Glamping in Grapeland, Texas offers visitors access to unique accommodations within the Piney Woods region, where the average summer temperatures reach 95°F and winters remain mild at 40-60°F. The area sits approximately 545 feet above sea level with a mix of pine forests and open meadows creating varied camping landscapes. Several campgrounds operate year-round with most amenities, though water activities are typically best from April through October.
What to do
Train spotting at Rusk Depot: The historic Rusk Depot Campground offers a unique experience with trains regularly passing through. "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," notes Lisa P. The depot area includes a small fishing pond and historic displays.
Fishing access: Waterfront camping at Bethy Creek Resort provides direct lake access. "Almost all spots have a great view of the lake. Ours had a deck right over the water. The fishing was decent too," reports Rodney C. Many sites include private fishing docks or shoreline access with bass and catfish being common catches.
Water recreation: Cable wakeboarding is available at some locations along with boat rentals. "Clean camping site on the Trinity with a cable 2.0 for wakeboarding. Great atmosphere and helpful staff," mentions Chelsea D. Boat ramps allow personal watercraft access at several properties, with rental options available during peak season.
What campers like
Peaceful surroundings: The Rusk KOA earns praise for its tranquility. "This campground really has no outside noise from anywhere. It is wonderfully quiet," shares Ty A. The property sits far enough from major roads to minimize traffic noise while maintaining easy access.
Family amenities: Kid-friendly features rank high among visitor preferences. "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," explains Lisa P. about the Rusk KOA.
Wildlife viewing: Natural settings provide opportunities for wildlife observation. "We loved waking up to see a pasture full of cows behind us," shares Lauren Z. about her stay at A-OK South RV Park. The surrounding farmlands and forests support diverse wildlife including deer, rabbits, and various bird species.
What you should know
Maintenance varies by property: Some campgrounds require improvements. "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," reports Chantyl about Rusk Depot Campground. Privately-owned properties often have better-maintained facilities than former state parks.
Seasonal crowds: November through February typically sees lower occupancy. "This time of year, (Thanksgiving Week) Very quiet!" notes Patricia B. about Marina Village Resort. Summer weekends and holidays can reach full capacity, requiring reservations weeks or months in advance.
Wildlife cautions: Snake encounters require vigilance in waterfront areas. "Big problem with snakes though so be careful when fishing," warns Caleb C. Fire ant mounds can also be problematic, with one visitor reporting, "There were large fire ant mounds all along the concrete, and we had to purchase fire ant killer ourselves."
Tips for camping with families
Weekend event scheduling: Seasonal events provide additional entertainment. "They do easter egg/candy hunts and have other events for the kids/kids at heart," shares a visitor about Rusk KOA. Many properties host Halloween activities in October and Easter events in spring, with some offering regular weekend programming throughout summer.
Site selection strategies: Choosing locations away from highways improves the experience. One camper shares, "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."
Nature-based entertainment: Simple outdoor activities keep children engaged. "The kids played outside all day- making walking sticks, fishing a lot, catching bugs (spotted some really neat moths, too), and making up games," reports a visitor to Trinity Luxury RV Resort. Many sites have sufficient open space for traditional outdoor games.
Tips from RVers
Campsite leveling: Pine forests create uneven terrain at some properties. "Parking pad broken up by roots so very uneven surface," notes one RVer. Bringing additional leveling blocks can help compensate for natural ground shifts.
Utility reliability: Power capacity varies between locations. "On our last night, the 30 amp breaker kept tripping without a full load. Happened twice within an hour so we scaled back our amp use under 20 just to have some heat during the night," reports Napunani. Bringing a surge protector and monitoring electrical usage helps prevent issues.
Site navigation: Pine needle coverage can make road identification difficult. "FHU loop roadway was difficult to maneuver due to the roadway being covered with pine needles which blended it into the non-roadway. We saw most people driving thru campsites thinking it was the road," cautions an RV camper at Rusk Depot.
