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Best Tent Camping near Saratoga, TX

249 Reviews

Tent camping options near Saratoga, Texas include several established campgrounds with varying amenities and natural settings. Hoot Owl Campground offers tent sites with drive-in, hike-in, and walk-in access options, while Po-Man Outdoor Collective R&R provides similar access types with drinking water, showers, and toilet facilities. Big City Little Farm, located approximately 30 miles southwest of Houston, offers six designated tent sites with picnic tables and basic amenities.

Most tent campgrounds in the Saratoga area provide fire rings where fires are permitted, though campers should check current fire restrictions before arrival. Drinking water availability varies significantly between locations, with Hoot Owl Campground and Po-Man Outdoor Collective offering this amenity while others do not. Toilet facilities range from primitive to standard, with some sites like Big City Little Farm and Po-Man featuring shower access. Campers visiting sites without drinking water should bring adequate supplies. The region experiences hot, humid summers and mild winters, making spring and fall ideal for tent camping.

The tent camping experience around Saratoga offers opportunities for outdoor recreation and nature observation. Po-Man Outdoor Collective R&R provides a more natural setting with exploration opportunities. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "This property is maintained much like public lands, no campground feel here. Bring your fishing gear, ATVs & horses!" Big City Little Farm offers a more pastoral setting with farm animals adding to the experience. A visitor commented that "There was plenty of space and a beautiful night sky" at Big City Little Farm. Claiborne West Park provides tent sites with picnic tables and toilet facilities, though recent reviews indicate potential access issues, with one camper noting closed roads and facilities. Most tent sites in the region offer reasonable privacy and serve as good bases for exploring the surrounding East Texas forests and waterways.

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Best Tent Sites Near Saratoga, Texas (8)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Saratoga, TX

2 Photos of 8 Saratoga Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Saratoga, TX

249 Reviews of 8 Saratoga Campgrounds

  • John H.
    Jul. 31, 2020

    Martin Dies, Jr. State Park Campground

    Tall Trees, Open Waters, Tired Trails

    Tent Camped 9JUN20- 1 night

    TO BE FAIR, this was RIGHT after everyone reopened and things were all weird. There was no one to check in with and the whole time we were there we never saw any park personnel. The park was MAYBE 25% camped, but might have been less than that. Sites were huge and well treed, no pads but good drainage, which was a blessing because it POURED overnight.

    Site 334 was on the water with great trees and soft ground to camp on. Our closest neighbor was 500 feet away, and they were the only other one on our loop.

    The park was empty and quiet with no canoes or anything available due to COVID.

    The bathrooms were older and pretty clean, but not overly tended to.

    The trails were a little rough and needed a lot of rotted wood replaced on the bridges and benches. Tons of birds and wildlife to see.

    Brought my dog but not a lot of good places for him to get in the water.

    It was the first time I had camped in 10 years, so this was the perfect place for a shakeout camp.

  • Napunani
    Jun. 7, 2021

    Lake Livingston State Park Campground

    One of Our Favorites

    We arrived 151 days after making our on-line reservations for the very busy Memorial Day weekend in Piney Shore Loop campground. This was our fourth camping adventure at Lake Livingston State Park in the Piney Shore Loop. 

