Lake Houston Wilderness Park dominates the camping scene near New Caney, Texas, offering nearly 5,000 acres of forest habitat just 30 minutes from downtown Houston. This subtropical region experiences high precipitation (around 50 inches annually) and warm temperatures year-round, with summer highs regularly reaching the mid-90s. New Caney's location along Peach Creek creates opportunities for water-based recreation while providing relatively accessible wilderness camping within the greater Houston metropolitan area.
What to do
Kayaking on waterways: Lake Houston Wilderness Park features multiple water access points for paddlers. A visitor noted, "There is a creek that runs through it and it is never over populated while I've been here" at Lake Houston Wilderness Park. For more serious boating, Lake Conroe offers extensive water recreation.
Fishing spots: Several campgrounds provide dedicated fishing areas. At Lone Star Lakes RV Park, "They have everything you could need... Free fishing in their 4 acre private lake," according to one reviewer. Most fishing spots require no additional permits beyond a Texas fishing license.
Trail exploration: The park system contains various hiking routes suitable for different ability levels. One camper mentioned, "Lots to explore, neat bridges, cabin options, ranger programs, horse trails, kayaking, wildlife." Trail maps are available at entrance stations and visitor centers throughout the park.
Wildlife viewing: The forested areas around New Caney support diverse animal populations. A camper observed, "Lots of wildlife in this park, saw many snakes in camp and on the trails." Morning and evening hours typically offer the best wildlife spotting opportunities.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Some campgrounds offer more seclusion than others. One camper at Lake Houston Wilderness Park shared, "This park is just a short drive from Houston yet feels like you are in the middle of nowhere. It has various types of camping spots in different parts of the park."
Clean facilities: Campground maintenance receives consistent praise. At Northlake RV Resort, a visitor noted, "Everything is very clean, bathrooms, grills, swings, pool, and hot tube. The laundry room is modern and very clean."
Kid-friendly amenities: Several parks specifically cater to families with children. A parent mentioned, "Plenty of trails, wildlife, bathrooms and good fishing. We go here a lot! It's always good fun! And very clean." Most family-oriented campgrounds include playground equipment and open spaces for recreation.
Water recreation options: Access to lakes, ponds and creeks rates highly among campers. At Emerald Lake Resort, a visitor appreciated "Beautiful Lake and Beach... They have an indoor and an outdoor hot tub that overlooks the lake."
What you should know
Limited primitive camping: Most campgrounds near New Caney focus on developed sites. One exception is Lake Houston Wilderness Park, where "There are 4 primitive hike in/out campsites that are a 1-2 mile deep. It's a mostly shaded hike with gorgeous views of the river, woods and swamp areas."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially during weekends and holidays. A disappointed camper at Grand Texas RV Resort shared a better experience: "We reserved online New Years Day and pulled in to a perfect spot. All concrete and clean."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby transportation routes. At Northlake RV Resort, a camper noted it was "A little noisy with train tracks and airport nearby" despite otherwise positive reviews of the facilities.
Campground closures: Operating hours and days vary by location. One visitor warned, "Got there and the gates are locked, no self pay because it's on the other side of the gate. I guess they are completely closed down on tuesdays." Always verify current operating schedules before arrival.
Tips for camping with families
Lake activities for children: Several parks offer designated swimming areas with beach access. A parent at Thousand Trails Lake Conroe shared: "Gorgeous campground with a large lake and two ponds, a pool, putt putt, & tons of activities for kids!"
Game room availability: Indoor recreation options provide alternatives during hot or rainy days. One camper at Lone Star Lakes RV Park appreciated "The central game room, Pool, Air hockey, and board games. The campground is also festive with home-style holiday decorations."
Trail difficulty ratings: When hiking with children, consider trail complexity. A parent noted, "Plenty of trails, wildlife, bathrooms and good fishing. We go here a lot! It's always good fun!" Most parks provide trail maps with difficulty ratings at entrance stations.
Cabin options for beginners: For families new to camping, cabins offer comfort while still providing outdoor experiences. One visitor mentioned, "I have stayed in the cabins here four or five times. The first two years we had smaller groups so we stayed in the A Frame cabins."
Tips from RVers
Site selection process: Some RV parks allow site selection upon arrival. At Thousand Trails Lake Conroe, "you cannot reserve a specific site. You drive around and pick a site, then call and let them know which one you're in."
Hookup availability: Check which utilities are available at your desired site. A camper cautioned, "Beware that not all sites have full hookups" and "For the size of the place I would have explained small convenience store but they only had ice."
Access limitations: Some parks have navigation challenges for larger RVs. At Forest Retreat RV Park, a guest appreciated "large concrete level sites" and noted it was "Easy to navigate; a great plus." However, another camper at a different park warned about "driveways and turns are not exactly big-rig friendly."
Site spacing concerns: RV parks vary in how close sites are positioned. One camper noted, "Overall very nice RV park. Has a nice pool for kids. The only thing i didnt care for was how close the sites were to each other."
