Looking for a place to go glamping near Thompsons? Glamping offers the perfect opportunity to explore Thompsons and stay off the beaten path. The Dyrt's camping photos, reviews, and tips are an easy way to find the right Texas glamping spot for you.
Looking for a “wild” experience? You will find it at Brazos Bend State Park, just 45 miles from downtown Houston!
Things to Do Nature has top billing at this park. Be sure to bring your walking shoes, binoculars and camera.
Besides marveling at nature, you can also hike and bike, fish, picnic, geocache, ride your horse, and stay overnight. Reserve one of our picnic pavilions or our group hall for your next group gathering.
Pay due respect to alligators, which are common in some areas of the park. Read our alligator safety tips before you come.
Stay Reserve a campsite, screened shelter, or cabin. Bring your nonprofit youth group for a campout.
You can also book campsites that are ready to use, complete with a safari tent, bed and other camping amenities.
Explore We have 37 miles of trails, some of which are wheelchair-friendly. You can experience them on foot, bike or horseback. We have an all-terrain wheelchair for use in the park; call us to reserve it for your visit: (979) 553-5101, x0.
Creekfield Lake Nature Trail: This fully paved .5-mile trail tours a wetland area. You’ll find exhibits with touchable bronzes of wildlife, an accessible boardwalk and observation deck, and rest areas with shaded benches. Hike and bike trails: Trails circle lakes, connecting with each other and heading into the hardwood forest. Pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet, and must not drink from or enter the lakes. Read about alligator safety on park maps and on signs in the park. Horseback riding: We have 13 miles of multiuse trails. You must bring your own horse and show proof of negative Coggins. Weather conditions can lead to trail closures; call the park for trail updates before your visit.
$12 - $150 / night
$12 - $300 / night
$30 / night
$30 - $45 / night
Located in Waller, TX just 35 miles northwest of Houston, Jellystone Park™ is the perfect family vacation destination in Texas. The friendly, clean and active atmosphere will greet you and make your stay with us one of your most memorable camping vacation experiences of the year. When our campers aren’t busy swimming and splashing in the outdoor pools and water playground, experiencing the thrill of our water slides, or relaxing in the lazy river, they can enjoy endless activities and attractions that the whole family will enjoy. Our facilities include everything to make your stay with us a relaxed and pleasant experience, with daily, weekly and monthly rates available for campsites or our cabin rentals.
$30 - $399 / night
$49 - $79 / night
Traveler
I think this must be one of the smaller state parks of Texas, but there are plenty of trails to enjoy nature, learn about wildlife and plants, and have some good camping memories. Plenty of trees to perch a hammock, plenty of room to throw a frisbee, and some of the better bathrooms/showers I have seen among state parks.
Ranger
Campground Review
It's incredible that I was born and raised in Houston and have lived here the past four years but haven't made it out to Brazos Bend State Park until now! A quick, 45 minute drive southwest will get you out of the concrete jungle that is the sprawling Space City metropolis and into one of the lushest, greenest parts of Texas. Brazos Bend is a "Nature Lover's Paradise" - there is abundant wildlife. There is great fishing, ample bird watching, and lots and lots of alligators (!). Lots of trails for walking, running, biking, and horseback riding. The George Observatory is a pretty amazing feature of this park (but only open Saturdays).
We arrived at Brazos Bend on a Friday afternoon and were able to walk-in no problem. Walk-in rate is $12/day + the daily park entrance fee ($5 for adults, free for kids). I have a Texas State Parks Pass so we didn't have to pay the entrance fees (saved us $40 for two nights of camping!). Additionally there were several other great options including: Full-Site RV hook-up ($25/night), Standard Camping ($20/night, incl. water & electricity), and 14 Cabins ($80-200/night but have everything you could ever need or want).
We did a lot of nature walks, game playing, and swimming during our two days at Brazos Bend State Park. Summer is probably not the best time to visit any park in Texas - its hot and muggy and the mosquitos are out in full force. Bring your DEET. Seriously. Despite that though, we were very pleasantly surprised by the amenities (swimming pool, screened in picnic tables, fire pits, and tent pads!)
Product Review
As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time - this past weekend at Brazos Bend I tested out the Kameng Mid eVent Waterproof Hiking Boot by Mishmi Takin.
