Little Cypress Creek Preserve: Wildlife Habitat in Cypress, TX

Author:
Peggy Woods
Updated:
Jan 20, 2024 11:36 AM EST

A Natural Oasis Amid Urban Development

It is refreshing to find patches of land kept from urban development and left in a mostly natural state. Such is the case with the 58-acre Little Cypress Creek Preserve. Residential neighborhoods do surround this nature preserve, but unless one is walking along the perimeter of the preserve, it is easy to feel far removed from the urban sprawl.

Preserve marker
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What to Know Before Visiting

The address is Telge Road and Spring Cypress Road, Cypress, Texas 77429. The parking lot is on Telge Road just north of Spring Cypress Road on the left if heading north.
Admission is free.
No water fountains are provided, so carry water with you.
A porta-potty is near the parking lot.
Bug repellent is recommended, as much of the preserve is quite heavily forested.
Wear good walking shoes to navigate the dirt trails.
Dogs are allowed if kept on a leash.
No boating or swimming is allowed.
The hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for a few holidays.

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Trail

Bayou Land Conservancy

There is a sign posted at a rustic outdoor classroom which has the following written upon it:

Bayou Land Conservancy holds a conservation easement over this property. Together, the landowner and Bayou Land Conservancy preserve the land’s wildlife habitat and scenic value forever.
The goal of the Bayou Land Conservancy is to “preserve land along streams for flood control, clean water, and wildlife.”

Looking across at the outdoor classroom

Volunteerism at Its Best!

The official opening was in March of 2005. Some land was cleared, trees planted, benches built, signposts along the trail installed, a bird blind erected, and bat boxes built.

Many volunteer hours were involved. A couple of Eagle Scouts built the bird blind and amphitheater-style seating.

Bird blind

Wildlife in the Little Cypress Creek Preserve

Over 100 species of birds come to this area. Among them are some of the following: Cooper’s Hawk, Turkey Vulture, White Ibis, Northern Cardinal, Great Blue Heron, Carolina Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Tufted Titmouse, Great Egret, Mourning Dove, Eastern Bluebird, and Blue Jay among others.

One can expect to see spiders and insects as well as amphibians and reptiles. Mammals can include the armadillo, white-tailed deer, and common raccoon.

Rustic Trail

Wetland Habitat

The dirt trails can get a bit muddy at times, depending upon rainfall amounts.

Ten human-made ponds are in this preserve, which forms a wetland habitat. Those shallow ponds are scenic and great for birdwatching and photography. I had fun taking photos in this area of the preserve. Some of the reflections in the water remind me of some impressionist painting landscapes.

Ponds in the Little Cypress Creek Preserve

Ponds in the Little Cypress Creek Preserve

Trails

At one point along the 1.7-mile loop trail within the wooded area of the preserve, views of Little Cypress Creek become apparent. Hikers can extend their hike for four-plus miles adjacent to the creek and along the back of houses. That part of the loop trail is in the open and can be sunny.

View of Cypress Creek

Urban Escape

If you are looking for an urban escape that is still quite wild, head on over to the Little Cypress Creek Preserve. Soak up some nature amid a metropolitan area.

We were a couple of solitary hikers on the day of our visit. Even though we saw several cars in the parking lot, we met no others on the trail. It was relaxing and peaceful. It is probably busier on the days when bikers and horseback riders are taking advantage of this spot.