Faqs About Camping In Texas
- What’s the biggest state park in Texas?
With more than 300,000 acres, Big Bend Ranch State Park is the largest state park in Texas. Its particularly popular among hikers, mountain bikers, and horse riders. For there is the Rio Grande accessible from the park, its also a renowned fishing and boating spot.
- How much is RV camping in Texas?
Pricing for RV camping in Texas varies, depending on the season, location, and amenities of the park. Usually, the rates run around from USD$ 35 to USD$ 65 per night. But if you stay for a longer period of time, youll most probably get a discount.
- Where can you camp for free in Texas?
The Lone Star State has a lot to offer to campers. Whats more, there are also numerous places in Texas where you can camp for free. Try one of the Wildlife Management Areas, National Forests, or the Padre Island National Seashore for beach camping. Note that you might need to obtain a permit to camp at some locations.
- When does the camping season start in Texas?
Even for the weather extremes in some regions, Texas is suitable for year-round adventuring for its generally mild weather. Summer months are particularly popular among campers, so if you wish to avoid the crowds, we recommend you choose spring or fall for your vacation in Texas.
Here are the 12 best RV parks in Texas:
South: Big Bend National Park Texas
Fall in Texas often remains warm well into November, but it is still the perfect season for visiting Big Bend National Park, a remote section of the map that offers plenty of solitude for the adventurous travelers. Located along the U.S.-Mexico border, this is one of the least visited parks in the country, which only heightens its appeal for those looking to get away from it all. Big Bend doesn’t offer much in the way of fall colors, but it makes up for it with stunning views of the surrounding landscape, which includes deep canyons to explore, and some of the clearest night skies you’ll find anywhere. Chance are you’ll still see plenty of natural red, yellow, and orange hues, they’ll just be the colors of the rocks instead of the leaves.
Mckinney Falls State Park
The tranquil waters of Onion Creek flow past towering cypress trees and cascade off of limestone bluffs into secluded pools. Scenic trails wind through captivating forests marked with splashes of reds, oranges, and yellows. All this rugged natural beauty can be found at McKinney Falls State Park, an outdoor oasis located just 13 miles south of downtown Austin. Wander along the nine miles of hiking trails to see majestic bald cypress trees, including the likes of Old Baldy, which is estimated to be more than 500 years old. Then find a quiet spot by the creek and cast a line to catch a bass or catfish as you sit surrounded by all the colors of fall.
The Colors Youll See: Orange, Red, and YellowVarieties of Trees: Bald Cypress, and Red OakBest Time to Go: Late October Early NovemberRegion: Hill Country
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Looking For The Best Places To Camp In Texas
Youre in the right place! In this guide, we will be covering the following:
- Identify 10 of the best campsites in Texas
- Rundown what activities & facilities the Texas campsites offer
- Suggest local and state park visits to add to your itinerary.
Covering almost 300,000 square miles of forest, beaches, deserts, and rivers, Texas is rich in both natural and cultural beauty. Visitors flock here every year to see world-famous landmarks, including the Alamo, the Space Center, and Sea World and take in the beauty and majesty of nature in the states national parks. There are bustling cities, too, where youll find some memorable nightlife, excellent cuisine, and a cosmopolitan vibe.
And that famous southern hospitality has visitors returning to Texas time and time again!
Whether you want to spend your vacation relaxing at a luxury RV campground with every modern convenience or prefer the idea of getting back to nature under canvas on a backcountry campsite near the beach, the Lone Star State has what you need for the perfect camping vacation. Well run you through the best camping in Texas and hone in on our top 10.
Blazing Star Rv Resort Luxury Rv Park
Address: 1120 West Loop 1604, San Antonio, TX 78251Activities:
- Waterwalk
- Strolling
Your trip to San Antonio can be as action-packed as you like, but you wont be bored! The Blazing Star RV Resort is only 5 minutes from Sea World San Antonio, and once you get into the city, you can take a water taxi to the Alamo or north to the San Antonio Art Museum. No matter your travel and RVing goals, Blazing Star RV Resort is ideally suited for family fun.
The park offers a pool and a playground to keep the kids happy. Adults will enjoy time in the gym, and the laundry facilities will make your trip back home a lot simpler.
If youre planning a long stay and want to invite family, consider renting one of the cabins and having a little reunion time! There are pull-thru sites and the pads are quite large. Visitors will find 260 sites in this park, as well as cabin spaces.
You cant come to San Antonio and not enjoy some Tex-Mex cuisine. There are several restaurants, a grocery store, and great shopping within just a few minutes of Blazing Star.
