Discover the best family-friendly beach campgrounds in Texas

United States
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Texas

98% (2641 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Texas

Under $50

Dog-friendly getaways

96%

(1076)

Sparrow Bend River Retreat

11 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents8 acres · Pipe Creek, TX

Sparrow Bend River Retreat is a beautiful 8 acre multi-site vacation rental property with camping, RV sites and 2 vacation homes.With a private 300yard stretch of the crystal-clear, spring fed MEDINA RIVER your party will spend the day exploring its majestic cliffs and coves, paddling/floating the river (tubes and kayaks for rent), splashing in the shallows, playing yard games on the lawn or sunbathing on a massive bolder.Enjoy a delicious and memorable dinner in Lakehills (15min), Bandera (20min) or Boerne (25min). Or stay in and grill out over the fire, or at the provided grill.Camp sites each have a customized picnic table for you convenience.Spend you evening sharing laughs around the provided firepit as you take in the dazzling canopy of stars. (Firewood available for sale)Our family has always dreamed of hosting a place for families and friends to come enjoy nature however we would have never dreamed of finding a property as unique and beautiful as this. A lake when the water is high, a beautiful river when the waters low. All crowned by a majestic limestone bluff, complete with boulders, coves and endless room for adventures.This land was once a part of a wagon trail along the river and, if you're lucky, you can still find arrowheads along the paths.The property is gated with a high privacy fence along the neighboring borders for security.

River Forest Haven

46 sites · RVs, Tents30 acres · Del Valle, TX

River Forest Haven is a unique space that seeks to bring you closer to nature. We do not artificially light the camp and we strive to leave as much of the property in its natural state as we can. This provides a unique experience that is not your typical campground as we keep all of our campsites tucked under lush natural canopies. Car and tent camping works great! For most sites, you can easily drive up to your spot. Arrive, take a look around and settle into your site. We are always happy to deliver any of our items from our general store- just message us on HipCamp and we will come by. With nearly half a mile of Colorado riverfront to swim, fish, toob, paddle-board, kayak, and canoe*, along with 30 acres to hike and explore, River Forest Haven is also a quick 20-minute drive from downtown Austin.THINGS OF NOTE: ⁃ cell phone service is mostly non-existent ⁃ firewood can be brought or bought, but not collected.

Gypsy Moon Hideaway

13 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents20 acres · Weatherford, TX

Located at the end of the road. There is over 20 acres. Some cleared and some still in original woods. Trees, grass and deer everywhere. There is over a quarter mile of Brazos riverfront property although you cannot get to the river on all of it due to it being in its natural state. There is a beach at the main camp that provides easy in and out of the water. the water depth varies with the rainfall but is usually between 2-4 feet deep.

Secluded Guadalupe River Spot

4 sites · RVs, Tents12 acres · Gonzales, TX

These are unique camping spots along the Guadalupe River. I didn’t exactly understand how unique until I started getting feedback from my campers. The surrounding scenery will lower your blood pressure and do wonders to let you reconnect with nature. Sit back and close your eyes late in the evening and listen to all the wildlife talking to each other. There is faint traffic noise from 90A about a 1/3 of a mile away but it calms down after 7 or so. Currently no amenities but I am in the plans for some portable bathrooms. Please be prepared to cover all your bathroom and cooking needs. I do have some good clean well water from a faucet on the way into the campgrounds. Campfires are permitted. There is a convenience store (Diamond A) with clean bathrooms and a great bbq just 5 miles to the west on 90A and a Walmart and HEB 10 miles to the east on 90A. No dogs over 20 pounds on sites 1 and 2 but sites 3 and 4 are great areas to bring your high-energy dogs. No matter the size or temperament of your pets you are always expected to have them under your control at ALL times. I have very small livestock on the area on occasion. I am almost always on the property and try to have my phone with me while campers are on site, just let me know what you need and I will do what I can to accommodate you.

