Much to Do at the Scenic Sea Rim State Park. Located in Jefferson County, Texas just south of Port Arthur is the Sea Rim State Park. The Park features more than 4,000 acres of marshland as well as more than 5 miles of shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico. The beautiful area has many unique features and wetland wildlife that visitors love.
The Sea Rim State Park opened to the public in 1977 just five years after the State acquired it from Planet Oil and Mineral Corporation and Horizon Sales Corporation.
While the Park usually has many visitors each year, recent hurricane activity has caused the area to close temporarily. The Park will likely reopen sometime in 2009 with all of the same great features and sights available to nature lovers.
Those who visit the park after it reopens will find many things to do. Some of the most popular attractions include camping and hiking, bird and wildlife watching, walking the beaches, canoeing, kayaking, and swimming in the Gulf, fishing, paddle boating, hunting waterfowl, and taking airboat tours.
In the spring, summer, and fall you can take an interpretive airboat tour that give you great information about the area and the creatures that live there. The tours are an hour long and require reservations.
The Park has two separate areas, the D. Roy Harrington Beach Unit and the Marshlands Unit. At the Beach Unit, you will find plenty of campsites, some that include water and electricity, as well as plenty of space for primitive camping. The beach area also has great hiking areas such as the Gambusia Nature Trail. The Marshlands Unit is accessible by boat and offers platforms for camping. The Marshlands area is secluded and offers great opportunities to see wildlife.
Some of the types of animals you might be able to see while hiking or camping in the area are alligators, skunks, raccoons, bobcats, rabbits, coyotes, river otters, and a whole lot more.
Other area attractions that vacationers may want to see include the Sabine Pass Battleground State Historic Village, Village Creek State Park, the McFadden National Wildlife Refuge, Big Thicket National Preserve, Sabine Woods, Pleasure Island, and the J.D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area.
With all of the wonderful things for nature lovers to see and do in the area, you will want to come back time and again to experience it all. Everyone will find something to love.