Texas Camping Destinations - Texas State Parks

Texas has a variety of state parks with something for everyone. Whether you like to camp or not you can still enjoy these beautiful Texas State Parks for nature walks, boating or fishing. We've included our Editor's Picks for a handful of our favorite Texas State Parks. Enjoy!
Texas Camping Destinations
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A 1 hour drive from DFW also makes this park good for a day trip. EDITOR'S TIP: Book early, because they have very few campsites.
Bonham State Park is a 261-acre park located in Fannin County northeast of
Dallas. It includes a 65-acre lake, rolling prairies, and woodlands.
Activities: There is (unsupervised)
swimming and fishing in the man-made lake, built in 1935, as well as camping,
picnicking, mountain biking, boating (5 mph speed limit).
A 3 1/2 hour drive from DFW. The only natural lake in Texas but it is a bit like a swamp. EDITOR'S TIP: Really cool
with all the Spanish moss hanging from the trees. They offer very interesting tours of the lake and if you're lucky you might even get to see an alligator.
Activities: Activities enjoyed include
camping, hiking, picnicking, nature study, fishing, and boating. There are canoe rentals
in the park daily (year round). There are pontoon boat tours leaving from inside
the park Saturday and Sunday (March – November). Pontoon boat tours can be
scheduled.
Address:P O Box 396
Glen Rose TX 76043
A 2 hour drive from DFW. EDITOR'S TIP: If your small child likes dinosaurs or older child likes fossils, this park is the
bomb! REAL dinosaur tracks can be seen in the riverbed where dinosaurs once walked the earth in Texas! (This area of Texas actually used to be the coast!) Make a week-end of it with Fossil Rim Wildlife
Park which is very close by.
Activities: Dinosaur Valley State Park contains some of the best preserved dinosaur tracks in the world. The dinosaur tracks are located in the riverbed, so please call ahead to check on river conditions. Other activities include camping, picnicking, hiking, mountain biking, Equestrian use in a separate 100-acre area (no horses furnished), river swimming and fishing, and wildlife observation.
This park is about a 45 minute drive from DFW making it a great day trip. It is an excellent place to go for a hike or
look for fossils along the shore line. EDITOR'S TIP: There are plenty of fossils, but of course you are not allowed to take them out of the park.
Activities: Some of the activities
include picnicking, hiking, biking, nature
study, fishing, boating and boat rentals,
water skiing, swimming, wildlife observation, ATV and mini bike use (OHV permit required), and a variety of camping.
This park is a 5 hour drive from DFW. EDITOR'S TIP: Not the prettiest Campground, but it's right next to the beach.
(At least it was when I was there.) It was completely destroyed by Hurricane Rita and they had to rebuild it. If you would rather camp than be in a hotel it's a great base for a trip to Galveston and NASA.
Activities: The park offers camping,
birdwatching, nature study, hiking, mountain bike riding, fishing, and
unsupervised beach swimming. Tours: Educational tours of the
flora and fauna of the beach and bay areas of the park are given by appointment
only. Contact the park to make arrangements.
This park is a 45min drive from DFW so it is great for a day trip.
EDITOR'S TIP: This park is nice for camping,
swimming and fishing. They have a beach so be sure to pack a swim suit!
Situated along the shores of a 30,000-acre reservoir Ray Roberts Lake State Park
Complex consists of two state park units (Isle du Bois and Johnson Branch), six
satellite parks (Jordan Unit, Pond Creek, Pecan Creek, Buck Creek, Sanger, and
Elm Fork), Wildlife Management Areas, wetlands, waterfowl sanctuaries and the 20
mile Ray Roberts Lake/Lake Lewisville Greenbelt Corridor. Birdwatching, water
sports, riding horses or backpacking along a scenic trail, Ray Roberts has
something for everyone
A 1 1/2 hour drive from DFW. EDITOR'S TIP: This state park is near by so you could even day trip it. It's great for
camping, swimming and fishing.
Activities: Swimming, fishing, hiking,
boating, mountain
biking.
