Looking for tent camping in Texas? The Dyrt is an easy way to find tent camping spots in Texas. Whether you're looking for a quiet location in the woods or a full-service RV resort near attractions, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
It took 20 years of development, including weathering a flood and a World War, but in 1956 the community of Huntsville, Texas, finally got their own state park. Located just 10 miles south of town, in the Sam Houston National Forest, this 2,000-acre park of pine and hardwood forest is situated around man-made Lake Raven. Today, locals and visitors alike flock to Huntsville State Park for its hiking trails, water recreation and prolific wildlife. With so many outdoor activities to choose from, a good first stop is the park’s Nature Center. Here you can get information about the local flora and fauna, including the more than 250 species of birds, plus a variety of mammals and alligators, that make the park their home.
Campers at Huntsville State Park have access to 160 tent and RV campsites in three camp areas near the shore of Lake Raven: Prairie Branch, Raven Hill and Coloneh. Full- and partial-hookup RV sites are available, and can accommodate vehicles/trailers up to 60 feet. All sites are equipped with picnic tables, grills, and lantern posts, and drinking water faucets are shared between sites; some sites are ADA accessible. Each camp area provides flush restrooms, showers, playgrounds, picnic areas near the lake, fishing piers, and boat launches. There is a dump station located in the Raven Hill camp area. The park also has two camping cabins for rent. Campsite rates range from $15–$25/night, plus park entrance fee; cabins are $60/night, plus entrance fee.
When you’re ready to play on the water, head down to the lakeshore where you can take a dip in the designated swim area, rent a canoe or kayak (or put in your own) for paddling around the lake, or cast a line for crappie, perch and largemouth bass. A shop near the Prairie Branch day-use area has groceries, ice, fishing supplies and beverages. If you’re up for some roaming or wildlife watching, pick up a trail map and birding guide and go explore more than 20 miles of multiuse paths and nature walks. From the park’s bird blind, you can scan for a variety of songbirds and waterfowl. The park also offers ranger-led nature programs, and there are Junior Ranger activities for the kids.
$15 - $500 / night
$15 - $25 / night
These tent-only campsites are in the Cactus or Fortress Cliff areas. Water is in the campground, but not at each site. Restrooms with showers are 1/2 - 2 miles away. Picnic table Fire ring Water nearby Shade shelter These are drive-up sites, you do not have to backpack to them. Tent camping only. No pop-up campers, travel trailers, or motor homes are allowed in this area. Map: https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/park_maps/pwd_mp_p4506_007g.pdf
$16 / night
These water and electric (20/30/50 amp) sites are located in the Rio Frio camping areas. Site lengths and widths vary. Picnic table Outdoor grill Fire ring Water hookup Lantern post 20/30/50-amp electric hookup Restrooms with showers nearby
$26 / night
Colorado Bend State Park is one of central Texas’s most popular destinations. Two hours northwest of Austin, this park offers cave tours, river recreation, and over 35 miles of hike and bike trails. Visit in the off-season and enjoy a break from the intense Texas heat or take a dip in the cool, clear waters of Spicewood Springs for a refresher on warmer days. Texas’s tallest waterfall, Gorman Falls, is the prime attraction for visitors of Colorado Bend State Park. This 70-foot marvel can be reached from a moderate 3-mile hike where you can enjoy cool mist from the spring-fed waters upon your arrival. There are 15 drive in campsites at Colorado Bend where you can park RVs up to 30 feet, though the rest require some extra work to reach. 28 walk-in campsites can be found in the main campground, as can two primitive group campsites near the river. Looking for even more rugged seclusion? Hike to the Backcountry Windmill area where you will find designated backcountry sites just a mile from the trailhead. Every camper will find what they need at Colorado Bend State Park.
