Looking for the best options for tent camping near Bay City? You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of Bay City, Texas's most popular destinations.
Be aware of the tides and high tide line when choosing a beach campsite. Strong winds or storms can significantly elevate tides and create hazardous conditions along the Gulf Coast.
Follett's Island is the 13-mile stretch of public access beach along the Gulf of Mexico that protects Christmas Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway from severe weather, and provides the community with free entertainment and relaxation. Visitors of Follett's Island enjoy fishing, swimming, and camping along the beach year round. The beach is available via public access entrances along Bluewater Highway, or CR 257.
Be aware of the tides and high tide line when choosing a beach campsite. Strong winds or storms can significantly elevate tides and create hazardous conditions along the Gulf Coast.
GuideThis park is about 7 miles from Bay City and is between the Colorado River and Hossey Slough. There are two camping loops. The Wilderness loop has electricity and water on the Hossey Slough and is accessed on a gravel road and the sites are also gravel. It has a very rustic feel and is beautiful. The only downside is the showers and bathroom are about a quarter mile away at the office. The bathrooms are older, but spacious and clean. The other loop is on the Colorado River and has full hook-ups. The sites are very close together. We were here on a February weekend and there was only one other camper in the Wilderness loop. Would definitely stay here again.
Ranger
Nice wooded campground with a lot of camping and recreation options.Lots of day use activity. Shady camp sites! Nice basic tent camping with clean facilities. Came here to enjoy the wildlife refuges nearby so didn’t use the park too much, but it’s nice for what it is.
ScoutCamp Mohawk is a great get away close to home for many of us. The staff is very
helpful and and kind. They have cabins, dorms, tent camping, hiking trails, stocked
ponds for fishing, playgrounds, volleyball, basketball courts, pavilions for rent with
bar b q grills, plenty of picnic tables throughout the park for convenience of park goers.
Pet friendly with waste stations around for disposal of their waste. Free for day use
To make reservations call 281-756-2319 you and the whole family will have alot
of fun and won't regret it!!!
Ranger
The best part of this park is the observatory, which has special events and regular weekend hours pretty much all year. It’s absolutely worth staying up late for this! Hikes and wildlife are good too, lots of easy trails along water for the kids, cool ponds, great little observation tour to climb. There are standard RV/tent sites, screened shelters (for sleeping), and rustic cabins, horse sites, and youth group sites. The sites are pretty spread out and maybe half of them are very shady. Awesome little park outside Houston.
Guide
A mix of folks RV, car, tent camping! Some folks are definitely here for a long time.
Pros
Cons
Lots of good taco options in the town over! We enjoyed Mr. Tacos barbacoa and al pastor tacos.
TravelerThere is not enough room here for me to describe how much I love Brazos Bend State Park.
The campgrounds are wonderful- a bit cozy with your neighbors in some spots- but overall comfortable and sufficient for tent camping.
The park staff here are exceedingly polite and helpful. I've never had a bad experience with the folks who work here, and I've been coming here my whole life.
The things to do and see at this park are seemingly endless. The hiking trails are phenomenal for all ages and fitness levels, primarily because they're mostly flat. The wildlife you can get up-close and personal with is incredible. Your kids will definitely learn about wildlife here.
Hike to the observation tower, or in the evening, head over to the observatory to look at stars and planets through a variety of different telescopes.
Be sure to check online for updates on flooding status- the Brazos crested its banks this spring and the park was extensively damaged. When they get back up and running, they're going to need our support!
ScoutLocated between Port Lavaca and Port O'connor, TX. A mile or so of no-fee camping. No designated sites. Hard packed sand/sea shell surface, with paved access roads. Beach is pretty clean but beach appropriate footware is required. There is a bath house with free lavatories. We were there in August 2019 and March 2020 and the inside showers (4) were locked. There is a free use outside shower. There are picnic tables covered with 4 open sided concrete shelters. There are trash barrels in front of all the shelters. The picinic shelter closest to the rest rooms is wheelchair accessable. No electric, sewer or water sites. This is a very windy place. If you tent camp, low profile strong tents are recommended. I've seen many RVs with generators, PV solar arrays and wind turbines. There are small convience stores and bait and tackle stores nearby. There is a fishing pier towards the Southern part of the beach. A few RV campgrounds in the area. It is kept pretty clean. In the warmer months the crabs like to hide in the bathrooms out of the sun. Don't be alarmed, they stay away from people. Don't miss the Camel memorial at the Southernmost entrance. There is a Geocache in the area.
