Best Tent Camping near Mathis, TX

Recent Tent Reviews in Mathis

163 Reviews of 5 Mathis Campgrounds

• N

  Nick & Allyssa S.

  Guide

  

  Dec. 15, 2024

  Mustang Hollow Campground

  Campground needs TLC

  Fine place to stop on the way through and very friendly staff. There is a petting zoo with miniature donkeys and horses, goats and emus! This was a wonderful treat feeding the critters. Sites are small, dirt and uneven. Pictures show a playground, dog park, etc., however, none of these things exist. It looks like they did at one point, but not in the last decade. No atvs or activities listed on website which was frustrating for the kids. Lake was entirely dry—of course no fault of the campground, but didn’t allow for fishing, etc. There were plenty of sites available but we were placed right by the train tracks and main highway. I do understand why, though, because there are quite a few permanent folks toward the back of the park.

• R

  Royce M.

  Traveler

  

  Nov. 2, 2024

  Choke Canyon State Park Campground

  Wide open spaces

  The sites are large with plenty of room for kiddos to run around. Sites typically have plenty of room to park a boat as well. Each electric site has a picnic table with covering and a fire pit grill. Some sites offer large trees for shade, but overall shade is sparse.

• 

  Les G.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 31, 2024

  Lake Corpus Christi State Park Campground

  Great Park in a fantastic location

  Well maintained and laid out facility with lots to see and do!

• A

  Anthony T.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 30, 2024

  Mustang Island State Park Campground

  Small RV Campground

  It was a very short visit—one night. The campsite we stayed in had only a 50-amp connector, even though we needed thirty amps. We didn't test the receptacle to see if they were sending 30 amps through a 50-amp plug. The campground is very close to the Gulf. The beach is divided into three sections; the center is for people only. The left and right sections four wheel drive vehicles can drive on the beach until 10 pm. There are no issues at all, but you are not allowed to drink alcohol on the beach. I expect the fine would be steep but we didn't see any rangers at night. You can ⛺ camp at night. We drove on the beach without a four-sprinter—mostly packed sand. If you are going to take risks, I would check the tides. Our sprinter is heavy. If we got stuck, we would have to call a wrecker, which would have been pricy. We were one of two B vans camping. All of the 4 by-4 were light and would probably not be able to pull us out. We don't have max tracks or a winch. The park has day passes for 7 dollars, the campsite was between 20 through 30 dollars.

• C

  Charles &.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 5, 2024

  Lake Corpus Christi State Park Campground

  Nice park for a stopover visit

  Very small Pull through sites (with very sharp turns). No good hiking trails. Seems great for boating or fishing, though. Good location for visiting Corpus.

• 

  Maria K.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 20, 2024

  Rockport RV Resort by Rjourney

  Review

  Rockport RV Resort sounds like a lovely coastal getaway, perfect for connecting with new friends, just like on omegle! The location and amenities seem ideal for a relaxing vacation.

• 

  Jeff F.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 11, 2024

  Ancient Oaks RV Park

  Great place to stay

  Very friendly staff, down home type. New electric utility posts, clean showers and great location with Live Oak trees. Just over 1 mile to the beach. We stayed last minute on a weekend and we're taken warmly taken in. We'll spend time here again

• 

  Greg S.

  Traveler

  

  May. 30, 2024

  Lake Corpus Christi State Park Campground

  Labor Day Weekend

  Clean campground, was very windy right off the lake in spot 063. But quick access to the beach and fishing were nice. Picnic table was gross with bird droppings all over it and the concrete pad. Bathrooms were hit or miss. Men’s was clean and usable, women’s was ok but got worse throughout the day and evening and unusable (toilets were clogged) by the evening.

• 

  Shiner T.

  Guide

  

  May. 20, 2024

  Angels In Goliad RV Park

  Nice Clean Park

  Gravel pads. New hookups.

• 

  Terran B.

  Guide

  

  Mar. 20, 2024

  Padre Balli County Park

  It's fine.