Dos Rios - Hill Country Adventure

22 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents19 acres · Mason, TX

At the Confluence of the Mighty Llano River and the Majestic James River lies something completely unexpected - an undiscovered gem in the Texas hill country. The Dos Rios. We have over 19.3 acres of hill country beauty to explore. Take a casual dip in the mighty Llano River, or take the plunge off of 20-foot red rock cliffs into deep cool water. Kayak, canoe, swim, visit the Eckart Bat Cave, or take a scenic drive down the gorgeous James River Road (a winding gravel road that goes over several low water crossings on the crystal clear James River). Enjoy the island in front of the property, with its beaches and multiple access points to swimming holes. We also have camping, a tiny home and a fully renovated vintage airstream available (see other Hipcamp listings). We also rent kayaks and canoes! www.dosriosrvpark.com

12 top beach campgrounds in Texas

95%

(844)

Dos Rios - Hill Country Adventure

22 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents19 acres · Mason, TX

At the Confluence of the Mighty Llano River and the Majestic James River lies something completely unexpected - an undiscovered gem in the Texas hill country. The Dos Rios. We have over 19.3 acres of hill country beauty to explore. Take a casual dip in the mighty Llano River, or take the plunge off of 20-foot red rock cliffs into deep cool water. Kayak, canoe, swim, visit the Eckart Bat Cave, or take a scenic drive down the gorgeous James River Road (a winding gravel road that goes over several low water crossings on the crystal clear James River). Enjoy the island in front of the property, with its beaches and multiple access points to swimming holes. We also have camping, a tiny home and a fully renovated vintage airstream available (see other Hipcamp listings). We also rent kayaks and canoes! www.dosriosrvpark.com

Sparrow Bend River Retreat

11 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents8 acres · Pipe Creek, TX

Sparrow Bend River Retreat is a beautiful 8 acre multi-site vacation rental property with camping, RV sites and 2 vacation homes.With a private 300yard stretch of the crystal-clear, spring fed MEDINA RIVER your party will spend the day exploring its majestic cliffs and coves, paddling/floating the river (tubes and kayaks for rent), splashing in the shallows, playing yard games on the lawn or sunbathing on a massive bolder.Enjoy a delicious and memorable dinner in Lakehills (15min), Bandera (20min) or Boerne (25min). Or stay in and grill out over the fire, or at the provided grill.Camp sites each have a customized picnic table for you convenience.Spend you evening sharing laughs around the provided firepit as you take in the dazzling canopy of stars. (Firewood available for sale)Our family has always dreamed of hosting a place for families and friends to come enjoy nature however we would have never dreamed of finding a property as unique and beautiful as this. A lake when the water is high, a beautiful river when the waters low. All crowned by a majestic limestone bluff, complete with boulders, coves and endless room for adventures.This land was once a part of a wagon trail along the river and, if you're lucky, you can still find arrowheads along the paths.The property is gated with a high privacy fence along the neighboring borders for security.

Gypsy Moon Hideaway

13 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents20 acres · Weatherford, TX

Located at the end of the road. There is over 20 acres. Some cleared and some still in original woods. Trees, grass and deer everywhere. There is over a quarter mile of Brazos riverfront property although you cannot get to the river on all of it due to it being in its natural state. There is a beach at the main camp that provides easy in and out of the water. the water depth varies with the rainfall but is usually between 2-4 feet deep.

River Forest Haven

46 sites · RVs, Tents30 acres · Del Valle, TX

River Forest Haven is a unique space that seeks to bring you closer to nature. We do not artificially light the camp and we strive to leave as much of the property in its natural state as we can. This provides a unique experience that is not your typical campground as we keep all of our campsites tucked under lush natural canopies. Car and tent camping works great! For most sites, you can easily drive up to your spot. Arrive, take a look around and settle into your site. We are always happy to deliver any of our items from our general store- just message us on HipCamp and we will come by. With nearly half a mile of Colorado riverfront to swim, fish, toob, paddle-board, kayak, and canoe*, along with 30 acres to hike and explore, River Forest Haven is also a quick 20-minute drive from downtown Austin.THINGS OF NOTE: ⁃ cell phone service is mostly non-existent ⁃ firewood can be brought or bought, but not collected.

