The Lone Star State is home to some of the United State’s most amazing natural places. From rolling hills to the open prairie, there’s a bit of everything when it comes to Texas’ stunning landscapes. Whether you love the alpine vistas found only in rugged mountain terrain or the fresh sea breeze along the state’s many beaches, you’ll be sure to find your happy place in Texas.
This is great news, of course, for the outdoor enthusiasts among us. In a place like Texas, you’d be crazy not to spend time outside. So, whether you love the freedom of sleeping under the stars in the wilderness or the simple comforts of roughing it in an RV, there’s a campsite for you in Texas.
Before you set out for a week of backpacking in Texas’ vast desert or for a weekend getaway in the pine forest, you’ll want to learn a bit about your camping destination. To help you out, regardless of how you like to spend your time outside, we’ve compiled this list of the best places to camp in Texas, hands down. Happy camping!
Best National Parks for Camping in Texas
“Big Bend” by Vincent Lock is licensed under “CC by 2.0” resized from original
The national parks are the jewel in the crown of the United States’ federal land system. These protected and pristine landscapes are designed to be your getaway from the hustle and bustle of life in the city.
That being said, national parks aren’t just for hard-core mountaineers – rather, most national parks offer something for everyone, from ranger-led hikes to off-trail wilderness experiences. Generally speaking, our country’s national parks have great infrastructure and fantastic scenery, which makes them perfect for your next camping getaway.
Big Bend National Park
Located in the southwestern part of the Lone Star State, Big Bend National Park is a must-see for any outdoor enthusiast. Complete with everything from mountains and deep river canyons to pictographs, fossils, and historic sites, Big Bend has something for everyone.
The park has three developed campgrounds within park boundaries, most of which are first-come-first-served. That being said, there are a few campsites that can be reserved ahead of time and there are also plenty of opportunities for backcountry and primitive roadside camping!
- Nightly Rates: $14.00 per night per site
- Season Dates: Open all year
- Electrical Hookups: Not available
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
If wilderness is what you seek, then you need only head to Guadalupe Mountains National Park. A truly rugged park, Guadalupe Mountains features over 80 miles of developed trails through canyons and forests, and an innumerable number of off-trail adventures. Here, you can even hike to the ‘Top of Texas’: the 8,751’ Guadalupe Peak.
Camping in Guadalupe Mountains is all in first-come-first-served campgrounds with potable water, sinks, and restrooms. Be warned, though: these sites can be really popular during the vibrant peak fall foliage season!
- Nightly Rates: $8.00 per night per site
- Season Dates: Open all year
- Electrical Hookups: Not available
Best State Parks for Camping in Texas
While National Parks are managed by the federal Department of the Interior, State Parks are operated at the state level, which means they’re often very accessible and great places for a weekend getaway from a nearby city. Generally speaking, state parks have well-maintained campgrounds and a host of backcountry tent camping opportunities.
Ultimately, whether you’re looking for a beach-side camping bonanza or a quiet weekend vacation, there’s a state park in Texas for you! Here are some of the best state parks for camping in the great Lone Star State.
Lake Bob Sandlin State Park
Situated just a few hours from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, in beautiful northeast Texas is Lake Bob Sandlin State Park. This lakeside park is home to two ecoregions that are home to gigantic trees, tall grasses, and a unique mixture of flora and fauna, all of which make for a great getaway from city life.
There are plenty of camping spots here, too, whether you want somewhere to park and hook up your RV or you’d rather hike into a more secluded tent spot. Regardless, hiking, fishing, and boating opportunities abound in Lake Bob Sandlin State Park, which makes it a great place for a family camping trip.
- Nightly Rates: $18.00 per night per site
- Season Dates: Open all year
- Electrical Hookups: Yes
Palmetto State Park
Although many people think you need to travel to an exotic locale to experience the beauty of the tropics, Palmetto State Park reminds us that only need to drive an hour south of Austin to experience an ecosystem like no other. Home to the San Marcos River, Palmetto State Park is a veritable haven to a variety of flora and fauna, especially the dwarf palmetto, which can be found growing under the park’s many trees.
