Searching for the best camping near Grapeland, TX? There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Texas camping adventure.
Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area was built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It surrounds a picturesque 45-acre lake that was once a log pond and a source of water for the Central Coal and Coke Company sawmill which operated from 1902 to 1920. The facility is open year-round and includes a large campground, picnic areas, a reservable amphitheater, a swim area and many opportunities for outdoor recreation. Camping is available year-round. The Davy Crockett National Forest, named for the legendary pioneer, contains more than 160,000 acres of East Texas woodlands, streams, recreation areas and wildlife habitat. Located in Houston and Trinity Counties, the forest is centrally located within the Neches and Trinity River basins.
Swimming, fishing, hunting, hiking and picnicking are the area's main activities. The designated swimming area and playground provides much fun for the kids (no lifeguard on duty). Fishing piers are available for anglers to try for largemouth bass, bream and channel/blue catfish. Only electric motors are allowed on the lake. Principal game for hunting on the national forest includes squirrel, deer, quail, dove, turkey and waterfowl. Three main hiking trails can be accessed from the facility: the 1.5-mile Tall Pines, 0.75-mile Trail Tamers and the 20-mile Four C, which winds through many types of forests to a scenic overlook. Learn more about recreation in the national forest.
Swimming, fishing, hunting, hiking and picnicking are the area's main activities. The designated swimming area and playground provides much fun for the kids (no lifeguard on duty). Fishing piers are available for anglers to try for largemouth bass, bream and channel/blue catfish. Only electric motors are allowed on the lake. Principal game for hunting on the national forest includes squirrel, deer, quail, dove, turkey and waterfowl. Three main hiking trails can be accessed from the facility: the 1.5-mile Tall Pines, 0.75-mile Trail Tamers and the 20-mile Four C, which winds through many types of forests to a scenic overlook. Learn more about recreation in the national forest.
The campground is heavily forested with loblolly pine, oak and other hardwoods, and surrounds Ratcliff Lake. A wide variety of wildlife exists in the area, including the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker.
The Big Slough Wilderness Area, located along the Neches River about five miles north of Ratcliff, is free of modern development and gives the visitor a place for solitude and primitive experiences.
$30 / night
This is a trailhead for the 4C Hiking Trail. Neches Bluff Overlook, located at the north end of the trail, offers a panoramic view of pine-hardwood forests in the Neches River bottomlands with picnic and primitive camping facilities.
Salmon Lake is a 2 acre spring fed swimming lake surrounded by a 100 acre campground with plenty of space to explore and make new memories with friends and family. Whether you come for the day or stay for a week: you will LOVE your stay at Salmon Lake Park + Resort.
$22 - $200 / night
Crockett Family Resort is nestled in the outskirts of Crockett, Tx, right on the waters of the beautiful Houston County Lake. Known for some of the best bass fishing in the state the resort offers 116 RV spots, and 32 different cabins to accommodate any guest's needs. We also have 2 clubhouses ready to host a variety of events. Some of the park amenities include lake swimming, heated pool, beach, basketball court, paddleboat rental, and a splash pad.
$40 - $45 / night
The Piney Creek Horse Trail is a system of horse trails that meanders approximately 53 miles through the East Texas pineywoods in the Davy Crockett National Forest. Trail riding groups of more than 75 persons (including spectators) will need a Special-Use Permit and should contact the District Office three months prior to the ride date. The trail is primitive. Use caution in wet weather since parts of the trail flood. Some sections of the trail route around the bottomlands and can be used even in wet weather. ~ Map ~
The quiet country setting of our cabins is a great alternative to traditional hotel style lodging. Whether you stay a night, a week, a month or longer, you’ll find the fully furnished cabins to be comfortable and cozy. In talking with our guests, we have learned that finding short term housing or furnished housing can be challenging, so we offer our cabins for Corporate Housing or Extended Stay. All of our cabins offer air conditioning, satellite television, and WiFi. All of our Cabins include basic kitchenware (Dishes, Cookware, Appliances, Etc) and linens. Most cabins are small pet friendly.
Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area was built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It surrounds a picturesque 45-acre lake that was once a log pond and a source of water for the Central Coal and Coke Company sawmill which operated from 1902 to 1920. The facility is open year-round and includes a large campground, picnic areas, a reservable amphitheater, a swim area and many opportunities for outdoor recreation. Camping is available year-round. The Davy Crockett National Forest, named for the legendary pioneer, contains more than 160,000 acres of East Texas woodlands, streams, recreation areas and wildlife habitat. Located in Houston and Trinity Counties, the forest is centrally located within the Neches and Trinity River basins.
