Texas is an unlimited state that may take you greater than 24 hours to cross from east to west, and nearly as many from north to south.
The excellent news for campers is that there are various stunning locations to cease and camp for a day or two.
If you might be fortunate sufficient to stay within the Lone Star state, there are additionally many weekend tenting adventures that you could take pleasure in.
With so many prospects, selecting the best campground will be fairly difficult.
Therefore, this record of 21 can’t-miss campgrounds has been assembled that can assist you choose the perfect tenting in Texas for household or buddies gathering.
You may additionally wish to test:
Here we go: 21 Best Places For Camping in Texas
1. Gulf Waters Beach Front RV Resort
Nestled in Port Aransas proper subsequent to Mustang Island seaside, this luxurious RV resort is a good alternative for campers who wish to keep by the seaside and get indulged in quite a few hotel-like facilities.
There are 158 uniquely designed RV websites. They all have concrete RV pads, a tow parking spot, and a picnic space. Many of them are surrounded by lush vegetation, whereas a few of them function a paver patio, a pond-view patio, a hearth pit, a palapa, a pergola, or a grill.
Stroll on the seaside, sunbathe, swim within the on-site swimming pool, or loosen up within the jacuzzi. Gulf Waters Beach Front RV Resort is a real paradise of the East Coast.
2. La Hacienda RV Resort
If you’re trying to go tenting however nonetheless wish to keep close to the town, La Hacienda RV Resort is a implausible possibility.
The resort options full hook-up websites with 30/50 amp service, gravel pads, and a concrete patio space with a picnic desk. For a bit extra consolation, you possibly can keep at one in every of their trip leases, all of that are pet-friendly.
Leave your RV on the campground, located on the outskirts of Austin, and set off exploring all it has to supply. Enjoy some stay music and different native points of interest, akin to buying, eating, {golfing}, sporting occasions, and rather more. Nature lovers will respect the close by Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refugee. Then, benefit from the on-site swimming pool, health middle, or the 4-hole chip and putt.
3. Guadalupe River State Park
Guadalupe River State Park is a bit farther from Austin however nonetheless very accessible. It’s nestled midway to San Antonio and is subsequently excellent to cease by when touring from one metropolis to a different.
It options about 100 campsites cut up into three campgrounds. Most of them are set in Turkey Sink and Cedar Sage Campgrounds which each supply electrical hookups, showers, and restrooms. Those preferring primitive tenting will respect the Wagon Ford Campground with solely 9 campsites and direct entry to the Bald Cypress Trail.
Hiking, biking, and geocaching are among the hottest actions when staying at Guadalupe River State Park. There are additionally some nice swimming, canoeing, and fishing alternatives.
4. Brazoria County Beach (Near Surfside) Free Camping
Escape the hustle and bustle of the town and check out free seaside tenting in Brazoria County. With miles of sandy seashores, bays and bayous, forests, and numerous landscapes, this a part of Texas is an ideal spot for fishing, paddling, browsing, and birding.
Simply park alongside the dunes and benefit from the pristine setting and views of the ocean straight out of your tent or RV.
Note that it’s a must to come self-contained to this campground as there aren’t any facilities. However, you could find chilly showers and restrooms on the close by group middle. If you wish to refill on provides, Lake Jackson is lower than 15 miles.
This 178-site campground presents 147 paved pull-through websites. Each website comes with electrical energy and a personal picnic space.
Cool off with a dip within the heated out of doors pool from Memorial Day to Labor Day or loosen up within the adult-only spa.
This RV resort, situated just one mile from the long-lasting Cadillac Ranch, presents complimentary limousine service to The Texan Steakhouse.
Your canine is more likely to love the massive canine run whereas your youngsters set free pent-up vitality on the well-maintained playground. An train room, horseshoe pit, and recreation room present loads of locations to loosen up.
Watch your favourite exhibits with the complimentary cable tv service or brag to your folks and followers in regards to the nice time you might be having utilizing the high-speed web.
6. Stella Mare RV Resort in Galveston – Best Beach Camping in Texas
Choose between 70-or-90-foot concrete pads at Stella Mare Resort in Galveston. Full hookups include every website, and there may be room at every website to park two autos.