With dozens of RV and tent sites, there is no shortage of opportunity when it comes to camping in Palmetto State Park. Whether you want to have fun on land or on the water, Palmetto State Park is a great getaway for a weekend trip in the Austin area.
- Nightly Rates: $18.00 per night per site
- Season Dates: Open all year
- Electrical Hookups: Yes
Lake Tawakoni State Park
If you need to escape the heat on a hot summer’s weekend in Dallas, look no further than Lake Tawakoni State Park. Home to tall trees and a large, glimmering lake, the whole family can enjoy a beach day or a hike in an old oak forest.
Lake Tawakoni State Park has a number of full hookup sites for your RV and a large primitive group campsite for up to 48 people. Plus, two of the RV sites are even wheelchair accessible, making Lake Tawakoni State Park a camping destination for everyone!
- Nightly Rates: $24.00 per night per site
- Season Dates: Busy in Spring and Summer
- Electrical Hookups: Yes
Caprock Canyons State Park
If you really need to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the rugged red canyons and vast expanses of Caprock Canyons State Park might be the escape you’re looking for.
With nearly 90 miles of maintained hiking trails and watersports opportunities on Lake Theo, there’s something for all outdoor enthusiasts at Caprock Canyons. Oh, and the park is home to Texas’ only Bison herd, which roam freely on over 10,000 acres of wild land in the Texas panhandle.
The park has plenty of camping opportunities for RVers and tent campers alike. If you’d rather experience all that the wilderness has to offer, there are dozens of primitive, backcountry, and equestrian sites in Caprock Canyons, too!
- Nightly Rates: $22.00 per night per site
- Season Dates: Open all year
- Electrical Hookups: Yes
Colorado Bend State Park
If you love the idea of camping along the Mighty Colorado River but don’t fancy the drive down to Big Bend, then you need only travel to Colorado Bend State Park. Kayaking down the river, hiking to beautiful waterfalls, or exploring one of the park’s 400 caves are just some of the many ways to adventure in Colorado Bend State Park.
The park also has plenty of drive-up and walk-to tent sites for camping. But, be warned: Colorado Bend is for the wilderness lovers among us and you won’t find any hookups or amenities in this park.
- Nightly Rates: $15.00 per night per site (drive in)
- Season Dates: Open all year (busy Sring and Summer)
- Electrical Hookups: No
Goose Island State Park
While Texas boasts many lakes and rivers that are great for camping, there’s no competing with an oceanside campground on the Gulf of Mexico. At Goose Island State Park, you’ll find yourself enjoying summertime boating, fishing, and swimming on the St. Charles and Aransas Bays. In the winter, you can even come back to visit the endangered whooping cranes at the Aransas Wildlife Refuge or stop by to see some of the largest live oak trees in Texas.
Camping at this park is either in the stunning wooded areas or along the bay. RVs and tent campers are welcome here, too, making Goose Island a great spot for a weekend escape.
- Nightly Rates: $20.00 per night
- Season Dates: Closed through 2010 due to Hurricane Harvey
- Electrical Hookups: Yes
Davis Mountains State Park
If you live in a big city, you probably haven’t seen too many star-filled nights in your day-to-day life. Luckily, at Davis Mountains State Park, you can enjoy the rugged and mountainous terrain of west Texas by day and then relax in camp by
The campgrounds in this park are well-stocked with amenities, from picnic tables to fire rings and even cable TV hookups, so you can enjoy all the wonders of nature without leaving behind the comforts of home at Davis Mountains State Park.
- Nightly Rates: $20.00 per night
- Season Dates: Closed through 2010 due to Hurricane Harvey
- Electrical Hookups: Yes
Best Places to Camp by Water in Texas
Texas is the largest state in the lower 48 and it’s one of the driest, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a quality waterside campsite in the Lone Star State. Whether you prefer the quality boating and fishing time you can enjoy on a big freshwater lake or you love the feeling of the fresh sea breeze, there are plenty of great waterside campsites in the great state of Texas.
