Combining urban and country charm, Texas, at its best, has to be experienced in its rugged wilderness ideally in a tent.
The Lone Star State surely has an abundance of outdoor sites where camping can be enjoyed. From the novice camper to bushcraft expert, camping spots in Texas will not disappoint.
I spent many days indulging in outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, and boating before cozying up to a nice campfire, staring up at a starry sky for entertainment.
Texas has a myriad of gorgeous geographical regions. From massive state parks to stretches of sandy shores, here are the best places to camp in Texas.
1. Big Thicket National Preserve
Big Thicket National Preserve is one of the best campgrounds in Texas, especially for nature lovers. Known as “America’s Ark,” a camping trip here can involve hiking, biking, kayaking or even on horseback riding. Avid campers like myself can choose from many primitive sites that dot the huge 112,500 acres of the area.
Big Thicket National Preserve is so vast that it is part of seven southeast Texas counties. A diverse and vast variety of plants and animals are here. I think this unspoiled place is excellent for an authentic overnight camping adventure.
Expect to rough it up here since the preserve mainly offers a primitive camping experience. There are no spruced-up campgrounds or identified sites in the preserve. Make sure to bring all of your supplies with you (like a camp can opener to open your canned food) and expect to hike some 200 feet from your vehicle, where you can pitch your tent.
2. Guadalupe River State Park
The Guadalupe River State Park is an ideal area to camp that is more civilized. Select a campsite near the water, or opt for a more private area. Visitors can select campgrounds that have electricity and water for convenience.
Restrooms and shower amenities are also available in some of the campsites. There are even Texas Park Outfitters who offer equipment rental and set up at this park, in case you are new to camping. This is a popular choice for the novice camper and is an ideal gathering spot for friends and family.
It is just a short distance from Austin and San Antonio. The 1,938-acre park Guadalupe Park has stunning scenery. It has 13 miles of biking and hiking trails, while on the waterways fishing, swimming and canoeing are all popular activities.
3. Padre Island National Seashore
Padre Island National Seashore is on the outskirts of Corpus Christi that includes about 70 miles of virgin natural habitat and beaches. Visitors can enjoy an abundance of beach area for campsites. Both primitive camps and campground sites are available depending on your appetite for outdoor immersion.
All campgrounds are open 365 days of the year with a first-come, first-served rule. All campers need a camping permit, issued from the kiosks as you enter each campground.
The five sites are Malaquite and Bird Island Basin campgrounds, South and North Beach primitive camping and Yarborough Pass primitive camping.
The Padre Island National Seashore experience is a unique back-to-nature immersion. This is after all the largest virgin barrier island in the world. The shore is comprised of more than 130,000 acres of grasslands, dunes and beaches.
This is a protected National Park and a destination where you can plan family-oriented activities.
4. Palo Duro Canyon State Park
As the second-largest canyon in the U.S., I suggest you prioritize a visit here to see the canyon’s rough appeal and learn of its storied past.
See it hiking, biking, on horse or by car to explore the canyon’s more than 30 miles of trail. Nicknamed the Grand Canyon of Texas, Palo Duro Canyon State Park provides many levels of camping experience.
With breathtaking views all over, campsites with electricity are available at the Sagebrush, Juniper, and Hackberry Campgrounds. RV enthusiasts can bring vehicles up to 60 feet long in designated areas Hackberry or Sagebrush. Primitive campsites are also available for the more adventurous.
The park’s primitive campsites are accessible by taking a half-mile hiking trail. Once you get to the area, you are on your own to select a camping spot. If this sounds extreme, glamping or luxury camping sites fully furnished with amenities galore like some best camping shower areas is available too.
The parks also feature the Texas Outdoor Musical. It runs during summer, Tuesdays through Sundays at the Pioneer Amphitheater in the park. Be entertained with tales of the pilgrim’s early struggles and triumphs. The show has dancing, singing, fireworks and is fun for the entire family!
5. Big Bend National Park
Maybe the word ‘epic’ is more appropriate to describe a destination that is one of the most popular vacation sites in Texas. Visited by nearly half a million each year the park has great panoramic views, thriving wildlife, many outdoor activities and historical sites I believe you cannot find elsewhere.
Big Bend National Park has four developed campgrounds. The National Park Service or NPS runs three of the developed frontcountry campgrounds. These sites have amenities like potable drinking water and restroom facilities.
For RV users a full hookup is available too, operated by a park concessioner. For the more advanced, backcountry camping is likewise available at The Big Bend. Bring your rugged 4×4 or better yet, and I suggest, get ready to hike for a backpacking adventure in the wild.
I was also pleased to find out that visitors can stay in the park up to two weeks or 14 consecutive nights in either a back or frontcountry site. An annual 28 total nights in the park in a calendar year is the absolute limit. That is close to a month!
If you have never gone camping, you should try it at least once. There are camping workshops offered everywhere that can teach you and your family the skills needed to enjoy this outdoor activity. Once you have made up your mind, Texas is one state you should shortlist.
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