    Pros EXTREMELY quiet during the Memorial Day weekend. Even tho not backed up to 

    lake, nice view of lake from Site#55. Double concrete pad as it is an accessible campsite. Very level concrete pad; no need to do any type of leveling. Nice early morning shade onto Site#55 Very good privacy from neighbor Site#54 and Site behind#48 Park ranger drive-thru about every four hours Restroom/showers good working condition, clean, ample hand soap and toilet paper. Recently paved park roads very nice upgrade Mosquitoes were drawn to those who strung lots of lights throughout their site, so many did not use those lights which resulted in good dark conditions for night sky viewing. 1-2 bars AT&T cell service. Lowes, Walmart and small HEB close by n the town of Livingston Cons. Campers requiring mobility assistance may find this campsite very challenging, even tho it does have a double wide concrete pad. Site#55 labeled as accessible but is very accessible unfriendly as it is not close to campground toilet shower facilities, fire ring is up a gravel hill on driver side of camper. Piney Shore Loop sewer hook up required 20 feet of stinky slinky. No privacy from Site#56. No privacy from the campground road. Picnic table in mud hole nearly the size of the table and very unleveled with one end higher than the other end. Unable to move picnic table as it is chained to concrete pylon. Picnic table not wheelchair accessible. No afternoon-to-evening shade what-so-ever. Site#56 campers permitted their dog to run without a leash. No park WIFI

  • Napunani
    Oct. 9, 2022

    Wolf Creek Park

    Lake Livingston Gem

    This Park is on the edge of being a 5 STAR park... 

    PROS 

    Senior Discount 

    Check-in at the gate without leaving vehicle NO street lights in A3 campground, so good dark sky viewing(when neighbors don’t have a dozen campsite lights illuminating 3-4 campsites) 

    Very very quiet Sunday thru Wednesday 

    Site 62 backs up to Lake Livingston so excellent view of lake and easy accessibility from lakefront campsites 

    Site 62 12 ft wide concrete parking pad level 

    Moveable wooden and metal picnic table on concrete pad 

    Metal fire ring(no cooking grate) 

    Pedestal BBQ grill Campsite utility hook-ups in good condition with no problems encountered 

    Trash pickup at each campsite 3 times daily 

    Pristine grounds 

    Very clean toilet/shower facility; it took 3 men 2 hours in a Monday to clean one facility, but no cleaning Tuesday or Wednesday or Thursday(didn’t even pick up the trash)! 

    Constable manning gate after normal gate hours 

    Roped off lake swimming area 

    Small playground near swimming area 

    CONS 

    Paid$3.50 reservation fee for completing 100% on-line reservation 

    On Day#2 of our stay, a neighbor camper came to us to inform us that the park manager just stopped by his site(we were at our site and saw him) to let him know there was a burn ban established for the next 7 days and that he need to spread the word to other campers. Two days later we saw a small burn ban sign posted at the toilet/shower facility. Communicating this crucial information needs improved. Perhaps posting signs throughout the park, especially at the entrance. 

    Trip hazard on the picnic table concrete where someone cut the chains that held the table in place 

    Numerous dogs roaming…no leash and no human 

    Absolutely no privacy from any other campsite as there is no vegetation between campsites 

    No evening trash pickup so have to store trash created by evening cooking 

    Gate was not closed overnight 

    Camp store and water craft rental closed Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 

    No wildlife sightings 

    No park WIFI 

    No camp hosts 

    3 bars TMOBILE in A3 campground with no problems live-streaming with TMOBILE hotspot device

  • L
    May. 1, 2021

    Lake Livingston State Park Campground

    Spacious, wooded site

    We camped for 3 nights in March in our travel trailer. The site was large and had a nice concrete pad. We were at site 117 in Pin Oak Loop. Our site was very large and lots of trees but did have some low spots that held water. The bathrooms were decent. The trails were clean and accessed easy from our campsite. The kids loved riding bikes on trails as well as around our loop. Didn’t have much luck fishing due to winds. Small park but very clean with lots of nature.

  • Napunani
    Oct. 17, 2020

    Lake Livingston State Park Campground

    FHU Lakefront Sites

    We love this state park and it's one of our favorites! This was our third time camping here in the Piney Shores Loop. We arrived on Memorial Day for four nights with reservations made 54 days prior. We weren’t loving Piney Shores#52 back-in campsite much due to: Steep drop-off of the concert pad and the narrow roadway making backing in challenging, but not impossible for our 27ft trailer.  Any larger rigs might not be able to swing it.

    The dirt area around the picnic table, fire pit and lantern pole was a huge MUD hole! What a mess due to daily rains. 