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What People Are Saying About Fredericksburg Rv Park
We have stayed at this RV park numerous times. It is clean, well maintained, and in a good location for exploring the area. They are dog-friendly and have nice areas to walk and a fenced-in pet park. The park is close to Main Street, but not too close. We enjoyed our recent stay here and will definitely be back. Laura, TripAdvisor
Location
Image Source:http://bytheriver.com
Sixty-five acres of beautiful land alongside the serene waters of the Guadalupe River- this is what you can call home with a stay at By the River Campground. Its in the Texas Hill Country, so theres plenty of adventures to be had in the surrounding areas. This family-owned and operated park makes it possible for you to camp in comfort while staying close to nature!
Must See: Beavers Bend State Park
Beavers Bend State Park is located in the mountainous region of southeast Oklahoma along the shores of Broken Bow Lake and the Mountain Fork River, the site reports. Guests traveling down the winding roads through the forests of pine and hardwood trees will find adventure, beautiful scenery and plenty of activities inside this state park. The scenic beauty of Beavers Bend State Park makes it one of Oklahomas most popular areas.
Kristy Nichols, an information liaison for the park, says its a particularly popular camping destination in the fall.
The cooler temperatures also have a positive effect on fishing conditions and the spirit of romance for campers.
When it gets colder, it just seems like the trout like to bit a little better, Nichols says, adding that trout streams are stocked year-round and the park features two catch-and-release trophy areas. And at night time everybody can get a little closer around a campfire.
In addition to camping, hiking and fishing, visitors can enjoy a wide variety of activities, including:
Boating Volleyball Mini Golf
And dont miss the picnic areas scattered throughout the area. An amphitheater, gift shop, grocery, restaurant and the Forest Heritage Center can also be found within Beavers Bend State Park.
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Inks Lake State Park Burnett County
Inks Lake State Park is located in beautiful Burnett County and one of the best places to camp in Texas.
Here, you and your family can enjoy lots of fun activities, including boating, swimming, hiking, geocaching, birding, and more. Theres even a cliff-diving experience to be had at the Devils Waterhole area of the lake.
Fishing is permitted here, and you dont need a license. You can also rent a boat and fishing gear if you dont have your own. Cast a line from one of two fishing piers or launch from the boat ramp and go in search of sunfish and bass that are abundant in the lake.
There are 22 cabins and 200 campsites here, some of which are ADA-accessible. Many of the sites are lakeside or have effortless access to the water. Most of the sites have picnic tables, water, a fire ring or grill, 30/50-amp hookups, showers, and restrooms close by.
There are RV camping sites suitable for rigs up to 26 feet, as well as tent, and primitive campsites too.
Note that the primitive sites are accessible only via a 1.58-mile hike. There is no water available at the sites, and theres only a primitive toilet available on the trail. You cant have a ground fire, and pets are not allowed on these sites, although they are permitted elsewhere in the state park.
Mill Creek Ranch Resort
- Horseshoes, basketball and volleyball
- Trails
Mill Creek Ranch Resort offers a serene respite for those who want to be within an hour of Dallas and enjoy a picturesque setting amongst 200 acres of nature. Some of the activities that you can engage in here include catch-and-release fishing, paddle boating, bird watching, hiking, biking or relaxing in a hot tub. Live music on Friday nights will also likely return at some point.
You will have access to water, electric and sewer connections as well. Meanwhile, its internet availability allows you to experience that connection with the modern world.
Keep in mind that if you are timing your stay here with First Monday Trade Days, a famous and historic flea market that occurs the four days prior to the months initial Monday, you should make your reservation well in advance. Of course, if that event is what attracted you to Canton, Mill Creek Ranch Resort sitting 1-1/2 miles from it is a significant plus.
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Dinosaur Valley State Park
Green river in Dinosaur National Park
Are you looking for something more unique? Or maybe you want to learn about our amazing prehistoric species that once roamed the earth?
At this park, you will experience the thrill of walking in their tracks? You and your family will love this park and everything about it!
This is probably one of the best Texas State camping parks.
Millions of years ago, the dinosaurs left footprints in the mud at the edge of an ancient ocean. The theropod and sauropod.
Now, you can walk along their tracks on the bed of the Paluxy River! Please note that the tracks are not always visible and when its rainy, the trails might be closed.
So, before planning your trip, you should call them and ask them about the trails and the visibility of the tracks. You can also download maps on your smartphone and map out all the tracks and info about them.
Here, your location will be marked and you can see where the dinosaurs walked. Even when their footprints are not visible.
The kids will enjoy large structures and statues of dinosaurs at this park, so ensure you carry your camera along.
You can also view bones on the eastern side of the park while youre hiking through.
If you plan on hiking through the park, ensure that you wear comfortable shoes. You should also have a set of extra clothes as you can get wet along the way!