Secluded Guadalupe River Spot

4 sites · RVs, Tents12 acres · Gonzales, TX

These are unique camping spots along the Guadalupe River. I didn’t exactly understand how unique until I started getting feedback from my campers. The surrounding scenery will lower your blood pressure and do wonders to let you reconnect with nature. Sit back and close your eyes late in the evening and listen to all the wildlife talking to each other. There is faint traffic noise from 90A about a 1/3 of a mile away but it calms down after 7 or so. Currently no amenities but I am in the plans for some portable bathrooms. Please be prepared to cover all your bathroom and cooking needs. I do have some good clean well water from a faucet on the way into the campgrounds. Campfires are permitted. There is a convenience store (Diamond A) with clean bathrooms and a great bbq just 5 miles to the west on 90A and a Walmart and HEB 10 miles to the east on 90A. No dogs over 20 pounds on sites 1 and 2 but sites 3 and 4 are great areas to bring your high-energy dogs. No matter the size or temperament of your pets you are always expected to have them under your control at ALL times. I have very small livestock on the area on occasion. I am almost always on the property and try to have my phone with me while campers are on site, just let me know what you need and I will do what I can to accommodate you.

99%

(214)

Colorado RiverBend Retreat #CRBR

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents12 acres · Smithville, TX

This 12.4 acres of wildlife on the Colorado River is full of so much natural beauty! We're Located In Smithville Tx Home Of Hope Floats! 5 mins from downtown! Plenty of stores if needed! Roundtop And Lagrange Tx home of the antique shows (15-25 mins) Sherwood Forest Fair (25mins) Beautiful Historic Bastrop (12mins) 🚨PSA Please Be Advised🚨 This Is The Country Where Folks Do Hunt And Shoot!! Although Your Completely Safe, You MAY Or May NOT Hear Gun Shots!! If You Have A FurBaby That Is Panicked And Stressed From Fireworks Popping And/Or Gunfire ( AS I DO ) It May Be Best 2 Leave Them Home,, To Prevent Any Uncomfortable Anxieties That May Occur IF there happens to be gun shots. PLEASE NOTE (TP) CAN BE PURCHASED BUT IS NO LONGER PROVIDED AS WELL AS TOWEL BUNDLES. 🚨🚨 We Can Not Control Mother Nature Guys! 🚨🚨 If There Has Been Excessive And Continuous Rainfall Travis Co. WILL Open The Gates On Us Little Guys Down River! (which makes for the BEST fishing BTW #MonsterCats) But This Will Inevitably Flush The River Stirring Up The Sandy Bottom. When that happens the Beautiful SandBar Is NonExistant As The Rising waters Cover it. This doesn't happen with A Down Pour Here And There As Stated It Would Have To Be Heavy And Consistant Fall For Days For This To Happen And Does Rarely Occur But We Have Recently Had A Rare Season With Hurricane Baryl barreling through Our Parts Of Texas That campers weren't so happy about so I just want to note it here as something to keep in mind!!! Hipcamp now offers a weather insurance that you may want to add to your booking just Incase Mother Nature decides to smack us around a bit. PLEASE BE MINDFUL THE PRIVATE DOCK IS THE RIVERRAT SHACK BNB GUESTS' RIVER ACCESS!! Please be respectful and courteous to All Guests and their campsite's and individual spaces!! 🙏 📢 PSA 📢 Reading The Shower Instructions Is Best Done B4 Entering The Shower!! Always turn the hot on 1st and do not add any cold until it's All The Way HOT 🥵 We No Longer Have Cows Grazing!! 📣Attention Campervan's 📣 A Campervan is a type of RV And RVs Are Only Allowed @ Campsite 3 As To Not Block The River Views From Other Camper's. If You Have A Campervan And Want To Be @ A Bank Site.... You'll Need To Get Permissions From The Host 1st, B4 Booking!! 🙏 This Can Be Accommodated But Will Have To Be Ironed Out Ahead Of Time!

