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Top 5 Camping Grounds near Houston

Top 5 Camping Grounds near Houston

How We Picked

Services – This is based on the range of services your party can avail of at the camping grounds. This includes activities to do around the area.
Amenities – We evaluated the quality of the amenities at the grounds. We only selected those with good facilities and environment.
Price – We compared the fees at each campsite and what comes along with it. We chose the ones with the best value for what you get.
Convenience – This is based on the location and access to nearby facilities at the grounds. Although many prefer to be far away while camping, we wanted to choose safer areas with access to emergency services.
Customer Satisfaction – Finally, we reached out to past campers for their takes on  these sites. We selected those where the campers were happy with their experiences.

1. Brazos Bend State Park

Brazos Bend State Park Homepage

Activities: Creekfield Lake Nature Trail, hike and bike trails, horseback riding, fishing, overnight stay, nature stay, George Observatory

Website: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/brazos-bend 

Address: 21901 Farm to Market Rd 762, Needville, TX 77461, United States

Contact Information: +1 979-553-5101

Operating Hours: Daily 8AM-10PM

Google Reviews Score4.8/5
Texas State Park Reviews4.7/5
Total Reviews5/5
Score Consistency5/5
Services5/5
Amenities5/5
Price4/5
Convenience4/5
Customer Satisfaction5/5

Pros

  • Plenty of activities and attractions
  • Body of water

Cons

  • Alligators in the area

Brazos Bend State Park is a nature lover’s dream just 45 miles away from the Houston area.

There are a great number of activities available to visitors in the park.

There are plenty of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.There are also picnic pavilions and a group hall for larger gatherings.

We love this range of activities because it means there’s plenty to do around the campsite. This will keep plenty of adventure lovers occupied with their stay.

They even have ranger programs and a nature center for events, tours, and field trips. This is great for those of you who might want to travel with a group such as a company or organization.

There are also places for fishing. However, we should note that alligators are common in some areas in the park and caution is advised.

There are a number of attractions close to the area. These include the Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site, George Ranch Historical Park, and Sea Center Texas.

This is awesome for those who are planning longer trips. This makes it easy for families and groups to explore and visit these other attractions nearby.

The people we reached out to loved their stay at Brazos Bend State Park. They all loved the scenery and activities in the area.

We should note that some people found the place too busy and loud. If you’d like a quieter stay, there might be better options on this list.

Brazos Bend State Park is a great place for adventure-lovers in open nature. We give it a rating of B+.

2. Galveston Island State Park

Galveston Island State Park Homepage

Services: Fishing biking, hiking, paddling

Website: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/galveston-island 

Address: 14901 FM3005, Galveston, TX 77554, United States

Contact Information: +1 409-737-1222

Operating Hours:

Google Reviews Score4.5/5
Trip Advisor Reviews Score4/5
Total Reviews5/5
Score Consistency4/5
Services5/5
Amenities4/5
Price5/5
Convenience4/5
Customer Satisfaction4/5

Pros

  • Good attractions nearby
  • Body of water

Cons

  • Can get crowded and noisy

Galveston Island State Park has both a bay and beach side. We think this is perfect for the sea-lovers who want to get in the water out there.

There’s plenty of things to do such as swim, picnic, and go fishing or biking.There are hiking and paddling trails as well for canoes and kayaks.

They have ranger programs and events for those who are in a bigger group. They have art programs and paddling tours for those who want to experience them.

There are also a lot of attractions nearby for those who want to check them out. There’s an educational theme park called Moody Gardens that has aquariums and rainforest exhibits.

The entrance fee is $5 for adults and free for anyone under 12, which we love. They also have the Texas State Parks pass at $70, which also gives you discounts on camping, purchases, and rentals.

Their camping fees are quite reasonable to us, starting at $15 a night for dry camping. There are also tent platforms, and campsites with water and electricity for $30-35.

The campers we reached out to loved the scenery and activities around the area. It’s a beautiful and well-maintained space for campers everywhere.

However, we should note that there have been some complaints about noise and crowdedness. The park can get a little busy and bustling, which might be too loud for some people.

Galveston Island State Park is a good place for your camping trip. We give it a rating of B+.

3. Huntsville State Park

Huntsville State Park

Services: Swimming, fishing, kayaking, hiking

Website: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/huntsville 

Address:  565 Park Road 40 west, Huntsville, TX 77340, United States

Contact Information: +1 936-295-5644

Operating Hours: Daily 6AM-10PM

Google Reviews Score4.7/5
Trip Advisor Reviews4.5/5
Total Reviews5/5
Score Consistency5/5
Services5/5
Amenities4/5
Price4/5
Convenience5/5
Customer Satisfaction5/5

Pros

  • Body of water
  • Attractions nearby

Cons

  • Alligators in the area
  • Slightly more expensive entrance fee

There are a lot of things for campers to do in Huntsville State Park. People who are into water activities will be happy to know there is a large lake for them there.