Scout
I just took my 5 days holiday to enjoy with my family at other location away from our home. So I thought to do some research and come with at 2-3 location so that my kid can choose. Kids choose to go to Bay City, Texas from Midfield. Then I was looking for RV Parks in Bay City For My Rented RV, Then I can to know about 60 North RV Park. After reaching there I see their ground was green and was also providing free cable but we didn’t took that as our goal was to spend time with family. There were more feature like laundry, clean washrooms etc. we played sports and other physical games kids enjoyed very much there. I want to write more here is only limited space, If you are also planning for RV Tours Best rv park near bay city is 60 north rv park. I strongly recommend for your family time[http://RV Park near Markham](http://RV Park near Markham)
Legend
Pros:
• Quick and friendly check-in
.• Large parking area that is rig-friendly for check-in.
• Knowledgeable park personnel
• Nature center with interactive exhibits and gift shop
• Well maintained. Daily we saw the camp hosts working diligently, even hosing down and scrubbing bird poop from campsites.
• Saturday morning 1.5 hour guided Gulf beach walk($5/pp) by Paige and Whitley. Paige knew her“stuff” as she was pelted continuously with questions and she never missed a beat!
• Complimentary early Saturday morning coffee and pastries.
• Along the Colorado River but you can hear ocean roar where the river meets the Gulf of Mexico.
• Level concrete parking pad surrounded by grass. Back-ins and drive-thrus.
• Two sewer hook-up outlets.
• Large concrete picnic table.
• Very nice and clean toilets/shower building in an elevated building accessible by a ramp. Must have code to enter.
• Laundry facility in toilet/shower building with code entry.
• Nice Colorado River fishing piers with fish cleaning tables with freshwater spigot and a super pier over the beach/ocean.
• Primo sunsets
• Bay City, 20-minute drive, for the closest Walmart, HEB and other retailers and restaurants.
Cons:
• LCRA $6 on-line reservation fee.
• Absolutely no trees or vegetation between sites which equals NO SHADE and NO PRIVACY.
• Ocean“breeze” made it impossible to deploy trailer awning.
• No fire pits, but if you bring your own with a screen cover, you may have a fire, if you bring wood as no wood is sold at this park.
• NOT A DARK SKY FRIENDLY CAMPGROUND due to way too many street lights throughout the campground, along the river bank and on the fishing piers. This would be a 5 star campground if there was more darkness!
• Complimentary LCRA WIFI was weak and unreliable.
• When the ocean"breeze" died down and the humidity was up, we were attacked by swarms of mosquitos which required us to heavily apply repellent in mid-February
• Not much in the town of Matagorda, basically a fishing village, and of those businesses, not many operating in mid-February.
Legend
Reserved 68 nights prior to arriving. Campground had 78% occupancy during our 3 night stay.
PROS Able to clearly hear the ocean roar from all campground 59 FHU sites
Campsite concrete pad level and in good condition
Park roadways good condition with no speed bumps and easy to maneuver
Lantern pole at some sites
Some sites have two sewer connections
Picnic table located on oversized concrete pad
Combo lock on toilet/shower entrance doors
Toilet/shower facility very nice
Laundromat on site with 3 washers and 3 dryers.$4.25
Wood campfire allowed in off-ground fire pit with screen cover you provide and placed away from any grass
Fairly good dark sky viewing as campground street lights are limited
2 large wooden Colorado River fishing piers which are lighted from dusk to dawn
Putt-putt golf$10
Bagged ice machine across road from Park
2 bars VERIZON signal
CONS
Toilet/shower door combination changed during our stay and was not notified and had no access until we tracked down park personnel
Dog poop in the mens handicap stall Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday so obviously no one monitoring toilet facility
$6 reservation fee for self made on-line reservation
10 campsites were reutilized to build elevated beach cabanas
Park quiet hours not enforced
No park officials or host cruising patrolling campground
No entrance gate locked overnight. Lots of fishermen cruising through campground
No shade what so ever. Some sites had a pergola over their concrete picnic table; Our site had no table covering. Brisk ocean"breezes", made it impossible to deploy our trailer awning
No privacy from any other campsite
Sites fairly close to each other
No campsite campfire pits
No on-site firewood sales
Concrete picnic table unmovable No ocean"view" from any of the campsites
No camp store in Park. Closest H‑E‑B, Walmart and Tractor Supply in Bay City. No grocery stores in Matagorda but there is a Dollar General store. Park WIFI poor; could only connect at toilet/shower facility
No playground, basketball or tennis courts
No pool or splash pad
Ranger
Diverse environments to explore by kayak or hiking trail, plus horse trails, fishing, nature center, historic buildings, and a full event center.
