Best Camping in Texas

Best Camping in Texas

The best camping in Texas is better than the best in many other places. Furthermore, the diverse landscape of Texas makes for some of the most gorgeous scenery. The Lonestar State offers a great variety and it has something to offer for families, athletic outdoorsmen, fisherman, and travelers.

In addition, remember to make sure you prepare and properly research any attractions you may visit. Also, pack any items to ensure you have a safe and fun visit!

Lastly, if you need any camping supplies, check out our gear reviews! This is where we pick out the best supplies to help you choose the right gear.

Texas Camping Recommendations by Season

There is a bit of overlap here and there are some State Parks and sites that haven’t been added yet.

Also, several of these spots require early reservations so remember to reserve in advance! So here it is:

Best Texas Camping in Winter

The Texas heat can be brutal for camping during the summer. However, the Winter can be a great time to camp if swimming is ruled out. The weather can vary greatly during the winter as many Texans could tell you. Also, the weather conditions can be unpredictable. Most importantly, always check the weather in advance and be prepared for a wide range of weather conditions. Happy camping!

Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park

Brazos Bend State Park

Canyon of the Eagles Nature Park

Cedar Hill State Park

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

Galveston Island State Park

Garner State Park

Matagorda Bay Nature Park

Padre Island National Seashore

Pedernales Falls State Park

Port Aransas (on Mustang Island)

Ray Roberts Lake State Park

Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site

Best Texas Camping in Spring

The following list overlaps with the best Texas camping in Fall list and some of the other seasons, but we had Spring Break in mind for this one. Not all parks are open or optimal for Spring Break, so here are some suggested places. Keep in mind, this doesn’t mean these are the only places for Spring camping, these were the most popular suggestions. Also, remember to plan way in advance and to place a reservation. These places can fill up very quickly. Hence, plan at least a couple months ahead of time. And if you book a reservation and change your mind, cancel your reservation! Because, everyone should get a chance to check out Texas State Parks but people that don’t cancel their reservations prevent other potential visitors from the experience.

Choke Canyon State Park

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

Garner State Park

Goliad State Park and Historic Site

Government Canyon State Natural Area

Inks Lake State Park

Lake Brownwood State Park

Lake Corpus Christi State Park

Lost Maples State Natural Area

Lake Somerville State Park

Mother Neff State Park

Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site

Best Texas Camping in Summer

The Texas heat is intense during the summer months. As a result, this is a list of the Texas State Parks with water access. Since it is so hot, swimming might not be enough to cool down campers. Remember to hydrate, bring sunscreen, and be safe! While it is hard to remember sometimes, this is key to your health and comfort.

Blanco State Park

Davis Mountains State Park

Devil’s River State Natural Area

Galveston Island State Park

Garner State Park

Lake Casa Blanca International State Park

Lake Whitney State Park

Mustang Island State Park

Best Texas Camping in Fall

While the leaves are changing colors and falling down, these Texas State Parks are some of the most beautiful to visit. The scenery is perfect for photography, hiking, camping, backpacking and much more. Furthermore, Fall may be one of the best times for Texas camping because the weather is cooled down enough to make physically demanding activities more bearable. In addition, swimming is still a great activity before the Winter.

Bastrop State Park

Big Bend Ranch State Park

Big Thicket

Caprock Canyons State Park

Colorado Bend State Park

Cooper Lake State Park

Daingerfield State Park

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

Garner State Park

Guadalupe River State Park

Huntsville State Park

Krause Springs

Lost Maples State Natural Area

Padre Island National Seashore

Palo Duro Canyon State Park

San Angelo State Park

Our “Best Camping in Texas” Review

(From the places we have been)

10. Ray Roberts Lake State Park (Best Camping in Texas)

Ray Roberts Lake State Park is positioned on a 3,000-acre reservoir, just north of Dallas. The campers staying here are beckoned to hike miles of trails, and primitive camping is available for the experienced camper. The clean beach and easy lake access are some of the key traits to make this on of the best places to camp in Texas. Ray Roberts Lake is so large it often feels like a seaside bay. The visitors out here boat, ski, swim and fish away the business of the city in style.

9. Lake Bob Sandlin State Park (Best Camping in Texas)

Located in Northeast Texas, this State Park is known for its Eagle spotting during the winter season around Lake Bob Sandlin State Park. For the anglers, Lake Bob Sandlin is a great spot for largemouth and spotted bass and bluegills.

8. Inks Lake State Park (Best Camping in Texas)

Inks Lake State Park is situated in the Texas Hill Country. Hill Country’s landscape is gorgeous with its calming waters. Backpacking, bird-watching, and geocaching are some of the many activities to be had at Inks Lake State Park. And on the lake, boating, skiing, and fishing, are offered. Also, one of my favorite activities is cliff-diving at the historic Devil’s Waterhole part of the lake.

7. Palo Duro Canyon State Park (Best Camping in Texas)

Palo Duro Canyon, located in the Texas panhandle is a lovely geological excursion. Considered “The Grand Canyon of Texas”, this terrain has much to offer for campers.Visitors can horseback, bike and hike through the canyon. There are rock towers, cave and beautiful rocks formations.

6. Caprock Canyons State Park (Best Camping in Texas)

Located near Palo Duro, Caprock Canyons State Park is a perfect place to check out nature, animals, and to hike. Furthermore, of the animals to spot, there are plenty of bison that roam freely. Also, mountain bikers are offered a difficult and scenic set of paths.

5. Davis Mountains State Park (Best Camping in Texas)

Davis Mountains State Park located in West Texas, provides a glorious glimpse into the beauty of the Texas outdoors. Visitors are urged to bring out their horses and there is an abundance of resources for horse-owners. The riding trails are steep and have great scenic overlooks. Even if you don’t own a horse, don’t worry! There is plenty to do at Davis Mountains State Park. In addition, there are stargazing tours, bird watching and of course hiking and mountain biking.

4. Padre Island National Seashore (Best Camping in Texas)

The Padre Island National Seashore, along the gulf coast is a life-changing piece of Texas. There is beach access in addition to camping. There is plenty of wildlife and sea life to be seen. Activities include but are not limited to, kayaking, canoeing, and bird-watching.

3. Colorado Bend State Park (Best Camping in Texas)

Colorado Bend State Park is a must-see park for anyone who loves adventure. Gorman Falls, is 65 feet tall and a key point of interest for campers. It flows year-round and is one of my favorite Texas attractions. Also, the geography includes caves, mountain biking paths, swimming holes, and rappelling.

2. Big Thicket National Preserve (Best Camping in Texas)

Situated in Southeast Texas, Big Thicket National Preserve is ideal for adventurous explorers. There are 112,500 land acres and a huge body of water. This park’s natural beauty makes it a solid contender for the best camping in Texas. Most importantly, outdoor activities include hiking biking, canoeing, horseback riding, and exploring.

1. Big Bend National Park (Best Camping in Texas)

This is our top pick for the best camping in Texas. In Far West Texas, Big Bend National Park runs alongside 114 miles of the Rio Grande. The park offers primitive camping and a wide expanse of scenery. Fossilized dinosaur bones are one of the amazing discoveries that campers will discover. Kayaking along the Rio Grande is one of the most rewarding experiences to be found in the Lonestar State. The scenery of the canyons is nothing short of breath-taking.

Thanks for checking out this review. Although this is ranked, all of these places are great for camping. Feel free to leave a comment to let us know if we forgot any spots. As always, don’t be afraid to share this article and always remember to be safe!

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