Address:Box 1175
Whitney TX 76692
The park is along the east shore of Lake Whitney west of Hillsboro in Hill
County, and after the changing of the lake
level, totals 955 acres. EDITOR'S TIP: If you have been dive certified in Texas you know this lake. It is known for being a clear lake (by Texas standards). It is a beautiful lake with a beach.
Activities: Activities include
camping; hiking; mountain biking; picnicking; boating; fishing; swimming (buoyed
area - no life guard on duty); scuba diving; water skiing; nature study; and
excellent birding. Tours/Events: An annual youth fishing
tournament is held on the first Saturday in June, and "aircraft fly-ins" are
held at various times.
My favorite Park of all times! Near Amarillo. EDITOR'S TIP: In summer they play the musical "Texas" which by itself is
spectacular. And the nature is amazing. It's the second biggest canyon in the US. Sadly it's a 7 hour drive from here. It's great for 3 day trips. The great Panhandle Museum in Canyon is very close as is Amarillo. On the drive out there be sure to pull over to see the Cadillac Ranch. When in Amarillo, come hungry and feast at the Big Texan.
Activities: Park activities include camping, horseback riding, hiking, nature study, bird watching, mountain biking, and scenic drives.
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Visitors to Beavers Bend State Park will enjoy hiking, biking, boating, fishing,
water skiing, nature center activities
, river float trips, canoeing, horseback
riding and much more. Trout streams are stocked year-round and the park features two
catch-and-release trophy areas.
Fishing, boating and a variety of water sports are enjoyed on the 5,728 surface
acres of Lake Murray. Outdoor
activities also abound at Lake Murray State Park
including golfing, picnicking, camping, horseback riding, hayrides, hiking,
biking, rollerblading, swimming, miniature golf and paddle boating. Sports
facilities include an 18-hole golf course with a pro shop, tennis courts,
softball fields, baseball diamond, horseshoe pits, badminton and volleyball nets.
Lake Texoma is Oklahoma's second largest lake and one of the premier striped
bass hot spots in the southwest.
Besides fishing and a myriad of watersports,
Lake Texoma State Park offers swimming, camping, picnic areas, wildlife viewing
opportunities and hiking. The park also features camping, comfort stations with
showers, boat ramps, and a small hiking trail near the Two Rivers Nature Center.
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Activities: Fort Parker offers camping,
picnicking, swimming in an unsupervised swimming area, fishing, birdwatching,
hiking, biking, canoeing, nature study, and baseball/softball.
Activities: Activities include
picnicking; hiking; swimming; mountain biking; in-line skating; and fishing for
largemouth
bass, catfish, and crappie. Eagles can be spotted during winter
months. A variety of birds and wildlife can be viewed year round.
Tours: Interpretive tours and nature walks are given on some
weekends and by request
Activities: Activities include camping;
lake swimming (unsupervised); fishing; boating (no skiing/tubing, or jet skis
permitted); rock climbing (climbers and rappelers must check in at
headquarters); mountain biking; equestrian
camping, horseback riding (visitors must provide their own horses); and
hiking. Note: Trails may be closed during wet weather. Climbing is prohibited
when the rock formations are wet (Call the park to verify climbing area is open,
if it has rained in the last 48 hours of your planed arrival.)
Address:P. O. Box 70
Caddo TX 76429
Natural Features: This park is located in the rugged canyon
country of the Palo Pinto Mountains and Brazos
River Valley, and is adjacent to
Lake Possum Kingdom, 20,000 acres of the clearest, bluest water in the
southwest. Numerous white-tailed deer make their home in the park. The Possum
Kingdom Longhorns are on sabbatical roaming the rolling plains and woodlands of
San Angelo State park while their home range is being rested and restored for
their return in a few years.
Activities: Activities include
camping, picnicking, lake swimming, fishing, hiking, biking, nature study,
boating, and water skiing.
Activities: Activities include
picnicking; camping; boating (motors allowed - 5 mph speed limit); boat rentals;
fishing;
birding; hiking; mountain biking; lake swimming (in unsupervised
swimming area); and nature study.