$14 - $24 / night
Moss Lake (eight sites) and Walnut Springs (12 sites) are a 1 to 3 mile hike over rugged terrain. We charge an excess vehicle fee of $6 per car, per night, for each vehicle over two per campsite. No ash-producing fires are permitted in this area. You may use containerized fuel stoves that can be turned off for cooking. Minors (under 17) who are not camping with a sponsored group must provide a written consent form to stay overnight. No hammocks allowed in primitive camping areas.
Magical, Mystical, Enchanted Climb the ancient dome for amazing Hill Country views.
The massive pink granite dome rising above Central Texas has drawn people for thousands of years. But there’s more at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area than just the dome. The scenery, rock formations and legends are magical, too!
Things to Do You can hike, backpack, camp, rock climb, picnic, bird, study nature, geocache and stargaze. (You cannot swim here or ride bikes on the trails.)
Hiking Explore nearly 11 miles of hiking trails. Take a virtual tour with our Interactive Trails Map.
All trails close 30 minutes after sunset, except the Loop Trail. The Summit Trail may close in wet weather. Check our trail status here or visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed. Rock Climbing Rock climbers must check in at park headquarters. You can pick up route maps there and read the climbing rules. Read through our Climbing Information before you come.
Pets To protect this Natural Area, pets are only allowed in the designated day-use picnic areas, the campgrounds, and on the Loop Trail (pets are not allowed on any other trail). Don't leave pets unattended, including in vehicles and at campsites, and keep them on a leash no longer than six feet at all times.
Shopping Our park store carries some gift items. You can buy wood for campfires at the park. Please bring your own drinking water, as it is in short supply due to the ongoing drought.
Get involved Enchanted Rock needs your help! We will match your abilities to our many needs. You might guide a group to the summit, lead a tour of the loop trail, provide information to park visitors, or help maintain park facilities. Visit our Volunteer page to learn more.
Join or donate to the Friends of Enchanted Rock.
Outfitters and guide services The following guides lead rock climbing tours at Enchanted Rock:
Austin Ascents, austinascents@gmail.com Outpost Wilderness Adventure, info@owa.com Rock-About Climbing Adventures, Adam@Rock-About.com Texas Climbing Adventures, info@texasclimbingadventures.com Ranger Programs Enjoy a star party or a nature hike led by a park ranger, or contact the park for special tours for your group.
Check our Events page for upcoming programs. Become a Junior Ranger! Pick up a Junior Ranger Activity Guide and borrow an explorer pack. Email us to schedule a school or youth group tour. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Area Attractions Visit Fredericksburg for a taste of German culture in the Texas Hill Country. There you can shop, dine, visit museums and find outdoor activities. Stop by Llano, known as the “Deer Capital of Texas,” for museums, music and more.
President Lyndon B. Johnson was born near Johnson City. Learn about this colorful Texan at the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park. Tour the Texas White House and Johnson’s boyhood home. The Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site and the Sauer-Beckmann living history farm are nearby.
Drive the Peach Loop, one of TPWD’s Great Texas Wildlife Trails. It will lead you to some of the best wildlife observation points in this area.
$10 / night
Be aware of the tides and high tide line when choosing a beach campsite. Strong winds or storms can significantly elevate tides and create hazardous conditions along the Gulf Coast.
Sites #1-29 are only for tents, and are along the riverbank. You must carry your gear about 50 yards. Water is in the area, but not at each site. Picnic table Fire ring Water nearby Lantern post Restrooms nearby
$13 - $23 / night
On the north side of San Antonio lies a 12,000-acre wilderness that protects the city’s drinking water. You’ll find your own “Recharge Zone” in this vast urban refuge.
Government Canyon State Natural Area offers more than 40 miles of trails. You can also camp, attend a program or guided hike, geocache, picnic, take nature photos and look for birds and other wildlife. Your kids will connect with “natural fun” at our playscape and Discovery Trail.
$18 / night
Guide
This is a beautiful park with tons of activities and things to do. People are extremely friendly, sites were well maintained though site number 82 was a little narrow.