These boots have got it all.
First, these boots are hella comfortable! I was blown away how comfortable they were right out of the box. Over the years, I've owned many pairs of hiking boots and they all required a significant break-in period. Not these!
Second, they're waterproof AND breathable. Not water resistant, like actually water proof.
Third, the look great. All 3 color schemes are fantastic I had a tough time choosing between green, grey and orange.
Fourth, so lightweight. These only weigh 1.5lbs so even though they are boots, they won't weigh you down.
5/5 Would Recommend.
ScoutGoing to this camp in the middle of August is not recommended because, wow Texas heat. But it is one of our favorites. Close to Houston but still feels wild. I love that the RV camp is pretty separate from the ten camp section to make it a different experience depending on how you normally roll. The trails are well kept and we saw some deer and rabbits! Do watch out here because there are ticks a plenty, make sure to do a check after hikes/camping!
GuideI visited the park early November and it was great. We reserved sites 75 and 52, and it was a great area for kids. Fall camping is very popular in Texas, so tons of people out especially boy scouts. We hiked Barred Owl trail and it was very easy pushing my double jogging stroller. The one thing i loved about the park were the restroom, LOVED the FAMILY RESTROOM. Loved that it was one private room restroom and shower. Overall, I enjoyed the park.
LegendWe had a really nice relaxing stay at Stephen F Austin State Park near San Filepe, Texas. Great little state park easily accessed from I-10. The 38 RV sites are all asphalt pad pull throughs with 30/15 amp electric, water and sewer complete with concrete pad for table, fire pit, lantern and all well spaced for plenty of privacy...big rig friendly. They have an additional 39 tent only sites with water and 25 primitive. Screened shelters are reservable for tent camping with 20 amp electric and water plus one rustic cabin with amenities. There is a$5 daily entrance fee in addition to camping fees. The bathhouse facilities are brand new. It's a small park but they do have five miles of trails for hiking/biking with views of the Brazos River. We enjoyed the wildlife; deer strolling in the campground every morning and evening, birds, rabbits, frogs, turtles, a bobcat and numerous owls. They have a Nature Center; however it was not open during our visit. The park office has a small store with sundries and park souvenirs. The nearby San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site tells the story of early settlers to Texas and is worth a visit. We made a run to the nearby town of Sealy to do a much needed laundry stop...small community with grocery, dining and fuel to meet most needs. GPS 29.811982-96.108059 l(979) 885-3613 l Park Road 38 San Felipe, TX 77473
Scout
Hi, guys
My name is Riya, I was looking for the some best RV parks near me in sweeny texas, I found many but this 60 North RV park were poping with good reviews on Sam Good Club. Its not too expensive for as I have stayed with my friends for 4 days and one night.
it good as said by other members of sam good clubhttp://www.baycityrvpark.com/rv-parks-near-rentals-sweeny-texas.php
You will experience here good environment, fresh air
Scout
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort in Waller, Texas, offers an outstanding blend of family fun and relaxation just 35 miles northwest of Houston. The friendly and clean atmosphere is immediately welcoming, making it an ideal spot for one of the most memorable camping vacations of the year. The park is brimming with activities— from swimming and splashing in the outdoor pools and water playground to experiencing the thrill of water slides or unwinding in the lazy river. There's no shortage of attractions for the whole family to enjoy. With comprehensive facilities, the resort caters to every need, offering a range of accommodations with daily, weekly, and monthly rates.
Regards
LegendWe had no problem finding this interesting state park as our RV GPS took us right to the gate and we had been to this campground (CG) two years ago. This time, we knew better than to park at the office's stop sign to register, which is where most CGs have you stop when registering. There’s a sign that says not to park there but to pull forward. Last time we, didn't read the stop sign and got our butt chewed by a park ranger. As we are disabled veterans, we also got new Texas State Park passes, so we did not have to pay the additional$5 per person state park entry fee on top of the camping fee. You do not have to be a Texas resident but you need to be at least 60 percent service disabled. The same very nice and knowledgeable lady from last time checked us in and we proceeded to pull through site 17 with FHUs, but only 30 AMP. The utilities are placed centered on the site, which is nice. The water pressure here is on the low side at around 30-35 psi. The sites are nearby, but the spacious yard has a cement patio, picnic table, and fire pit. We had no problem getting our 40’ 5th wheel in the site but had to park our F450 at an angle in front of the rig. We got 2 bars on Verizon and were able to place our Starlink to get a shot of the northern sky. There are a lot of mature trees in this CG, so the satellite is going to depend on the site. As we checked in, we were told several trails had opened back up as the area was recovering from heavy rain and flooding. The golf course, now private, had opened back up as well, but there was still a lot of water on the course when we were there in February.