    No concrete pad under the picnic table, so your feet were in the MUD hole! HINT– Park Maintenance needs to apply some medium size gravel around the table and fire pit. 

    Picnic table (chained to the ground) and fire pit were right next to each other. WHO DESIGNS THESES CAMPSITES?? 

    Power interruptions, albeit short. Very glad we had our power surge protector. 

    We loved: 

    Very level concrete pad requiring no additional leveling efforts. 

    Huge campsite along the lakefront with access to launch kayak/canoe or even swim(which we didn’t). 

    Gorgeous sunsets over the lake. It was wonderful to sit at the fire facing the lake and watch the sunsets. 

    The squirrels that ate from our fingertips! It was also really amusing to find the squirrels VERY friendly. They just hoped up onto our laps and took peanuts in the shell from our fingertips! 

    Super quiet as only 6 full hook up campsites were occupied due to COVID operating restrictions.

  • Lizabeth
    Mar. 22, 2021

    Lake Livingston State Park Campground

    Spacious, wooded site

    We camped for 3 nights in March in our camper. This state park is small but very clean with trails, water activities, and more. Sites had very nice concrete pads. We stayed at site 117 in Pin Oak loop. The site was large and backed to woods. There were some low spots that held water. Our kids loved riding the trails and our loop with other kids. Didn’t have any luck fishing due to winds but enjoyed hikes and trail riding. Trailheads start in this loop. We would camp here again.

  • Curtis D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 19, 2021

    Whites County Park Campground

    Nice Place

    Nice place for overnighting. Or camp for the 3 day limit. Nice clean park. Sites have concrete picnic tables. But bring a fly swatter for the mosquitoes. A couple got into my home on wheels and when I killed them they left a big bloodstain. Otherwise not a bad place. Is there is a shell gas station across the street for food and guess. They did have 2 bathroom houses only one of them was clean. No showers. There were water spickets all over the place. I don't know if it's potable or not. It was dry camping so I already came prepared. You do need a permit for 3 day stay limit. You can obtain one by going on the website and calling and talk to Brandy she will email you one. This is a County park.

  • Brittany S.
    Sep. 27, 2018

    Double Lake Recreation Area

    Best campsite in Sam Houston National Forest!!!

    Sam Houston National Forest is my absolute favorite. There is so much to do there, plus the longest foot trail in Texas (Lone Star trail) resides here. This campsite is located on the Eastern side of the forest and it very close to the Eastern Terminus of the Lone Star trail ( trailhead #15).

    Double Lake is the campsite that has it all. Plus there is a lake, or two, where you can fish, boat, and swim. There are lots of bike and hiking trails, along with off roading vehicle trails. The scenery is amazing. I love to go hiking early in the morning as all of the wildlife begins to rise. The sounds and views are some of the best in the state.

    The facilities are kept very clean and the staff is always to kind and helpful. Some of the trails were closed the last time I visited but the park rangers were very helpful in helping me navigate. There are tent sites, group tent sites and RV sites available to reserve, which you can easily reserve online. My favorite tent site, that I try to get every time is site # 28. It is easily accessible, off by itself, and still close enough to the bathrooms. I like it because it has quite a bit of room, lots of tree cover ( which is nice when it rains, or in the summer) and it has some character to it.

    There is a ranger station at the entrance of this site, but be aware they are closed on the weekend. They have a little drop box and fill out sheet is you come on the weekends, but make sure to download a map of the trails and park beforehand, because the maps are never stocked and there likely won't be one. If you don't have one, there is usually a ranger driving around on a golf cart you can ask.

    Make sure you hike the double lake trail. It is about 9 miles long with a very easy footpath, but the views and stillness of the forest make it worth it. The trailhead is between the lake and bathrooms after entering, but be aware it is also a bike trail and can get muddy after a good rail.

    There is a fee to enter. If you have a National Park pass it is free and it is twenty dollars a night. Please visit this park!!

