Escape into nature and disconnect from daily life with glamping near Big Thicket National Preserve. Camping has always been a favorite form of travel for many, but Big Thicket National Preserve, TX glamping is a new and unique way to do it. Search nearby glamping or find top-rated spots from other campers.
This recreation area is part of Steinhagen Lake
Magnolia Ridge Park is located on the northwest side of B.A. Steinhagen Lake, between the towns of Woodville and Jasper, Texas. The lake provides a great getaway for fishing, boating, picnicking, camping and birding.
B.A. Steinhagen Lake is a prime location for boating, canoeing, fishing and wildlife viewing. Several parks with boat ramps and docks are scattered around the lake, including facilities within Magnolia Ridge. Fishing is a popular pastime. Largemouth bass, catfish and crappie are the primary sport species found in the lake. Younger anglers love the Kid's Fish Pond within Magnolia Ridge, and Kid's Fish Day is held annually in June. The road system within Magnolia Ridge Park offers excellent family biking opportunities for 3-5 mile rides. A playground is also located on-site.
The lake lies in the heart of the East Texas Pineywoods, a beautiful region known for its pine uplands, bottomland hardwoods and pine-hardwood mixed forests, which provide habitat for a wide range of wildlife. White-tailed deer, squirrels, rabbits, red and gray fox, bobwhite quail and numerous species of ducks, geese, waterfowl and songbirds make their home in the area.
The Angelina-Neches/Dam B Wildlife Management Area is nearby, covering nearly 13,000 acres. The area boasts beautiful mature hardwoods, including cypress, sweet gum and red and water oak. Some areas feature stands of loblolly and shortleaf pine. Visitors have the opportunity to hunt, fish, hike and view wildlife in this extraordinary ecosystem.
General Policy No Refunds are given at the field location Individual Campsites If a customer cancels a campsite reservation within 14 days of their scheduled arrival they shall be charged a $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee.
$10 - $30 / night
Fish at one of the largest lakes in the state, hike quiet trails through the forest, or find Lake Livingston camping under the trees. This refreshing retreat from city life is just an hour north of Houston. At Lake Livingston State Park, you can swim, fish, boat, hike, bird, camp, picnic, mountain bike, geocache and study nature. We have activities for the whole family! Take a virtual tour with our Interactive Trails Map. We offer many camping options, from tent sites with water nearby up to campsites with full hookups. You can also rent one of 10 screened shelters, some of which are ADA accessible. Or book one of our group sites for your next reunion. Shop our park store for souvenirs, drinks, snacks, ice, camping and fishing supplies, and much more. Alligators live in the area; read our alligator safety tips.
$14 - $28 / night
San Augustine Park is set along the Ayish Bayou tributary on the shores of Sam Rayburn Reservoir. In spring, take advantage of excellent birding opportunities as neotropical birds like warblers and vireos pass through the lake en route to the Gulf of Mexico.
The lake is a highly popular destination for boating and fishing. Game fish include largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish, but it is the abundance of bass, which inspires more than 500 annual tournaments.
With more than 114,000 surface acres, Sam Rayburn is the largest man-made lake that is completely within the boundaries of the state of Texas. The reservoir is fed by the Angelina River, a major tributary of the Neches River. The piney woods region boasts native flora like orchids, insect-eating plants and scores of animal species.
From the eastern edge of the lake, hikers can embark on a 28-mile trail that heads east to the Toledo Bend Reservoir.
$16 - $30 / night
This recreation area is part of Sam Rayburn Reservoir
This recreation area is part of Sam Rayburn Reservoir
Guide
This park is a great option for those looking for a spot not too far from Houston, but less busy than other parks such as Huntsville State Park, etc. that are a little closer to Houston. It’s also a nice option for those wanting to visit Big Thicket, but seeking a less primative camping experience (the Big Thicket National Preserve has primitive camping only).
Most of the campsites have enough trees to set up a hammock. If you get there while the office is open, they will give you the choice of picking your own campsite (of those still available).
Canoe and kayak rentals are dirt cheap. You might see an alligator while canoeing, but per the park workers they don’t bother people.
Bring bug spray! Especially in the hotter months.
ScoutThis is one of my top favorite State Parks in Texas. It a bonus that it's reasonably close to home.
