Need advice on TX state Park!

[Jerry Gw]

Howdy gang -

Thanks for all your advice a few weeks back about the Wisp trailer. After looking around a bit, passing on it seems like a very good decision.

Anyway - on to my commentary/question-

The wife is not 100% sold on getting an RV, but she is willing to "Test Camp" one. With that in mind, we are planning on renting one for the weekend during our son's Spring break. (only local rentals are stickbuild, and the smallist I can find is 21', fyi)

So- can ya'll talk about State parks in Texas? Preferably within 2 hours or so of Houston. The only parks I have visited are Brazos Bend SP (close-ist to home) Galviston Island SP ( go fishing there alot) and Basdrop SP. Of these parks, I am leaning toward Basdrop, Wife thinks it is a little far for a first trip (3 hours ). What other Gems are there that I am overlooking? What is your favorite park? I know there are several nice parks around the Austin / hillcountry area, but I don't think I will be able to talk my wife into going that far.

Going on this trip will be me, Wife, and 7yr old son, and maybe a 10yr old niece. I am Looking for good senery, hike & Bike trails, and maybe a lake for crappy/perch fishing and canoeing. Wife wants it close to Houston.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Jerry

[Mary F]

Check out the TX Parks & Wildlife site:

TPWD's Find a Destination.

Lake Somerville's probably about your closest good bet that you haven't already mentioned. (I didn't check to see if they had any sites available at Spring Break.)

Good luck with it!!

[Jerry Gw]

Thanks for the link

After checking out several of the parks "near" Houston, I am adding Village Creek SP and Rusk/Palestine SP to the list. Anyone familer with either of these?

Thanks!

[Adrian W]

....What is your favorite park? I know there are several nice parks around the Austin / hillcountry area...

Pedernales Falls State Park, much different than the Coastal area and a very nice place: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findade...dernales_falls/
http://wildtexas.com/parks/pfsp.php

Also things to see in the area: Johnson City and LBJ Ranch:
http://www.nps.gov/lyjo
http://www.lbjcountry.com/things_to_do/index.html
http://www.hill-country-visitor.com/default.asp/city/16

in Fredericksburg and National Museum of Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Museum
http://www.wliinc2.com/cgi/foxweb.dll/wlx/...amp;client=FDCC

http://www.wliinc2.com/cgi/foxweb.dll/wlx/...attractions.asp

Never been to any close to Huston, but check these:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findade...martin_dies_jr/
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findade...rks/huntsville/
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findade.../mission_tejas/
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findade...ake_livingston/
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findade.../village_creek/

We stayed at Mustang Island State Park, we enjoyed the warm waters of the Gulf and visiting things in Corpus and the ferry ride over at Port Aransas:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findade...mustang_island/

Goose Island SP is on our list of TO see someday: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findade...s/goose_island/

I read some about a campground on Matagorda Island but can NOT see it listed as a Texas SP?
It must be Matagorda Bay, not Island and not State Park but looked interesting: http://www.matagordabayrv.com/
http://www.casitaclub.com/forums/ind...showtopic=7390

the DesertHawk

[Jerry Gw]

I read some about a campground on Matagorda Island but can NOT see it listed as a Texas SP?
It must be Matagorda Bay, not Island and not State Park but looked interesting: http://www.matagordabayrv.com/
http://www.casitaclub.com/forums/ind...showtopic=7390

the DesertHawk

Matagorta Island SP is on the island - for now. The Future of this park is up in the air. Your not getting your Egg there, (at least not without a big to-do) there is only water access to the park. Up untill last year, the Park Service ran a ferry over to the island (Walk on Ferry, not a car Ferry), but with budget cuts, the Ferry went away. With no Ferry, Usage is declining, and Fundig will probably follow.

A group of my kayaking buddies paddle over a few times each year to spend a few days camping and fishing the island. (about a 5-6 mile paddle) One of these days I need to join them.

Jerry

Edit: - Looks like TPW has re-badged it from a State Park to a Wildlife Management Area (WMA)
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/...wma/list/?id=48

[David & Leslie]

Hi Jerry! Sure hope you can convince your DW to join in the fun of RVing. We recently enjoyed stays at Lake Corpus Christi SP (lake fishing), Goliad SP (not much fishing) and Kerrville SP (river) - all lovely spots, and I'm sure much nicer when not raining! Whichever you choose, have a wonderful trip ... Spring Break is bound to be 'jumping' at almost any location, eh? L 'n D

[Tom Trostel]

Another possibility that is close to Houston is the Sam Houston National Forest - Cagle campgrounds. It's new and on par with facilities at our state parks. Not as well know as Huntsville SP, so not as crowded. It's about 5 miles west of I45 and New Waverly on Lake Conroe.

Tom Trostel

http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/texas/recreation/s...ton/cagle.shtml

[Lisa Rynearson]

I just spent the weekend at Rocky Creek State Park at Sommerville. It's only about an 1 1/2 hours from Houston, was extremely clean and is loaded with deer that come around in the early morning and late evening hours. If you go you can reserve a spot on reserve america.com. My recommendation would be spot 44, 45, 46, or 47.

[Donna D.]

I believe y'all are going to have a good time, however...if I was trying to convince someone that owning a trailer and camping was a fun and relaxing...the last thing I'd do would take that person out over a long "holiday." Here in Oregon, long weekends and school breaks are madhouses in the big parks. Hopefully Texas is different

[Jerry Gw]

Yea, I have thought about the "Zoo" aspect of doing anything on a Spring Break Weekend, but we have to work around our schedule. Besides, my wife likes to see other folks - being the only people for miles would be as bad for her as camping in the monkey cage at the Houston Zoo. Best I can hope for is a happy medium.

Well, Rusk/Palistine is off the list, but added is Lake Texana SP. Wife would like Brazos Bend or Texana, because they are close. I'll check out Rock Creek too.

Thanks for the tips guys!

Jerry

[Jerry Gw]

Thanks for all your tips, guys!

I booked for the Cagle Rec. Area tonight, for March 9-11. Got the RV lined up too. The Wife is more excited about this than I expected,

Thanks all-

Jerry

[JayGoode]

Hi Jerry,

Try Bastrop State Park, near Bastrop, TX. It's east of Austin, in the Lost Pines of Texas. Great atmosphere.

I know this is more than two hours, but try Caddo Lake SP or Tyler State Parks. All of these are great for nature walks.