In eastern Texas, oceanside campsites abound. The state’s sprawling coastline and popular barrier islands mean that campsites on the Gulf of Mexico are aplenty. Those of us in landlocked western and central Texas, however, can venture to one of the state’s many reservoirs for a water-filled camping getaway. To help you plan your next trip, here are some of the best waterside campsites in Texas!
Padre Island National Seashore
If you want to enjoy the sound of waves breaking but don’t want to have to fight for a place to set up your beach chairs, head to Padre Island National Seashore. This secluded beach is located on a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico and is home to a number of different species of sea turtles.
Camping here is limited, however, and the sites are all first-come-first-served. So, plan to arrive on Padre Island early and don’t forget your camping permit, if you want a chance to enjoy some of Texas’ natural beauty.
- Nightly Rates: $20.00 per car + $8.00 – $14.00 per night
- Season Dates: Open all year
- Electrical Hookups: No
Mustang Island State Park
Located just 30 minutes from Corpus Christi, Mustang Island State Park is an RVer’s paradise. With 50amp hookups just a few dozen yards from the water, you can have all of the comforts of home with a stunning ocean view at Mustang Island.
Campsites at this state park have grills, water, picnic tables, shade shelters, and restrooms nearby, all for just $20 a night! During the day, you can swim in the ocean, take a hike, or kayak on the paddling trail, so there’s a lot to love at Mustang Island.
- Nightly Rates: $20.00 per night
- Season Dates: Open all year (camping closed for repairs)
- Electrical Hookups: Yes
Matagorda Island National Wildlife Refuge and State Natural Area
Matagorda Island is a stunning barrier island which is operated by both local and federal land managers as a wildlife management area. Over 38 miles long but less than a mile wide at its narrowest point, at Matagorda Island you’ll find numerous migratory birds, 19 threatened or endangered species, and alligators, all of whom call the island’s bayside marshes home.
This unique island has no electricity, drinking water, or formal amenities and doesn’t allow any privately-owned motorized vehicles. That being said, there are 13 campsites at a primitive campground by the island’s dock which makes for a great, secluded camping vacation. Just don’t forget your camping permits!
- Nightly Rates: $12.00 per night
- Season Dates: Open all year
- Electrical Hookups: No
Possum Kingdom State Park
You don’t have to travel far from Dallas-Fort Worth to spend some quality time along the water. At Possum Kingdom State Park, everyone can have some fun on the water and on land. With over 300 miles of shoreline, you can spend some time on the boat, fish for bass, catfish, and crappie, or hike on one of the park’s many trails.
Possum Kingdom is home to a number of different camping opportunities for both RVers and tent campers. There are primitive walk-in sites for those who want some more peace and quiet while other visitors can enjoy the amenities of water and electric hookups by the water.
- Nightly Rates: $10.00 – $25.00
- Season Dates: Open all Year
- Electrical Hookups: Yes (at certain campsites)
Ray Roberts Lake State Park
Just an hour north of Dallas-Fort Worth, Ray Roberts Lake State Park is where ecoregions meet. The natural meeting spot for the Eastern Cross Timbers, Blackland Prairie, and Grand Prairie ecoregions, Ray Roberts Lake State Park is home to more than 300 plant species which provide food and shelter for countless woodland and grassland creatures.
Camping at the park is at one of a number of campgrounds, each with their own unique character. Some campsites are set up with hookups for RVs and are wheelchair accessible while others are best for walk-in tent campers.
- Nightly Rates: $26.00
- Season Dates: Open all Year (some campsites are closed for repairs)
- Electrical Hookups: Yes
Inks Lake State Park
Located in the heart of hill country, Inks Lake State Park is a great weekend getaway for folks from Austin. With family-friendly fun both on water and on land, there’s a lot to love at Inks Lake. Sparkling blue water and rocky outcrops are some of the many things you can look forward to during a trip to this great state park.
At Inks Lake, there are hundreds of campsites with hookups and many more for people who’d like a bit more seclusion. The more adventurous among us can even take advantage of Inks Lake’s primitive backpacking campsites, too!