99%

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Lake Godstone™ Lodging and Camping

25 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents188 acres · Graford, TX

Lake Godstone™, near Graford, Texas, is a thriving destination introduced to the market in 2017. Initially focused on families, church youth groups, and sports teams, it has since become a hub for a wide array of events, such as birthday and graduation parties, family reunions, church camps, and business team-building retreats. The venue boasts extensive facilities and activities, including: Accommodations: A 35-person lodge, a three-bedroom guest home, fully furnished cabins, primitive cabins, group campgrounds, RV and tenting campsites, and primitive tenting sites. Recreational Activities: Three sandy beaches, six partially covered docks with swim ladders and canoe moorings, kayaks, canoes, a rowboat, pedal boats, water lily pads, and a sports field complex featuring a lit basketball court, sand volleyball court, and baseball and soccer practice fields. Nature and Exploration: An observatory with a telescope, four miles of mountain bike and hike trails, two new fishing ponds, wildlife feed and water stations, a bird view house overlooking a beaver pond, an aquaponics greenhouse, and six miles of all-weather roads. Rental Options: UTVs, a golf cart, and a pontoon boat. Amenities: A comfort station with restrooms and showers, picnic tables, charcoal grills, large fire pits, shelters, a tree house shelter, a campground office, and a small store with a kids' sand playground. Lake Godstone's diverse offerings and scenic environment make it an ideal location for any retreat or gathering.

this is Paradise on Lake Texoma

27 sites · Lodging, Tents100 acres · Pottsboro, TX

Paradise on Lake Texoma (formerly Paradise Cove) is a beautiful, secluded commercial campground located in the "Big Mineral Arm'' of Lake Texoma. Built in the 80's by the Corps of Engineers, Paradise has been a mainstay of the lake for many years. Recently, the current management team are working to grow Paradise into something special. With a huge focus on community and culture, Paradise has tons of space for people to come together and enjoy the company and also areas to wander off and find a quiet lakeside spot to relax. You'll also be able to catch one of the best breathtaking sunsets on the lake! The wildlife we have on the property is amazing! I have deer that sleep in my front yard, opossums, 600 bird species, and my favorite… the armadillos! We offer Kayaking on the property for a fee. We have a beautiful Hammock Garden free for guests to kick back and relax. Texoma Water Taxi is a text away to give guests a ride anywhere on the lake including restaurants. Rock-N A Ranch is roughly 20 minutes away and offers horseback riding. The Cabins and Campsites are within walking distance from each other but far enough away to create that illusion of privacy. We do have a neighborhood close by but you can’t see or hear them due to the woods. In my travels, I try to bring back something I’ve seen or learned to help improve the guest experience and environment. You’ll notice little touches of Asia, Mexico, and even Hill Country Texas! We pride ourselves on our excellent customer service and treat every guest like family. We’re always a text away! You’ll see us out and about on our golf carts. If you ever need anything just holler (: Check-in time is at 3 pm. Our staff works really hard to make sure everything is perfect for your stay and we can’t guarantee it will be if you arrive before then. Parking, we work really hard to keep our property beautiful. Be sure to park in parking areas only.

98%

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Creekside Brazos Rock Camp & Kayak

23 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Millsap, TX

Enjoy the sounds of nature when you stay in this unique place. A cozy, private, 4+ acre camp, half a mile down a gravel/dirt road, set up on a creek across from the river. Off the beaten path, but just about 10 miles off I20. Gated entry with camera, bathhouse- all with private access to creek and river. RV spots also available with full hook ups, fire pit and picnic tables. Also 1 fully furnished camper for rent and tent spots. We are almost never full and have plenty of space. Kayak rental and tube/shuttle available for additional fee. You could even rent the whole campground! $10 pet fee (per pet per night), must be added as an Extra and under 20lbs. All guests must sign online liability waiver before arrival.