ScoutWe recently decided we wanted to spend more time outside and over the last year started accumulating camping supplies. When it was finally time to put them to use we chose Brazos Bend because it wasn't to far from the city and had a lot of hiking trails. This park is amazing! We saw around 15 alligators while hiking, and these are animals in the wild in their habitat (not like the gator farms where some dude is sticking his head in ones mouth). The have a nature center where park rangers give you info about the animals in the park and let you see snakes and baby alligators up close. The campsites have a fire pit, table and grill and for the most part lots of shade trees. All the hiking trails were accessible right from our site. Since we only camped overnight we didn't use any of the facilities but heard they were very clean. We ended up buying the texas state park pass and cannot wait to come back!
RangerBefore we stopped at the Brazos park we went from Pottsville Arkansas to the beaches in Texas .Started out in Houston and seen the San Jacinto Monument , The Washburn Tunnel, Aquaworld in down town Houston. Went over some Big bridges . Than we went to the beach in Galveston and spend the night in the back of my explorer what a night great view and the breeze was nice . The next day moved on to travel down the coast to the Port Aransas and crossed on the ferry heading to Mustang Island beach. Than passing Corpus Christi down to Padre Island . Can't remember the name of the beach we spend the night on . The next morning we headed out away from the coast and back towards home . This it where we stopped at the Brazos park and sleep in one of the screened rooms . The park was beautiful and the moss on the trees make you think you have gone back in time . But a last we have to go home!
GuideWe stayed at Stephen F Austin State Park in Texas in early May 2018. We went as a family with 3 kids (3yrs, 5yrs & 7yrs old).
We had a screen shelter that was powered and had a light. It was a great spot with close access to the showers and toilets (we were shelter number 1).
The walking trails we nicely kept. Some were closed but still able to go for a decent walk around the ones that were open. We saw deer grazing in the long grass and early evening the fireflies came out which was so lovely and relaxing to watch.
Park hosts and volunteers was all very friendly and helpful too. One had a hummingbird feeder set up and we saw a hummingbird feeding.
The playground was very basic - 4 swings and a sandbox only.
We will definitely be going back again as if is only a 1 hour drive from Houston.
ScoutI just took my 5 days holiday to enjoy with my family at other location away from our home. So I thought to do some research and come with at 2-3 location so that my kid can choose. Kids choose to go to Bay City, Texas from Midfield. Then I was looking for RV Parks in Bay City For My Rented RV, Then I can to know about 60 North RV Park. After reaching there I see their ground was green and was also providing free cable but we didn’t took that as our goal was to spend time with family. There were more feature like laundry, clean washrooms etc. we played sports and other physical games kids enjoyed very much there. I want to write more here is only limited space, If you are also planning for RV Tours Best rv park near bay city is 60 north rv park. I strongly recommend for your family time[http://RV Park near Markham](http://RV Park near Markham)
LegendGot to the park around 2:00 PM and pulled up to the stop sign in the second lane to use the bathroom and check in. Found out from a not-so-kind park ranger that we could not park and loiter at the front of the office building. There was a sign to that effect that we missed as most state parks have you park in front of the check in office and there wasn't really anywhere else to park with our 39' fifth wheel in tow. Check in was alright, but there was confusion concerning our Texas State Park passes for Disabled Veterans, which we both received a few years ago at another Texas State Park. For our stay here, only one person's pass was accepted and that pass was good for 1.5 people. Another employee thought we should each be covered with our passes and tried to add the additional pass in the system, but since we were camping, versus day use in a car, we could only use one. So, we had to pay$7.50 park pass for our 3 nites stay. Then she had to show the young man checking us in the rule book that showed we were entitled to the pass even though we were non-residents. This is the first time our passes weren't accepted to cover us both. After that we headed to pull through site 21 with FHUs but only 30 AMP. The wood posts and trees in this site determine how/where you park your rig. We needed our 15’ sewer hose and used a donut as there’s no screw in for the sewer connection. Water pressure was okay at around 40 psi. We got quite a few OTA channels and 3 bars on Verizon having no problem with internet and making calls using our MiFi. Most of the sites here are very spacious and well laid out so your neighbors are not close to you. Site 21 is one of the most spacious and we had no problem fitting our 39’ 5th wheel and F-450 on the pad. The restrooms/shower house in the RV area was clean and there was ice for sale at that location. What we really enjoyed about this park was the abundant hiking trails that interweave with each other. We thought the golf course in the park would be open, but it had been sold to a private owner and would hopefully open to the public in a month or so. The camp hosts were very friendly and helpful. Overall, we enjoyed our 3 night’s stay.
