Big Thicket National Preserve

Sky Score 41/100≈ Bortle 3

5 places to stay nearby, rated for darkness ↓

Big Thicket National Preserve is a protected area in Texas with a measured darkness of 74/100 (≈ Bortle 3), a good rural sky: the Milky Way is clearly visible, with some glow on the horizon toward nearby towns. The best month to come is typically October, when about 61% of the night sky is clear.

Tonight's outlook: 21/100. The moon is 98% lit and above the horizon 96% of the night; typical September clear-sky odds here are 57%. Updated daily.

Best time to stargaze at Big Thicket National Preserve

MonthClear night skiesSky Score (new moon)
January43%40/100
February36%36/100
March34%35/100
April38%37/100
May36%36/100
June47%43/100
July46%42/100
August47%42/100
September57%49/100
October ★61%51/100
November44%41/100
December39%38/100

Scores assume a moonless night, check the moon before you drive (methodology).

Where to stay near Big Thicket National Preserve: sleep under a dark sky

We measured the night sky over each stay below, not just over the spot: the darkness score is computed at the hotel's own location, so you know what you'll see from the door. Sorted darkest sky first, with the distance to Big Thicket National Preserve for each.

59/100sky darkness at this stay

#1Darkest sky of these stays

Woodville Inn

Sky darkness
59/100
To the spot
36.7 km

58/100sky darkness at this stay

#2

Super 8 by Wyndham Kountze Big Thicket Nat'l Pres Area

Sky darkness
58/100
To the spot
14 km
Location
Kountze

More stays nearby

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Live prices around Kountze

Kountze is the closest base to Big Thicket National Preserve with rooms to book. The map shows everything available there right now, including the hotels, apartments and cabins we do not rate. Use the stays above when darkness decides, use the map when price or availability does.

Prices and availability come from the booking partners shown on the map, and we earn a commission on bookings made through it. Sky darkness is measured only for the stays listed above.

Nearby spots in Texas

Sky data: NASA Black Marble VJ146A4 2025 annual composite · clear-sky climatology ERA5 2015–2024 (methodology).