  The price was right and I had water and electric hookups, but basically I was in a parking lot and all the grass around is full of briars. Made it really hard to walk the dog. Proximity to the beach was also really, if only the weather was a little better. The showers are a quarter pay situation and I paid $1.50 for a cold shower. When I went to ask the front office about it, they basically said "sometimes you have to run the sink for a minute". Sorry, but I am paying quarters for a shower that never gets warm that's a big dissapointment and then to met with indifference about it, hence the two stars. I also don't like that you don't get to pick your spot, you just show up, pay and they tell you where you are staying. It was the off season, so maybe things are better in full swing summer.

• 

  Frank W.

  Scout

  

  Feb. 25, 2024

  Karankawa Camping Area — Goliad State Park

  Loudest campsite on earth

  Close to road, 9 million dogs barking all around, loud music after midnight. Awful.

• J

  Joerg M.

  Guide

  

  Nov. 11, 2023

  Mustang Island State Park Campground

  No thills here

  The camp ground’s only redemption is the closeness to the national park. There is really nothing there that would you wanna stay there except for that. Next time I would rathe stay at a camp ground one hour drive away from the national park in exchange for a better site.

• 

  Traci K.

  Ranger

  

  Sep. 9, 2023

  Bay View RV Resort

  Love it

  I have lived and worked here for 6 years now. Absolutely love the wildlife and birding. This place is very rustic and natural as possible. I host the Hummingbird Celebration site now known as Hummer Hill across from 219. This event is the second week of September for the big Hummingbird migration south.

• 

  shawna L.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 8, 2023

  Padre Balli County Park

  Amazing

  Staff was great! Beach was amazing! Loved it!

• 

  Robert

  Scout

  

  Jul. 1, 2023

  Rockport RV Resort by Rjourney

  Great place to stay

  I have been at this park off and on for four years. Have seen several changes many for the best. The park staff will go out of the way to help you if they can. They have come under fire lately for many things that are out of their control. Upper management makes the rules and require the staff to implement and inforce them. Last year we became full time winter texans. We checked out many places and found this park to be one of the best. A lot of people are upset about becoming kid friendly! Some of us that stay here have kids and grand kids and believe kid friendly is a great thing. Some people need to stop and realize that this is a business. And if not happy with them quietly move on to somewhere else and find out what they don’t like about that park! Because no park is perfect. Life is not perfect either. Congrats to the staff of Rjourney Rockport please keep up the wonderful work you all DO!

• 

  Melanie T.

  Ranger

  

  Jun. 21, 2023

  Surfside RV Resort

  Beach life

  This campground is amazing!!! The staff is very friendly & helpful. Perfect location. About 2 blocks from the beach. Restaurants and site seeing a few more blocks away. Nice & quiet well kept place. Level concrete pads. Plenty of regularly mowed grass for dogs.

• 

  Larry T.

  Scout

  

  May. 6, 2023

  Mathis Motor Inn & RV Park

  Support Veteran Owners

  Recently stayed here cause we got in late and they were the only 1 open to take us in. Well lighten up and loved the laundry room. The manager came out to settle up the next morning and even gave us a free rv mug for our stay. Pet friendly.  Showers  were nice & clean! Wish the pool was open because we had to stay another night but we were told it will be ready soon. The friendly German Shepherd was a bonus since we had our pets out and seems to be unbothered them😳. We will be back for sure. Thank you for the pleasant stay.

• 

  Clint C.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 17, 2023

  Rockport RV Resort by Rjourney

  What a joke

  This campground keeps shouting “fun family activities”. So they advertise all over town about this great eggstravaganza they are going to have for all the kids not only in the park but in the area.  The event is over,  the kids are going through their loot, smiles on everyone’s faces. Then park employees start telling the kids “ oh, by the way, we want the eggs back”. What a hoot!