Sit again and loosen up on the in-pool lounge chairs within the swimming pool or play on the giant splash pad. Your youngsters will love the multi-level playground situated by itself sand island.
Two spacious canine parks aid you give your canines sufficient train and leisure after an extended experience. The visitor middle presents a complimentary indoor kitchen and a tv lounge.
You get free parking simply throughout from Galveston Beach. This campground offers unobstructed views of Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
Camping season is across the nook and it’s nearly time to e-book a spot on the Mustang Island State Park.
The park has greater than a 5-mile of shoreline which makes it excellent for taking lengthy hikes, going fishing or birdwatching, having fun with its pretty seashores, and if you’re not feeling like cooking, eating out at one of many eating places at Padre Island and Port Aransas can also be an possibility you possibly can’t miss.
Another perk! Pretty inexpensive. Only $5 per individual per day and kids beneath 13 can go totally free. Spending the night time solely prices you $10. Texas Parklands passport holders aged 65+ get a 50% off and relying on sure situations, you possibly can even benefit from the park totally free!
Pro-tip: the park prices you $20 per night time for an RV campground. Do not neglect to make reservations upfront to get a great place and ask should you ought to or shouldn’t get an odd or a fair quantity so your door seems onto the shelter and picnic desk. It relies on your RV.
Other cool issues you are able to do or have:
- Very dedicated workers
- Good Verizon and T-Mobile cell and web connectivity
- Water and electrical hookups
- Paddling
- Ranger Programs
Located inside Austin’s metropolis limits, McKinney Falls State Park on the shores of Onion Creek will depart you feeling like you’ve gotten left big-city life far behind. The 81 campsites every have water and electrical energy.
TIP: in case it’s booked out, we propose staying in a few of these superior Austin hostels! ????
Escape from the warmth with a dip in Onion Creek or sit alongside its banks and take heed to the water gushing off the rocks.
A 2.8-mile paved mountain climbing path presents many scenic views and adventurous hikers can discover the extra primitive mountain climbing trails. Park rangers lead thrilling packages nearly each weekend, together with Dutch oven cooking, historic crafts, night time hikes, and fishing occasions.
You can even go bouldering at this state park situated simply 13 miles from the state capitol constructing.
9. Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Before you go, get some minimalist mountain climbing footwear for excellent consolation & efficiency!
Palo Duro Canyon is likely one of the largest canyon habitats within the continental United States. You can discover attention-grabbing wildlife to check all by means of this canyon system, and the bird-watching is superb.
The higher rim of the canyon is a part of the native shortgrass prairie, however beneath the lip of the canyon, you’ll discover all kinds of crops because of the simple entry to water.
The canyon is a floodplain, so should you plan a hike down 800 ft to the underside, be certain that to test the climate.
Depending in your sleeping preferences, there are a number of campsite choices. There are a number of RV-friendly spots with electrical energy and water. Additionally, these with large rigs can discover room on the Hackberry campsite.
If you simply want water or are on the lookout for primitive websites, Palo Duro presents the possibility to tough it.
There are a number of hike-in sights. Make positive to convey water to those websites and be able to pack out all of your trash.
10. Padre Island – Loved by Surfers – Free Camping Texas
If you’re within the temper to tough it, Padre Island tenting is good. Please notice that there aren’t any reservations taken for these campgrounds; first come, first served is the rule.
Additionally, there aren’t any water or electrical hookups at these websites, although RVs are welcome and there’s a water filling station and a dump station.
Make positive to organize on your tenting journey to Padre Island. It’s about 12 miles from the doorway to the closest facilities, so be certain that to cease, store and refill earlier than attending to your campsite.
Once you get to Padre Island, be able to loosen up and luxuriate in the perfect tenting in Texas.
Make positive you try Bird Island Basin for stunning views and a quiet night time.
No mills are allowed from 10 pm to six am. It’s simply you, the wind, and the waves.
Located inside strolling distance of McDonald’s Observatory and throughout from Big Bend National Park, Prude Ranch presents 30 areas for RV campers together with many different housing selections.