- Nightly Rates: $23.00
- Season Dates: Busy Spring, Summer, and Fall
- Electrical Hookups: Yes
Caddo Lake State Park
On the far eastern border of Texas lies Caddo Lake State Park – a landscape like no other. Home to huge bald cypress trees, Spanish moss and a maze of bayous, sloughs, and ponds, Caddo Lake is a true East Texas gem. Paddling and fishing are the name of the game here at Caddo Lake, making it a great park for an adventurous group.
That being said, there are plenty of amenities at the park’s campground. With a handful of full-hookup sites (two of which are wheelchair friendly!) and more than a dozen tent-only sites, Caddo Lake is a great spot for a secluded adventure in the bayou.
- Nightly Rates: $20.00
- Season Dates: Busy March through November
- Electrical Hookups: Yes
Lake Livingston State Park
Home to one of the largest lakes in Texas, Lake Livingston is a fishing enthusiast’s paradise. Just an hour north of Houston, city folk can escape a busy life in the concrete jungle for a camping oasis under the trees. Or, you can test your skills as you fish for some of Lake Livingston’s famous white bass.
With a wide array of different camping options, from premium full-hookup campsites with a lake view to tent-only sites with water, there’s something for every outdoor enthusiast at Lake Livingston!
- Nightly Rates: $28.00
- Season Dates: Busy Spring, Summer, and Fall
- Electrical Hookups: Yes
Lake Whitney State Park
Just a short drive from Dallas-Fort Worth and Waco
With over one hundred campsites to choose from, there’s something for everyone at Lake Whitney. Full hookup and primitive campsites are available, so you better get started with planning for your next camping getaway at Lake Whitney State Park!
- Nightly Rates: $24.00
- Season Dates: Busy March through October
- Electrical Hookups: Yes
Loyd Park in Grand Prairie
Sometimes the best camping destinations are right in your backyard. For residents of Dallas-Fort Worth, Loyd Park is just a short hop, skip, and a jump to an outdoor getaway in Grand Prairie. Situated on the western shore of Joe Pool Lake, Loyd Park combines the scenery and fresh air you want from a camping trip with the convenience of being just a short drive from home.
The park has over 200 campsites with 30 amp electric and water hookups. Plus, each site has a picnic pavilion, picnic table, grill, and fire ring, so it’s a great place to bring the whole family!
- Nightly Rates: $22.00 – $28.00
- Season Dates: Open all year
- Electrical Hookups: Yes
Best Tent Camping in Texas
Although RV camping allows us to bring the modern comforts of home into the outdoors, some of us prefer to sleep under the stars. If tent camping is your thing, you likely want to ditch the crowds and head straight into some of Texas’ most wild landscapes.
Tent camping in Texas isn’t too hard to come by, but you need to decide if you want to spend your nights in a campground or leave all the amenities behind for a true wilderness backpacking experience. Luckily, Texas has a lot to choose from in the natural wonders department, so here are some of your options:
Oxford Ranch Campground
This small family-run campground in Texas is located in the heart of a 160-acre working cattle ranch. If you venture to Oxford Ranch, you’ll get the opportunity to camp right under some beautiful big oak trees with all the convenience of being near your car.
Oxford Ranch isn’t a fancy campground, though: all campers here need to be self-sufficient and ready to “rough it” as the original cowboys did. Hiking and mountain biking trails are aplenty around here and the ranch even offers trail rides on occasion, so Oxford Ranch is a great place for a weekend getaway without the huge price tag.
- Nightly Rates: $15.00 – $25.00
- Season Dates: Open all year
- Electrical Hookups: Yes
Huntsville State Park
Located in the heart of the East Texas Pineywoods, Huntsville State Park is a tent camper’s paradise in the woods. Majestic trees and stunning natural beauty make Huntsville a woodland oasis from the streets and city lights of Houston where you can hike, canoe, or just enjoy nature from your tent campsite.
Camping in the park is in one of Huntsville’s many campsites, all of which have water nearby. So, if you want the joys of tent camping but the amenities of a modern campground, look no further than Huntsville State Park.