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Fishers Of Men Ranch

71 sites · RVs, Tents39 acres · Marble Falls, TX

Fishers Of Men Ranch is Perfect for Looking for a Private Place to bring yourself, family, and friends. Want to ESCAPE the HUSTLE and BUSTLE of Everyday Life! We’ve have the PERFECT Environment for Enjoying a Relaxing Stay here! We have Rustic, Rugged, Terrain to Hike, Discover, Explore, and Observe! Gorgeous 39 acres to Roam freely and find your favorite place to Get Away From It All! This is a GUEST RANCH ONLY! NO Dogs Allowed. Bill and Kaz will meet you at the Gate and Estcourt you into the Ranch and show you where to go. Need to Set up Arrival Time when giving information to Kaz for Invoice information she will ask for in a Text after you BOOK with HipCamp. You will LOVE it here at the Ranch because We are Different from other Camping places! We Strive to be Different! The April 8, 2024, Solar Eclipse was an AMAZING Experience with OVER 200 Guests on the Ranch to View the Eclipse! Everything went Extremely WELL Without A Hitch! Thank You Dave for bringing your 4 Telescopes and Screen to View the Eclipse! Several others brought their Telescopes and Fancy Cameras! Thank all of you who shared your Telescopes! The Ranch has OPENED UP More Camping Roads to make more room for More Tent Camping! Used allot of them during the Solar Eclipse! Bill and Kaz are already Working on improving MORE Campsites after the Eclipse! Opening these New Campsite Roads has also OPENED UP More to Explore! Kaz will be ADDING More Pictures of Latest Goings On on the Ranch! Be sure and Checkout our Pictures of the Ranch! Most pictures taken with Cell Phones! All Pictures of the Animals are found on the Ranch, come see the many Varieties we have here! When you Book EXPECT a friendly Text from Kaz asking for information that she needs from you being this Ranch is Private Property. FRONT GATE STAYS CLOSED AT ALL TIMES! To Keep All On The Ranch SAFE! All RV and Tent Camping is a PACK Your TRASH IN and PACK Your TRASH OUT! Because of the Volume of Campers coming, the Ranch can NO Longer take your Trash! Buzzard's, Raccoon's, Foxes, and Etc. will get into the Trash! Don't leave TRASH Outside! ALL CAMPFIRES MUST BE DROWNED OUT! WATER is Provided and you are EXPECTED to DROWN OUT Your FIRES! And if Bottles Used REFILL Them! FREE Firewood is Provided. Oak Wood for Cooking and Cedar wood for Campfire ambiance! Keep Campfires LOW! NO Bonfire! All TENT Camping is Primitive! NO Facilities! RUSTIC! BRING a Potty and Tent or SHOVEL and BURY it! ALL Campsites are VERY CLEAN and Keep It Clean! FOR RVers We have ALL HOOKUPS for Water, Electrical, and Sewer! On WEST Side. EAST Side has Electrical and Water ONLY, to Use DUMP Station, Working on More Sewer Hookups in Future. Unless LARGE CROWD, Most of the Time the West Side is Available for RV Camping! NO Throwing Rocks in Lake because hurts your feet when walking on bottom! We are ASKING Everyone to HELP Take Rocks OUT OF LAKE! FOR SAFETY ON YOUR FEET! If Everyone Takes Out 6 Rocks No Matter the SIZE that will HELP RID of the ROCKS Out of the Lake! Of Course You Can Take More Rocks OUT! "KNOCK YOURSELF OUT" (LOL) PUT ROCKS STACKED IN A PILE ON NORTH END OF LAKE and Bill and Kaz will pickup the Pile. (Thank You in Advance!) NO MUDDING with 4X4 Vehicles because leaves BIG Ruts in the Mud and messes up the Lake Environment! Keep the Lake area beautiful! Kaz always had a DREAM to help kids with Life Skills & Mentor in God’s Principles because she had Christian Mentors growing up! They were always there for her through her life and kept her focused down the right path and stayed out of trouble and learned a tremendous amount from them! Bill her husband supports her and they raised 7 children together and have 10 grandkids. Kaz father was Asperger's Autistic and from 5 years old started showing Kaz hands on learning skills that are still instilled in her today! She found this to be a Valuable Lesson from her Dad. These methods and skills through the years working with her own children and other children through the years with different organizations confirm to be very beneficial and encouraging for the children growing up. Bill and Kaz have shared equally through all they’re projects during they’re 40 years of marriage. They’re Jack Of All Trades, Artists, Shown in Art Shows, Remodeled Homes, Churches, Work on the Ranch Together, and Etc. They are able to teach others how to do things that can benefit kids till they graduate and have a better understanding of what they want to do in their lives as an adult and PLUS have the mentoring to guide them through life. The Ranch has its main Mission to work with youth but is open to Renting the Ranch House that Sleeps 1 to 20 guests, and RV/5th Wheeled Campers Camp Sites and Tent Camping for them to Enjoy the Marvels that God has Created and Lot's to Experience, Explore, and Observe! The Ranch is PERFECT for Hosting: Weddings, Special Events, Retreats, Family Reunions, Youth Activities, Church Activities, Boy/Girl Scouts, Boys/Girls Club, RV Camper Clubs, and Etc. to accommodate whatever you need for the special essentials you would like to have provided for your special event! The Fishers of Men Ranch (Name) is Biblical and was Given to Kaz by the Lord 4 years before finding the Ranch. You see that the Lord had something Special here for Bill and Kaz to do for others Long Before they purchased the Ranch the LORD had His PLAN for Bill and Kaz. They have owned the Ranch since, July 2016. (For Hosting a Special Event Call, Text, or Leave Voicemail to the Ranch Directly) (Hosting Special Events handled through Ranch) Fishers Of Men Ranch is a Family Friendly Environment and Christian Based!

