Houston Area Camping Advice
We’re moving to Houston (Katy specifically). Looking for ideas on where to camp. Preference is privacy and wilderness, but I’m up for rv Park style to see cool stuff. We like to bike, canoe, hi...
Forum Discussion
I would think that Spring and Fall would be the busy times for parks anywhere near to Houston. Summer will be hot and humid, but families still camp because school is out.
You have many good suggestions already. I'll add a few more. Huntsville State Park is directly north of Houston and gets a lot of use from Houston area residents, but if you make reservations it is a great place.
Coming on up north there is Ratcliff Lake in the Davy Crockett National Forest, north of the town of Crockett. Also in the same area a nice little state park called "Mission de la Tejas."
All of these are in the Piney Woods region of Texas which stretches all the way from just north of Houston to the Red River in a narrow band from the Sabine to just west of Tyler, Crockett, Athens, etc.
OK, also in the Piney Woods are Tyler State Park near the city of Tyler, also very popular but you can make reservations. There are campgrounds on Toledo Bend (though I am not familiar with any of them), Lake Livingston, COE parks on Lake 'o the Pines and Caddo Lake State Park.
You have already been given some good suggestions for the Hill Country which begins North of San Antonio and West of Austin. We like to stay at the KOA in Fredericksburg, but there are many choices of good campgrounds around Kerrville and Fredericksburg. Someone has already mentioned Inks Lake State Park and I will second that recommendation. Again, reservations are a good idea.
If you are going to camp in the state parks an annual pass is a good value. It costs $70 but without it you will have to pay an entry fee in addition to the camping charge. It also gives several nights of half price on stays of two nights or more.
You will not be wanting for good places to "camp" in an RV in Texas and if you have a good air conditioner (or two good air conditioners) you can even enjoy Summer on a lake.
EDIT to add: We enjoyed a visit to Banff last July/August. The Canadian Rockies are outstanding--but I don't have to tell you that.:)
You have many good suggestions already. I'll add a few more. Huntsville State Park is directly north of Houston and gets a lot of use from Houston area residents, but if you make reservations it is a great place.
Coming on up north there is Ratcliff Lake in the Davy Crockett National Forest, north of the town of Crockett. Also in the same area a nice little state park called "Mission de la Tejas."
All of these are in the Piney Woods region of Texas which stretches all the way from just north of Houston to the Red River in a narrow band from the Sabine to just west of Tyler, Crockett, Athens, etc.
OK, also in the Piney Woods are Tyler State Park near the city of Tyler, also very popular but you can make reservations. There are campgrounds on Toledo Bend (though I am not familiar with any of them), Lake Livingston, COE parks on Lake 'o the Pines and Caddo Lake State Park.
You have already been given some good suggestions for the Hill Country which begins North of San Antonio and West of Austin. We like to stay at the KOA in Fredericksburg, but there are many choices of good campgrounds around Kerrville and Fredericksburg. Someone has already mentioned Inks Lake State Park and I will second that recommendation. Again, reservations are a good idea.
If you are going to camp in the state parks an annual pass is a good value. It costs $70 but without it you will have to pay an entry fee in addition to the camping charge. It also gives several nights of half price on stays of two nights or more.
You will not be wanting for good places to "camp" in an RV in Texas and if you have a good air conditioner (or two good air conditioners) you can even enjoy Summer on a lake.
EDIT to add: We enjoyed a visit to Banff last July/August. The Canadian Rockies are outstanding--but I don't have to tell you that.:)