- Nightly Rates: $15.00 – $25.00
- Season Dates: Busy Mid-February to Thanksgiving
- Electrical Hookups: Yes
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is a true wilderness in the heart of Texas. With high mountain views, the four highest peaks in Texas, and a diverse array of flora and fauna, Guadalupe Mountains is just waiting to be explored.
The campgrounds in this national park are tent-friendly and are fairly primitive. You’ll only find water, restrooms, and a sink for dishwashing in the park’s two campgrounds. But, when you leave behind the modern amenities at Guadalupe Mountains, you’ll get a chance to reconnect with nature and enjoy the natural wonders around you.
- Nightly Rates: $8.00 per night per site
- Season Dates: Open all year
- Electrical Hookups: No
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
An ancient dome of pink granite forms the majestic wild wonder that is the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. For thousands of years, this massive granitic dome has drawn people in with other-worldly rock formations and a captivating pink rock. Climbers, hikers, and backpackers all enjoy spending time at Enchanted Rock, so you best grab your tent and get packing!
Campsites at Enchanted Rock are all walk or hike-in, with some being more primitive than others. The walk-in tent sites have picnic tables, grills, fire rings, and water, while the hike-in sites require a bit more self-sufficiency and solid outdoor living skills.
- Nightly Rates: $18.00 per night per site
- Season Dates: Open all year (Busy September through May)
- Electrical Hookups: No
Garner State Park
Nestled in the heart of Hill Country, Garner State Park is a camper’s paradise. With over 1,700 miles of scenic terrain to explore and 2.9 miles of the winding Frio River within its boundaries, Garner State Park boasts plentiful hiking, canoeing, fishing, and bike riding opportunities.
Tent campers in the park can take advantage of the water-only sites in the campground. These sites also provide picnic tables, outdoor grills, fire rings, and a lantern post, so you can camp out under the stars in style.
- Nightly Rates: $15.00 – $35.00
- Season Dates: Open all year
- Electrical Hookups: Yes
Eisenhower State Park
Lake Texoma is a Dallas-area adventure paradise. Situated right on the border of Oklahoma and Texas, Lake Texoma’s rocky shores provide ample hiking and biking opportunities while countless striped bass, crappie, and catfish call the lake’s shimmering blue water home.
Plus, the park is home to a few dozen high-quality tent campsites, which boast picnic tables, fire rings, water spigots, and tent pads. So, if you want an outdoor escape that’s not too far from your home, sleeping under the stars in Eisenhower State Park could be what you’re looking for.
- Nightly Rates: $12.00 – $25.00
- Season Dates: Open all year
- Electrical Hookups: Yes
Inks Lake State Park
Inks Lake State Park is a hill country oasis, with fun both on and off the water. At Inks, you can spend your days hiking in small canyons or swimming at Devil’s Waterhole. Or, you can backpack through 9 miles of shady forests and rocky hills around the lake.
At the end of the day, cozy up in your tent, either at a primitive campsite in the backcountry or at one of the hundreds of tent-friendly campsites with water and amenities in the park’s campgrounds.
- Nightly Rates: $11.00 – $23.00
- Season Dates: Open all year
- Electrical Hookups: Yes
Cleburne State Park
Only a 45-minute drive from the center of Fort Worth, Cleburne State Park is a peaceful oasis on the northern edge of the Hill Country. Home to a spring-fed lake, trails that meander through a gentle forest, and quiet campsites by Cedar Lake, there’s a lot to love at Cleburne State Park.
When you’re tired from fishing at the lake all day or from your adventurous hike on the Spillway Trail, you can pitch your tent at one of the park’s many campsites. There’s even a group site that can accommodate up to 56 people so everyone can join in on the fun!
- Nightly Rates: $16.00 – $30.00
- Season Dates: Open all year (Busy Spring and Summer)
- Electrical Hookups: Yes
Brazos Bend State Park
Did you know that you can find wilderness just 45 minutes from downtown Houston? If you need a break from the noise and chaos of the city streets, Brazos Bend State Park’s stunning scenery can help you relax. This park boasts a number of different ecosystems, including 5,000 acres of bottomland and upland coastal prairie, which creates the perfect habitat for thousands of species of flora and fauna, including the alligator, which once called the Houston area home.