• 

  MaryLarry L.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 15, 2023

  Rockport RV Resort by Rjourney

  Winter Texans Beware

  Mr.& Ms. Scout,  We were Winter Texans for 3 years at (Circle W) until it was taken over by RJourney.  We never were part of the cliques that you indicated were in the park.  We were part of a large family of friends, both Winter Texans and year round residents.  The main reason we left was the taking away of the tow sewing rooms for "family" rooms.  There were several sewers that used these rooms to make quilts that were given to local charities and organizations in the community.  With all the activities they have taken away there is not much for all to do.  They do have a nice pool & hot tub.  Also no hot water in bathrooms in the clubhouse.

• 

  Emily R.

  Guide

  

  Apr. 14, 2023

  Rockport RV Resort by Rjourney

  Large paved site, nice staff, crooked business

  We had to stay here for an emergency with our suspension. We didn’t know how long but staff was great to work with. HOWEVER- the company that had just purchased the park was crooked and overpriced. They tried charging us over 1k for less than a month. We ended up working with staff, figuring out a reasonable monthly rate instead. We stayed for almost 3 months waiting for RV parts (out of our control). We won’t stay here again.

• k

  kelly W.

  Traveler

  

  Apr. 11, 2023

  Island RV Resort

  Strange spots but fantastic location !

  This has to be the weirdest campground I’ve ever seen. The spots are very small and you have to pull in on basically a golf cart path. I have a very large fifth wheel at 35 feet and I barely fit. I’m taking up my entire spot so I can’t park my truck here, and have to park on the street. Makes me very nervous but so far so good! What makes it extra strange is that they park everyone in every other spot facing the opposite direction so your front door faces the persons next to you. It would be good if you’re camping with friends or family and can get spots next to each other, but kinda weird when you don’t know the people.

• S

  Susannah K.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 9, 2023

  Rockport RV Resort by Rjourney

  A Changing Park

  My ranking system:  Five stars is a non-starter, because I do not award any business this ranking. There are always improvements to be made. A four star ranking is "Excellent", and a three star ranking is "Satisfactory". The others are  "Marginal" and "Unsatisfactory". This park receives a Satisfactory grade because it is an average park, with plusses and minuses found in most average parks. Some features are above average, and other features below average.

  In looking at the facilities, I  rate this park as Excellent. It has a swimming pool and hot tub, a playground for children,  floor shuffleboard, horseshoe pits and lanes, and corn-hole game set-ups. The park offers use of BBQ grills, having several to choose from, located under a covered picnic area to shade users from an unrelenting sun or torrential downpour. There are three small lakes or ponds that people can fish from without requiring a fishing license, on a catch and release basis. The RV park has a laundry room, handicapped accessorized bathrooms in three areas of the park, two of them being brand new to the facility since Hurricane Harvey, some years ago. There is a small card playing room in the building that houses the laundry machines. A lending library of the park contains books, movies, and jigsaw puzzles, of which there are a good number of books and puzzles to be borrowed.The clubhouse is quite nice and big, capable of supporting large crowd bingo games and dances. There are four 8-foot billiard tables in their own dedicated room inside the clubhouse.

  On the downside, but on an improvement schedule, are the roads in and about the park. About a third of the park's roads are in terrible shape. The entry area of the park has had a rock chip covering to smoothen  the drive through the park's entry and to the general office and clubhouse. Plans for future area road improvements have been discussed. So, while a downside, at this point in time, I expect this evaluation to improve as the roads are improved in the future.

  One  things the new owners really liked when they bought this park is the community-mindedness of the Winter Texan population, many of whom have returned to this park for upwards to 10-15 years. It is this family attitude that has run the vast number of activities weekly during the Winter Texan Season, to include numerous card games, dice games, board games, bingo, line and trail dancing, beanbag baseball and karaoke. Winter Texan volunteers take care of potluck meals and breakfast. There used to be about 20-25 ladies who maintained a sewing club and used to make honor quilts for veterans and other deserving individuals and organizations, but the vast majority of these ladies have indicated a desire to move on to other RV parks in upcoming seasons.