GuideOK, this was my second visit to a Texas State Park. Simply said, I was blown away with this park. Driving in, deer scattered the landscape. Like my trip to Huntsville State Park, I opted for a screened shelter. The protection from the elements were well worth the $122.50 I paid for four nights. With electric/water, I was very comfortable and was able to use my electric heater in my tent. The shelter came with a locking door, although I don't think anyone would bother you anyway. There are some nice trails, including one that will take you to the Brazos River. The park was nice and quiet and the weather was cold, I absolutely loved it. The Park entrance has a little Store and the town of Sealy is just a few miles away should you need supplies. The staff was remarkably helpful and courteous. I really enjoyed the peace of this park, the Solitude and good energy force you to take in it's grandeur. Since it was freezing cold, (which I loved) the extremely clean bathrooms, with showers would be a welcome site. I was surprised how clean the facility was, it was even heated. I definitely plan on returning to the park, maybe gonna try out the cabin.
Guide
I have been going to this campground since I was a little girl, I won’t even mention how many decades that is LOL. But I’ve never had a bad experience. The campground was completely redone after Hurricane Ike in 2008, so all the campsites are newer, with updated tables, BBQ pits and so forth. You can literally camp on the beach if you choose to. There are even full hook-up campsites within mere feet of the beach. But book early because these sites fill up fast. Lots to do of course. Swimming, laying on the beach, birdwatching, Fishing, crabbing, surfing (yes you can surf in Texas) stand up paddle boarding, boogie boarding, sunbathing, the list is really only limited by your imagination. You can even build a campfire right in the beach at night and listen to the waves roll in while making s’mores. The campsites themselves are not very private because it’s an open setup so everyone can enjoy the view of the ocean. The public restrooms and showers are nice and clean. There are outdoor showers to rinse off after the beach. There is even a fish cleaning station. This campsite is far enough out that you feel more isolated yet within a few miles of major restaurants and big box stores and grocery stores too. The hosts are polite and helpful. If you get tired of the beach, you are within a short drive to the “Strand” downtown, Moody Gardens or Schlitterbahn water park. The location can’t be beat. Beautiful park with nice campsites, what more could you want?
LegendNovember 2020 ALERT! Due to Interstate 10 construction, the eastbound exit for San Felipe is closed so the navigation system took us further East and then backtracked on some horrible condition rural roads. Recommend going to Brookshire and using FM 359 and then FM 1458 to reach Park Road unless you want to really beat up your rig. West bound entrance onto Interstate 10 was a bit crazy also so you may want to do some recon before finding yourself down a horrible back road. No notice of this on the State Park website. 40 FHU sites here under Spanish moss-draped trees. Good spacing between most sites, but no privacy from neighbor sites. The site required leveling side-to-side. Quiet campsite. No highway noise. Train whistle in distant. Saw lots of deer that came fairly close to us. Nice trails but very busy on weekends as Houstonians escape the city for some country fun! A brand new toilet/shower facility opened in early November 2020 in this FHU campground that includes 2 family restrooms. Toilet stalls are very narrow with residential toilets which are water-saving that required 4-5 flushes to empty the bowl. Dyson hand dryer. In the FHU loop, there were 3 camp hosts and one campsite marked for the 4th camp host. Another site has a firewood wagon and an ice machine. Then another site is coned off. So 6 sites gone from the inventory! There is a camp host site also in the tent loop. Wow- 5 camp hosts?? That has to be a record for this size park! We did see Park Police drive thru the FHU loop very frequently. A new toilet/shower facility is under construction in the tent loop. Construction just began so probably another 6-9 months to finish. In the meantime, there are 4 job johnnies and campers from the tent loop utilizing the new toilet/shower facility, with 3 toilets for women and 2 for men. AT&T 1 bar signal.