GuideThis may very well be the cheapest lakefront real estate in Texas. You simply cannot beat $15/night right on the water! Very quiet, and never crowded (in November). Decent cell signal, and great reception on my Transistor/Weather radio.
GuideIts a classic east Texas state park. The restrooms arent hotel quality but they are for sure better than a hole in the ground. The park itself is pretty and situated on a lake, providing scenic trails and water craft activities
GuideThia camp ground is owned and managed by Texas Parks and Wildlife. It is well maintained and kept. The RV camp sites are plenty big and the tent sites are big enough to pitch the large multi person cabin tents. The fishing is a amazing and the store is cool.
ScoutWe stayed in a tent at site 124. It was crazy windy when we were setting up our tent. This part of the park was really windy for two of the three days, but we still had a great time. Typical, nice Texas State Park. Nice sites. Enjoyed the hiking on wide trails. They did not rent canoes or kayaks because of the winds.
ScoutOk it's August it Texas so it was hot and the mosquitos were in full force. We knew that was. coming so we were prepared. The fishing was great and this State Park is one of those hidden gems. There was no crowd, it was like we had the whole place to ourselves. the deer walked by every night and the fireflies put on a show.
Guide
Lake Livingston State Park is one of our regular visits. During the school year it is hard to head out on a Friday, drive 2-3 hours and then setup in the dark for a weekend camping trip. Lake Livingston is just over an hour from our house and has lots to offer. They recently rebuilt one of the camping loops to where now this is one of the few state parks in Texas that have Full Hookups. Not all loops have Full Hookups but a couple do.
Like most state parks in Texas the sites here are large and offer a lot of shade. Each site will have a table and a fire ring. There are tons of hiking trails and geocaches throughout the park. It is also close to shops in town so that if you forget something you are only about 15 minutes from a Walmart. There is a shop on site that has most of the essentials.
GuideWe have stayed here several times with family, some in tents and some in pop up trailers. The bathrooms are old, Texas is supposed to be getting new bathrooms in all state park facilities but had not gotten to this one as of our last visit. Park is larger, best to do with bikes if possible. Limited lake access but good fishing spots abound. Tower to climb, trails to hike, firewood to burn...
GuideLake Livingston State Park is a fantastic state park for water activities. The fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding is all fantastic.
Campsites: The sites were all well maintained with the best spots being in Piney Shores & Red Oak. We were in spot #69. It had a great view but lacked in flat playing space for young children and hammock trees.
Trails: There were a few trails in the park, none of which were all that long. The main Trinity Trace Trail was flat dirt, good for young bikers. Though trails are short, they connect so you could do a few trails for a longer run/hike if you so desired.
Bathrooms: Each campground loop has one bathroom and shower. They can be a bit of a walk if you don’t have a close site. They appear to be older but maintained and cleaned well enough.
Park Specific Activities: Getting on the water was awesome, it’s the largest lake in Texas, so lots to explore. Fishing was fantastic. We caught bass, perch and catfish and lots of them! Getting in the lake left some to be desired. The bottom has many large rocks, tree stumps and is very mossy. Swimming can be fun but a little dangerous and slippery. The duck pond and frog pond are nothing to get excited about. We saw no birds in the bird blind and the frog pond is so small you almost can’t see it. We did hear a frog though.
Other: Connected to the park store they had a small educational space for young kids with a functioning beehive. The kids (ages 2-6) loved it. The park store is not open Mondays and Tuesdays. Kayak, canoe and paddle board rentals were only Thursday to Sunday 8:30-3:30. $10-20/rental. The pool was not functioning when we went in August 2018. They have a small amphitheater and near by a room available for rent which can have 50 guests. It was air conditioned and had nice hardwood floors.
In Summary: We would absolutely recommend it for water activities and relaxation. It’s a beautiful spot! We wouldn’t recommend it for just birding or hiking but the park as a whole is great.
Traveler
Beautiful park. We brought kayaks and had a great time amongst the trees. Even saw some small gators!
