No AC allowed

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

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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where to travel right now

Cozy winter hotel deals + 8 more Texas travel tips for December

Photo courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas

We hear Santa can also visit hotels on Christmas night.

Winter has finally arrived in the Lone Star State, which means there is an abundance of fun-filled and holiday-themed vacation ideas and events to experience in December. Texans looking for ideas on where to travel can find them here, in our big monthly roundup of top tips around the state.

All around Texas

ICYMI: There are holiday happenings galore throughout Texas, and CultureMap has rounded up the best holiday light displays to visit in Houston this winter. For those who will be traveling to other major cities in Texas, we've got you covered with the ultimate holiday light displays across Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio, too.

In the Hill Country

It's never too late to get out into the Hill Country for a luxe glamping trip under the great Texas sky. Star Studded Nights, a 14-acre private glamping site in Valley Mills, has everything travelers need to enjoy a comfortable stay: Fully furnished (and temperature controlled) safari tents with plush bedding and ensuite bathrooms, a common area with a firepit and outdoor games, and a provisional store for any last-minute necessities or s'mores ingredients. Nightly rates begin at $229.

In San Antonio

The innovative culinary scene in San Antonio has helped the city earn a new title as one of the best places to travel in 2025, according to a recent report by Travel + Leisure. The publication's annual "Where to Go" list reviews nearly 120 notable places around the globe and chooses only 50 for its collection of best destinations. T+L named two recently opened hotels in its report: Kimpton Santo, a boutique hotel that repurposed 19th century schoolhouses, and the fully renovated InterContinental San Antonio RiverWalk.

Along the Gulf Coast

If a wintry camping trip is on the itinerary this month, South Padre Island is the place to be, according to online campsite marketplace Campspot. A recent survey by the website ranked South Padre Island the No. 5 best destination in the South for travelers seeking "nostalgia-driven escapes" that remind them of the "straightforward charm" of the 1980's. Nearby campgrounds that Campspot highlighted included Brownsville's 55-plus Winter Haven Resort, We RV Champions of Rio Hondo, and more.

In Austin

Guests who want to spend part of their happy holidays hanging by the pool at the Downright Austin can use the promo code "HOL" to get a holiday-themed welcome amenity, a $20 daily credit to the hotel's breakfast and lunch bar Morningbird, and a one-time $20 food and beverage credit for Morningbird or Swim Club. And starting December 15, Swim Club will transform into a winter wonderland pop-up called Après Swim, complete with holiday-themed cocktails, bites, and various holiday events. Nightly rates at Downright Austin begin at $264 in December.

Houstonians traveling to Austin with their dogs might be intrigued by all the pet-friendly amenities the Hotel Van Zandt has to offer, including complimentary Yeti brand dog bowls, plush pet beds, and special dog guest door hangers. The hotel is additionally offering branded dog robes for purchase, so your furry best friend can relax in style. Hotel Van Zandt doesn't employ size, weight, or breed restrictions for dogs, and there is no extra charge for bringing Fido along for the stay. Room rates start at $195 a night.

The Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa is all dolled up for Christmas with an impressive lineup of holiday offerings for guests and visitors alike. The resort boasts two luxurious experiences for December stays: An exclusive "Santa Suite" package with a 20 percent discount on stays in one of the whimsical holiday-themed suites, plus a $100 hotel credit; And a "Magical Memories" package that includes 20 percent off stays with a $25 food and beverage credit. The Santa Suite package is valid for stays through January 3, while the Magical Memories package is available through January 19. Room rates begin at $329 per night.

Across North Texas

The Adolphus in Dallas is ready to provide the coziest stays this winter, starting with the hotel's "Holiday Glow Package" that provides guests with a a $100 dining credit and an Adolphus Signature Holiday Candle, handcrafted in partnership with Dallas-based fragrance designer Niven Morgan. The package is valid for stays of two nights or more, and can be booked using the code "ES6" for stays from now until December 30. Rates at The Adolphus begin at $254 per night.

For families that want to ring in the New Year in style, The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas has a luxurious "Diamonds & Bowties" package that includes luxury accommodations, two kids amenities and Ritz Kids experience passports, a special breakfast with Santa (for up to two adults and two children), complimentary valet parking, late checkout, and much more. The package package is valid for one-night stays on December 31, and includes two tickets to the hotel's Diamonds & Bowties New Year's Eve party. Rates with the Diamonds & Bowties package start at $1,039.

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