Camping at the park is all in a designated campground, but you’ll find plenty of walk-in sites that take you away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds for a quiet night under the stars.
- Nightly Rates: $12.00 – $25.00
- Season Dates: Open all year (Busy Spring and Summer)
- Electrical Hookups: Yes
Blue River Camp
Blue River Camp is located right on the banks of the mighty San Marcos River, whose shimmering blue waters make this campground a nature lover’s oasis. Comfort and style is the name of the game here, though, and you’ll find plenty of tent glamping opportunities along the river’s shores. When you’re not camping, you can enjoy kayak and tubing rental opportunities or go on a walk through the majestic forest landscape.
- Nightly Rates: $20.00
- Season Dates: May – Oct
- Electrical Hookups: No
Best Backpacking Camping
If you’re looking for a true wilderness experience in Texas, you’d better get your bags packed so you can head out on a backpacking trip. While backpacking, you can enjoy all the quiet joys of nature without all of the distractions of a crowded campground.
So, grab your backpack, take to the trails, and get ready to pitch your tent. A night under the sparkling stars of the big Texas night sky in one of these lovely parks is just what you need to unplug and recharge from a busy modern life.
Big Bend Ranch State Park
If you’re really trying to get away from it all, load up the car and head down south to the Texas/Mexico border. The self-proclaimed “Other Side of Nowhere,” Big Bend Ranch State Park is a hub for outdoor recreation and adventure without the crowds of more popular parks closer to the city.
At Big Bend Ranch State Park, you can hike or bike on 238 miles of multi-use trails and then pitch your tent in a backcountry campsite for a night of stargazing under the dark desert sky.
- Nightly Rates: $12.00
- Season Dates: Open all year
- Electrical Hookups: No
Backpack Lake Bob Sandlin State Park
If you’re looking for a backcountry escape that’s not too far from Dallas, head to Lake Bob Sandlin State Park in northeastern Texas. Here, two ecoregions collide on the shores of Lake Bob Sandlin and great big trees, tall grasses, and a unique collection of flora and fauna are the result.
Plus, if you want the quiet and the solitude of backpacking without having to go too far into the backcountry, Lake Bob Sandlin has a number of hike-in primitive camping sites that are 1/4 mile – 1 mile from the parking area, so you can get away from the crowds without having to walk too far into the woods.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
In the Texas Panhandle lies the stunning Palo Duro Canyon State Park – home to the second largest canyon in the entire country. The rugged beauty of the canyon is your playground for adventure as you explore by foot, mountain bike, horse, or car as you explore over 30 miles of established trails.
Backpacking is a great way to enjoy this remote park, where you can choose your own adventure. Hike into one of the primitive camping areas and enjoy a few nights below the staggering canyon walls in this fantastic state park.
- Nightly Rates: $12.00 – $26.00
- Season Dates: Open all year
- Electrical Hookups: Yes
Cedar Hill State Park
Cedar Hill State Park is a veritable urban oasis just outside the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Explore the park’s trails on a mountain bike or by foot or perhaps even go for a dip in the lake. Fishing opportunities abound in Joe Pool Lake, where largemouth black bass, crappie, and catfish are abundant.
Plus, there are dozens of primitive hike-in campsites in Cedar Hill State Park that take you away from the hubbub of the crowds for a quiet night under the stars but still keep you close enough to civilization to let you enjoy the rest of the parks numerous wonders.
- Nightly Rates: $10.00 – $30.00
- Season Dates: Open all year
- Electrical Hookups: Yes
Davis Mountains State Park
Davis Mountain State Park is a true mountainous landscape in West Texas. In this historic park, you can go bird watching or hike up and down mountain ridges for stunning panoramic views.
If you really want to get away into the wilderness, you can pack your bags and hike out for an overnight stay in the Limpia Canyon Primitive Area. You’ll first have to cross rugged terrain and make your way up to a scenic overlook, but you won’t be disappointed by the stunning natural beauty of the Davis Mountains.
- Nightly Rates: $10.00 – $25.00
- Season Dates: Open all year
- Electrical Hookups: Yes
