Jersey Village, Texas offers year-round camping with relatively mild winters and hot, humid summers. Located in the western outskirts of Houston, the area sits at an elevation of about 100 feet on flat, coastal prairie terrain. Mosquitoes are abundant during warmer months, especially near the water features that characterize many of the campgrounds.
What to do
**Wildlife observation: Wildlife viewing opportunities are extensive at Stephen F. Austin State Park Campground, where guests frequently encounter deer, rabbits and birds. "We saw an abundance of deer and bunnies, plus we were able to listen in on a conversation between a very large owl who had taken up residence in one of the trees by our site, and a long distance friend several sites down," notes one visitor.
**Astronomy: The observatory at Brazos Bend State Park Campground offers special events and weekend star-gazing programs. "The observatory is also incredible. There are so many friendly astronomy enthusiasts who are willing to share a peek through their telescope and share their knowledge," reports a camper.
**Fishing: Local ponds and waterways provide fishing options at several parks. At Brazos Bend State Park, numerous trails follow lakes and ponds where visitors can fish while watching for wildlife.
What campers like
**Full hookup sites: Many visitors appreciate the convenience of complete RV services. "Aside from the fact that the park is very well maintained and there is an abundance of wildlife, you get pull through sites with full hook ups on the cheap!" writes a reviewer about Stephen F. Austin State Park.
**Swimming options: The water attractions at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort Waller draw families seeking relief from Texas heat. One visitor mentions, "We camped during the week and it wasn't very crowded. Plenty to do for our little ones...splash pad, water slides, pool, lazy river, fishing, golf cart rental and more."
**Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention campground cleanliness as a major plus. At Thousand Trails Lake Conroe, visitors note the "concrete pads, full hookups, well-maintained grounds" that make for a more comfortable stay.
What you should know
**Site selection varies: At some parks, specific sites cannot be reserved in advance. "The campground is huge, and you cannot reserve a specific site. You drive around and pick a site, then call and let them know which one you're in," explains a visitor to Thousand Trails Lake Conroe.
**Fire ant awareness: Some campgrounds have issues with these troublesome insects. One camper at Houston West RV Park mentions, "They've got a pretty severe red ant infestation everywhere, so you can't spend too long standing outside on the gravel or the grass."
**Weekend crowds: Many parks get significantly busier on weekends. "Good family place, weekdays are fairly quiet, weekends are very busy," notes a visitor about Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park.
Tips for camping with families
**Trail selection: For families with young children, Stephen F. Austin State Park offers accessible paths. "Most of the trails were short (less than a mile), so if you are looking for a place for moderate or extreme hiking, it is not here, but for the kids, these were perfect!" explains a parent.
**Water activities: Multiple parks offer water-based recreation during hot weather. "I took a trip here with my husband, our son (3yo), my sister-in-law, her husband, their daughter(1yo), and a total of 4 dogs! We had an absolute blast!" writes a visitor to Stephen F. Austin about their family outing.
**Holiday events: Seasonal activities enhance the glamping in Jersey Village area. One visitor to Jellystone Park shares, "We have been to this park twice now, once at a tent site and once at a Yogi on the Lake cabin. Both during Halloween time a year apart. What a FUN place to be!! Our kids loved that we got to go Trick or treating at a campground!"
Tips from RVers
**Leveling requirements: Some sites require minimal adjustment. "Full hookups with 30 amps. Semi circle drive thru that fit my 44 ft motorhome and towed Jeep," notes a visitor to Stephen F. Austin State Park.
**Picnic table placement: Not all sites have ideal table arrangements. At Traders Village RV Park, one camper observed, "My only complaint was the picnic tables in both sites where we stayed were not ideal. They needed updating, and they were very close to the next site's sewer hoses, which wasn't very appealing."
**Navigation challenges: Construction and site layout can cause difficulties. As one visitor to Stephen F. Austin State Park notes, "Due to Interstate 10 construction, the eastbound exit for San Felipe is closed so the navigation system took us further East and then backtracked on some horrible condition rural roads."
