Lick Creek Park

Lick Creek Park is a 523-acre nature preserve located in College Station, Texas. Established in 1987, the park serves as a premier example of the Post Oak Savannah ecosystem, featuring a diverse mix of habitats including savannah, forest, wetland, and aquatic areas.

The park is home to a wide variety of native plant and animal species, including the federally endangered Navasota ladies'-tresses (Spiranthes parksii), which is found in only a few scattered populations. Lick Creek and its tributaries flow throughout the park before joining the Navasota River southeast of town, contributing to the park's rich biodiversity.

Lick Creek Park offers visitors approximately 5 miles of marked trails, providing opportunities for hiking, cycling, bird watching, and equestrian activities. The trail system includes both natural and crushed stone paths, catering to different user preferences and skill levels. Some of the named trails include Deer Run, Iron Bridge Trail, Post Oak Trail, Raccoon Run, and Yaupon Loop.

The park has a significant cultural history, with archaeological evidence suggesting that Native Americans occupied the terraces overlooking Lick Creek for millennia. Additionally, remnants of early 20th-century settlements have been discovered within the park boundaries, including an earthen dam with a sandstone spillway and stone piers typical of tenant houses.

At the heart of Lick Creek Park is the Gary Halter Nature Center, which serves as an educational hub for visitors. The nature center offers programs and resources to enhance understanding of the local ecology and history of the area.

Lick Creek Park is open to visitors year-round from dawn to dusk, providing a valuable natural retreat for the residents of College Station and surrounding areas. The park's preservation allows future generations to enjoy and learn from this unique ecosystem in the heart of Texas.