You can discover many actions on this ranch, together with horseback using, a climbing wall, paintball, and orienteering.
Join different campers on a hayride and take heed to native entertainers whereas consuming connoisseur s’mores. Take a dip within the pool situated inside one of many oldest buildings on this ranch.
This ranch presents horse corrals, and there are many open areas to discover.
Your youngsters will also be concerned in a summer season camp program whilst you take pleasure in tenting at this ranch.
This state park presents water-only tent websites, or you possibly can reserve one in every of their full-hookup websites with many pull-through choices out there.
Rent a ship at this state park’s headquarters to take pleasure in fishing on the 80-acre Little Pine Lake, the place the state frequently shares rainbow trout.
This lake can also be an important place to go kayaking or canoeing.
From March to November, you possibly can be part of different campers as they dance the night time away to tunes performed on the jukebox each Saturday night time or be part of karaoke that’s open some Saturday nights.
Take a stroll beneath the pines, oaks, and dogwood bushes that encompass this stunning campground.
Located very close to the Texas Historical Railroad in East Texas, Rusk State Park is a lovely place beneath tall bushes to go tenting. There are over 50 websites, with many providing full hookups.
Prepare a meal on the grills or within the fireplace rings situated close to this campground’s pavilion.
If the climate doesn’t cooperate, put together a meal within the clubhouse whereas taking part in board video games. And when the solar shines go mountain climbing beneath the pine bushes.
Enjoy the view of Caddo Lake or strive your hand at fly-fishing or forged fishing for crappie, smallmouth bass, and catfish.
Located on the shores of Lake Texoma, close to Dennison, Texas, there are various methods to take pleasure in a go to to this state park.
You can shore fish with no license, and rangers will probably be glad to mortgage you all of the wanted tools to fish at this lake which is likely one of the greatest bass fishing lakes within the United States.
Bring alongside your all-terrain automobile or your dust bike to benefit from the backcountry wilderness. You will even wish to convey alongside your digital camera to seize superb panorama photos alongside the devoted mountain climbing trails.
Each website has a picnic desk making it simple to take pleasure in meals ready within the fireplace rings or on the waist-high grills that you simply discover at many websites.
15. Garner State Park close to Concan
The 1,774 acres of Garner State Park have over 50 campsites. You can be part of the enjoyable of summer season dances beneath the celebrities at this campground, identical to folks have been doing since 1940.
Paddle boats, kayaks, and interior tubes are all out there to hire so that you could play on the Frio River. This campground even presents a seasonal miniature golf course.
There are many miles of mountain climbing trails, so make sure to convey alongside your boots. Join park rangers for a lot of thrilling packages, together with studying find out how to geocache.
You may additionally wish to convey alongside lunch and a blanket and escape the Texas solar beneath the tall shade bushes whereas having fun with a picnic.
16. NW Austin KOA Near Leander
Located simply 26 miles northwest of the state capital, NW Austin KOA in Leander, Texas, is a good place to remain.
From March to November, you possibly can cool off within the saltwater swimming pool that incorporates a waterfall or loosen up within the sizzling tub and spa.
If you go tenting along with your four-legged buddy, they’ll love the massive canine park whereas your youngsters will love the spacious playground.
This campground presents many excellent locations to cuddle up with an excellent e-book, so convey some outdated ones alongside to take part of their e-book trade program.
The workers at this campground works laborious to keep up its five-star KOA score.
17. South Llano River State Park Near Junction
This small campground presents eight websites with electrical energy and 6 backcountry tent tenting websites.
The most important motive that folks come to South Llano River State Park is the tubing, and this park presents tubes for hire together with many put-in and get-out spots.
You can even take pleasure in mountain climbing alongside over 21 miles of trails the place folks have noticed greater than 250 species of birds.
Traditionally, from October 1 by means of March 31, this park is dwelling to one of many largest turkey roosts in Central Texas.
When you keep at this park, try the various astronomy occasions as this park is a part of the International Dark Sky program.
18. Lost Maples State Park Near Vanderpool
Thirty back-in campsites with electrical energy can be found at Lost Maples State Park together with 50 hike-in primitive websites.