Katy Texas is a 20 minute drive where you will find all types of stores and services.
RangerCampground Review
Galveston Island State Park is a really beautiful, peaceful stretch of land south east of Galveston (the city) straddled by Galveston Bay along its north and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. We were amazed at the number of day use patrons there were but it was Easter Weekend and about the best possible place to picnic in all of Galveston. (Day use is $5 per person, kids under 12 are free, or if you have the $70 Texas State Parks pass it gets everyone in the car into any TX State Park for a year.)
There are two areas to camp at GISP - on the Bay Side and on the Beach Side. There are 10 Bay Side Primitive Tent Campsites at $15/night and Water/Electricity Hook-Up Sites are $20/night. Beach Side only offers “Premium Camping” with Water/Electricity Hook-Ups at $25/night. IMO, the Beach side is worth the extra $5/night since you are literally steps away from the water. All sites have picnic tables with shaded cover, trash, fire pits, and nearby restroom access. Additionally, there are two really beautiful cabins you can rent at $200 or $250/night but they are booked months in advance...
A couple other things about GISP. No trees so plan on waking up with the sun cooking you in your tent (RVs outnumbered tents). There are no open alcohol containers are allowed (but I think that applies more to glass bottles) and dogs must be on leashes at all times. We saw some well-behaved dogs off their leashes along the beach but I think this is more for the safety of the animals because there are long grasses between the beach and the bay sides with venomous snakes. Galveston’s water is not my favorite and it was particularly cold this early in the season but there were tons of people swimming, boogie boarding, kayaking, and fishing along the beach (especially on piers closer to town). It’s a great place to ride bikes and Galveston has a great cultural history that is unique in Texas.
4/5
14901 FM 3005 Galveston, TX 77554
Product Reviews
As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time - this weekend I tested two new products, Midland USA Two Way Radios (GXT1000VP4) and Mountain House Turkey Dinner.
Let me start with the Midland Radios. They. Are. Rad. I am so excited to have these and am considering buying a second set as you can hook up additional radios and put them on the same channel. Without an FCC license you’ve got to stick to specific channels (certain ones are reserved for police, first responders, etc). These have lots of different ring tones and settings. They are water resistant (I took these into the ocean but didn’t submerge them… that makes me nervous) and they have a fantastically long range. Website says 36 mile range. I wasn’t able to test it that far but we got to 10 miles down the beach and they worked great. (We also used them in downtown Houston and were able to get about 2.5 miles away but that was with lots of big buildings and trees obstructing them - pretty impressed!). These walkie talkies came in extremely handy - whenever anyone would head back to the campsite or into town we could call back and forth. Considering the cell service on Galveston Island is pretty miserable, these were seriously great and came in so handy. (Furthermore, I cannot wait to use these puppies at music festivals this summer!!!!)
5/5
My second review is for the Mountain House Homestyle Turkey Dinner. Let me preface this with, I’ve got a particularly snobby chef husband who was very very skeptical of this just-add-water meal in a bag situation. Well. He loved it. And honestly, it tasted like Thanksgiving. Basically a stuffing with chunks of veggies and turkey. The directions on the bag could’ve been a little clearer. I think the time to re-hydrate should’ve been a bit longer as the turkey was a bit chewy and maybe a little salt? But overall, really quite good. Cooking while camping is either super fun or terrible, so this was extremely convenient and easy. I definitely plan on try some of their other products (I’ve heard the Mac & Cheese is yum).
4/5
LegendThis is the best place to go in Galveston, even if you aren't planning on camping. It is beautiful and the beach is so clean. My husband and I, plus our kiddo (3yo) and 2 dogs went tent camping here for 3 nights. We went in January, so there was literally NO ONE there! Lucky for us though we got to pick our site and enjoy the solitary. We have state park pass, so entry was free otherwise it it $5 dollars. We picked a site on the bay-side instead of beach-side so we had grass for the dogs. They do however have beach-side camping, RV sites, and cabins.