Yay: Camping includes typical tent/RV sites or cabins. Our campsite was right along the water, which was pretty (it’s a reservoir along a river).
Nay: it’s pretty busy, but not overly loud or dirty.
Surprise: lots of wildlife here! There are events throughout the year...we visited during a charity race but that didn’t really impact our trip (aside from the campground being full). They frequently have rodeo/horse events too...very Texas! The historic church was more interesting than we expected.
Legend
Went camping here and got to set up our tents right on the beach. Beautiful place to camp, but don't expect ammenities! Port o potties only, no bathrooms or showers. The biggest problem however, was the mosquitoes! At dusk we had to retreat to our tents immediately or be eaten alive. So beware!
RangerCampground Review
It's incredible that I was born and raised in Houston and have lived here the past four years but haven't made it out to Brazos Bend State Park until now! A quick, 45 minute drive southwest will get you out of the concrete jungle that is the sprawling Space City metropolis and into one of the lushest, greenest parts of Texas. Brazos Bend is a "Nature Lover's Paradise" - there is abundant wildlife. There is great fishing, ample bird watching, and lots and lots of alligators (!). Lots of trails for walking, running, biking, and horseback riding. The George Observatory is a pretty amazing feature of this park (but only open Saturdays).
We arrived at Brazos Bend on a Friday afternoon and were able to walk-in no problem. Walk-in rate is $12/day + the daily park entrance fee ($5 for adults, free for kids). I have a Texas State Parks Pass so we didn't have to pay the entrance fees (saved us $40 for two nights of camping!). Additionally there were several other great options including: Full-Site RV hook-up ($25/night), Standard Camping ($20/night, incl. water & electricity), and 14 Cabins ($80-200/night but have everything you could ever need or want).
We did a lot of nature walks, game playing, and swimming during our two days at Brazos Bend State Park. Summer is probably not the best time to visit any park in Texas - its hot and muggy and the mosquitos are out in full force. Bring your DEET. Seriously. Despite that though, we were very pleasantly surprised by the amenities (swimming pool, screened in picnic tables, fire pits, and tent pads!)
Product Review
As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time - this past weekend at Brazos Bend I tested out the Kameng Mid eVent Waterproof Hiking Boot by Mishmi Takin.
These boots have got it all.
First, these boots are hella comfortable! I was blown away how comfortable they were right out of the box. Over the years, I've owned many pairs of hiking boots and they all required a significant break-in period. Not these!
Second, they're waterproof AND breathable. Not water resistant, like actually water proof.
Third, the look great. All 3 color schemes are fantastic I had a tough time choosing between green, grey and orange.
Fourth, so lightweight. These only weigh 1.5lbs so even though they are boots, they won't weigh you down.
5/5 Would Recommend.
Traveler
Mainly RV Camping but a few tent campers. Clean showers. Pizza restaurant, hot tub, firewood. Classic family friendly glamping.
Traveler
Birds, open and clean air, nice trails to explore. The RV section seemed cramped but the tent section seemed spacious.