Swimming, fishing, hunting, hiking and picnicking are the area's main activities. The designated swimming area and playground provides much fun for the kids (no lifeguard on duty). Fishing piers are available for anglers to try for largemouth bass, bream and channel/blue catfish. Only electric motors are allowed on the lake. Principal game for hunting on the national forest includes squirrel, deer, quail, dove, turkey and waterfowl. Three main hiking trails can be accessed from the facility: the 1.5-mile Tall Pines, 0.75-mile Trail Tamers and the 20-mile Four C, which winds through many types of forests to a scenic overlook. Learn more about recreation in the national forest.
Swimming, fishing, hunting, hiking and picnicking are the area's main activities. The designated swimming area and playground provides much fun for the kids (no lifeguard on duty). Fishing piers are available for anglers to try for largemouth bass, bream and channel/blue catfish. Only electric motors are allowed on the lake. Principal game for hunting on the national forest includes squirrel, deer, quail, dove, turkey and waterfowl. Three main hiking trails can be accessed from the facility: the 1.5-mile Tall Pines, 0.75-mile Trail Tamers and the 20-mile Four C, which winds through many types of forests to a scenic overlook. Learn more about recreation in the national forest.
The campground is heavily forested with loblolly pine, oak and other hardwoods, and surrounds Ratcliff Lake. A wide variety of wildlife exists in the area, including the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker.
The Big Slough Wilderness Area, located along the Neches River about five miles north of Ratcliff, is free of modern development and gives the visitor a place for solitude and primitive experiences.
$30 / night
This is a trailhead for the 4C Hiking Trail. Neches Bluff Overlook, located at the north end of the trail, offers a panoramic view of pine-hardwood forests in the Neches River bottomlands with picnic and primitive camping facilities.
Salmon Lake is a 2 acre spring fed swimming lake surrounded by a 100 acre campground with plenty of space to explore and make new memories with friends and family. Whether you come for the day or stay for a week: you will LOVE your stay at Salmon Lake Park + Resort.
$22 - $200 / night
Up to 40% off Request to BookCrockett Family Resort is nestled in the outskirts of Crockett, Tx, right on the waters of the beautiful Houston County Lake. Known for some of the best bass fishing in the state the resort offers 116 RV spots, and 32 different cabins to accommodate any guest's needs. We also have 2 clubhouses ready to host a variety of events. Some of the park amenities include lake swimming, heated pool, beach, basketball court, paddleboat rental, and a splash pad.
$40 - $45 / night
The Piney Creek Horse Trail is a system of horse trails that meanders approximately 53 miles through the East Texas pineywoods in the Davy Crockett National Forest. Trail riding groups of more than 75 persons (including spectators) will need a Special-Use Permit and should contact the District Office three months prior to the ride date. The trail is primitive. Use caution in wet weather since parts of the trail flood. Some sections of the trail route around the bottomlands and can be used even in wet weather. ~ Map ~
Beware!!!! The new owners of this park are rude,unkind,selfish,greedy people. They allow drugs to run in and out of the park they leave the supposedly secure gate open all night long so anyone can come in. They don't take care of the park and everything is run down. They change the prices when ever it suits them don't believe the online prices. It's a shame that someone who was kind and generous had to pass just so people who never had to work or earn anything gets control over it and doesn't have any care in taking care of what was suppose to be a gift. It's just sad to see what the park is and has become from what it could have been and is now gonna be.
Love this location everything was so simple nothing extra just simple relaxing camping and beautiful scenery
First & foremost, This park is not well-maintained, and the camping sites are right off of the highway. The splash pad does not work, and the bath house was terribly dirty and freaked of sewage. The group sites are basically a big parking lot- zero grass space between site numbers, although there is shared grass areas along the rows. We moved site numbers within the group sites so that our kids would not be playing right beside the highway (there is a gate, however it’s still concerning), and to slightly distance ourselves from the traffic noise. Beware there is also a large wedding venue directly across the highway & our kids were woken to the sounds of fireworks at night on the weekend. There were large fire ant mounds all along the concrete, and we had to purchase fire ant killer ourselves, as well as deal with some broken glass & the trash can for our site that wasn’t emptied before our stay. I spoke with the staff member working in the office and all she could say was “i will let management know.”
As far as the good: we had 6 kids and 4 adults staying, so despite the concerns and annoyances, we still were able to relax enough and enjoy our break from the daily grind. The kids played outside all day- making walking sticks, fishing a lot, catching bugs (spotted some really neat moths, too), and making up games.
The best: the nearly-daily trains coming right through the campground for various reasons (loading new cars or taking passengers on a local trip). My son is an avid train-lover and this was the main reason we booked our stay here.