Note: if you do stay in the bay site, you will have to drive across a main road to the beach side if you want the waves, but there are some coves, a bayou, and a lake on the the bay-side in walking distances from the camp sites so you still get that ocean feel without the crowds.
We walked a few of the trails, but it did rain (dogs were not having it) while we were there so we didn't get to do all we wanted. We did some fishing which was nice, and my son loves just casting and reeling to his hearts content. (Fishing is free in state parks and a license is not required.) Since we went in January it was too cold to swim but we did walk the beach and it was so lovely. The best part for me is the sound of the waves and wind at night mixed with a beautiful star-lit sky!
They do sell firewood on site which is nice and there is a town just 3 miles down the road with a grocery store. Obviously the heart of Galveston is just 10 miles down the road where you can go to the shops or the historic district, but sometimes it is just nice to be on a beach and joy some quiet, which is what we did! If you do go into the tourist area of Galveston make you park on the seawall and take the trolley to the historic district downtown. The trolley is just a few dollars round-trip and you can get off and on where you like. They have some great shops and restaurants. Make sure you go to La King's Confectionery on the strand, it is so fun and cool! They make salt water taffy right in front of you and it's fun for the whole family!
The bathroom facilities were very well maintained and looked brand new. The campsites are set un in a circle with a bathroom in the middle of ever circle which is really helpful! I loved that the park was not overly crowded like the rest of the island! The rangers were helpful and kind, but I expect no less at a Texas State Park! Wonderful trip for us! We will be back!
LegendI took a trip here with my husband, our son (3yo), my sister-in-law, her husband, their daughter(1yo), and a total of 4 dogs! We had an absolute blast! Since we live in Houston and my sister-in law lives in Corpus Christi, TX we all wanted to get out of the city and just enjoy nature. So glad we chose to camp here. We stayed for a total of 4 nights in tents! My husband and I got there first and the park ranger said we were the first to check in, so we could choose the site we wanted. We wanted a site fairly close to the bathrooms because of the kiddos, one big enough to fit us all, and also one with a lot of shade because it was hella hot! We chose site 72 and it worked really well. Just be aware if your going with a group, the big sites do not have much shade.
We decided to do a bit of hiking with the kids and this place was perfect for a family trip.The trails were beautiful and easy to get through (marked well) with all of us and the staff was helpful and kind enough to let us know which ones were closed (aftermath of Hurricane Harvey). Most of the trails were short (less than a mile), so if you are looking for a place for moderate or extreme hiking, it is not here, but for the kids, these were perfect! Obviously in Texas the land is pretty flat in most places, so there wasn't much incline at all. We were able to go on every trail with rest and snacks in between for little ones. There is also fishing, but because of Harvey everything was still in clean up mode. Being from Houston, we definitely understood that it would take some time to get everything going again. It seemed like Hurricane Harvey turned the outermost trails/ longest trails into a big creek bed. It literally just washed everything out.
The facilities were old, but very well taken care of and clean! Very few bathrooms and showers, so if you are going during peak season be aware you could be waiting in line (especially the girls restroom/showers). During our stay there were many Boy Scout groups camping and many others, but thankfully I am an early riser, and got to the showers by 6 AM with no wait! Also if you have kids or a small bladder get a site close to the bathrooms otherwise it could be little walk from one of the other sites because of the way they are spaced out.
The campsites were very clean and we watched a few times as people left that the rangers would come out and clean them immediately! Also firewood is for sale on site and it not expensive. We had to go back twice to get wood and the lady who was there was so sweet and gave us extra just in case for no extra cost.There is a fire-pit with a grill rack at ever site which is helpful. We brought some foil to just put over the rack to cook burgers and it worked well! They have RV campsite, Water-only campsites, walk-in sites, group sites, and I believe screened group shelters for youth camps and such.
This state park is a great little place! We have a state park pass so we try to visit as many as possible and obviously our entry fee is free, but we enjoy the history and education they provide as well. This park is only 30 miles from Houston and about 8 miles from a Bucee's (worlds best gas station) in case you need any supplies or gas. We will definitely come back to this one!
