Even though Houston is the fourth-largest city in the country, there are many natural locations nearby where you may go camping and take in the stunning Texas scenery. In this metropolitan and industrial area, there are plenty of options to enjoy the outdoors within a few minutes or hours of the city.
Whether you’re looking for a glamping resort, a vintage RV park outside Houston, or a rustic tent site, Houston’s location along the Gulf Coast and its proximity to East Texas gives it an astounding range of habitats available for camping.
Apart from the best Houston parks, there are also superb camping locations in Houston, regardless of whether you want to set up your tent or park your RV there.
1. Brazos Bend State Park
Location: Brazos Bend State Park 21901 FM 762 Rd, Needville, TX 77461
Price: $7 per person
One-of-a-kind park is Brazos Bend State Park. The park, 45 minutes southwest of Houston’s downtown, has approximately 40 miles of hiking and bike trails that will satisfy outdoor enthusiasts for their visit. Horses are allowed on the paths in designated spots as well.
Bring your fishing gear if hiking isn’t your thing, and cast off from one of the four piers inside the park.
Spend the evening at the George Observatory stargazing, taking constellation laser tours with amateur astrologers, or watching live broadcasts of the cosmos. You need a ticket to enter the observatory, which is a part of the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
Brazos Bend State Park has numerous RV full hookup sites, tent sites, and undeveloped camping spaces for overnight stays. The park also provides screened huts and habitations for people who require shelter.
2. Yori Bear’s Jellystone Park
Location: 839 Mill Run Rd. Mill Run, PA 15464
Price: $50
Yogi bear, one of the most well-known bears from childhood, is the subject of a park not far from Houston. In addition, Jellystone offers a variety of family-friendly activities that will keep everyone entertained.
Everyone stays cool in the summer thanks to a water park with a lazy river. In addition, a stocked fishing lake, basketball, volleyball, miniature golf, and even a theater are available.
Lastly, you will find a ton of fun activities at the park, including a kid’s water area, an outdoor pool, thrilling water slides, splash pads, a lazy river, pedal boats, a lake for fishing, mini-golf, arts and crafts activities, laser tag, and an arcade.
3. Galveston Island State Park
Location: 14901 FM 3005 Galveston, TX 77554
Price: $5 per person
Galveston Island State Park offers visitors the chance to experience Texas beach camping in a beautiful setting along the Gulf of Mexico. Biking, fishing, kayaking, hiking, bird watching, and relaxation are popular activities at Galveston Island State Park. The park offers beach and bayside camping areas, depending on your preferences.
Dana Cove, Oak Bayou, and Jenkins Bayou are three of the park’s paddling routes. Since the park doesn’t provide rentals, you must bring your kayak and paddle. Moody Gardens is an educational theme park that is situated outside the campground.
4. Stephen F Austin State Park
Location: Park Road 38, San Felipe, TX 77473
Price: $15
Stephen F. Austin State Park, a stunning park along the Brazos River, is a haven for nature enthusiasts. The park’s 12 miles of pathways are ideal for biking and hiking.
There are many campsites in the park, some of which are only available to RVs and tent campers. Along with group camping sites, there are also undeveloped, electric, and water sites available.
The friendly deer and other wild animals can be observed feeding while you unwind among the trees beside the river each morning or evening. In addition, the park offers the opportunity to view a variety of bird species. Therefore, you can also go bird watching there.
5. Huntsville State Park
Location: 565 Park Road 40 W Huntsville, TX 77340
Price: $5 per night
Civilian Conservation Corps members constructed Huntsville State Park during the Great Depression. As a result, the park has access to more than 125 miles of trails for nature lovers because state and national forests surround it.
Around the artificial lake in the park, there are different locations with campsites, some of which are more basic but most of which have complete utilities like electricity and water. Canoes, kayaks, and paddle boats are provided on-site, and the lake is stocked with various fish species.
All have fire rings and picnic tables. In addition, there are habitation sites screened for anyone who wants to keep insects at bay. RVs and tents are accepted here.
You have to stay a minimum of two nights on Friday and Saturday nights if you wish to reserve one of the park’s screened shelters or cabins. At the park’s Gator Junction store, you can buy extra supplies.
6. Lake Livingstone State Park
Location: 300 State Park Rd 65, Livingston, TX 77351
Price: $10
Lake Livingston State Park is a fantastic option for a weekend getaway from the city. The lakeside park offers plenty of chances for swimming, canoeing, and fishing. In addition, the woods are home to some natural animals, which can be viewed from the many walking and bicycling routes that weave through them.
All have fire rings and picnic tables. In addition, there are habitation sites screened for anyone who wants to keep insects at bay. RVs and tents are accepted here. You can spend a minimum of two nights on Friday and Saturday nights if you wish to reserve one of the park’s screened shelters or cabins. At the park’s Gator Junction store, you can buy extra supplies.
7. Lake Houston Wilderness Park
Location: 25840 FM 1485 New Caney, TX 77357
Price: $7
Located just north of Houston, Lake Houston Wilderness Park is a stunning wildlife reserve. A diversity of plants and animals may be found in the park, which has a size of nearly 5,000 acres.
For a day trip, it’s a fantastic location for trail running, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, bird watching, fishing, and horseback riding.
The park’s facilities provide all you need for an excellent weekend camping escape, making it the only city park in Houston that permits overnight camping. Although not on the lake’s shore, the park is situated along one of the numerous streams and rivers that feed Lake Houston.
Along with its single and group campsites, amenities include thickly forested hiking routes, a dining hall, and an archery range. Primitive sites are also accessible with a short trip further into the park and campsites with access to electricity and water.
8. Sea Rim State Park
Location: 19335 S Gulfway Drive Sabine Pass, TX 77655
Price: $3 per day
Thanks to the boardwalk that runs through it, you can enjoy the 4,000 acres of marsh at this park without getting your feet wet. RV travelers, campers, and cabin guests are welcome at Sea Rim State Park.
In addition, you are welcome to explore with your own or rented kayak, canoe, or fish from the boardwalk. Through their virtual tour of the trail map, Sea Rim also offers the possibility of touring its grounds from home.
One of the coolest things about the Sea Rim Park is that they have a “floating primitive camping,” which is a floating platform in a marsh that can only be reached by boat, canoe, or kayak. Those who wish to remain here must transport their trash using a bucket and trash bag.
9. Northlake RV Resort
Location: 1919 Humble Westfield Rd Houston, TX 77073
Price: Unavailable online
RVers seeking a fantastic Houston RV Park should check out Northlake RV Resort. Don’t own RV? The campground offers a few RVs and other buildings for rent.
The park is suitable for both short-term and permanent stays. Additional activities include a fitness facility, free cable TV, and a computer area for people who need to go online. The park-wide wifi, the stocked fishing lakes, and the fire pits are some of this resort’s best features.
This location allows for prolonged stays and weekend getaways, so no matter your plans, there are many options close to home.
10. Splashway Water Park and Campground
Location: 5211 Main St, Sheridan, TX 77475
Price: $35
The Splashway Water Park and Campground offer the best of both worlds: a clean, safe campground for the whole family to enjoy quality time together and all the thrills of a water adventure park.
The water park has a ton of well-known attractions like the Dueling Splash Blasters and Jet Stream slides that will occupy older children for hours, while younger guests will love the Minnow Pond and Toddler Bay areas. In addition to tent camping sites, Splashway also has cabins, bunkhouses, cottages, RV sites, and other camping facilities.
