Eastern Texas places and campgrounds not to miss

[SLOtowngirl]

We've reached Houston, Texas and have 7 weeks to see as much as we can before moving towards Albuquerque, NM. We like to stay about 5 days in an area to visit interesting sights and do hiking or biking. I'm trying to use the Tx State Park website, but sure seems time consuming after using Reserve America's site. Any hints?

We prefer natural parks, state, county, national and would love suggestions.

Scenic drives?

Thanks for the help.

[navybanker]

We enjoyed the state capitol, grounds and museum. Also, the bats coming out from under the bridge just south of downtown Austin. All were free! We can't get enough of the hill country!!

[TxGearhead]

2gypsies wrote:
If you enjoy public campgrounds as we do, Google 'Texas Public Campgrounds' by the Texas Dept. of Transportation. It includes all public parks including county and city parks. We used it all the time.

Great resource. Thanks for posting!

[TxGearhead]

Where ya at now? If you're still looking for something around Houston check out Brazos Bend State Park. With all due respect to Wichita Falls I wouldn't go there and Oklahoma on my way to NM. Find something in the "hill country" and buzz into San Antonio for the river walk and Austin for whatever.
Maybe work your way down the coast and check out N. Padre Island. Then Big Bend and something out west. Balmorhea SP is cool this time of year. Hit Hueco Tanks just before you leave Texas.
add: If you're in San Antonio Feb 23-March 6 they probably will be doing something special to commemorate the Battle of the Alamo.

[artguys]

And a long time favorite of mine in galveston is Rudy and Paco s at 21st and Post office .

[artguys]

Kemah Boardwalk = tourist trap . ..if eats are it just south in San Leon is the Top Water Grill and the legandary Gilhooleys , however, if children are in tow they're not allowed in Gilhooleys . And always there is much to be had in Galveston ,

[one_strange_tex]

You've received quite a few good suggestions, covering quite a large area - Texas is big! One suggestion I might make if you have the time and are traveling on I-10 out to West Texas is the Caverns of Sonora. They are some of the most spectacular I have seen. They are on a private ranch and were not very crowded when we visited. We signed up first thing in the morning and got an extensive personal tour! The RV park at the site is nothing fancy, but it is handy if you are touring the caverns. Between Houston and the Austin/San Antonio area are several really good Czech & German bakeries with excellent kolaches. You may want to check out some options on the internet. Of course, good Tex-Mex and barbeque places abound around Texas. Most are good, some are better than others and several are excellent! Very fine Gulf seafood can be found around the Houston/Galveston area as well.

[2112]

Palo Dura if you're going into NM from the north, Garner SP if going into NM on highway 90. You shouldn't pass up Big Bend either.

[Kit_Carson]

nevadanick wrote:
Country Tavern BBQ in Kilgore.

I will agree with this place....two of the best things in Texas, Lone Star beer and ribs!!!

[NMDriver]

If history interests you go see the San Jacinto monument, where Santa Anna was defeated and the Battleship Texas, at one time the most powerful ship on the ocean.

[RVhiker]

If you like deserts, mountains, creeks, ferns, cactus and hiking: check out Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Caprock Canyons State Park, Ft. Davis State Park.

[padredw]

Inks Lake State Park

Fredericksburg and the WWII Museum

LBJ Ranch

Caddo Lake State Park

Add Tyler State Park and Huntsville State Park

[nevadanick]

Country Tavern BBQ in Kilgore.

[2gypsies1]

If you enjoy public campgrounds as we do, Google 'Texas Public Campgrounds' by the Texas Dept. of Transportation. It includes all public parks including county and city parks. We used it all the time.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

Inks Lake State Park

Fredericksburg and the WWII Museum

LBJ Ranch

Caddo Lake State Park

Hamilton Pool Travis County park near Austin

The Texas Hill country - west of I-35 between US-90 and I-20 is beautiful in the spring, which starts in a couple weeks in Texas.

Headed west, I strongly encourage a visit to Big Bend National Park. My preferred route west is US 90 from San Antonio to Alpine the north to Carlsbad, New Mexico. Not much farther than I-10 but a much better drive.