Guidesite: semi-private. some shade. large sized site. nice space between. amenities: busy. well maintained. attractions: lake. hiking. biking. star gazing. wildlife. I would go camping here again.
TravelerThere is not enough room here for me to describe how much I love Brazos Bend State Park.
The campgrounds are wonderful- a bit cozy with your neighbors in some spots- but overall comfortable and sufficient for tent camping.
The park staff here are exceedingly polite and helpful. I've never had a bad experience with the folks who work here, and I've been coming here my whole life.
The things to do and see at this park are seemingly endless. The hiking trails are phenomenal for all ages and fitness levels, primarily because they're mostly flat. The wildlife you can get up-close and personal with is incredible. Your kids will definitely learn about wildlife here.
Hike to the observation tower, or in the evening, head over to the observatory to look at stars and planets through a variety of different telescopes.
Be sure to check online for updates on flooding status- the Brazos crested its banks this spring and the park was extensively damaged. When they get back up and running, they're going to need our support!
GuideI live ~1 hour away from Brazos Bend State Park and while I've been to the park dozens of times, I have never actually camped there. The facilities are similar to most parks, water, fire ring, reasonable spacing, and some have electrical hook-ups. I do love to sneak off early on a Saturday or Sunday to run on the trails. The park doesn't open until 8 but the gate is normally open by 7 AM. Brazos Bend State Park offers two distinct experiences. The West side is shallow oxbow lakes that have been left behind when the Brazos River changed course. These lakes are swampy and are home to a diverse population of waterfowl as well as gators. The East side of the park is entirely different offering trails through a hardwood forest. There are several massive live oaks along the trail that are absolutely majestic. While running in the forest, I have spooked deer and wild hogs. The highlight was the time a bobcat (?) hopped out of the woods in front of me and ran in front of me for some time before he realized I was behind him. I don't have any pictures but here are some good ones from a race that I ran in Dec 2015 (http://running.competitor.com/2015/12/photos/photos-2015-brazos-bend-100_142060).
You will mostly have the trails to yourself early in the morning but you will see some people fishing or birdwatching. Later in the day you will encounter families walking or biking and large extended families enjoying the picnic facilities. It does get a little buggy during the summer but I find as long as I keep moving, the bugs aren't much of a problem.
The last highlight of the park is the park is the George Observatory. The lines can get a little long but it is a wonderful way to get a view of the sky. When we went, you could see Saturn, its rings, and a couple moons. Again, if you are going in the warmer months, be sure to bring bug spray.
RangerThe best part of this park is the observatory, which has special events and regular weekend hours pretty much all year. It’s absolutely worth staying up late for this! Hikes and wildlife are good too, lots of easy trails along water for the kids, cool ponds, great little observation tour to climb. There are standard RV/tent sites, screened shelters (for sleeping), and rustic cabins, horse sites, and youth group sites. The sites are pretty spread out and maybe half of them are very shady. Awesome little park outside Houston.
ScoutThe park is a close drive from Houston. Kids and adults alike enjoyed the walks, alligator viewing and riding bikes. Did i mention alligators? They are everywhere. There is also a nice observatory that we plan on visiting next time. This is the go to park for a group of dads and there children each fall.
LegendCome here to see gators. I saw 19 in one weekend! No, they do not try to camp with you. That's in another section, so don't worry about that. The lakes used to be rice fields. The hiking is very flat. Actually is a little hard on the feet after a few miles. Humidity can be bad. Check out the observation tower and the nature store where you can pet a baby gator. Maybe go to a star party on a Saturday night.
LegendBrazos Bend is know as the Alligator Park…and for good reason! Of you go on a moderate temperature day (this is the key. If it is too hot or cold you won't see Gators) you can see literally dozens of massive alligators. We are talking 6 feet long and right on the pathway. It's a fun adventure! There is a small nature centre where you can pet baby Gators and learn about them. Lots of pretty trails and look outs.
GuideWe love Brazos bend. Any time we have family come into town we make sure to take them to see our gator neighbors. if you don't like spiders this may not be a spot for you!
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Thompsons, TX is Brazos Bend State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 46 reviews.
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