2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Cagle Recreation Area accommodates pets throughout its two campground loops in Sam Houston National Forest. Dog-friendly campsites here include spacious spots with full hookups for RV camping, and the park allows leashed dogs throughout the grounds. Lake Conroe's shoreline provides water access points where pets can cool off during warmer months, though swimming is prohibited. The metal fire rings with adjustable cooking grates make evening campfires with pets convenient, and the paved camping pads are surrounded by grassy areas ideal for dog walking. Sites typically provide ample space between neighbors, creating buffer zones for pet comfort. Most camping spots feature shady coverage from mature trees, helping keep pets cool during Texas heat.
The 2-mile hiking trail around the recreation area offers pet owners a convenient exercise option with dogs. Trails wind through wooded areas and along Lake Conroe's shoreline, providing scenic views while remaining accessible for most pets. Wildlife sightings include squirrels and occasional bald eagles, so keeping dogs leashed is essential for their safety and wildlife protection. The primitive camping areas farther into Sam Houston National Forest provide additional options for those seeking more remote experiences with pets. While Cagle Recreation Area lacks dedicated dog parks or washing stations, the pet-friendly atmosphere extends to the boat ramp area where many campers launch kayaks with their dogs. The campground maintains clean facilities with daily restroom maintenance, though guests should bring their own waste bags as pet waste stations are limited. New Waverly's small-town setting means veterinary services require a drive to Huntsville or Conroe, approximately 20 miles away.
"Good dog park and plenty of activities available. I walk the dog a lot and run and road around the grounds needs to be repaved, lots of pot holes and uneven areas."
"We love the lake. We haven’t even used the pool or facilities because of Covid but we still love it here. Everyone complains of the roads but nothing different than the state parks we use."
"We spent two nights near the water for our first time at Lake Conroe. Spacious sights fit our big rig. Full hookups, beautiful scenery, close boat ramp and near to necessities in New Waverly."
"Pets allowed and it has fire rings."
Available this weekend
from $30 / night
"Easy 2 mile paved hiking trial meanders around campsite and near lake. Nice sunsets in the evenings on the trail. There's a much longer trail system entrance that I'd like to checkout next time."
"The hiking trail although wasn’t very long at around 2-3 miles max were a pleasant walk in the woods and along the lake shoreline."
"The lake was clear and whether or not it was a good idea, we swam in it as did all our dogs. Great temperature water. The trees were nice to get lost in and the nature sounds at night were pleasant."
"Terrific site to bring a small boyscout or Trail life troop. Fishing in the lake, hiking on Lonestar Trail. Many good locations to pitch a tent."
"Not on Lake Conroe, & near a busy highway with businesses in view. Not a good place for nature or pretty views. Good place for a 1 night stay- lots of kids & families."
"We have found our Conroe home away from home. Great for kids."
"This little pond is tucked back in the San Houston National Forest a few minutes off the interstate. I use this area to prepare for longer trips since it is so close to home"
"Stopped at Kelly's Pond when hiking the Lone Star Trail. It is a pretty basic camping ground. There is a compost toilet, but no water. There is a pond near by if you want to filter water though."
"This is a great spot to camp so close to the lake without all the hustle and bustle of other campgrounds in the area."
"Not very many sites so in general it’s fairly quiet though it’s right next to a dirt bike track so it can get loud during the day."
Available this weekend
from $27 - $42 / night
"Amenities: Free WiFi
Gazebo
Picnic Area
Children’s Playground
Fishing Area
Boat Ramp
Swimming Pool
100 Waterview sites
70 Waterfront sites
Recreation Area
Fenced In Dog Park "
"Hidden gem of campground with very large sites, good distance between them and right on Lake Livingston."
"But in Texas, perhaps it should be. The private company built dams and reservoirs all over the state and funds their operations through water sales and permit use."
from $46 / night
TravelerWell maintained. Laundry facilities are clean. Pool and hot tub were open and clean. Nice pond to walk around. Cabins offered for those wanting to glamp. Offer both gravel and shaded spots as well as concrete and full sun spots. Close to services in town and convenient to resupply. Unfortunately, ants were abundant and took over the trailer. Was a struggle trying to get them under control with bait traps.
ScoutThe facilities are new and very nice. Study the website before booking to see if it’s what you are looking for. They do not allow refunds. Not much more than a parking lot with pools, showers, laundry, and access to a nearby walking trail. No grass or trees. But for what it is, it’s first class. Secure.