This place was great! Nice, clean vault toilet, many sites, and rather empty. Any car should be able to make the dirt road in dry to moderately wet conditions, if it's been seriously stormy, I'd avoid without AWD/4WD because the road is dirt/sand.
Check out the stocked fishing pond! Did I say bass, catfish and bluegill? Excellent Wi-Fi 2 dog parks Free laundry
Dirt road to sites isn’t bad at all. Several places to pull off & camp. T-Mobile getting one baby bar.
I have been several times.
We love it,,,
Lots of tall trees. Very little if any biting bugs. Grounds keeper pick up trash daily. Staff are very friendly.
For more on this great place. go to our Facebook group on this.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/781897506027639
Very primitive and off the beaten path, our 02 Mustang was able to handle it. No site numbers just pop the tent wherever. Very quiet and beautiful.
Nice area for dispersed camping. Several level areas. Great hiking / horse riding trails around. Would not recommend this area during hunting season. Accessible via car, good roads, smaller trailers. If RVing, will need levelers.
If you're someone who camps to get away from everyone, this is not the spot for you. It should come to no surprise that it isn't secluded as it does have several sites available. There's bathrooms and showers, a swim area, fishing, and a selection of trails to do while staying here. At the primitive sites you get a fire pit and a picnic table. Great place overall.
I recently did the 4-C trail at Davy Crockett National Forest. The night before I did the hike, I stayed here. There is no cost to stay the night or to park for day use here. It's very peaceful on this side and serves as the north entrance to the 4-C trail. There was on other camper there and they were no bother. I am not 100% on it, but it looked like there's only really two defined area for camping, but it doesn't seem like all that many people go there so you should be able to find a spot. There is a glorified porta potty and no water source, so be prepared for that, but it is primitive after all so you can't be mad about that. Definitely a good choice of place to stay if you on doing the 4-C, especially in a single day, so you can get started early.
Nice little spot right off the feeder road tucked back into the trees. Great playground, beautiful pool, friendly staff. Wi-Fi was great! I was able to work without using my hotspot. Bathrooms and showers were clean and stocked. We would definitely come back here again.
Beautiful small state park. We usually tent camp but this time we decided staying at a cabin. Nice, beautiful and modern cabins. Love the enclosed porch and open porch as well. The cabin was spacious enough for our family of 6. The new family restroom close to the cabins was great, nice and clean. I will be back.
I stopped in to use the showers, not realizing they were outdoor showers. The water was turned off, but the park looks to be very well taken care of.
Can over for a day use before the park closes permanently. Such a beautiful park , sad I didn’t get a chance to camp. Let’s start the review.
The trails were nicely labeled the kids and I enjoyed hiking and stoping take in the beautiful park before it gets transform into a million dollar community. Restroom was nice and clean. Visit towards the end of February Ann’s it was such a great weather.
My boyfriend and I stayed one night (were planning on two but there was a severe cold front when we stayed), and it was AMAZING!! Very secluded. If you take a right, just before you get to the actual “campgrounds” (saw RV spots with pit toilet), there is a drive able trail. We found a spot that had been used before, and it was very secluded and private. There was a creek nearby that we hiked up and down, even found what appeared to be a natural spring feeding the creak. We used the creek as our water supply, and the water was delicious. Lots of cool rocks, and even found a couple snail shells. 10/10 would definitely go again and explore more. The overlook is so pretty, and honestly, this place gave us the perfect camping experience. We were able to fit two vehicles in our spot, and there was a pre-existing fire spot. Lots of downed trees for wood. There is some spots of poison Oak/Ivy to be aware of, but nothing unavoidable and was in one area. It was a blast!
Reservation all the way to leaving was a great experience. Staff was awesome and super supportive with any questions/assistance.
Camp sites and park altogether super clean and maintained.
Bathrooms in good spots.
Trails are awesome and scale from easy to hard. Cool landmarks to find in each of the trails as well.
Group campsite itself was great and was huge! Plenty of space and located great with couple Peking spots
There is nothing here. In the office is a single washer and dryer and a vending machine. There is traffic in and out all day and night.
My wife and I rented a cabin for Christmas. It was clean and new. Wonderful bathrooms nearby. We hiked the trails and went and checked out the little lake.
The park staff where super friendly. We had a great stay.