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Private Gulf Front RV Site

2 sites · RVs1 acre · Sargent, TX

Private lot on the Gulf of Mexico in Sargent, Texas. Just walk across the cleared foot path to the Gulf of Mexico. Full RV Hookups - water, electrical (50A/30A/20A), and sewage. 70+ feet of concrete pad and driveway inside the fenced yard with plenty of space for all RVs. The property is fully fenced. The entrance gate is 16' wide. The yard is all St. Augustine grass. Very clean and maintained. Pets are welcome. This property is tailored for RVs, 5th Wheels, Travel Trailers, and Motorhomes that have black and grey tanks and can hold their waste water (shower, toilet, and washing) for dumping into the on-site water treatment unit. You must have your own shower, sinks, and toilet on your rig with holding tanks for black and grey water and the ability to dump into the dump location on the property. The property is not designed for tent campers. The electrical and sewage hookups are on the left side of the property. Motorhomes (Class A, Pushers, and Class C RVs can pull directly into the space with hookups in the usual location. 5th wheels, travel trailers, and campers that are pulled by a vehicle will need to back into the space as there is no room in the front of the property to drive in, unhook your vehicle, and drive the vehicle off the slab. When you back in, the hookups will be on the the opposite side of your connections. Depending upon your travel trailer and where you place your travel trailer on the slab, you may need electrical or sewage extensions to reach the connections. The vast majority of the renters who use the property used a 5th wheel, travel trailer or camper that is pulled by a vehicle. The pictures of the property show a line of granite blocks between the property and the beach. The granite forms a seawall (called the revetment wall) that was installed by the Corp of Engineers and prevents beach erosion. Depending on the tides, sometimes the Gulf waters hit the wall and there is very little beach area in front of the property. Sometimes, there is a large beach area. If the water is against the seawall and you’re looking for beach area, there are several beach entrances along Canal Drive within driving and walking distance.