TravelerThis park is located inside the Matagorda Nature Preserve and located directly on the ICW with a beautiful view from pretty much every camp site. The sites have electric and water hookups and their is a restroom located directly in the middle of the ground. Their is a self-service ice machine right across the street and that a plus because their is virtually nowhere to buy ice on the island and the closest convenient store is about 15 minutes away. It’s 27$ a night to camp and they allow tents and RVs which is pretty cool. I set my tent up in the grass and enjoyed a beautiful sunset over the water. The public beach access is about 5 miles away and it’s a pretty nice beach but you need 4 wheel drive to access. Showers are a little outdated and their is absolutely no shade at all but other than that it’s a beautiful little spot.
TravelerIf alligators are what you want to see, you will find them here. We stayed in the primative campground in a tent and had no problems with alligators coming in the campsite. They are in the lake and swamp area and may be sunning on the hiking trails. They won't bother you if you walk around them. The picnic sites and pavilions are nice.
GuideClose to the Texas coast line, closest town is Edna. Be stocked up with all the goodies you enjoy. Closet Walmart is about 20 miles away. It was warm and sunny when we visited Oct 1, 2021. Lots of wild live to keep your interests, including alligators. Texana has a limited number of full service slots, so book in advance.
ScoutHi, guys
My name is Riya, I was looking for the some best RV parks near me in sweeny texas, I found many but this 60 North RV park were poping with good reviews on Sam Good Club. Its not too expensive for as I have stayed with my friends for 4 days and one night.
it good as said by other members of sam good clubhttp://www.baycityrvpark.com/rv-parks-near-rentals-sweeny-texas.php
You will experience here good environment, fresh air
RangerThis is a pretty Texas-y park with a church and event center on site. Nice wetlands, fishing, forests, lake, all very pretty but there are bugs and gators (and deer). Lots of camp site choices and many are on the water, a little shade, nice trees. Some people go out on the water for fishing pretty early so we didn’t get to sleep in but it was still really nice.
ScoutThis is an awesome beach to visit becoming more popular over the years but still great. Miles and miles of beaches to drive on and enjoy, plus tons of small ponds on the other side of the dunes. The small ponds contain numerous small fish and hermit crabs. But if the surf is what you want this beach is one of the best surfing beaches in Texas and also has great surf fishing or just fish the mouth of the Colorado river. This beach is one of the best.
LegendReserved 89 days prior to arriving.
PRO
Extremely nice park registration staff.
Registration info was available outside of gatehouse upon arrival.
Security gate that closes during overnight hours.
Quiet except for Hwy 111 traffic noise.
Campsites along lake with wide open view of lake. VERY NICE.
Nice space between campsites with brush between some sites for privacy
Clean and well stocked toilet/shower facility.
Dark sky friendly.
Brand new Nature Center!
Campsite with picnic table, lantern pole and fire ring.
Campsite 125 partially shade
$35/night camping fee
CON
$3.50 transaction fee Former Texas State Park so most campsites are short in length.
We saw numerous 25ft and bigger rigs struggling to back into sites and then the front of their rig was right on roadway.
Campsite 125 uneven side-to-side.
Alligators in lake!
2 bars AT&T.
No Park WiFi.
ScoutWe recently decided we wanted to spend more time outside and over the last year started accumulating camping supplies. When it was finally time to put them to use we chose Brazos Bend because it wasn't to far from the city and had a lot of hiking trails. This park is amazing! We saw around 15 alligators while hiking, and these are animals in the wild in their habitat (not like the gator farms where some dude is sticking his head in ones mouth). The have a nature center where park rangers give you info about the animals in the park and let you see snakes and baby alligators up close. The campsites have a fire pit, table and grill and for the most part lots of shade trees. All the hiking trails were accessible right from our site. Since we only camped overnight we didn't use any of the facilities but heard they were very clean. We ended up buying the texas state park pass and cannot wait to come back!
RangerBefore we stopped at the Brazos park we went from Pottsville Arkansas to the beaches in Texas .Started out in Houston and seen the San Jacinto Monument , The Washburn Tunnel, Aquaworld in down town Houston. Went over some Big bridges . Than we went to the beach in Galveston and spend the night in the back of my explorer what a night great view and the breeze was nice . The next day moved on to travel down the coast to the Port Aransas and crossed on the ferry heading to Mustang Island beach. Than passing Corpus Christi down to Padre Island . Can't remember the name of the beach we spend the night on . The next morning we headed out away from the coast and back towards home . This it where we stopped at the Brazos park and sleep in one of the screened rooms . The park was beautiful and the moss on the trees make you think you have gone back in time . But a last we have to go home!
