Port Arthur: Great Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
Snap a Port Arthur Selfie and Win
Get to Port Arthur to get ahead of the game in the Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine’s Great Outdoor Scavenger Hunt for Fun Summer Adventure! Summer’s going by fast, but there’s still time to jump in the car for an unforgettable road trip, near home or across the state.
The Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine’s Great Outdoor Scavenger Hunt (GOSH) returns for a fourth year of carefree fun across Texas. Travel to various locations on the magazine’s list, take a selfie and post it with the hashtag #GOSH2023. The challenge ends on Labor Day, September 4, 2023.
Discover history, wildlife, parks, waterways and quirky attractions — plus some classic eateries. Conquer a region or be a GOSH Guru and do it all. Here’s where to go in Port Arthur:
Port Arthur Stop #1: Sea Rim State Park’s Gambusia Nature Trail
The hunt is divided into regions. In East Texas area, head to the 5 miles of coastline at Sea Rim State Park and snap your selfie along the .9 mile loop of the Gambusia Nature Boardwalk.
Fun Fact: The boardwalk was recently rebuilt and is now open to the public year-round. The park built the new trail a whopping 8-inches higher to account for the nearby Gulf tides.
Port Arthur Stop #2: Port Arthur Boardwalk Behind City Hall
Selfie stop #2 is the city of Port Arthur’s Boardwalk at 448 Lakeshore Drive. Watch for international ships navigating the channel. This boardwalk is behind Port Arthur City Hall. Selfie Instructions: Snap a selfie from any point along either boardwalk.
Since you’re in Port Arthur, you may as well drive along the nearby seawall. (While in town, why not visit Pleasure Island’s new bird blind at the base of the golf ball water tower? Museum of the Gulf Coast is also a big downtown draw. These aren’t on the hunt, but you’ll be glad you hunted them down!
Beaumont Stop #1: Quirky, Spotted Fire Hydrant
Beaumont’s on the list! The largest (working) fire hydrant in the world was donated by the Disney Company in 1999 to commemorate the re-release of 101-Dalmatians. Snap your selfie in front of it at 400 Walden Street. Some fun facts about the quirky hydrant:
- Disney owns the copyright on the hydrant’s spots, seriously!
- The hydrant can blast 1,500 gallons of water per minute.
- North Carolina has a taller hydrant, but the hydrant in Beaumont actually works!
Beaumont Stop #2: Cattail Marsh Wetlands and Boardwalk
This nearby wetland oasis is the pride of Beaumont’s nature preservation efforts. Discover 900-acres of scenic wetlands accessible via a boardwalk with two covered platforms. Stop for shade and snap your selfie under one of the two covered areas along the boardwalk.
Now what? Texas is so Big!
Yes, we are known for that. That’s why you can have so much fun. Select from regions including:
- Panhandle
- West, East and South Texas
- Dallas\Fort Worth
- Houston
- Central Texas
Register on the Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine website or the contest page, then find the spot, take a smiling selfie and tag it on Twitter or Instagram with #GOSH2023. Participants can also post and tag it on the magazine’s Facebook page. Complete one or all GOSH activities.
Participants must travel to various locations regionally or statewide, take selfies and post them with the hashtag #GOSH2023. This year’s contest offers a new category as well – Grand Adventures in State Parks (GASP), added to commemorate 100 years of Texas State Parks.
“We’re blown away by the popularity of GOSH,” said Publication Manager Nathan Adams. “This year’s competition is the biggest yet, and offers a fun way to discover history, wildlife, parks, waterways and quirky attractions.”
How to Enter, Where to Upload
See how to enter, rules, where to upload your selfies and more information on challenge locations regionally or statewide at TPWD GOSH 2023.
Complete all the activities in a region and you’ll get a handsome, downloadable certificate commemorating your achievement, along with a shout-out in a future issue of Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine, in which we’ll salute our GOSH participants. Statewide completers win a chance at other prizes.
Stay in Port Arthur
Scavenger hunting is hard work. Gonna say, you’re going to want to eat well while you’re in Port Arthur. Plan ahead here. Spend the night and enjoy the rest of Southeast Texas, including Pleasure Island for disc golf, sailing, fishing and birding. #loveportarthurtx
