Big Thicket National Preserve
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
| Month | Clear night skies | Sky Score (new moon) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 43% | 40/100 |
| February | 36% | 36/100 |
| March | 34% | 35/100 |
| April | 38% | 37/100 |
| May | 36% | 36/100 |
| June | 47% | 43/100 |
| July | 46% | 42/100 |
| August | 47% | 42/100 |
| September | 57% | 49/100 |
| October ★ | 61% | 51/100 |
| November | 44% | 41/100 |
| December | 39% | 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
58/100sky darkness at this stay
Super 8 by Wyndham Kountze Big Thicket Nat'l Pres Area
- Sky darkness
- 58/100
- To the spot
- 14 km
- Location
- Kountze
58/100sky darkness at this stay
More stays nearby
- Check availability →
Econo Lodge
Darkness: 51/100 · 29.8 km from Big Thicket National Preserve
- Check availability →
La Quinta Inn & Suites
Darkness: 51/100 · 30 km from Big Thicket National Preserve
Booking links are affiliate links, see the disclosure.
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
- Tony Houseman/Blue Elbow Swamp Wildlife Management Area 77.5 km · Sky Score 30/100
- Turkey Hill Wilderness 104.5 km · Sky Score 45/100
- Brazos Bend State Park 161.8 km · Sky Score 31/100
- Old Sabine Bottom Wildlife Management Area 252.3 km · Sky Score 40/100
- Buescher State Park 266.1 km · Sky Score 37/100
Sky data: NASA Black Marble VJ146A4 2025 annual composite · clear-sky climatology ERA5 2015–2024 (methodology).