ScoutThe campsites have a lot of space & are surrounded by woods. The concrete sites are level and offset from the next site (one on one side of loop, next site on other side of loop), which allows for more space & privacy (stayed in #006). I had full hookups (water, electric & sewer) at $25/night (Disabled Vet rate). It was very peaceful & quiet, except for some work that needed to be done nearby.
TravelerWe spent the month of May 2026. Everything was great, we were in site #166 in the back of the campground. The neighbors around us were all polite and friendly. The pool & hot tub was nice and clean. My wife liked the laundry facilty. I liked they have a free dog wash station. They have a stocked catch & release pond which has bass, catfish and bluegill. The campground was close to local stores. We enjoyed it so much were going back for the cold winter months.
ScoutBethy Creek is an amazing resort and camp sight! We love going out here and spending the weekends. Have been going for the last 10 years and we plan on bringing our kids here as they get older.
TravelerGreat small FHU campground two loops about 20 sites in each loop. Well spaced nice trees. Bathrooms clean with hot showers.
ScoutThe RV camp is safe, accommodating, and very affordable.
GuideI'd never heard of the Trinity River Authority before. It's not a name that jumps out when one thinks of camping. But in Texas, perhaps it should be. The private company built dams and reservoirs all over the state and funds their operations through water sales and permit use.
Lake Livingston is one such project, the 3rd largest lake in Texas and the largest one constructed for drinking water. The company is clearly very serious about maintaining beautiful and professionally run grounds. The sites are generally well-monitored, spaced nicely, and situated with great water views if you choose one in that area (see my map photo). The park does not allow day use in camping areas nor day entry at all on weekends, keeping the entire park reserved for paid RV guests.
I grew up around Lake Grapevine, another TRA project though I didn't know it as a kid. But I've never woken up to find a sunrise over a lake right outside my bedroom window. That's pretty special.
Like another reviewer mentioned, I did see a dog running loose and investigating people's campgrounds.
If you're in Texas and want peace, quiet, total darkness (there are no lights of any kind in the camping area), and lower temps than Houston, come check out Wolf Creek Park.
GuideIve been living here off and on for the past 10 years or so were under new management cali has done alot to improve this park she had the pool remodeled added a dog park she is affordable fixes anything you come to her with the best office managers any where they have great attitudes they are very involved with our community kim and ms. Barbara and Cali always doing special things for the kiddos its a great family place to be and we are convent to grocery stores walmarts alot of fast food places its very quiet and peaceful you jus feel at home here.. love living here.
Cagle Recreation Area provides full hookups for RVs at its two campground loops in Sam Houston National Forest. Lake Conroe access allows boating and fishing opportunities throughout the year. Most sites feature paved camping pads with metal fire rings equipped with adjustable cooking grates. The recreation area offers a 2-mile trail circling the grounds for hiking and wildlife viewing. Campsites provide adequate spacing with shade from mature trees, helping moderate temperatures during Texas heat. While the campground lacks designated dog washing stations, the pet-friendly policies allow dogs throughout the grounds when properly leashed.
Boat launch access: The boat ramp at Sam Houston National Forest Cagle Recreation Area provides direct lake access with adequate parking. "There's a very nice boat ramp toward the back of the park with a very nice pier and plenty of parking," notes Tim H., who adds the park offers "a very quiet relaxing" atmosphere.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Conroe offers multiple fishing spots directly accessible from campgrounds. "You can see the lake slightly shimmering through the pine trees at the other sites though and that's intriguing. Makes you want to go explore!" writes Heather B., who observed cranes fishing along the shoreline during her visit to Cagle.
Hiking trail network: The multi-use trails connect throughout the forest system. "The 2-mile paved hiking trial meanders around campsite and near lake. Nice sunsets in the evenings on the trail," reports Heather B. For more adventurous hikers, "There's a much longer trail system entrance" worth exploring beyond the main loop.
Primitive camping options: For those seeking more remote experiences, Lake Niederhoffer Campsite offers hike-in only access. "Accessed by a 1-2 mile hike down some old Forrest service roads... Out in the middle of Sam Houston National Forrest this spot is truly a hidden gem," writes nathan M., who later added "Emerald water on sunny days. Bluegill and small bass. Quiet and serene."
