Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Big Thicket National Preserve

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.

Sandy Creek ACE, TX: To Do: Great location to visit the Big Thicket National Preserve. Boat launch is in the park. Fishing. Gorgeous sunsets.

(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good

(71 yr olds in 17’ trailer. )

Overall Rating: 3.5. Great price, large sites , but showers need updating and better water heaters.
Price 2023: $9 w interagency pass. Not a lot of privacy in most sites. Security: No Usage during visit: 1/3 full on Saturday. Site Privacy: No shrubbery between sites Site Spacing: Most sites have great spacing Site surface: Blacktop Reservations: Yes Campground Noise: Very quiet Road Noise: No public roads nearby Through Traffic in campground: None Electric Hookup: Yes Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: Yes Potable Water Available: At sites Bathroom: Flush toilets. Clean, but in major need of updating. Showers: Yes. Common dressing area - needs updating. Water heated not adequate every morning. Pull Throughs: Some Cell Service (AT&T): 3 bars Setting: Sites are in what is mostly a pine forest.
Recent Weather: Cool. Typical for this time of year I am told Host: At entrance Rig Size: Largest of rigs are accommodated Sites: 32 has great shade. 51 and 35 doorside towards trees as opposed to another trailer.v

We stayed at this park while we were in our home base area for 2 months. The rv park is very nice. The staff and owners are great. The park is well maintained and has beautiful views. The laundry room is small but clean. The park just opened a store on grounds and it has just about anything you may have forgotten while shopping in town. The park is not very far from the local town for dining out and shopping. The two popular lakes are not that far of a drive either. The park sometimes has events that are very nice and the park occupants are welcomed. They also have a golf driving range, pool, and game room. There is also several ponds in the park where you can fish are just sit on the bench and enjoy the quiet view. There is also a concrete walk way all around the park that is great for walking your pets or even just taking a stroll for yourself. We will stay here each time we are in the area.

Beautiful campground. Stayed in last loop camp 36. Was too close to 35. Not much privacy. Wish I would have chose 43, drive down the hill a bit to unload, had its own private beach. The last loop 35-43 is primitive campsites. Still has bathrooms though with flush toilets. Each loop has flush toilets, the first 2 loops has shower houses. Didnt check the water temp. Have my own hot water privacy shower. Dogs must be on leash. Quiet tim 10pm to 6am. Cute couple in matching shirts comes around on golf cart several times a day checking on guest. First 2 loops are for electric amps for RVs. But the primitive loop still has water hook ups as well. There is a dump station. And must Reserve Online only! No cash, cards, checks accepted on site. Boat dock is $5 a day with a credit card machine as soon as you go through gate. The gates do not lock at night. Was there for 2 weeks March 2021. Many fireflies,, which was like a fairytale,, through the forest and down by lake.. cell service was good for Verizon, Sprint, and Tmobile. Kinda slow but worked. Fire rings, and tables at each site. The primitive loop had no tent pads, just set up where you like. I paid $7 because I get half off with my American is Beautiful/interagency pass which is available online for $80 annually. Saves me %50 @ most parks. Price is $14 a night for the primitive loop. And goes up to like $40 depending on amp. They have 3 shelters, which is just a box with windows and electricity for $38 a night in the first loop. All sites are basically on the water, some are too close to one another, some are very private. Gotta look at the park map online. Only 1 walking trail with 2 benches through the walk. Very short, not much to see, kinda muddy. Trail ends at a picnic table by the water. There is a short cut if you follow the path to the boat ramps so you don't have to turn around and walk back out. No wildlife messed with our food out side. No coons. Saw red cardinals, blue Jay's, woodpeckers, white tailed deer, bunnies was about it. There are some fat dark brown squirrels tho. If you come out gates for gas/ice/food make a left. Twice the ice 16lbs for$2 is a mile on your right. As is food and ⛽ and doughnuts 🍩 😋. Being next to a major road and the giant trucks and boats driving through to get down by the dock kinda killed the forest, fireflies, lake, sunset ambiance for me a little. Very windy up on the primitive loop, mind you its a peninsula 30ft above the lake!