Park is close to another state park-Longhorn Cavern, which is also a great place to visit.
Tons of well-maintained, hiking trails, two lighted fishing docks, nice wide, boat ramp, an abundance of wildlife, the list goes on. Great place for families, or couples looking for a quick getaway. The nearby town of Burnet is home to a great Air Force Museum, and has some great restaurants as well.
Ranger
This place was amazing cell phone service for the five bars for T-Mobile. Water hookup at almost half the sights. Camper maintained bathrooms and office which contain a washer bunch of small kitchen appliances. A sheltered gazebo with electric and many appliances to share. Camper maintained library and donation center. Most sites are quite level. Everyone I met was amazing. Almost every day there's a breeze which really conquers some of the heat. Completely free and no stay limit.
Ranger
Had our own water, no electric sites. But El Paso, AKA The Sun City, provides plenty of sun for solar ;) Could use some more bathrooms, LOTS of tent spaces, some hike-in. Well developed trails, but LOTS of scree, so can be slippery going up, definitely slippery hiking down- - take hiking poles. Not sure what mtn bike trails are like, so check specific reviews for them. Visitor center has very cool 3d map of area. Gates locked from 1700-0800. They give you the padlock combo for entry/exit but took a couple minutes to figure out how the gate latch worked particularly at night (needed flash light). Hiked to Aztec Cave. Have done Cottonwood Springs hike….~55 yrs ago! -->Beautiful weather December (76°).
Guide
Easy to find with plenty of spots open. Our neighbor reported seeing a fox come through our site. The campground was very clean and well kept. There is a highway very close and train tracks just beyond that but it didn’t bother us at all as there was very little traffic while we were sleeping.
Ranger
Wal traveling from Big Bend NP to El Paso and thus wa sthe perfect place to stop for the night.
This is a spectacular location for star gazing. It's also close to the McDonald Observatory. This is an important historical site and I would strongly recommend getting a tour.
The campsite was very quiet and privacy is better than anything else in West Texas. Great hiking trail. The only downsides are the wind.
Guide
The campground is located about 1 1/2 miles off the main highway. It is quiet. The help is friendly helpful if they would clean up, the grass burns and the stickers it would be a very nice place to stay, but it’s hard to get out of your camper and walk around because your feet load up with stickers the dogs cannot walk because of the stickers and I mean a lot of stickers
Guide
The campground is clean level and close to the city
GuideStaff are professional and kept area clean and safe
Guide
Great overnight stop if you are needing full hook-ups although it is loud due to its proximity to the freeway and Love’s Truck Stop. We prefer dispersed camping but needed full services to be able to shower and fill water so the noise was expected and tolerable. Staff was friendly and facilities were clean. Note: the facilities are not available after office hours which in December are 9-5.
GuideUnable to contact for reservations so not even sure if they are still in operation
Guide
Very quiet park, with water and electric at every site. No dump station that we found. Cost was $15, and you have to drive back into town to city hall to pay. We were there in the winter, but the city park is very nice for such a small town.
Scout
The park only has six campsites left. The rest have been converted to rentals of Airstreams or large tents for $150+ a night. There are three pretty good sites for large rigs in the interior and three camp sites facing the lake right next to each other. The trails and kayaking are great. Nice showers. I was here during the week and there were two large trailers and all the rentals were empty.
Guide
Beautiful campsite. The fort is very interesting. I was there on a re-enactment weekend and really enjoyed talking to all the re-enacters. A lot of great history. At night the coyotes sang me to sleep.
Guide
There are few campers here in December. Restrooms were clean. Campsites, large and private.
Scout
My family and I enjoyed our two night stay at site 2! peaceful and beautiful surroundings. Picnic table, fire pit, hammocks and the bathroom/shower is so close! There is also a large sink - perfect for washing dishes. You can park at the site - we set up two tents with space to spare. Right by the river - easy to fish or spend time in the multiple hammocks. The hosts are so friendly and helpful. We will definitely be back!
