Village Creek State Park is a paddling and hiking destination near Lumberton

Village Creek State Park sits at 8854 Park Road 74 in Lumberton, about 10 miles north of Beaumont. It works for a day trip, but it also has campsites and a cabin if you want to stay. TPWD says the park often reaches capacity, so reservations are smart.

The creek is the heart of it. Village Creek is one of the few free-flowing creeks in Texas. You can paddle from the park launch, rent kayaks or canoes, fish for catfish, bass, and sunfish, or walk eight miles of trails through sandy land and bottomland swamp. Alligators live in the area too, which is a good reminder that this pretty place is still East Texas water.