  A new activity the managing staff hopes to grow is the renting of the central clubhouse for outside events requiring a sizable area for entertainment. The clubhouse can probably house close to 200 individuals for these events, which are hoped to come from the communities of Rockport and surrounding areas. It is the hope of the general management at the park to have people look at the RV park as a wedding venue location, given the size of the clubhouse. Rooms upstairs, previously used by the sewing club, have been transformed into dressing rooms for these future events. The clubhouse is closed to Winter Texans during these events.

  As with all changes in management, things change to suit the goals of the new leadership. This sort of thing typically upsets people who had been conducting activities at the park for numerous years. That's the case at this park, as well. The new owners seem driven to adjust the focus of this park from one of Winter Texan retirement community to one that also attracts the attention of working families that are looking for a beautiful park to visit. The expected result of this adjustment is to broaden the clientele for the make up of the community population. Done smoothly, with a broad respect for the current community, these changes would bring minimal alteration to the lives of the long term Winter Texan families that call this park home. Done more aloofly, as appears to be the case, and the existing community may feel "under assault" by the new management, yielding the field to anger and discontent on both sides of the line. That seems to be the case as the new owners more fully assume command and control of this RV park.

  An initial town hall meeting was called by the new leadership and I thought the thing was conducted in a highly professional manner. Questions and concerns were voiced by the existing community and answered respectfully by the staff. Rumors were set to bed and the game plan for the park was briefed in a way most could appreciate. Promises were made, and so far, several have yielded fruit. A general timeline is probably in place to address promises of future action. That said, the office management has failed to take advantage of this forum type to inform residents and to quash rumors, thus allowing a rumor mill to fester unnecessarily.

  Downside changes made have changed the way the Winter Texan community views the park. The park  indicated it will no longer provide a mail service to the Winter Texan community that typically spends from 4-6 months at a time at the park, unless they are owners of permanently affixed park model mobile homes within the park. From the point of view of long term transient residents, who need this service to receive their medicines and bills from home, this decision will likely cause those Winter Texans to seek out other venues at which to spend their winters in the Coastal Bend area of Texas. While most changes can generally be adapted to with minimal fuss, the age category of Winter Texans is such that most of them receive their medicines through the mail while residing at this RV park. If the general office staff is unwilling to assume responsibility for the mail service of their transient long term residents, a solution would be to have the US Postal Service install an NBU bank of mailboxes that can be serviced by the letter carrier that brings the mail to the RV park. In this way, mail service will be available to these Winter Texans and the office will be also be out of the mail business. Other RV parks provide mail service to their clients in this manner, so it should be a consideration for the new owners of the RV park.

  All in all, this is a beautiful RV park with lots of potential for growth in character. The management needs to remember they are in the hospitality business and are to manage an environment conducive to the interest of the demographics that either have used the park loyally for years in the past, as well as those who might be convinced to spend their hard earned money at the park in the future. Respect begets respect, from both sides of the coin. One must trust the new ownership wants nothing but the best for their new acquisition. That said, the new owners should remember and respect that which made the park attractive to them in the first place. The previous local management team restored a completely destroyed RV park, thanks to Hurricane Harvey, into one that was vibrant and made returning exciting. Those Winter Texans who impressed the new owners during their visit have become some of those greatly disillusioned by the perceived lack of respect from an aloof new management team, and have left the community for greener pastures. The new owner was really impressed by the quilting club during his inspection of the park, so I wonder how disappointed he would be if he were to learn of the departure of most club members due to the perceived disrespect they received from the current office management.

  I have noticed animosity between previous posters and the ownership of the park, and this review is not intended to throw gasoline on either side of the arguments made by the two parties. Mine is a review of the RV park so others interested in staying here might have some ideal of what this park offers, and what things are changing at the park. As I've stated, there are many improvements being made to the park, but some have come at the cost of a tight-knit community. A future community will likely grow from the ashes of the old community, and I'm sure the ownership and those who continue to reside and visit this RV park fervently hope this will be the case. There are few RV parks in the Rockport area that offer the area afforded to visitors at this RV park. The area is green with life, and experiences to be made.

