow 1 hour of drive time to meeting points. HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you have at least a half tank of gas before wandering around the Big Thicket. It’s BIG. Make sure you have gps and a local map downloaded to your phone or a paper map. There are many dead zones in the Big Thicket with no cell phone service.
Big Thicket National Preserve Permits & Reservations
Backcountry camping permits are available for free at the visitor center in Kountze. No reservations needed.. Visitor Center 6102 FM 420, Kountze, Texas 77625. The phone is 409-951-6700.
Village Creek State Park, Lumberton
8854 Park Road 74, Lumberton, TX 77657 | (409) 755-7322
Indian Springs - RV, Tent, and Cabin Camping
6106 Holland Cemetary Rd.Kountze, TX 77625 | 409-781-3074
Martin Dies Jr. State Park, between Jasper and Woodville
634 Park Road 48 South Jasper, TX 75951 | (409) 384-5231
Steinhagen Lake: Magnolia Ridge or Sandy Creek
Davy Crockett National Forest
18551 Texas 7, Kennard, TX 75847 (936) 655-2299
Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area
Has 56 campsites, both first-come, first-served and reservable. Campsites in Dogwood Loop have electrical hookups and can accommodate vehicles up to 50 ft. Flush toilets, hot and cold showers and trash bins are also provided.