Searching for the best camping near Nacogdoches, TX? Nacogdoches is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Find the best campgrounds near Nacogdoches, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area was built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It surrounds a picturesque 45-acre lake that was once a log pond and a source of water for the Central Coal and Coke Company sawmill which operated from 1902 to 1920. The facility is open year-round and includes a large campground, picnic areas, a reservable amphitheater, a swim area and many opportunities for outdoor recreation. Camping is available year-round. The Davy Crockett National Forest, named for the legendary pioneer, contains more than 160,000 acres of East Texas woodlands, streams, recreation areas and wildlife habitat. Located in Houston and Trinity Counties, the forest is centrally located within the Neches and Trinity River basins.
Swimming, fishing, hunting, hiking and picnicking are the area's main activities. The designated swimming area and playground provides much fun for the kids (no lifeguard on duty). Fishing piers are available for anglers to try for largemouth bass, bream and channel/blue catfish. Only electric motors are allowed on the lake. Principal game for hunting on the national forest includes squirrel, deer, quail, dove, turkey and waterfowl. Three main hiking trails can be accessed from the facility: the 1.5-mile Tall Pines, 0.75-mile Trail Tamers and the 20-mile Four C, which winds through many types of forests to a scenic overlook. Learn more about recreation in the national forest.
Ratcliff Lake has 56 campsites, both first-come, first-served and reservable. Campsites in Dogwood Loop have electrical hookups and can accommodate vehicles up to 50 ft. Flush toilets, hot and cold showers and trash bins are also provided. Two picnic shelters and an amphitheater are also reservable. The day-use area has 17 single family picnicking units, a swimming area, flush toilets, two wooden fishing piers, one earthen pier, one fishing platform and a boat ramp.
The campground is heavily forested with loblolly pine, oak and other hardwoods, and surrounds Ratcliff Lake. A wide variety of wildlife exists in the area, including the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker.
The Big Slough Wilderness Area, located along the Neches River about five miles north of Ratcliff, is free of modern development and gives the visitor a place for solitude and primitive experiences.
$30 / night
This is a trailhead for the 4C Hiking Trail. Neches Bluff Overlook, located at the north end of the trail, offers a panoramic view of pine-hardwood forests in the Neches River bottomlands with picnic and primitive camping facilities.
Hanks Creek Park has something for everyone, with plenty of water sports on Sam Rayburn Reservoir and volleyball, mountain biking, wild life viewing and birding for those who want to stay on shore. The Red-cockaded woodpecker, an endangered species, is found throughout the forest surrounding the reservoir. The bird makes its home by pecking cavities in large, living pine trees.
Fishing is excellent for largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and sunfish, with frequent fishing tournaments. The lake is also popular for jet skiing, water skiing and swimming.
The park features 47 campsites with electric hookups. Additional amenities include group camping, a playground, boat ramp and hot showers.
Sam Rayburn Reservoir, also called Lake Sam Rayburn, boasts over 114,000 surface acres, making it the largest man-made lake completely in Texas. It's surrounded by the Angelina National Forest, and is within short proximity to the Sabine and Davy Crockett National Forests.
The 20,700-acre Bannister Wildlife Management Area is on the northern peninsula of the lake. Hikers and bikers can come here to explore the designated Eastern Wild Turkey restoration site.
$38 - $50 / night
Choose from campsites with water and electricity or primitive campsites situated on an island. We also have screened shelters and cabins.
$15 - $20 / night
The Alazan Bayou WMA has 2,063 acres located in southern Nacogdoches County. The WMA was purchased in 1991 to preserve mature bottomland hardwood forests adjacent to the Angelina River. In addition to the Angelina River other significant drainages include Loco Bayou and Moral Creek. The bottomland forest typically begins to flood during mid winter as the river and bayous overbank and inundation continues through early spring. Hunting is permitted with an Annual Public Hunting Permit (APH) and some special permit hunts may be offered. Check the Outdoor Annual and the Public Hunting Lands Maps Booklet for information on methods, species, seasons and bag limits.
Please note:
-Bring your own drinking water.
-Insect repellant is recommended for mosquitoes.
-High heat and humidity in the summer should be taken into consideration when planning a visit.
-There are no restroom facilities.
-The WMA is not wheel-chair accessible.
-Primitive camping is available.
$12 - $42 / night
Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area was built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It surrounds a picturesque 45-acre lake that was once a log pond and a source of water for the Central Coal and Coke Company sawmill which operated from 1902 to 1920. The facility is open year-round and includes a large campground, picnic areas, a reservable amphitheater, a swim area and many opportunities for outdoor recreation. Camping is available year-round. The Davy Crockett National Forest, named for the legendary pioneer, contains more than 160,000 acres of East Texas woodlands, streams, recreation areas and wildlife habitat. Located in Houston and Trinity Counties, the forest is centrally located within the Neches and Trinity River basins.
Swimming, fishing, hunting, hiking and picnicking are the area's main activities. The designated swimming area and playground provides much fun for the kids (no lifeguard on duty). Fishing piers are available for anglers to try for largemouth bass, bream and channel/blue catfish. Only electric motors are allowed on the lake. Principal game for hunting on the national forest includes squirrel, deer, quail, dove, turkey and waterfowl. Three main hiking trails can be accessed from the facility: the 1.5-mile Tall Pines, 0.75-mile Trail Tamers and the 20-mile Four C, which winds through many types of forests to a scenic overlook. Learn more about recreation in the national forest.
Ratcliff Lake has 56 campsites, both first-come, first-served and reservable. Campsites in Dogwood Loop have electrical hookups and can accommodate vehicles up to 50 ft. Flush toilets, hot and cold showers and trash bins are also provided. Two picnic shelters and an amphitheater are also reservable. The day-use area has 17 single family picnicking units, a swimming area, flush toilets, two wooden fishing piers, one earthen pier, one fishing platform and a boat ramp.
The campground is heavily forested with loblolly pine, oak and other hardwoods, and surrounds Ratcliff Lake. A wide variety of wildlife exists in the area, including the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker.
The Big Slough Wilderness Area, located along the Neches River about five miles north of Ratcliff, is free of modern development and gives the visitor a place for solitude and primitive experiences.
$30 / night
This is a trailhead for the 4C Hiking Trail. Neches Bluff Overlook, located at the north end of the trail, offers a panoramic view of pine-hardwood forests in the Neches River bottomlands with picnic and primitive camping facilities.
Hanks Creek Park has something for everyone, with plenty of water sports on Sam Rayburn Reservoir and volleyball, mountain biking, wild life viewing and birding for those who want to stay on shore. The Red-cockaded woodpecker, an endangered species, is found throughout the forest surrounding the reservoir. The bird makes its home by pecking cavities in large, living pine trees.
Fishing is excellent for largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and sunfish, with frequent fishing tournaments. The lake is also popular for jet skiing, water skiing and swimming.
The park features 47 campsites with electric hookups. Additional amenities include group camping, a playground, boat ramp and hot showers.
Sam Rayburn Reservoir, also called Lake Sam Rayburn, boasts over 114,000 surface acres, making it the largest man-made lake completely in Texas. It's surrounded by the Angelina National Forest, and is within short proximity to the Sabine and Davy Crockett National Forests.
The 20,700-acre Bannister Wildlife Management Area is on the northern peninsula of the lake. Hikers and bikers can come here to explore the designated Eastern Wild Turkey restoration site.
$38 - $50 / night
