In this episode of the Trailblazing Texas Podcast, I sit down with Ranger Megan from Big Thicket National Preserve to explore one of the most misunderstood and wildly diverse landscapes in the National Park System.

When most people hear “National Park,” they picture towering mountains or deep desert canyons. Big Thicket flips that script. Ranger Megan shares her journey with the National Park Service, what brought her to Southeast Texas, and why this preserve left such a powerful first impression.

We dive into why Big Thicket is called the “Biological Crossroads of North America” and what that actually means on the ground. From longleaf pine forests and cypress sloughs to blackwater bayous and carnivorous pitcher plants, the Thicket isn’t just one ecosystem—it’s several, woven together. Megan breaks down how these habitats blend, what strange and surprising species call this place home, and why birders, botanists, and backpackers quietly consider this area a hidden treasure.

We also get practical. What kind of hiking terrain should you expect? Are there paddle trails worth planning a whole trip around? Can you experience multiple ecosystems in just a few hours? Is this place more “boardwalk stroll” or “true wilderness”? (Hint: it’s wilder than most people think.)

Ranger Megan shares underrated trails, hidden gem areas, and what first-time visitors often underestimate about the Thicket. We talk seasonal timing, cell signal realities, trail maps, hazards like snakes and flooding, and why bug spray might be your most valuable piece of gear out here.

On the conservation side, we unpack the real challenges facing Big Thicket today, from invasive species to prescribed burns, and how research and long-term planning are shaping the next 5–10 years of preservation. If you’ve ever wondered how you, as a visitor, can support a place like this, Megan offers simple but powerful ways to help protect it.

Big Thicket may not have the dramatic skyline of the Guadalupe Mountains or the sweeping canyon views of Palo Duro, but what it has is depth. Layer upon layer of life. Subtle beauty. True wildness.

If you’ve never considered exploring a swampy preserve… this episode might just change your mind.

Tune in and discover why Big Thicket isn’t just a stop on the map, it’s an experience you feel.