Other Activities
In addition to hiking, you can also enjoy a variety of other activities.
Other fun actitivies:
When to Visit
Monahans Sandhills State Park
For adventure junkies tired of seeing trees and hills, try adventuring at Monahans Sandhills State Park. There, sand dunes as high as 70 feet . They cover an area of 3,840 acres .
Borrow the equipment needed for exploring the dunes such as sand sleds and snowboards at the parks headquarter. Away from the dunes, find an area for horse riding as well as campsites.
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Pedernales Falls State Park
View of the Texas Pedernales River from a High Bluff. With Fall Foliage and Blue Skies
This park is only 30 miles away from Austin and it is popular for its river. The highlight of this place is the Pedernales Falls!
The beautiful river is also perfect for enjoying with your familyand for taking a dip in after a long day! You can also tube, kayak, canoe and fish in the river. However, please note that this river can be turbulent and it also flash floods. So, be careful and if you notice anything strange or different leave immediately. You can also call the park to ensure that it is safe for visiting.
More than the river, you can also enjoy other activities here:
- They have hiking and biking trails for both beginners and advanced visitors. Some of the trails are the Tobacco and the Mescal Mountains.
- You can also relax and cool off in the pools along your hike.
- If you have your own horse, you can also saddle up and ride through the trails. You will need to check first as they close when its wet.
The busiest months at this park are in spring, summer and fall.
The worst time to visit this park is in the months of May, August and September. So, avoid going during these months.
What People Are Saying About By The River Campground
Very quaint and relaxing. I found them on Hill Country Visitor and promptly reserved a spot. We spent the weekend at the Turtle Falls campsite and my son loved it. Will definitely be coming back for more. Josh, Google reviews
Location
Image Source:http://www.goodsamclub.com/tr…
Every aspect of Grand Texas RV Resort makes it a refreshing, welcoming place to stay. Being located right on the highway and close to Houston makes traveling to and from the park easy and convenient. The facilities at the park are of high quality and will ensure your comfort throughout your stay. And the numerous amenities and activities will keep the whole family entertained and having fun!
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Oasis Rv Resort Amarillo
Address: 2715 Arnot Rd, Amarillo, TX 79124Activities:
- Spa
- Dog park
Oasis RV Resort Amarillo lies down the road from the famous Cadillac Ranch and just minutes of drive from the center of Amarillo. Its proximity to Interstate 40 and the historic Route 66 makes it the right place to stop by while traveling through the area or on a road trip.
Cool down in their swimming pool or relax in the spa after a long day of wandering. Feeling hungry? Have a pizza, burger, or chicken wings at their on-site bistro. Also, the RV resort is both kids and pet-friendly, with a games room, playground, and a dog park to your service.
Stay at one of their 178 full hook-up RV sites with concrete and level pads, or rent a vacation cottage. And its not only for the great amenities and multiple lodging choices that this RV resort is so popular. Guests also often emphasize the extra cleanliness of the whole property.
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Best Tent And Rv Camping Near Outdoor Recreation In Texas
Go beyond the cities and start exploring the natural side of Texas. Spread throughout the state are miles of hiking trails, fantastic mountain biking, and waterways to explore. Plus, dont forget about Big Bend National Park on the Rio Grande.
If youre out for an adventure, it only makes sense to set up camp close to the recreation. Chisos Basin Campground in Big Bend National Park offers incredible views and an off-the-grid oasis for tent camping and small trailers. Be aware that Campendium users have had a tough time getting their campers level in the small sites. With Chisos Basin as a basecamp, youre in prime position to explore the whole area. Note: Big Bend National Park is partially open as of November 2020. For an authentic western experience, hook up with one of the outfitters right outside Big Bend for a day of horseback riding.
If you need a quick one-night stopover on the way to Big Bend, check out the . While youre out that way, you should also stop by Davis Mountains State Park. They have a mix of hiking and biking trails, including the CCC built trail leading to restored Fort Davis.
For the best mountain biking in the state, head north to Amarillo, for a stay at Palo Duro Canyon State Park.
makes an excellent home base for a few days of paddling the miles of creeks, rivers, and bayous that thread through eastern Texas. Be sure to set aside a day to explore one of the three designated paddling trails in Big Thicket National Preserve.
Palo Duro Canyon State Parks
The parks spectacular canyon landscape which spans over 120 miles has been likened to that of Grand Canyon one of the most breathtaking canyons in the world. No wonder Palo Duro State Park often makes it to the list of the most popular destinations for biking and climbing in the USA.
Other than those two activities, visitors also usually love to hike, camp, and ride a horse. There is also Best Western Palo Duro Canyon Inn & Suites near the area in case you want to spend a night.
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