Village Creek (state park), Neches River

The paddle route map above launches from Village Creek State Park in Lumberton Texas, just north of Beaumont. There are several upstream sections of the creek that are also quite nice, but this particular route starts in the park, goes downstream to meet the Neches River, and comes back the same way. I was a bit worried the water would be too low, but the gauge reading was about 3.4 and the office staff said the creek was doable. And it was indeed fine, a bit shallow in some of the sandy areas but no need to get out of the boat at any point. The scenery was sunshine, twisty turns, and sandy beaches. A nice paddle, and saw a small gator about 3 miles down from the put-in. Going downstream first on an out and back trip is usually a bad idea unless absolutely necessary. It’s easy to go farther than you think, misjudge the strength of the current, and have a difficult time coming back. I had done this particular route before and so I knew the return trip upstream would be ok (although it was still some work). The state park launch site was a bit eroded and steep from spring hurricane flooding, and the primitive (i.e. no electric) campsite area was closed.