Bevilport Paddling Trail
The Bevilport Paddling Trail begins at Bevilport Boat Ramp, an historic riverboat landing site and location of the first cattle drives from Texas. It offers over 9 miles of river trail down the Angelina and Neches rivers.
- Getting There
- Trail Description
- Map
- Fishing
- Wildlife & Ecology
- Private Property
- Events & Attractions
- Partnership
- Rentals & Shuttles
Getting There
Two access sites:
Put-in:
Bevilport Boat Ramp 
30° 55' 26.28"N, 94° 10' 0.87"W
Take-out:
Walnut Boat Ramp 30° 51' 46.50"N, 94° 10' 58.14"W
Driving Directions to Access Sites:
Put-in: Bevilport Boat Ramp, 8.5 miles from the park
From Martin Dies, Jr. State Park, located on Hwy 190 between Woodville and Jasper, turn right (east) on Hwy 190 and travel 2.6 miles. Turn left onto FM 1747, and travel 4.2 miles to stop sign. Turn left onto FM 2799, and travel 1.7 miles to Bevilport Boat Ramp.
Take-out: Walnut Boat Ramp (located inside Martin Dies, Jr. State Park)
Martin Dies, Jr. State Park is located on Hwy 190, between Jasper and Woodville, Texas. Enter the Walnut Ridge Unit (north off Hwy 190) onto Park Road 48, go past Nature Center and shelters, turn right at boat ramp sign.
Distance from nearest major cities:
- Austin - 249 miles
- Beaumont - 72 miles
- Corpus Christi - 337 miles
- Dallas - 251 miles
- Houston - 126 miles
- San Antonio - 318 miles
- Tyler - 153 miles
- Waco - 215 miles
Map
Trail Description and Landmarks
Trail Lengths: ~9.6 miles with the short-cut and 12 miles without the short-cut
Float Time: ~4-6 hours (depending on route taken, water level, flow rate and wind speed)
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. The Bevilport Paddling Trail utilizes the flows of both rivers, with minimal paddling experience needed. See information on three additional paddling trails on the Martin Dies, Jr. State Park Paddling Trails page.
Surrounding land for all four Martin Dies, Jr. State Park paddling trails are owned and/or managed by governmental agencies. You will not see cows grazing along the banks or any private residences during your paddling trip.
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 & Neches Rivers into Steinhagen Reservoir provides the fisherman with bass, crappie, perch & 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, offering 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.
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.
Events & Attractions
For more information please see the Paddling Events calendar.
Martin Dies, Jr. State Park
Martin Dies, Jr. State Park is a 705-acre recreational area in Jasper and Tyler Counties between Woodville and Jasper on B. A. Steinhagen Reservoir (15,000 acres). Visitors can enjoy camping, hiking, boating, canoeing, fishing, swimming, mountain biking and wildlife and bird watching. There are canoes, bicycles, volleyballs, and horseshoes for rent. There are naturalist activities on weekends and outdoor educational facilities. For information on the schedule for these activities, contact the park.
US Army Corps of Engineers Primitive Campsites
The Corps offers 10 primitive campsites along the Angelina River. These campsites are accessible only by boat and are free of charge. To register for a particular campsite, call the Corps Town Bluff office at 409-429-3491.
Heritage Village Museum
Heritage Village is a living museum of pioneer history, with a main street right out of the mid-1800's to early 1900's. Walk through an old-time blacksmith shop, check out a railroad depot, visit a livery stable or any of the log cabins. See demonstrations of the old ways.
Big Thicket National Preserve
The Big Thicket, with its diverse array of species of trees, shrubs & grasses, supports a wide array of habitats for a variety of species. Come by the Visitor's Center for an exciting slice of this impressive biological crossroads of North America. 409-951-6700
Partnership
This trail was made possible through a partnership between Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and US Army Corps of Engineers.
Shuttles & Rentals
Martin Dies, Jr. State Park
Jasper, Texas 409-384-5231Canoe rentals, including life vests and paddles on-site in the park.