state parks in Texas

[JASPERJR]

As stated before... heading to Tucson from Fla.. on I-10... what about the State Parks thru texas........heard they weren't the best....anything good good around fort Stockton?

[ogfalconsr]

TXiceman wrote:
Along I-10, you have Davis Mountains State Park, 50 amp, full hook up with cable TV, South Llano River SP, Balmorhea SP, Palmetto SP, then Stephen F. Austin SP (30 amp full hook up sites).

I don't know where you heard Texas State Parks are no good, but they don't know what they are talking about. A number of then do have sewer hooks up now and more have 50 amp sites than they had in the past.

Ken

TXiceman has really good advice here. I've stayed at all those parks from time to time and they are great. Davis Mountains may be a bit off your route however. Balmorhea SP with their spring fed pool is awesome. enjoy your travels.

Gene

[TXiceman]

I was thinking a stay of a couple of nights...see the restored Fort Davis and McDonald Observatory and Star Party. If you are that close you might as well see the sights.

Ken

[rhingst]

Davis Mountains SP is at least 40 miles from I-10 so would not be real good for an overnight stay.

[Mountain_Mama]

botts12 wrote:
Unless you purchase an annual pass, each person pays an additional $5.00 per night to camp in Texas State Parks. We spent about a month at various parks. All really nice but we did purchase the annual pass. For a one night stop over it gets expensive without the pass.

All parks enttrance fees are not $5.00 per person(over 12). It varies from park to park. The rest of your info is correct. One can go to the Texas State Park website & find fees for each park.

[ddschuman]

From my experience, State Parks in Texas are all nice with spacious sites. Purchase the state park pass...it is worth it and is good for a year from date of purchase. It eliminates the entry fee and provides discounts on camping. Pays for itself after just a few nights.

[drfife]

Check out these Texas State Park links:

Map of Texas State Parks

Texas State Park list by available utilities

[Hvyhauler]

In the late 1990's we camped 2 nights at Lake Arrowhead State Park just outside of Wichita Falls Texas off Interstate 44. The campground was almost empty in October,very reasonable rates back then.

2006 Dodge 3500 DRW LB 4x4 CTD QC
2007 Mountaineer 336RLT XPS Ribs
2000 Lance 1130
2 Camping Collies (always ready to go)

[kroghville]

We hsd friends who stayed at Blanco State park southwest of Austin about 50 miles and loved it.(Blanco TX.)

[botts12]

Unless you purchase an annual pass, each person pays an additional $5.00 per night to camp in Texas State Parks. We spent about a month at various parks. All really nice but we did purchase the annual pass. For a one night stop over it gets expensive without the pass.

[TXiceman]

Along I-10, you have Davis Mountains State Park, 50 amp, full hook up with cable TV, South Llano River SP, Balmorhea SP, Palmetto SP, then Stephen F. Austin SP (30 amp full hook up sites).

I don't know where you heard Texas State Parks are no good, but they don't know what they are talking about. A number of then do have sewer hooks up now and more have 50 amp sites than they had in the past.

Ken

[RamTX]

Don't know if you are looking for an overnight stop or not, but Stephen F. Austin State Park about 40 miles west of Houston on I10 has full hookups and is a nice park. Also, there is Palmetto State Park about halfway between Houston and San Antonio-don't think that one has full hookups. South Llano River outside Junction is nice-we have stayed there a number of times-water and electricity only there though.

[TexasShadow]

Balmorhea is a nice park. When the sun sets
The bats will give a good show as they fly out
To hunt insects.

[Gearitis]

I camp at a lot of Texas State parks in the spring and late fall due to the heat. Most Texas state parks have water and elec at each sight. Very few of the parks have full hookups. Usually the dump sights are ok. This time of year the bugs will drive you nutsy in the restrooms and showers. If you are just overnighting it, stop at the Ft Stockton RV park on the East side town. It is ok, remember you are already in the desert and there is not much around Ft. Stockton, its west Texas for Gods sake!

[Johno02]

I think the fishing thing is one of the greatest things for state parks. Too bad that other states can't understand that. I preach it a lot, and hear some of the silliest excuses, all which come back to money-grabbers. They don't want visitors fishing in their states! Most state parks you have to pay more for a water-side campsite, but can't do anything but sit and look.