  • Cat R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 7, 2022

    Village Creek State Park Campground

    Little Hidden Gem

    This is a small hidden state park that has rustic beauty. 25 campsites with electric and water, that can be used for campers or tents (tent pads at each site). We camped with a 27 ft camper, with barely enough room. Slightly unlevel, needed 2 blocks on left side. Each site has a tent pad, table, and firepit. There is a dump station. Extremely clean shower and bath house. Several hiking and biking trails, as well as a small beach area, kayaking, fishing, gazebo and playground. A nature center was on site which has activities for families on the weekends! Walk in tent camping without electric and water available. Our site #4 was only 16 dollars a night. Park rangers and camp hosts were knowledgeable and kind.

Guide to Saratoga

Tent camping options around Saratoga, Texas include sites in the Big Thicket National Preserve ecosystem, an area characterized by diverse plant and animal species across pine and hardwood forests. The region sits at elevations between 30-75 feet above sea level with numerous waterways including Village Creek and Pine Island Bayou. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F with high humidity while winter nights can drop below freezing.

What to do

Freshwater fishing spots: Job Beason Park offers shoreline access to Trinity Bay where campers can catch various fish species. This waterfront camping area provides basic toilet facilities and trash collection for tent campers staying overnight.

Trail exploration: At Hoot Owl Campground, visitors can access nearby hiking paths. According to Samuel L., "There are hiking trails nearby and a little bakery next door. Would definitely recommend swinging by if you're in the area."

Farm animal interactions: Big City Little Farm incorporates livestock into the camping experience. Hector S. notes that "The farm animals give it a nice nature's touch" while staying at this property located about 30 miles southwest of Houston.

What campers like

Night sky viewing: The minimal light pollution creates excellent stargazing opportunities. One camper at Big City Little Farm remarked, "There was plenty of space and a beautiful night sky. The cozy fire was perfect for s'mores."

Rural seclusion: Po-Man Outdoor Collective R&R provides a natural setting without typical campground infrastructure. Ashley F. describes it: "Bring your fishing fear, ATVs & horses! This property is maintained much like public lands, no campground feel here."

Convenient location: Several campers appreciate the proximity to Houston while still providing nature experiences. Jake C. notes that Big City Little Farm offers "a serene getaway while having the opportunity to check out the city in a quick day trip."

What you should know

Variable campground conditions: Facilities and access can change without notice. Patrick B. reported about Claiborne West Park: "No signage for where to camp, roads closed as well as the office. On to the next one."

Potable water constraints: Not all tent camping sites provide drinking water. Campers should bring at least 1 gallon per person per day during summer months when temperatures frequently exceed 90°F.

Primitive sites predominate: Most tent camping near Saratoga offers basic amenities. Bluffview Park provides electric and water hookups but lacks toilet facilities or designated fire rings.

Tips for camping with families

Local attractions: Visit the nearby bakery when staying at Hoot Owl Campground. Samuel L. suggests: "Don't forget to ask if there are any fresh yard eggs available!"

Convenience store access: When planning supplies for the best tent camping near Saratoga, Texas, note the proximity to stores. One camper at Big City Little Farm mentioned: "The directions were clear and not too far from convenience stores."

Wildlife awareness: Teach children about local fauna including various snake species, feral hogs, and insects before camping in this region. Long pants and closed-toe shoes reduce encounters with poison ivy and thorny underbrush common in the Big Thicket ecosystem.

Tips from RVers

Site limitations: Most tent-focused campgrounds near Saratoga lack facilities for larger RVs. Only Claiborne West Park explicitly notes big-rig accessibility among the local options.

Hook-up availability: Electric service exists at Bluffview Park for those with smaller camper vans or trailers, though water connections may require lengthy hoses.

Alternative options: When tent sites fill during peak seasons, primitive roadside camping areas along Village Creek provide alternatives for self-contained vehicles with proper waste management systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Saratoga, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Saratoga, TX is Hoot Owl Campground with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Saratoga, TX?

TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Saratoga, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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