Best Dog-Friendly Camping near National Forests and Grasslands in Texas

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.

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!

This was one of my friends and my favorite place to visit in college. We would go camping as much as we could because we wanted to escape school. We loved our stay here. We were able to fit 2 tents in 1 spot. I believe it was $12 a night to stay here, so it was super cheap for my friends and I for s fun weekend. We got up early and went hiking with our dogs and enjoyed the fire in the evening in our campsite making s’mores. I remember when we were here the weather was perfect. Too many bugs, but we made sure to keep our tent closed and bug spray on. We bought our firewood from a store about 20’ miles away from the campground, so definitely bring your own or make sure to buy it at the closest spot you see. Bathroom on site and there is also a playground for kids. Horseshoe was also available to play. The rangers were awesome!!

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.