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    No AC allowed

    A hop, skip, and a swamp: Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary is a Texas hiker'sparadise

    Stephan Lorenz
    Jul 3, 2011 | 1:52 pm
    • The Zebra Swallowtail is one of many butterflies flying through the forestshere.
      Photo by Stephan Lorenz
    • There are plenty of signs that wildlife abounds.
      Photo by Stephan Lorenz
    • Mammoth trees provide deep shade.
      Photo by Stephan Lorenz
    • Sometimes the beautiful is minute, so keep open eyes while wandering theSandyland Sanctuary
      Photo by Stephan Lorenz
    • Old oak and cypress grow along the wetlands in the creek bottoms.
      Photo by Stephan Lorenz
    • Village Creek borders the sanctuary for eight miles, but canoeists may have towait until the end of the drought.
      Photo by Stephan Lorenz
    • The sanctuary is a great place to study plants, several of which are rare andendangered.
      Photo by Stephan Lorenz
    • The Sandyland Loop winds through rare long leaf pine forest. The preservedoesn’t see many visitors.
      Photo by Stephan Lorenz
    • Hikers are welcome to the Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary, just east ofSilsbee, Texas.
      Photo by Stephan Lorenz
    • High humidity creates early morning dew, but is doesn’t last long in the summerheat.
      Photo by Stephan Lorenz
    • The sanctuary has over six miles of trail that meander through arid pine forestand swing through wetter creek bottoms and wetlands.
      Photo by Stephan Lorenz
    • Hundreds of wildflower species bloom in spring and summer.
      Photo by Stephan Lorenz
    • In the bottomland, hardwood forest summer greens are dense.
      Photo by Stephan Lorenz

    Hiking in southeast Texas in June. Was I deranged or just really desperate to get out?

    Maybe a little bit of both.

    On top of that, I got a late start. Cocooned in maximum AC, I drove the hour and a half from Houston to Silsbee, ignorant of the temperatures outside and heat to come.

    But I had set my mind to it; I wanted to explore the trails of the Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary.

    While the name evokes simulacrums of either Disney World or the Playboy Mansion, it is absolutely neither. It’s a small stretch of wilderness that protects important habitats within the grander Big Thicket area. At its center lies long leaf pine forest, a rich ecosystem that has mostly disappeared throughout the southern United States. The Nature Conservancy owns and manages the property.

    For hikers with severe arachnophobia, this may not be the ideal path.

    Village Creek meanders along the border of the preserve for nearly eight miles. The 5,561 acres also harbor floodplain forest of water oaks, sweet gums, and cypress. Steep slopes rising from the river bed are covered in beech, magnolias, and loblolly pines.

    I arrived just after 9 a.m., and the last pockets of cool morning air evaporated quickly as I readied my backpack. Three trails in the preserve offer a little bit more than six miles of walking.

    I headed through open pine forest and took the first turn onto the Floodplain Trail, which plunged down a steep slope toward Village Creek. The temperatures became more bearable as a dense canopy shadowed fern-lined ponds, bamboo thickets and cypress swamps.

    Mammoth trees reached out of view. Thick spider webs stretching across the narrow trail every 20 feet evidenced that no one had wandered here recently — and no one probably would. For hikers with severe arachnophobia, this may not be the ideal path. For individuals with mild cases, it’s a great place to challenge the fear.

    I worked my way deeper into the forest. Tree frogs, birds, and crackling leaves drowned out any noise of civilization. Suddenly, a deer coughed and dashed off into the underbrush. I spotted a spring fawn, russet colored, with neat rows of white spots. It stared at me before following its mother.

    I took a rehydration break before continuing on the Sandyland Loop, the longest trail at the preserve. It was no surprise I hadn’t seen anybody else out on the trail — nor did I expect to. A lazy breeze shifted the hot air, scented with pine and wildflowers. Even in the ongoing drought, a few flowers still bloomed. The sandy soils created arid habitats, and among the long leaf pines grew prickly pear and yucca.

    With sparse shade from the scattered trees, the heat became intense past noon, baking the dirt trail. I veered left towards the central ponds, which were nearly dry, but still had a dense ring of leafy green cypress and hardwoods growing around them. I stoically trudged on, hoping that the trail completed a loop. Thankfully, it did.

    Returning to a cooler section of the forest, I gave in to the climate and found a good place to sit and rest. Life continued around me, even at 104 degrees. Butterflies swung through the trees on frantic wings, while skinks shuffled through the leaf litter. Even a squirrel risked an excursion to some low branches. Looking up into a cloudless sky, I noticed several vultures floating effortlessly on rising thermals and realized, yes, it was time to drag myself back to the car.

    Sandyland Sanctuary, just west of Silsbee, is an ideal place for hikers tired of stepping off the trail at Huntsville State Park to let mountain bikers pass — or anybody seeking some true peace and quiet. It’s also great for photography, with an abundance of wildflowers and other rare plants. Guided tours are offered by reservation when you contact the Nature Conservancy.

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    Disappear Into Nature

    Secluded Hill Country park opens 2 luxurious glamping houses

    Natalie Grigson
    Jun 19, 2025 | 10:15 am
    Bloom House exterior
    Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks
    Glamping can still include s'mores with a private outdoor fire pit.

    Just in time for unbearable temperatures across Texas, the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) has introduced a cooler glamping solution. Opened mid-May, the Ööd Mirror Houses are LCRA Parks' newest accommodations at Lake Bastrop South Shore Park, about 40 minutes outside of Austin.

    Hideaway House exteriorBoth glamping options have floor-to-ceiling windows that look like mirrors from the outside.Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks

    Operated by Cameron Ranch Glamping, these two luxury houses are tucked away in the park's Lost Pines region, surrounded by trees and miles of tranquility.

    Both these pet-friendly homes include floor-to-ceiling mirrored glass walls, so guests can look out into nature with complete privacy, from both passersby and mosquitos.

    Both The Hideaway and The Bloom are 221 square feet and are equipped with a queen memory foam bed, full bathroom with walk-in shower, dining area, Wi-Fi, kitchenette, record player, and perhaps most importantly for this time of year, air conditioning. In the winter, the structures will be heated.

    Hideaway House InteriorBoth mirror houses include memory foam queen-sized beds, WiFi, A/C, and more. Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks

    No matter how glam it gets, guests can still enjoy classic camping fun like roasting marshmallows in their personal outdoor fire pit, or firing up the grill for some burgers. Plus, Lake Bastrop offers paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, areas for fishing, trails for hiking and biking, mini-golf, playgrounds, sand volleyball courts, and a charming camp store.

    Interior kitchen areaKitchenettes come equipped with a microwave, refrigerator, and cooking equipment. Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks

    Guests can also leave the park and make the 10-minute drive to downtown Bastrop to grab a bite, a drink, some groceries, or catch some music or a movie. (Who can really say what the rules of glamping entail?)

    Bloom House The two mirror houses are within walking distance to the swimming areas along the lake. Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks

    The Ööd Mirror Houses are now available to book online. Rates vary by day, starting just above $200 per night before fees, and increasing to more than $300 before fees during certain times. Find the campground at 375 S. Shore Rd., Bastrop.

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