The greater Houston area surrounding Katy, Texas sits on coastal plains with elevations rarely exceeding 150 feet. The region experiences humid subtropical climate with hot summers where temperatures frequently reach 95°F and mild winters with occasional freezing temperatures. This climate creates ideal conditions for year-round camping, with spring and fall offering the most comfortable weather for yurt camping near Katy.
What to do
Stargazing at the observatory: Brazos Bend State Park offers extraordinary night sky viewing opportunities through their observatory. "There are always plenty of stargazers up there that love to share their equipment, you can also pay for the big telescopes," notes one visitor who recommends planning your visit around celestial events.
Fishing in stocked ponds: Camp Mohawk County Park provides multiple fishing opportunities in well-maintained stocked ponds. A camper mentioned, "They have cabins, dorms, tent camping, hiking trails, stocked ponds for fishing, playgrounds, volleyball, basketball courts, pavilions for rent with bar b q grills."
Wildlife observation: Stephen F. Austin State Park features abundant wildlife viewing opportunities along flat, shaded trails. "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," reports a camper who appreciated the natural setting.
Weekend flea market shopping: Traders Village RV Park offers direct access to one of the area's largest flea markets. A visitor noted, "Perfect with families with kids to wake up and go shopping and cheap all day pass rides!! This place is a Must go!!!"
What campers like
Full hookup sites at state parks: Unlike many state parks that offer limited services, Stephen F. Austin State Park provides complete RV amenities. One camper praised, "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!"
Proximity to Houston: Brazos Bend State Park offers natural settings without long travel times from the city. A camper noted it's "the best place to escape from the big city and enjoy nature! There is so much to do. The hiking and bike paths are aplenty."
Shaded campsites: Most campgrounds in the area feature tree coverage for protection from summer heat. One visitor to Stephen F. Austin State Park commented, "Only spent a night here, but it was VERY quiet, completely dead-flat level site, with electric (30 amp)... Saw numerous trails that looked easy, and tree/shade covered."
Variety of accommodation options: Yurt camping near Katy, Texas has grown in popularity with several parks now offering these structures. At Houston West RV Park, visitors can choose between traditional camping and yurt accommodations with a visitor noting, "Nice mini lake and walking trail" surrounding the property.
What you should know
Insects can be problematic: The humid climate supports large mosquito populations, particularly near water. A visitor to Thousand Trails Lake Conroe warned, "The only downside were the mosquitos, which isn't the campgrounds fault. Just with the heat and swamps/lakes they are particularly bad."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advanced booking, especially for specialty accommodations like yurts. "Staff is awesome and helped us get in for a late check in," reported a Stephen F. Austin State Park visitor who emphasized the importance of calling ahead.
Alligator awareness: Several parks in the region host alligator populations. A Brazos Bend camper advised, "Brazos Bend is known as the Alligator Park...and for good reason! If you go on a moderate temperature day (this is the key. If it is too hot or cold you won't see Gators) you can see literally dozens of massive alligators."
Limited WiFi availability: Many campgrounds advertise WiFi but service is often unreliable. A Lake Conroe visitor noted, "I booked this site because it shows wifi as an amenity. However, the wifi is a pay-by-the-day only offer."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for hot days: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Waller provides extensive water recreation options. "We camped during the week and it wasn't very crowded. Plenty to do for our little ones. Huge play ground closed for COVID but other things open were splash pad, water slides, pool, lazy river, fishing," reported a visitor.
Short hiking trails for young children: Multiple parks offer hiking appropriate for families with small children. A Stephen F. Austin visitor explained, "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!"
Bathroom proximity: When camping with children, site selection matters. One family at Stephen F. Austin State Park recommended, "We wanted a site fairly close to the bathrooms because of the kiddos, one big enough to fit us all, and also one with a lot of shade because it was hella hot!"
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer nature programs and wildlife viewing opportunities for children. "This state park is a great little place! We have a state park pass so we try to visit as many as possible and obviously our entry fee is free, but we enjoy the history and education they provide as well," mentioned a camper.
Tips from RVers
Pull-through availability: Several campgrounds offer pull-through sites that accommodate larger rigs. A visitor to Thousand Trails Colorado River noted, "We had space D25 which is on the outside of the big loop by the river and boat ramp. Lots of space on the door side to the next unit, and nature behind us."
Site selection process: Some membership-based campgrounds have unique check-in procedures. A Lake Conroe visitor explained, "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."
Levelness of sites: Most RV sites in the region require minimal leveling. A camper at Stephen F. Austin mentioned, "Full hookups with 30 amps. Semi circle drive thru that fit my 44 ft motorhome and towed Jeep. Deer all over and saw a 6 point buck. Very dark with no lighting."
Access considerations: Some parks have challenging access routes due to ongoing construction. "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," warned a visitor to Stephen F. Austin State Park.
