Kountze, TX

Kountze is a small East Texas town that serves as the gateway to Big Thicket National Preserve. Located at the junction of US 69 and US 287 about 80 miles northeast of Houston, it's the Hardin County seat with 2,367 residents. Most visitors arrive via US 69 from Beaumont (30 miles south) or take US 287 from Jasper. The town houses the Big Thicket National Preserve headquarters, where you can explore one of America's most biodiverse ecosystems.