Best Campgrounds near Montgomery, TX

Sam Houston National Forest camping sites near Montgomery, Texas range from basic primitive areas to full-hookup facilities. Campgrounds sit at elevations between 200-400 feet above sea level, creating modest terrain changes through the piney woods. Campers should note that cell service varies significantly between locations, with Verizon typically providing the most reliable coverage throughout the forest campgrounds.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Lake Conroe provides catfish and bass fishing, with multiple access points at Cagle Recreation Area. "Saw a bald eagle, which was an awesome experience. The hosts gave us some firewood to make a fire in the pit, and we got to roast some hot dogs," notes one visitor about their winter camping experience.

Hiking trails: The Lone Star Hiking Trail offers over 120 miles of connected pathways through Sam Houston National Forest with access points near several campgrounds. A camper at Kelly's Pond Campground noted, "Great place to camp along the LSHT! They have bathrooms but not much else. If you are hiking during hunting season, Kelly's Pond Road Hunter Camp is a designated primitive site!"

Kayaking and boating: Several camping areas provide direct water access, particularly for non-motorized watercraft. "Just made our third trip kayaking there, day and night. Great place for the family," reports a visitor to Stubblefield Lake Recreation Area.

What campers like

Private beach areas: Triple-B RV Park offers lakeside camping with dedicated shore access. "There is a small beach and pavilion area which is perfect for small get togethers. The owners offer corn hole and kayaks to borrow," mentions one camper about the amenities.

Spacious, shaded sites: Many campers praise the ample room between sites, particularly at national forest campgrounds. One camper at Stubblefield Lake Recreation Area notes, "Super roomy sites in the woods, quiet (no RVs, yay!), and easy access to the lake. Trees for hammocks at basically every site!"

Wildlife viewing: The forest setting creates opportunities for nature observation. A visitor to Huntsville State Park shared, "I walked the dog a lot and run and road around the grounds needs to be repaved, lots of pot holes and uneven areas," while another noted the abundance of birdlife: "LOTS of birds (pine warblers, yellow-bellied sapsuckers especially) if you're into that."

What you should know

Payment systems vary: Forest service campgrounds often require cash payment via drop boxes. At Buck Acres, a camper observed, "For the price, this place was amazing. Super large campsites for both tents and RVs. Not very many sites so in general it's fairly quiet though it's right next to a dirt bike track."

Water availability: Not all sites have reliable water sources. One Stubblefield Lake camper noted, "The water spigot at the sites were not working and honestly they have never really worked on my visits here but, I carry water as well so no biggie."

Bathroom conditions: Facilities vary widely between locations. "The bathroom situation? Well, let's say the trusty portapotty does the job!" noted one Buck Acres camper, while another reported about a different location, "The bathrooms were super clean and modern, easy access to the lake and dog friendly."

Tips for camping with families

Consider weekday visits: Weekends can get crowded at popular spots. One visitor to Sam Houston National Forest Cagle Recreation Area shared, "It was pretty chilly in the beginning of March, but we camped during the week when all the weekenders had left, and there were only a handful of campers there. So peaceful and serene."

Verify swimming areas: Not all waterfront campgrounds permit swimming. A Cagle Recreation Area camper noted, "The only thing we wished was there was a swimming hole."

Pack extra water: Even at campgrounds with water sources, reliability can be an issue. "You may stay up to 14 days at a time here. $15 a night, if you have Americas Beautiful Pass, its half off! $7.50 a night folks!" advised a camper who also recommended bringing your own water supply.

Tips from RVers

Check site leveling: Many forest campsites require significant leveling. "Our site was really off level side to side. We have auto leveling and it wouldn't work it was so far out of level. We had to manually do it," reported one camper at Cagle Recreation Area.

Bring extended sewer hoses: At Thousand Trails Lake Conroe, hookup placements can vary. "Beware that not all sites have full hookups. For the size of the place I would have explained small convenience store but they only had ice," noted a visitor, while another camper mentioned, "Sewer hookup on some were a ways away so bring an extra hose. Mine was close but I seen others that needed 3 hoses."

Verify site size limitations: Don't assume all sites accommodate larger rigs. One camper warned, "Site 55 is NOT for RVs over 36 feet. We have a 42 ft fifth wheel and it was horrible trying to get into the spot."