GuideTent camper, site #30. Deep into the piney woods and swampy outcrops of B.A. Steinhagen lake, I camped under the shade of a huge magnolia tree alongside very tall pines and oaks. Alligators are present all day and night near the water. They aren’t a nuisance. Good utility hookups, nice covered eating area, the grass all over the area is very lush and well kept. Bathrooms are okay, I didn’t use their shower because there isn’t much airflow and I probably would’ve sweat even more after taking one which would defeat the purpose. Not a whole lot of tent sites w/utilities, us tent campers are a dying breed amongst public campgrounds and it’s sad. My site was isolated on one side, RVers all along the other side. Lots of music from frogs, birds, etc. One raccoon came to sniff every night but I know not to leave any crumbs or accessible food. Dollar General and gas station are less than 2 miles outside of the park at a small blinking light intersection. Perfect !
ScoutEverything about this place is amazing
GuideVery spacious and well kept. Will definitely stay here again.
ScoutWe enjoyed the trails, shade tree, rock Pier, and kayak opportunities.
GuideNice Army Corps campground on the bayou. Great trails, boat ramp, bank fishing and wildlife observation. Well maintained.
ScoutWent for the weekend last month now we are coming back for the whole month of October! Very clean maintained small campgrounds! Bathrooms fair enough for low traffic and close enough for convenience. Although everything was amazing clean restrooms and showers we wish it was more clear where the showers were they were not on the map trying to find them at night was interesting
ScoutVery quiet but then we were there in January so hardly any campers around
GuideThis park is operated by COE and the host were so helpful and friendly. Sites are very spacious. The one we had was right by the water so we only had to walk a few steps to fish. We stayed for 12 days. I got to see a air boat right behind our camper. It was awesome. Loved this place and fishing was good. Another one to come back to.
GuideWe tented here on a rainy weekend unfortunately. It was a nice site right near the water, and we saw a lot of wildlife like an armadillo, raccoon, and deer. We got out for a little bit to go for a walk and went to some of the trails which were scenic but super buggy. Bring spray and citronella candles!
TravelerWe came in late and left early, but it seems that there is quite a bit to do at the park. The lake is pretty and the tent spots are grassy and large. Clean bath house and nice showers. Mosquitos were out, but that's to be expected.
GuideGreat trails and kayaking in the slough!!! Beautiful SP!
TravelerSuch a beautiful park that was extremely clean and easy to enjoy. Their map was very easy to understand and it was packed full of activities for all ages to enjoy. Can’t wait to camp and enjoy it again!!
TravelerFamily fun
ScoutThis park is near my home so we have camped here many times over the years. It is well maintained and the landscape is well groomed. There are usually park ranger run programs for children on a variety of subjects like animals found in the park, flora and fauna in the park etc. There are also canoe rentals for the more adventurous. There are several hiking trails through the forest and a few geocaches for those who cache. Many families like to ride bikes through out the park. The speed limit for cars is very low and most people seem to respect the limit, making it pretty safe for riders.There is a fishing area complete with fish cleaning stations. When you visit, be sure to bring mosquito spray. The mosquitoes tend to be aggressive especially on the trails and in the many areas near water. You will be miserable if you do not have mosquito spray. There is a small convenience store just across the bridge in case you forgot something. Jasper, where we live is a 15 minute drive and there is a Wal-Mart there if the convenience store doesn't have what you need.
GuideTent Camped 9JUN20- 1 night
TO BE FAIR, this was RIGHT after everyone reopened and things were all weird. There was no one to check in with and the whole time we were there we never saw any park personnel. The park was MAYBE 25% camped, but might have been less than that. Sites were huge and well treed, no pads but good drainage, which was a blessing because it POURED overnight.
Site 334 was on the water with great trees and soft ground to camp on. Our closest neighbor was 500 feet away, and they were the only other one on our loop.
The park was empty and quiet with no canoes or anything available due to COVID.
The bathrooms were older and pretty clean, but not overly tended to.
The trails were a little rough and needed a lot of rotted wood replaced on the bridges and benches. Tons of birds and wildlife to see.
Brought my dog but not a lot of good places for him to get in the water.
It was the first time I had camped in 10 years, so this was the perfect place for a shakeout camp.
ScoutThis campground has been a favorite of ours for a few years. The large pine trees are picturesque against the backdrop of the reservoir. There are plenty of trails and lots of opportunities for fishing, even without using the paddle trails. I would recommend for anyone looking for a relaxing weekend close not too far from the greater houston area.
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