​About an hour from Orange on FM 420 north of Kountze is the Big Thicket Visitors Center. Inside the building are displays of animal and plant life in the unique Big Thicket National Park. There are models of insect eating plants, the four poisonous snakes in the region, a large hornets nest and a mounted black bear of the size that once roamed freely in the Thicket.

There is also information on all of the different areas and sanctuaries within the national park.

There is no admission to view the exhibits. The center is open 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.

Photo (top right) - The welcome center at Big Thicket National park in Kountze.