The Bryan-College Station area offers camping options within 15 miles of city centers, with water recreation at Lake Bryan and numerous RV facilities near Texas A&M University. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 95°F from June through September, while winter lows can occasionally drop below freezing. Concrete RV pads are standard at most established campgrounds, though site spacing varies significantly between facilities.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Lake Bryan Campground features approximately 20 miles of well-marked trails through wooded areas. One visitor notes, "Check out the Lakeside Icehouse for events and live music throughout the year. Now the trails: ~20 miles through the trees with well-marked signs to guide you. Maps can be found here: https://brazosvalleymountainbikeassociation.wordpress.com/lake-bryan-trail-maps."
Water recreation: Lake Bryan Campground offers swimming areas and boat access. A camper mentions, "Several local triathletes train in open water here as well. Outside of peak concert/event times, this is an ideal area for a quiet getaway."
Chess in the park: Karstens RV Resort provides recreational amenities including an unusual outdoor chess set. One visitor shared, "Beautiful park, it had 2 ponds and a large grassy area with a gazebo for hanging out, and the cutest miniature life size chess set, yes we played and of course, I won."
Swimming facilities: Several RV parks offer swimming pools for cooling off during hot Texas summers. At Karstens RV Resort, "There is a really nice size pool with a covered porch area for sitting and a sun/TV room on the other side of the pool area, for lounging; hubby spent time in there watching sports while the kids played in the pool."
What campers like
Level concrete pads: Timber Ridge RV Park receives positive feedback for its site quality. As one reviewer states, "We were just staying overnight, found the campground super clean with nice level concrete pads. No need to unhook! Front office staff are extremely nice and helpful!"
Trash service: Many campers appreciate the daily trash collection at some parks. Regarding Hidden Creek RV Resort, a visitor noted they "literally have thought of everything from daily trash pick-up to refilling propane tanks."
Game nights and activities: Some parks organize social events for guests. According to a Hardy's Resort RV Park visitor, "The staff had a game night party and did smores for the kids(okay so I had one too) and sausage wraps for everyone."
Laundry technology: Modern laundry facilities use app-based payment systems rather than coins. One camper explained, "The laundry room was different. The machines didn't use coins they used an app-new technology. Not hard to use just had to download an app and put money on it. The nice thing was the machines let me know when the laundry was ready."
What you should know
Game day crowds: Football weekends at Texas A&M significantly impact campground availability and atmosphere. A camper at Timber Ridge RV Park noted, "As a rule I dont stay at too many private campgrounds but on occassain I will. My daughter was graduating from A&M and we needed to be close so after lots of research we ended up here."
Noise levels vary: Lake Bryan can become noisy during peak times. One visitor reported, "Felt like i was camping on the infield of a racetrack surrounded by a promenade of cars/trucks playing loud music- will be hard-pressed to ever go back."
Limited hiking options: While some mountain biking trails exist, dedicated hiking paths are minimal. A camper observed, "Great get away. Not a lot of hiking trains but clean with good beach and huge grassy areas for kids and camp fires."
Dump station logistics: At some RV parks, the sewer connections may require careful positioning. One RVer advised, "Spots were nice and level, however, dump hoses slightly uphill on several sites. Need to park as far back as possible to reach utility post."
Tips for camping with families
Best swimming spots: Hardy's Resort RV Park offers family-friendly swimming facilities with adjacent lounging areas for adults. A visitor shared, "There is a really nice size pool with a covered porch area for sitting and a sun/TV room on the other side of the pool area."
Kid-friendly activities: Some parks organize special events for children. As one camper noted, "The staff had a game night party and did smores for the kids and sausage wraps for everyone."
Spacious play areas: Lake Bryan Campground offers open spaces for children to play. A visitor commented, "Great get away. Not a lot of hiking trains but clean with good beach and huge grassy areas for kids and camp fires."
School year considerations: Campgrounds near Texas A&M tend to be quieter during academic breaks. One regular visitor explained, "We have stayed here several times as we have a son and daughter attending A&M. This park is immaculate and check in is always painless."
Tips from RVers
Positioning considerations: At some parks, the utility connections require strategic parking. One RVer at Revviel RV Park advised, "Spots were nice and level, however, dump hoses slightly uphill on several sites. Need to park as far back as possible to reach utility post."
Site spacing: The proximity between camping spots varies between parks. A visitor to Teserra RV Park noted, "All inclusive pricing is great, very close to town and Texas A&M. Very tight spots and close to your neighbors."
No-unhook options: Some parks offer pull-through sites that allow overnight stays without disconnecting tow vehicles. As one visitor stated, "We were just staying overnight, found the campground super clean with nice level concrete pads. No need to unhook!"
Grocery access: Shopping options exist near some campgrounds. One camper at Revviel RV Park reported, "If you leave out going to SR 21, make a right and there is a fairly new HEB with everything one might want from groceries to mesquite wood chunks for smoking and BBQ grilling."
