Martin Dies, Jr. Paddling Trails

Trail Access

Navigating the Trail

Trail Lengths:
Neches Paddling Trail – 3.2 – 16 miles (this trail is marked by a series of 8 buoys, offering options in the route taken to the Neches River and back to the park that can add up to 16 miles of paddling depending on routes taken.)
Walnut Slough Paddling Trail – 4.3 miles
Sandy Creek Paddling Trail – 4.9 miles

Float Time: ~2-4 hours per trail, Neches Paddling Trail could last up to 8 hours depending on route taken, water level, flow rate and wind speed)
These trails are designed for beginning or novice paddlers, with no shuttle or portage necessary.

Trail Description

Following waterways through pristine, old growth river-bottom hardwood forests, you will find a variety of mammals, birds, and reptiles during all seasons of the year. Paddle around mammoth bald cypress trees and experience the slow-moving water of Spring Creek, open water of B.A. Steinhagen Lake, and rapid current in the Neches River. See information on the fourth Martin Dies, Jr. State Park Paddling Trail on the Bevilport Paddling Trail page.

Surrounding land for all four Martin Dies, Jr. State Park paddling trails is owned and/or managed by governmental agencies. You will not see cows grazing along the banks or any private residences during your paddling trip.

Private Property

Respect private property by not trespassing or littering and keeping noise levels down. This river and lake are classified as navigable, which permits public use of the streambed and, if necessary, the banks to portage any hazard. Any other use of private river banks without permission of the landowner can be considered trespassing. Under Texas Penal Code (§30.05), criminal trespass occurs when one enters property after receiving notice not to enter. Notice includes verbal notice, a fence, sign(s), purple paint on posts or trees, or the visible presence of crops grown for human consumption.

Trail Map

Things to Do and See

Fishing

The waterways surrounding Martin Dies, Jr. State Park provide extensive habitats for a large variety of fish. The ever-constant flow of the Angelina and Neches Rivers into Steinhagen Reservoir provides the fisherman with bass, crappie, perch and catfish year-round. Anglers of all ages, using rod & reel and cane poles, catch large numbers of fish from our fishing piers and shoreline, as well as from kayaks and canoes. The slow-moving sloughs and backwaters provide deep holes, whereas the channels surrounding the park provide faster-moving waters, providing a variety of fishing opportunities.

Wildlife and Ecology

The riparian corridors of the Angelina and Neches Rivers support a great diversity of plant and animal life. Birds spotted here include the Swallow-tailed Kite, Anhingas, Belted Kingfisher, and Ibis. Bald cypress trees drip with Spanish moss, while the scaly-barked trunks of the River Birch tower along the shoreline. Common wildlife encountered includes deer, armadillos, and alligators.

Rentals and Shuttles

Martin Dies, Jr. State Park

Jasper, Texas  409-384-5231
Canoe rentals, including life vests and paddles on-site in the park.

Partnership

This trail was made possible through a partnership between Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and US Army Corps of Engineers.