  In conclusion, the question is whether or not I would advise new RV travelers to accept this park or avoid it like the plague. To be honest with my evaluation of this park, I think it is one where people can become a part of a community, even to such extent that they return year after year. There are good amenities at this park for visitors to take advantage of, in addition to the local area and its beaches and fishing opportunities. The management is adequate to their task, but could become more community conscious in their demeanor and actions. Some aspects of this park fall easily into the Excellent rating, while other aspects of the park are merely Satisfactory. Overall, this is a Satisfactorily evaluated RV resort park. People need to remember that average is just that - a bit of good, a bit of bad, as found in all similar parks. And with all reviews, take each with a grain of salt. Each review is a vision of the park from a unique viewpoint, whether from a visitor or from the ownership. Each coin has two sides. If you are interested in visiting this park, short or long term, call them and ask questions. Make sure this park suits your needs and wants. If not, go elsewhere to a location that satisfies your needs. If so, then come to the park and inculcate yourself into the local community and don't sweat the adequacies or inadequacies of a managing hospitality crew. Their job is to welcome you to the park and keep things up and running. They work for the corporation, but also for you the visitor. Do not expect them to be your friends. That's not in their job description. Just come and enjoy yourself. Texas has a lot to offer, and this RV resort park is one of them.

• 

  Shirley C.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 8, 2023

  Rockport RV Resort by Rjourney

  Disillusioned

  I’ve read the glowing reviews the fictitious guests wrote and have to wonder why a company as big as RJourney cares what a handful of cranky old winter Texans has to say. If they feel they are treating everyone fairly and have treated the old managerial staff professionally why are they monitoring all of these review sites and attacking the people who write them. 

  Everyone has a right to voice their opinions and not be penalized for them. You keep talking about cliques when really what we had was a very large family. 

  I pray daily for Circle W (it will always be Circle W to me) success because i left a lot of family there that I love and care about.

• 

  Melissa B.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 8, 2023

  Rockport RV Resort by Rjourney

  Amazing new ownership!!

  I have now stayed at three different R Journey sites in three states. The ownership, management and staff at each one have been amazing! My kids enjoyed the playground here at Rockport and I was told it was recently added. Its nice to take my family to parks that are kid friendly and have an abundance of activities. I now know with confidence that I can stay at any R Journey park and expect a wonderful clean experience. I'm disappointed to see these negative reviews, this is not a reflection of our experience at all. I truly believe you treat people the way you want to be treated and the reviews are hateful and a clear reflection of the poster. 

  Thank you R Journey! Your team here at Rockport and your other parks have made me feel like family always.

• G

  Gypsyblue67

  Scout

  

  Apr. 7, 2023

  Rockport RV Resort by Rjourney

  Second Chances Pay Off

  Man how things have changed! The new Manager is friendly. I was on the verge of selling my home and leaving this park. I am a full time resident. Once the old Manager was fired, you could see the changes.  The place is lighter, cleaner, more organized and less strangling than when the old manager was here. Thank you RJourney for making a difference here in Rockport

• 

  Joseph P.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 7, 2023

  Rockport RV Resort by Rjourney

  Damage Control

  I just read a glowing review of this park by a name that is unknown to me. I too have been coming here for several years and never heard of this person. The reviewer and Rjourney are painting a picture of a bunch of disgruntled, cranky "seasoned retirement aged individuals" (which is how Rjourney referred to us winter Texans in a response to my review). In my experience, when 50+ couples have decided to take their business elsewhere, the problem lies with the company, its management and their insensitivity to guest feedback and concerns. Time will tell if their "one size fits all" strategy for their parks will work in this demographic. Update 4/8 I am surprised that the new ownership is so desperate to perform damage control that they are posting fictitious positive reviews. Don't be fooled.

