Glamping near Palestine, Texas offers a unique outdoor experience in the Piney Woods region of East Texas, where elevations range from 300-700 feet above sea level. Summers are hot and humid with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F, while winter nights can drop below freezing. Most glamping sites in this area maintain availability year-round, though spring and fall offer more moderate temperatures with less humidity.
What to do
Fishing at local lakes: Oak Cove Marina provides access to Richland-Chambers Reservoir, one of the largest lakes in Texas at over 41,000 acres. Guests can rent boats or fish from designated areas. "My husband had a blast fishing there with his buddies and we had a good boat ride but there wasn't a whole lot for our kid to do. We managed though and we do plan on going back," notes a visitor to Oak Cove Marina.
Take a historic train ride: Located near glamping sites, the Texas State Railroad offers scenic rides through the East Texas forest. "The texas state RR train engine car came through one time in the afternoon to turn around to pull the train back to palestine...that's pretty unique and a cool thing at a campsite IMO," reports a camper at Rusk Depot Campground.
Explore nature trails: Several glamping sites offer short hiking trails through wooded areas typical of East Texas. Big Tex Campgrounds features "a couple of small hiking trails" according to recent visitors, with more amenities planned for the future.
What campers like
Waterfront views: Sites at lakeside glamping locations provide direct water access and scenic views. "The waterfront views were beautiful and the amenities were wonderful. They had a variety of rentals available - golf carts, kayaks, and pontoon boats," writes a visitor at The Boulders at Lake Tyler.
Peaceful surroundings: Many glamping sites in the area provide a quiet retreat away from busy roads and city noise. "This campground really has no outside noise from anywhere. It is wonderfully quiet," notes a guest at Rusk KOA.
Kid-friendly amenities: Several glamping locations cater specifically to families with children. "Pool, jump pad, playground, trike rentals, Rock/gem mining slough, movies/events, etc. Sites are level pull-through sites and most have a clear view of the playground, which gives the kids a sense of freedom," describes a repeat visitor at Rusk KOA.
What you should know
Seasonal weather concerns: East Texas experiences severe thunderstorms primarily in spring, with occasional flooding possible. During summer, heat indexes regularly exceed 100°F, requiring extra hydration and shade.
Maintenance varies by location: Quality and upkeep differ significantly between glamping sites. "First & foremost, This park is not well-maintained, and the camping sites are right off of the highway. The splash pad does not work, and the bath house was terribly dirty," cautions a visitor at Rusk Depot Campground.
Reservation policies: Most glamping sites require advance booking, especially during peak seasons (spring/fall). HFR Campsites & Retreats specializes in tent glamping with limited sites, making early reservations essential.
Site selection: Many glamping sites assign specific locations upon arrival rather than at booking. "The only con is they will move you. I don't care if you picked that spot out for a specific reason (as I did) when booking, it likely won't be your spot when you check in," notes a visitor at Big Tex Campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Water parks for summer visits: Some glamping locations offer water features to help combat the East Texas heat. "There were some drawbacks to the sites, but the water area made it all worth it for us and our toddler! He had a BLAST," writes a visitor to Coal Mine Ranch RV Park, which includes a small water park.
Check activity schedules: Several glamping locations offer scheduled events, particularly on weekends and holidays. "We have been camping here in the summers and both Easter & Halloween weekends and they do easter egg/candy hunts and have other events for the kids/kids at heart," shares a repeat visitor at Rusk KOA.
Bring extra activities: Some glamping sites have limited entertainment options for children. "We will definitely be bringing more activities for our children. We have gone twice and do plan to go much more," advises a family that stayed at Oak Cove Marina.
Tips from RVers
Site layouts vary significantly: Some glamping areas have more space between sites than others. "Not a slide-out friendly campground as most sites were very compact. Minimal vegetation between sites," cautions an RVer at Rusk Depot Campground.
Check amenities before booking: Glamping sites have varying levels of hookups and facilities. "Our site was also a full hookup site as was the site of our friends that also came with us," notes a visitor to Big Tex Campgrounds, a newer facility in the area.
Site surfaces make a difference: Concrete pads provide more stability and cleanliness than gravel or natural surfaces. "Concrete sites made setup and leveling super easy," writes an RVer about their experience at The Boulders at Lake Tyler.