You can swim, fish, and rent a kayak around Lake Raven. It’s 210 acres, which we love for those who want to be near or in the water.

We should note that the area is home to a few alligators. We highly recommend looking up their alligator safety tips and talking to their experts before going in the water.

There are a few different campsites for very reasonable prices. Campsites with water go for $15 daily, campsites with electricity are $20, and full hookup campsites are $25.

They also have screened shelters for $30 daily with a minimum of a 2-night stay. They have picnic tables, outdoor grills, fire rings, water hookups, and amp hookups.

The entrance fee is $7 for anyone over 12, which we think is all right. You can also look into the $70 Texas State Parks pass.

There are also a lot of attractions to check out nearby. There’s Sam Houston National Forest, the 129-mile Lone Star Hiking Trail, and Big Sandy Loop for wildlife viewing spots.

Huntsville State Park is a good place for camping with friends or family. We give it a rating of B+.

4. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park – Waller

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park - Waller Homepage

Services: Water park, fishing, paddle boating, sports, mini golf, arcade, laser tag

Website: https://wallerjellystonepark.com/ 

Address: 34843 Betka Rd, Waller, TX 77484, United States

Contact Information: +1 979-826-4111

Operating Hours: Saturday to Thursday 8AM-5PM, Friday 8AM-7PM

Google Reviews Score4/5
Facebook Reviews4/5
Total Reviews4/5
Score Consistency4/5
Services5/5
Amenities5/5
Price4/5
Convenience4/5
Customer Satisfaction4/5

Pros

  • Plenty of physical activities and attractions in-grounds
  • Deals and Club Yogi Rewards

Cons

  • Can get loud and noisy

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Waller, Texas is a great place for families with kids. They have many attractions for fun at any age.

They have a number of lodges and cabins for big groups who might want more comfort. They also have standard tent sites and various RV sites for people who want to camp.

We love that they have a water park area because this is great for the kids. It comes with a splash pad, water zone, water slides, an outdoor pool and a lazy river.

They also have a lot of activities by the lake, such as fishing and paddle boating. They also have sports areas for mini golf, basketball, volleyball, and even laser tag and an arcade.

We think these are great for families looking for a lot of physical activity on their trip. However, we may not recommend it for people looking for an authentic camping experience in nature.

The place is also particularly busy in peak seasons, which we understand a lot of people want to avoid. Not all of the attractions are open during off-season, too.

They have a number of deals and Club Yogi Rewards that you may be interested in on their website. These include 4-night bonuses and extended stays in the off-season, and a 5-night deal all year round.

All in all, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Waller is a great place for kids who want to run around and be active. We give it a rating of B+.

5. Stephen F. Austin State Park

Stephen F. Austin State Park Homepage

Services: Hiking, biking, nature trails

Website: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/stephen-f-austin 

Address:  Park Rd 38, San Felipe, TX 77473, United States

Contact Information: +1 979-885-3613

Operating Hours: Daily 8AM-10PM

Google Reviews Score4.6/5
The Dyrt Reviews4.5/5
Total Reviews4/5
Score Consistency5/5
Services4/5
Amenities4/5
Price5/5
Convenience4/5
Customer Satisfaction4/5

Pros

  • Group sites

Cons

  • Can be loud and crowded

Stephen F. Austin State Park is just 50 minutes out from the outskirts of Houston, Texas. It’s a good place to go for history-buffs who want to know more about the early colonists.

Their entrance fee is $5 for anyone over the age of 12, which we think is very reasonable. The park is also included in the Texas State Parks pass, if you’re interested.

THey have campsites from $12 to $28, depending on whether you’d want a full hook-up camp, a site with water, or just their standard tent sites.

They also have group sites for $100 a night, which can fit up to 60 people. They also have a cabin for $75 nightly, if you’d rather have a more comfortable stay.

They also have miles of hiking, biking, and nature trails. We should note though that these trails are closed when they’re muddy, so maybe call ahead to make sure.

The campers we reached out to said the trails and scenery were beautiful. People also love the history present in the area, and the ranger programs to learn more about it.

However, we should mention that some campers complain about the noise in the campsites, especially at night. Some groups may be quite noisy for those who want a more peaceful camping experience.

With all this in mind, Stephen F. Austin State Park may be worth checking out. We give them a rating of B.

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