Where To Camp When You Can’t Get To CYJ

We think that our beautiful camp in Wimberley, TX is the best place to camp in the entire world, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some other amazing camping spots in Texas. In fact, Texas has a wealth of state parks boasting gorgeous hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and readily available clean bathrooms. No matter where you are in Texas, there’s a great camping spot that’s only a short drive away. Keep reading for a list of some of our favorites!

McKinney Falls State Park just outside of Austin is a slice of paradise on earth. Follow trails through the Hill Country, explore the remains of early Texas homesteads, all while basking in the sound of Onion Creek flowing over limestone ledges and splashing into pools. They close when they reach capacity so that the park never becomes overcrowded, so reserving a campsite at McKinney is a great way to make sure that you get to enjoy the whole park, even on a weekend or holiday. 

Lake Mineral Wells State Park near Dallas/Fort Worth is as rich in history as it is in scenery. They boast miles of trails, plenty of rock climbing, and of course their gorgeous lake for swimming, fishing, and boating. They have every type of camping available, from primitive (hike-in) camping spots to campsites that allow you to bring horses, to screened in shelters that are wheelchair accessible so that everyone can get out and enjoy nature. 

Many state parks in the Houston area still have some trails and facilities closed as they recover from the destruction caused by Hurricane Harvey. For example, Galveston Island State Park has closed the beach side of their park (all bay side campsites are still up and running) for renovations for the next two years. These parks are still beautiful and still well worth a visit or a campout, but don’t despair if you have your heart set on beach camping! The Lower Colorado River Authority operates Matagorda Bay Nature Park in Matagorda, Tx, perfect for fishing, swimming, and building lots of sandcastles! There are campsites for tents and for RVs, and there’s a great nature center at the front of the park for the kids to learn about the environment around them. 

If you have a favorite state park or camping site, leave a comment on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! We’d love to hear from you.