• S

  Sara M.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 6, 2023

  Rockport RV Resort by Rjourney

  AMAZING PARK NOW!!! Bitterness Be Gone

  Future campers. I have been at this campground as a Winter Texan for several years running and I couldn't be happier with this park. I am very confused with the reviews that speak of a rude staff. The staff that is in place now is, by far, an improvement from the previous staff. The previous Management was loud and VERY rude. He did NOT like children and made that known. He was actually, at times, was very rude to them. The new owners/management welcome children. It is refreshing to see kids out riding bikes and enjoying the beauty this park has to offer. Please do your own research and see other review sites that date back over a year (before RJourney purchased the park) and you can see the reviews that mention a Manager (I wont mention name) being very rude and nasty to campers. A camper had to be 18 YEARS OLD to be outside alone or the old management would make them go inside. This is the Manager that the previous reviews on this site are defending. 

   I started coming to this park after Harvey. There were several buildings that were damaged during Harvey. Every year that I came back AFTER Harvey, those damaged buildings were still here. No changes. THEN, RJourney purchases and when I return for this Winter Season (I am a Winter Texan) those buildings are gone and are either replaced with or being replaced with other buildings. 2 new bath houses are now in the place of the 2 molded,  and dangerous bath houses that stood on this property for YEARS after Harvey. A playground has been added and I LOVE IT!!!! 

  I attended a meeting that the staff and the Regional Manager had in the club house, where the campers were allowed to ask questions. EVERY item that the campers addressed, that were within reason, have been addressed. They asked for more lighting at the clubhouse and it was installed THE NEXT DAY! They asked that the pool stay open later and it was opened until 10pm. (I must add that not one of the campers that asked to have the pool opened later took advantage of the later hours.)  They asked about the roads and crews were working on them within a MONTH!! No the whole park has not been completed and it will take time to get them all repaired. BUT RJourney stood true to their promise that they would begin the process. This park had many issues that were ignored by previous Management. The current Management is facing those issues head on and have made more progress in 1 year than was made since Harvey. 

  The below reviews mention several things that are NOT true. They mention that the Club House has been closed to the campers and only available for events. This is NOT a true statement. The Club House was closed one day (Sunday) last week for a wedding. It has remained open every other day. They mention that the breakfasts have been discontinued. This is true. However, this was a Winter Texan event that WAS NOT sponsored by the park and ALWAYS ends at the end of the season. For the past several years the park has  allowed the use of the Club House for this event and profited nothing. I do hope this event will be continued by RJourney. 

  I personally am glad that some of these proclaimed "Winter Texans" have decided not to return to this park. God Bless the park that they are going to. I have been approached while outside of my rig by several of these disgruntled "Winter Texans" asking me to sign petitions. I was approached during an event by one of this crew with a list of websites and told to go on each of these websites and write a negative review about this park. I have been in the Club House during card games and listened to these people hurling insults, call names and talk negatively about the staff and other campers in the park. The reviews these people are leaving fail to mention the drama and chaos they have caused at this park, even as far as to go on public forums with their drama. They are angry because the new owners/management have taken control back of their park and are no longer allowing these campers to run the park. 

  I was actually considering NOT coming back next year BUT, since these guests are now moving on I have already confirmed my reservation for next season. And NO, I was NOT asked for the FULL seasonal amount. I only paid the deposit and my first months rent. This is normal. FYI.. most parks DO charge the FULL price for seasonal stays. 

  The new staff are amazing!! The Manager (I think her name is Carrie) is great. She is friendly and courteous. Jackie, Rich and Stacy have been here for years and are am thankful they stayed. The new additions are great as well. I have only met the Regional one time. (that was at the meeting we had) and she was very nice. 

  I see the "shame on you RJourney" in the last comment and I think the shame is solely on a group of people that are upset and resort to spreading untruths via internet. 

  I give RJourney a 10!!! Great job and see you guys next year!!!!