Camping options around Washington, Texas include a diverse range of park environments from lake settings to wooded areas. Campgrounds in this region typically experience hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters with occasional freezing nights. Most sites maintain year-round operations with peak visitor seasons during spring wildflower blooms and fall when temperatures moderate.
What to do
Fishing access: Lake Somerville offers productive shoreline fishing areas. "Beautiful and calm lake. Great for fishing, kayaking and canoeing," notes Anita C. about Yegua Creek Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Early morning and evening provide optimal deer watching opportunities in several parks. According to Mark M., Stephen F. Austin State Park features "Very quiet, completely dead-flat level site... Woke up to a beautiful fog in morning. Would return and explore. Saw numerous trails that looked easy, and tree/shade covered."
Hiking trails: Multiple campgrounds maintain short, accessible nature paths. At Rocky Creek, Lori C. reports, "Clean bathrooms, well maintained trails and miles of accessible shoreline. Great AT&T and 2 bars T-Mobile reception."
Special events: Check calendars for seasonal festivities at participating campgrounds. Denise V. mentions, "The Western RV Park... was nice being at The Western Club with friends for the ShuffleFest weekend event and not having to drive 45 minutes back and forth. The RV park is directly behind the Steakhouse& Dancehall."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the generous spacing between campsites. According to Denise V., "The Western RV Park sites were wide, but there's only about a foot or so of space between sites."
Lake views: Waterfront sites provide scenic vistas and direct water access. Billy N. shared about Yegua Creek, "The lake is beautiful. The sites are laid out well. Restroom and showers are clean. There is a marina a few miles away (not apart of the campground) that you can fish off their pier for $5 a day."
Shade coverage: Tree canopy offers relief during hot months. Jim P. notes that Stephen F. Austin State Park Campground has "pull through sites with full hook ups on the cheap... While we were there we saw an abundance of deer and bunnies, plus we were able to listen in on a conversation between a very large owl who had taken up residence."
Level camping pads: RVers specifically mention the quality of parking surfaces. Lynne L. wrote, "Rocky Creek is a beautiful park on a beautiful lake! Here are some of the pros: friendly couple at check-in/entrance shack, friendly rangers driving around checking on folks, deer everywhere, beautiful lake view, well-maintained grounds."
What you should know
Pet policies: Dog friendly campgrounds near Washington typically require leashes no longer than 6 feet. At Holiday RV Park, pets are allowed but should be monitored as David D. notes: "Great location to stay while paying my daughter a visit while at school. Not easy to get around from there based on the construction and how the roads work."
Gate hours: Most parks implement security gates with restricted overnight access. At Rocky Creek, gates are "closed and locked from 10p to 6a (can get out, but not back in)," according to Denise V.
Seasonal closures: Flooding and maintenance sometimes affect facility availability. Stephen T. advises about Yegua Creek: "The park was a good site. I camped during the off season. It has showers with working hot water and clean bathrooms. It is showing its age in infrastructure, and the playground is removed."
Wildlife awareness: Expect frequent deer encounters and watch for fire ants at many campsites. One camper noted at Stephen F. Austin State Park that they saw "quite a few deer" and advises to "beware of fire ants."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Several parks feature designated swimming areas during summer months. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, Ashley C. reports, "Probably my favorite thing about this place is the waterpark. Really refreshing on a hot day, and the best part? The staff are usually pretty lenient about slide rules, so small kids and parents alike are allowed to ride!"
Themed events: Jellystone Park hosts seasonal activities specifically designed for children. "Our kids loved that we got to go Trick or treating at a campground! But probably my favorite thing about this place is the waterpark," shares Ashley C.
Protected campsites: Look for sites away from water edges for younger children. Lynne L. cautions at Rocky Creek: "circular bricks with holes on the shore were not dog friendly (not human leg friendly either)."
Short hiking options: Multiple trails under a mile suit families with small children. Brittany S. commented that Stephen F. Austin's "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."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Check for pull-through availability and hookup types before booking. Jim P. appreciates that Stephen F. Austin State Park offers "pull through sites with full hook ups on the cheap! I have a State Parks Pass which makes it even more affordable."
Dump station location: Note the dump station approach direction at some parks. Tryon C. warned about Rocky Creek: "The dump station on the wrong side of the road was a surprise."
Leveling requirements: Most campsites require minimal leveling adjustments. Tijana & Andrew C. observed, "The campsite was level, which made setup easy, and the park offers great amenities like a dump station, a small hiking trail, fishing spots, and places to swim."
Hookup quality: Electrical systems at most parks accommodate 50-amp service. Roger W. noted at Rocky Creek: "Electric Hookup: Yes... Very nice park."
