Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Nacogdoches, TX

More than meets the eye here. Texas was founded on this spot and the Caddo natives lived in the area. They are putting in a bigger interpretive center soon to commemorate the importance of this region. I would like to return to see it and do more hiking here. They have expanded the hiking trails recently. Short drive to the beautiful town of Nacogdoches and its lovely gardens.

My family visited with my mother in law and my sister in law and her family. The managers acted like it was going to be a crazy busy weekend over Memorial Day. There’s 8 RVs here, and even the swimming hole has room for everyone, and then some.

The site is situated with a spring that opens up to swim in. The water is unnaturally blue, and truly looks dyed. It’s ice cold, though! Back in the woods where the water is running, it’s crystal clear and beautiful. The best part is the deer that will walk right up to you that you can hand feed. The flies are horrendous, and so are the ants. The bathhouse is exceptionally clean and very comfortable. We enjoyed utilizing this feature. Management is different. We’ve been micromanaged to death during our stay. We’ve been asked dozens of time what we’re doing, what are plans are, how long we’re staying etc…. We were even asked to help catch a cat that’s running around with a double eye infection, and possibly a case of mange. We affectionately refer to it as zombie cat. It’s very sweet, just needs some veterinary care.

Cell phone service here is almost non existent. We have sprint service and have one bar, if we are outside in certain areas. Would not recommend staying here if you work remotely.

Otherwise, it’s very quiet and peaceful. Very clean. White rock parking areas for pads, full hookups.

I spent one night over there we enjoy it me and my dog had some breakfast in the morning stay until about 1 PM and then we win unexplored around, and then enjoy some off roads. I be back.

Ensconced in the deep Piney Woods of Davy Crockett National Forest lies the site of the original Franciscan Mission to the Caddo Indians. The local tribe’s word for friend was tejas (tay-hoss) meaning friend. The camping sites are all situated in the woods scattered among the hills above the Neches River Valley. They do not have sites for extremely large diesel pushers, but 32 foot trailers or RVs fit nicely.

The location has Texas state park normal accoutrements like fire rings, tables, lantern posts, showers, bathrooms and new front office with interesting rain harvesting equipment to view. Serene and beautiful area with hiking trails of easy to moderate level of difficulty with a historic walk to the site of the original Camino Real also known as the Old San Antonio Road.

Nearby you have historic markers every 3 miles or so on the current King’s Highway with Caddoan Indian Mounds to visit, sites of early settlers, including the original Rice Family Dog Run Cabin on site. There is a lovely lake for perch and bass fishing and playgrounds for young children.

It is favorite park of mine to visit and I return every few years.

Solo camped with my big dog and had a blast. I went Sunday thru Tuesday, so I was the only camper on the entire loop!

Lots of water spigots, lots of shade, and sturdy fire pits make this campground really convenient. Most lakeside campsites appeared to have canoe ramps worn in.

The bathrooms were spectacular. Each pod of bathrooms had 4 separate ADA compliant facilities, and each facility/room had a shower, a toilet, a sink, benches, transfer bars, and MOST importantly a locking door. It meant I didn't have to leave my dog in the car or wrestle him into a bathroom stall every time I had to go! Also, the showers had hot water.

I didn't get a chance to use the trails, as heavy rains the day before I got there had knocked out the bridges on the trails, so, I had a great time hanging out at my site with a beautiful view!

Beautiful place! Host Jerry is cool guy, loads of information. Rides around once a night around sunset on his golf cart to see if everyone is okay. Been here 5 times. Sawmill trail is very cool. 2.5 miles to the old sawmill and 2.5 miles back out. Loads of deer here. Many interlacing creeks. Water from down under pumps into creek which you may see by the 3 bridges. Fire pits, grills, huge tent pads, lantern post, and giant picin tables are at each campsite. Very spaced apart. Lots of privacy. 1 vault toilet which is super clean, and a bathhouse in center of park. Showers are luke warm at best. Verizon works well here, sprint sucks. Never really busy here. Its $10 a day to camp, but I have the America is Beautiful interagency pass for $80 annually, saves me 50% off, so I only pay $5 a day! Decent roads in and out, barley any pot holes. Dogs must be on leash, rangers come by once a day to check. No reservations here, first come first serve. Many trees for hammock and I did kayak on the small lake for fun. Fished for days, caught nothing. Woodpeckers are here! As many other bird species. Loads of 🍄. All different kinds, bought a book to identify them! Store is a bit far about 8 miles east. They got a water filter and ice house to fill 5 gallon jugs and 16lbs of ice for $2.

Perfect small rv park with an unbelievable view. This RV park sits atop of a historic state landmark, Loves Lookout Mountain, just north of Jacksonville Texas. This park has the best view in East Texas.

Mr. Mortis, owner/operator, is as nice and down to earth as they come. He obviously cares a great deal about the park and area, as his planting of 50,000 trees in the area will attest. He has created a beautiful park and hiking/biking trails and more. With multiple visits to the park, we look forward to chatting with Mr. Mortis each visit.

This is a great central location for anything East Texas. Within easy reach of Tyler, Canton, Lindale, Gladewater and more.

The only way to book is thru Angelina county Texas parks it's worth it

Has the best clear blue water for swimming in all of E. TEXAS!! Has exploring trails and even some wildlife roaming if you are a camper. Has a mystical, Lord of Rings vibe. ENJOY!!

My girls and I loved hiking on one of two parks in Texas that you can WALK on the El Camino Royal!!! Great playground, facilities and staff!

Hard to beat for $13/night (annual pass rate), hiking trails are decent, bathrooms are some of the cleanest in Texas and the staff were some of the best!

Very clean and well kept park. Camp sites are across the lake from a Texas Utilities generating plant and it is loud. You do get used to it but if that sort of thing bothers you I wouldn’t recommend this park.

I went for a one day hike and it was phenomenal! Only two hours away from Houston. Great park to shade yourself from the Texas summer sun. It was hot but 90% of the trails are covered by shade. Most trails I went on were hilly and I wasn’t expecting that! Restrooms looked brand new! Don’t expect to have signal in or 20 min outside the park area so prepare for that. 10/10

This park seems to be a good fit for boaters and Fishermans , not the best hiking trails but there still there, little hike on the island ,is OK, and the other trails I went on did not look like they’ve been used a lot, but again the parks are just re-opening. The RV is well shaded the toilets and showers are Nice and clean. Nice two way drive-through dumpsite. Price with the Texas park pass for one night. $13 . AT&T 2-3 bars