I would give it 5 stars, but the park does not have RV sites. Cabins and primitive camping only
Took a chance on this campground because many reviews on various websites were bad and many were old...Used to be a TX state park but was "decommissioned" evidently. It is not the most maintained campground, but it is a small loop with pull-in sites w/ full hookups. The bathroom didnt seem maintained much, but we have a camper, so don't have need for the bathrooms. The texas state RR train engine car came through one time in the afternoon to turn around to pull the train back to palestine...that's pretty unique and a cool thing at a campsite IMO.
our group loved this place--albeit a very different experience if you are used to well-maintained KOAs etc, but for those that are self contained and just want to hang out/camp, it's a cool place. Had a nice walk around the historic train depot and the little pond behind it. we camped in october and It was very "fall vibes" with all the super tall pine trees and we thought it was a hidden gem and appropriately priced for what you get (ie: it's not priced like a KOA, so don't expect similar amenities--but there are good things about that too--it's not packed with people!!). Not sure I'd make a super long destination out of it if you're too far away, but We will be back since it's close to camp here!
We LOVED our stay at Salmon Lake! We have been here a few times. The staff is amazing, the prices are great and include full hookups and the campground is one of the most unique places we’ve ever stayed. There is an old west town, cabins, a ton of space to explore, some neat photo ops and a great swimming hole with a sand bottom. We were told that we were welcome to spread out and take up 2 spaces. The place was built in the 80’s for festivals so the new owners are working on a lot of upgrades. The new bathhouse is really nice. We love that we can camp in the woods or under the stars- there are a lot of options. We were also really happy when it rained and due to the sandy soil, the water drained quickly and we didn’t have to deal with mud holes that evening. If you’re into old school camping- this is your place!!
Quiet national forest hunting camp with vault toilet and water, but no amenities at the individual campsites. Bring your own generator and dry camp. Great, well marked Trail system. Be careful during hunting season!
Super nice staff and full saturday breakfast (eggs/bacon/pancakes/coffee etc--extra fee, but very reasonable!)
Pool, jump pad, playground, trike rentals, Rock/gem mining slough, movies/events, etc.
Sites are level pull-through sites and most have a clear view of the playground, which gives the kids a sense of freedom. They have cabins and cool teepees as well, but have only ever camped in RV here.
Have been camping here in the summers and both Easter & Halloween weekends and they do easter egg/candy hunts and have other events for the kids/kids at heart.
We love coming here and the staff are always very kind to us. (photos on this review are during the halloween event--we decorated our campsite lol)
We have camped at Salmon Lake many times. It is a favorite of the kiddos. The original owner was a house mover, so there are all kinds of old "western town" type setups..old jail, old barber shop, tons of old cars etc. It is fun just to walk around and look at them all. On some visits there is a train ride that runs, but not always. Some of the buildings are cabin rentals. We have never rented a cabin, only done RV camping, but the cabins look so neat!!
There is a playground by the lake and The lake is gorgeous and the kids like to swim in it. It has a giant slide for them and a swimming dock in the middle. It is like a step back in time to the simpler days, very no frills camping. We have brought dirt bikes and small atv before. Owners are ok if you bring them, just be respectful and don't tear anything up. The owners are great hosts and super nice.
All the spots are different (there are 100s of spots...they don't reserve spots. you just get there and then go pick one.) There is a wooded section of sites behind the lake, but have never camped in that area. We usually pick a spot in the field near the big fire pit or tree. Most sites do not have fire pits or tables, but we usually find one near a fire pit or table with no problems. Be sure to check the sites before you unhook...some have full hookups, some have sketchy looking electric, but we just check everything before unhooking and use a surge protector. We always look for full hookup sites and have never had a problem finding one way away from other campers. 10/10 one of our favorite campsites and a seriously underrated spot. We always say it feels like going back to a summer camp in the 70s-80s (in the best kind of way!!)
They have already started cleaning this place up with New paint on Cabins! Pool recently painted, I like this place because it’s quite! I’m sure it will be full soon. Tell them Cliff sent you and get 10% off your first night stay!
I went for a one day hike and it was phenomenal! Only two hours away from Houston. Great park to shade yourself from the Texas summer sun. It was hot but 90% of the trails are covered by shade. Most trails I went on were hilly and I wasn’t expecting that! Restrooms looked brand new! Don’t expect to have signal in or 20 min outside the park area so prepare for that. 10/10
I think this place will become a great campground again!
Camping near Grapeland, Texas, offers a variety of beautiful spots for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Grapeland, Texas, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RV enthusiast seeking adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Grapeland, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, Grapeland, TX offers a wide range of camping options, with 64 campgrounds and RV parks near Grapeland, TX and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Grapeland, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Grapeland, TX is Mission Tejas State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 15 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Grapeland, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Grapeland, TX.
What parks are near Grapeland, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 21 parks near Grapeland, TX that allow camping, notably Sam Houston National Forest and Angelina National Forest.