LegendSome places are just best discovered than read about, and Magnolia Beach is one such place. We came for a night, and stayed for a week. This place just might win the award for the most chilled-out camping area on the continent– but it would have to muster enough enthusiasm to enter the contest. Rather, all enthusiasm here is geared toward fishin’ and sittin’.
Drive through the small village into an unassuming beachside residential neighborhood and out onto the beach itself, where there is room to park nearly 100 RV’s. Most tent campers set up at one of the picnic pavilions where there is a bit more beach grass. The bathroom building has flush toilets, warm-ish showers (individual stalls), and external beachside rinse off showers.
Since the area does not charge a dime for your stay of up to 14 days, it is super important to take care of the place, i.e. don’t ruin it for everyone. So, bring plenty of drinking water, and carry away all your rubbish. The area does have trashcans, but not a large collection dumpster.
There is one convenience store/ take away restaurant with the usual suspects of chips, and beer–you can get a pizza to take back with you to the beach. The closest town with grocery stores, and other services is Port Lavaca, about 12 miles away. There is another similar camping area just down the road toward Indianola which has a similar set up if you find Magnolia Beach too noisy or crowded.
LegendBrazos Bend is alligator headquarters! This is my son's favorite park, right up next to Dinosaur Valley State Park. So first i'll tell you that the facilities are nice and pretty new it looked like. There are tent, group, equestrian, and RV sites, plus cabins and screened shelters. They have a few hike and bike trails, but nothing very challenging or long, but everything else they have is what makes it the bomb!
There are six lakes, a creek, and the Brazos river in the park, so if you go during summer take bug spray, or bugs will eat you alive. Also tons of spiders...so yeah. You can fish at some of the lakes, and most of the lakes have a viewing pier where you can bird watch and look for big alligators.
OK, the Nature center is the coolest thing ever!!! They have snakes, spiders, and lots of fun stuff for kids. My son got to touch a king snake and a baby alligator, which was so cool. They also have lots of planned activities going on, so make sure you check the calendar or ask a park ranger if they have an event going on. We got so lucky that they had a group of alligator hatchlings that they brought out for all the kids to see and did a whole informative, interactive discussion. They brought out like 60 baby alligators in tubs and showed the kids how they feed them and how they would release them back into the wild. It was the most amazing thing! They made sure every kid got to touch one, and there were a lot of kids.
So yeah alligators are awesome, but on top of all of that, there is an observatory in the park. If you go on the weekends they have tours and shows at the observatory. There is an extra fee, but it is well worth it.
Bring a hat, sunscreen, good shoes, and bug spray is a must!
Traveler
Free beach camping, No reservations needed! We went on a weekend late July 2021, NO PROBLEM finding space. Recommend some type of canopy or awning, Texas Sun is HOT! Plan ahead, stores are few and far between. NO amenities, water, showers or hookups of any kind. Tmobile Cell service wasn't the best. Generator usage is allowed, but you barely could hear any due to all the space between campers & the WAVES SOUNDING SO AMAZING! Sunrise was beautiful! I'll go again!
Pros: Amazing View, Lots of Space, No harassment, Ice Cream & Food Trucks pass throughout the day (if you have a sweet tooth), beach sand is compacted so you shouldn't get stuck, several beach access roads to enter from. Camp fires 🔥 are permitted & I found firewood laying around.
Cons: North part of island has LOTS of debris, dead trees, branches, etc. No trash cans or porta pottys either (we didn't mind that, but be prepared to take your trash with & have a bucket for your business, lol). A goofball left all their trash scattered when they departed after their 3 hr beach adventure. Most everyone was mindful of leaving things clean. MORE trash cans could help.
Tent camping near Bay City, Texas, offers a variety of options for outdoor enthusiasts looking to enjoy nature and the great outdoors. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot to pitch your tent and unwind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Bay City, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Bay City, TX is Magnolia Beach with a 4.3-star rating from 21 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Bay City, TX?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Bay City, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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