Canoeing Village Creek

Experience Texas' #1 Canoe Trail

Village Creek has something for everyone who enjoys the Great Outdoors. Outstanding Natural Beauty, Quiet, Calm Waters, Sugar-white Sandbars, a picnic lunch and your fishing tackle are all you will need to enjoy this day with Mother Nature. Perfect for Families, Groups and Experienced Paddlers as well.

Eastex Canoe Trails Offers A Variety of Trips... Eastex Canoe Trails offers Day Trips on Village Creek every day of the year! Canoe-Camping Trips from 4 to 65 miles are offered every day of the year! Reservations for either Day Trip #1, #2 or any of our Canoe-Camping Trips are not neccessary except as stated, but Reservations are always a good idea.

DAY TRIP #1 - The "Sandyland" Trip Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary Distance: 9 miles Trip Time: 5 - 7 hrs. First Shuttle Up: 7am Last Shuttle Up: 11am - depending on water conditions. Last Take Out:6pm

The Sandyland Sanctuary is located in the Heart of the Big Thicket, 3 miles West of Silsbee, Texas. This Nature Conservancy of Texas is an ancient deposit of arid sandy soils and hosts a unique mixture of plant and animal species from all over North America, including Southwest desert cactus, yucca and roadrunner. The 9-mile canoe trail here slowly winds through thousands of acres of undeveloped Big Thicket floodplain. This is a very remote & secluded section of Village Creek and paddlers should plan accordingly for current water conditions, daytime temperatures and possible weather changes. The Sandyland Sanctuary is an extremely popular canoe trail (#1 in Texas) for families and groups because it is safe and exciting for any age or experience level as long as you are prepared and get an early start! Wildlife is enjoyable and photographers will love Mother Nature at her finest! This section is also the most popular for several of our canoe-camping adventures on Village Creek. Most canoe-campers Put In at FM 418 and canoe downstream to one of 5 "take outs" for trips from 9 to 30 miles.

DAY TRIP #2 - The Short Trip Hwy 327 - Baby Galves Landing Distance: 4 miles Average Trip Time: 3 hrs First Shuttle Up:12 Noon - depending on water conditions Last Shuttle Up: 4pm Last Take Out: 7pm

At lower water levels, this section of Village Creek has numerous large points (Sandbars) that are popular with day trippers & canoe-campers alike. This Trip allows plenty of time to fish, swim, picnic or just relax and let the kids play. Due to the relative short distance to paddle, this is a popular afternoon trip. DAY TRIP #3 - The "Zoo"

Baby Galves Landing - Hwy 96 Public Boat Ramp Distance:7 miles Average Trip Time4 - 6 hrs. First Shuttle Up:7am Last Shuttle Up:11 am - depending on water conditions Last Take Out:6pm

This is the least scenic section of Village Creek. Although it contains several excellent sandbars for day use and camping, there is access from private property and roads on both sides of this section of the creek. On summer weekends, the last 2 miles of this section (The "Zoo") can become heavily populated with loud and sometimes aggressive people, late in the afternoons. If you choose a weekend trip through this section, be sure you pass through the "Zoo" early (no later than 3pm).

DAY TRIP #4 The "State Park" Trip Hwy 96 Public Boat Ramp - Village Creek State Park Distance:3 miles Average Trip Time:1- 2 hrs.

This trip is offered to state park campers during the off season and on weekdays. Call ahead. There is a $50 minimum for service to Village Creek State Park. The landing at the State Park is difficult at Low water levels and should be used with caution. Mark the "take out" before you leave the park, and then remove your marker after you complete your trip. Reservations are required in advance. Trip #5 - The "Confluence" Trip Trip #1,#2, #3 or #4 - Lakeview Sandbar Distance:30 miles, 21 miles,17 miles or 10 miles, respectively Average Trip Time:6 - 8 hrs. + (Trip # ?) These trip(s) are all offered daily. There is a $100 minimum for service(s) to the Neches River. This is an excellent section, secluded and remote Village Creek climaxed by the confluence with the Neches River - Very pristine and wild! Reservations are required in advance. Trip #6 - "Upper Village Creek" US Hwy 69 or FM 420 to FM 418 Distance:22 or 15 miles Average Trip Time8 -12 hrs. depending on water conditions This is the least traveled section of Village Creek with the most obstructions and fallen trees. At low water levels, this trip should not be attempted except by professional extreme sports enthusiasts! At higher water levels, this trip can add another 15 - 22 exciting miles and another night of camping to the above trips. With relatively fewer sandbars for camping at normal water levels, the 3 confluences of Village Creek's largest tributaries highlight the features of these sections. Spring is usually the best season for these sections of Village Creek. Eastex Canoe Trails offers shuttle services for paddlers with their own equipment on all East Texas canoe trails. Call our office for prices & details.

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