Lake access points: Many campers appreciate the ability to launch kayaks and boats directly from campsites. One visitor to Huntsville State Park Campground noted, "We got to use our kayaks, go fishing, swimming, and hike also. It was just gorgeous! We actually had our campsite in a perfect place for we could put our kayaks in and out of the water right behind our tent."
Site spacing and shade: The generous spacing between campsites creates privacy while mature trees provide cooling shade. At Huntsville State Park, Adam C. reports "Well maintained camping sites with lots of space to each site" while another camper noted "We tent camped and we weren't too close to the people around us. Completely surrounded by huge trees."
Stargazing and sunset views: Several campgrounds offer excellent lake views for sunset watching. "Spectacular sunset views, super friendly host," writes Jim P. about Cagle Recreation Area, while multiple visitors to Lake Conroe areas specifically mentioned the quality of sunsets over the water as a highlight of their stays.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forest setting provides habitat for diverse wildlife. "We went on the long trail in the evening and heard coyotes which was cool," reports Kyndall W. from Huntsville State Park. At Kelly's Pond Campground, campers can access the Lone Star Hiking Trail where wildlife sightings are common.
Site elevation challenges: Some campsites require significant leveling equipment. At Cagle Recreation Area, Daniel L. warns "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." He advises bringing "leveling blocks or boards with you in case you need them."
Sewer hookup placement: Utilities may require extra equipment at certain sites. "Sewer hookup on some were a ways away so bring an extra hose. Mine was close but I seen others that needed 3 hoses," notes a camper at Cagle Recreation Area.
Remote location considerations: Most campgrounds around New Waverly have limited nearby services. Daniel L. cautions that "Huntsville [is] 20 miles away for supplies, food, etc. No store close by" when staying at Cagle Recreation Area.
Water restrictions: Not all campgrounds provide potable water. While established campgrounds like Cagle offer water hookups, primitive sites such as Lake Niederhoffer require bringing or filtering water. The pond water there may appear "emerald" on sunny days but requires proper filtration.
Swimming areas: Not all lake access points allow swimming in Lake Conroe. At Huntsville State Park, Joe S. noted there is a "nice swimming hole" and "dedicated swim area" among the "excellent facilities" available for families.
Kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer structured recreation opportunities beyond water activities. "The park has a great, huge lawn for a picnic and a game of frisbee," mentions Amy H. about Huntsville State Park, while also noting to "Check yourself for ticks after hiking the trails though. Its a thick forest."
Wildlife awareness: Parents should maintain awareness of local wildlife with children. One Huntsville visitor noted "We turned around" after hearing coyotes during an evening hike. Several reviewers mentioned alligators in Lake Conroe, with Amy H. reassuring visitors to "Leave your worries about gators behind!"
Primitive site planning: Prepare for extra hiking when visiting remote sites. Bear T. describes his experience at Lake Niederhoffer: "My party hiked in way to much stuff, but it was more fun for it. We probably walked the trail about 20 times a piece to get everything in and out during our 3 night stay."
Rig size limitations: Some campgrounds have restrictions or challenging access roads. As Daniel L. notes about Cagle Recreation Area, "As with any park sites rig size vary as to what can fit where. So my advice is to go visit it and pick which one you think you'd fit into best and mark it down for when you want to go."
Hookup availability: Check specific campsite utilities before booking. "Full hookups(30& 50 Amp)" are available at many Lake Conroe campgrounds, but Steven B. at Huntsville State Park points out "The site is fairly level side-to-side with 2.75 inches low difference. The site is sloped front-to-back, but even with a long rig you should be fine."
Campground navigation: First-time visitors should plan arrival during daylight hours. "The sites are well maintained, shady but not overgrown and well spaced out," notes Heather B. about Cagle Recreation Area, making it easier to navigate larger rigs even with the mature tree coverage.
Basic campground options: For RVers seeking simplicity, affordable options exist. At Jordon Rustad campground, JR R. explains it's "Simple, Rustic & Cheap. There are many RV Parks near lake Conroe. If you don't need a septic hookup, this one has the best price. Just a site to camp. Nothing fancy."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near New Waverly, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near New Waverly, TX is Thousand Trails Lake Conroe with a 4.5-star rating from 30 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near New Waverly, TX?
TheDyrt.com has all 131 dog-friendly camping locations near New Waverly, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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