GuideFine place to stop on the way through and very friendly staff. There is a petting zoo with miniature donkeys and horses, goats and emus! This was a wonderful treat feeding the critters. Sites are small, dirt and uneven. Pictures show a playground, dog park, etc., however, none of these things exist. It looks like they did at one point, but not in the last decade. No atvs or activities listed on website which was frustrating for the kids. Lake was entirely dry—of course no fault of the campground, but didn’t allow for fishing, etc. There were plenty of sites available but we were placed right by the train tracks and main highway. I do understand why, though, because there are quite a few permanent folks toward the back of the park.
Traveler
One the prettiest state parks we have had the pleasure of visiting. It is nestled back in a cove by the lake and far away from the hustle of the large and small cities and towns. Quiet, peaceful and beautiful.
Guide
Love this state park! Sites are nice and wide and level. Beachside has recently (past few years) been redone and they did a fantastic job! You are within easy walking distance to the beach and while Galveston beaches may not be the best in the world, it is hard to have a bad day on the beach. Just sayin’
Guide
Love staying at Livingston. It is close enough to Houston that we can have a quick get away, but still be away from things that you can enjoy. The park is very well maintained, and the trails are good. A lot of people fish the lake, but I haven’t had a lot of luck - that doesn’t mean anything, though 🤣
Guide
Stayed over the long weekend immediately following Thanksgiving. Sure was very long and spacious with a great view of the lake. Sure was a little uneven, so some leveling was required.
Traveler
stayed here for a week in mid-November. Weather: 70 for the high and mid 40s at night. There were signs for nature trail, but I didn’t check it out. Beautiful views and amazing star gazing opportunities. Not much shade/trees near the sites. There sites are well spaced out along the reservoir: covered tables, trash can, grills, and fire pits all for a $5 day use fee. There isn’t a camp host or gate attendant on site. The people from LCRA that attended the park biweekly to empty trash. Minimal local activity during our stay. There is a dump station outside the park. Propane and groceries available only 10 minutes away. Excellent t-mobile service, was able to work remotely.
Guide
Camped here on a weekday in November and we pretty much had it all to ourselves. Clean facilities with toilets and showers. Deer roamed free and the lake was peaceful with a small dock for boating and fishing. Enjoyed it here.
Guide
The facilities were great. Clean and well kept. The site that we stayed at (#34) was too close to the main road and the noise from the cars was so loud, which led to an awful nights sleep. Also there was a cat (seemed like a camp cat) that roamed around all night and that freaked out my dog. The lake itself was fantastic and otherworldly. Absolutely beautiful in early November. Definitely gonna visit again but will not camp here.
Scoutsuper quiet. right off the highway, but very little traffic. pretty level spots. i take my converted cargo trailer often. the hike is an easy one with small children and gives visitors a taste of the actual landscape of Jeff Davis mountains, TX
Scout
we stay at Stillwell Store RV park often. if we are needing wi-fi to work we stay up by the store. if not, we like to stay across the road. lots of space, clean air and area to walk the pup.. we have never had a bad experience here.
TravelerOne week stay during the first week of December D&D south. Weather: highs in the 60s, lows in the 40s. Covered picnic tables, grills, fire pits, trash cans at most sites. Restrooms spaced throughout the park. Massive trail system throughout the area. Excellent service for school/remote work. Ideal for tents, vans, truck campers, and small trailers. No cost during May-September. No water or dump in the parks, but there are showers. There are sites directly on the water and up in the hills. Would return!
Guide
Camp spots are right on top of each other. Camp hosts were lovely, though. There are better places to camp on this lake…..
Tent camping in Texas offers a diverse range of experiences, from serene lakeside retreats to rugged mountain adventures. Whether you're seeking a peaceful getaway or an action-packed trip, the Lone Star State has something for every outdoor enthusiast.