Hike the 10-mile path beneath the Uvalde misplaced maple bushes, that are particularly colourful within the fall. Go fishing within the Sabinal River or Can Creek with out leaving the boundaries of this campground.
Climb to the highest of the two,200-foot cliff to participate in stargazing occasions held on many nights.
While having fun with communing with nature at this park, situated solely 30 miles from San Antonio, Texas, look ahead to the endangered golden-cheeked warbler.
19. Rio Grande Village RV Park close to Big Bend
Situated on the sting of the Rio Grande River inside Big Bend National Park, this concession-operated campground presents 100 tenting websites.
Consider happening the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive for superb views of the Chihuahuan Desert panorama or get an up-close look by mountain climbing the Window Trail or Lost Mine Trail.
Learn in regards to the first settlers on this area by becoming a member of an informative discuss led by one of many park rangers.
River Road, Glenn Springs Road, Old Ore Road, and Old Maverick Road supply nice back-country driving experiences for these with high-rise autos.
Hike by means of the mountain forest situated alongside the South Rim.
20. Caprock Canyons
Everyone from RVers to primitive tent campers will love a keep at Caprock Canyons. Please bear in mind that Caprock Canyons State Park is dwelling to a number of giant animals, together with horses and bison.
While the horses are corralled and there on your enjoyment, the buffalo are literally the residents of the realm.
Do NOT feed, crowd, observe or method a bison. If your neighbor is doing so, contact a ranger.
In addition to many campsites with varied facilities, there are a number of spots to fish, hike and climb.
There is a few buying on the park headquarters constructing, nevertheless it’s a good suggestion to refill earlier than you head into the park.
Hikers and cyclists are strongly inspired to journey with a gallon of water wherever they go.
Take care to pack out any trash you generate, whether or not on the paths or in your campsite.
21. Mill Creek Ranch Resort and RV Park
Mill Creek Ranch Resort is a good place to remain if you’re on the lookout for a funds trip in Texas. The award-winning RV park has nice facilities, occasion area, and loads of room to loosen up and luxuriate in.
Hiking, biking, basketball, hen watching, board video games, novels, and rather more are only a few of the actions that may make for a memorable vacation.
You are solely about an hour from Dallas, so that you would possibly as effectively head that approach and test it out!
Mill Creek is a stunningly attractive space the place you possibly can actually lose your self in. It’s laborious to seek out such a pure setting so near an enormous metropolis, however right here you possibly can for under $40 an evening.
Camping in Texas FAQs
You can’t camp wherever in Texas. Camping on public land is unlawful in Texas. You can solely camp in designated tenting areas.
The hottest FREE campgrounds in Texas are Brazos Island, Camp Creek Recreation Area, and Lake Limestone Public Use Area. No reservations are required however it’s essential register on arrival.
The hottest locations for primitive tenting in Texas are Colorado Bend, McKinney Falls, and Pedernales Falls state parks.
Primitive campgrounds begin at $10 USD per night time and RV campgrounds can differ from $20 USD – $80 USD relying on facilities and placement.
There are so many nice selections of campgrounds with superb facilities and pure environment for the perfect tenting in Texas expertise.
We are proud to introduce you to those 15 favorites. With such all kinds of excellent choices, it’s simple to reconnect with nature in Lone Star State on a tenting journey.
You simply have to decide on which sort of camper you wish to be for the weekend. You can select to stay in luxurious RV campsites with every kind of built-in luxuries or in a journey trailer that’s simply large enough for one. At many of those campgrounds, you may as well select to go primitive tenting by staying in a tent.
While the 24 hours it takes to drive throughout the state could appear lengthy to many, you could find so many stunning campgrounds to discover that you’ll by no means be in a rush.
You can spend time exploring the Piney Woods of East Texas, the shoreline of South Texas, the excessive plains of northwest Texas, the Hill Country, or the desert of West Texas. Start planning your journey now by getting reservations at these campgrounds as many replenish in a short time.
If you get bored with exploring the campground, then reconnect with civilization, most locations are situated close to small or giant cities with many actions, simply begging you to come back to them. Get your rig prepared on your subsequent Texas tenting journey.