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Bee Mountain River Resort

10 sites · RVs, Tents100 acres · Cleburne, TX

Nature and wildlife mixed with fun and relaxation, Bee Mountain River Resort is truly a one-of-a-kind property. Private, spacious and beautiful, we are blessed with 1.5 miles of sandy beaches along the Brazos River and the paved road leading you here dead ends right at our front gate. Customers are usually groups of friends & family; many have camped here for years. A few even claim to have grown up on the river and, to some extent, that might be true. Bee Mountain River Resort is a secluded off-the-grid campground that's been around since the '70s. And it's pretty well known to the locals. I first discovered the Brazos River in 1985 looking for great water to ski on. Having developed many great memories camping here, I would describe our ranch as classic and old school. Change comes pretty slow.....and we like it that way! Family, friends, kids & pets all love our amazing getaway. A rare gem that's best shared with good friendly people. Each and every campsite is located directly on the river and all of them are huge. Firewood, ice, kayaks, paddle boards and generators are available at low prices. Great tasting water from our 500' deep well, clean restrooms and a camper dump station are located on premises. We are very pet friendly providing your pet is friendly.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Family-friendly beach camping in Texas guide

Overview

They say everything’s bigger in the Lone Star State, and that includes the variety of options for campers, whether you're looking for an RV park, tent camping, or a primitive camping backcountry adventure. Beat the summer heat on sandy Gulf beaches, or head inland to the arid deserts of Big Bend Country in winter for some of the nation’s darkest skies and best nighttime views. Spring and autumn offer the best weather for wine tasting in Texas Hill Country, hiking the canyons of the Panhandle, or paddling the bald cypress forests of the Texas Pine Curtain.

Big Bend Country

Remote West Texas boasts some of the most pristine landscapes in the state. Explore the hiking trails of Guadalupe Mountains and Big Bend national parks, raft through narrow canyons along the Rio Grande River, go rock climbing in Hueco Tanks State Park near El Paso, or hit the dunes in Monahans Sandhills State Park. The quirky communities of Marfa, Terlingua, and Marathon serve as convenient gateways to desert adventure.

Texas Hill Country

Known for its wineries, whiskey distilleries, swimming holes, and rich German heritage, the rolling hills of this central Texas region extend between Austin and San Antonio, with plenty of small towns to explore along the way. Springtime brings bluebonnets to the roadsides of the region. In fall, head to Lost Maples State Park for some of the state’s best leaf peeping. Soak up panoramic views from Enchanted Rock, venture deep into the Caverns of Sonora or the Cave Without a Name, or take a leisurely float along the Guadalupe River.

Gulf Coast

The Texas Gulf Coast stretches for more than 600 miles along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico and includes the Padre Island National Seashore. Sun seekers will find plenty of sandy beaches with warm Gulf waters (plus opportunities for beach camping), while the natural areas along the coast feature some of the best birdwatching in the nation. Houston, Galveston, South Padre Island, and Corpus Christi are among the most popular areas to stay.

Panhandle

The plains of the Texas Panhandle comprise one of the largest regions in the state. Here you’ll find America’s second-largest canyon within Palo Duro Canyon State Park, as well as the iconic Cadillac Ranch car sculpture along road trip-worthy Route 66.

Pine Curtain

Lakes, forests, and swamps dominate the landscape of the lesser-known Piney Woods of East Texas. Step back in time at Mission Tejas State Park, straddle the state line in Texarkana, pitch a tent among the gargantuan pines of Daingerfield, or make the 835-mile camping trip along the Texas Forest Trail. If you want to get out on the water, it's hard to beat a kayak in Caddo Lake State Park.

Prairies and Lakes

This region sweeps down through the center of the state from the Dallas-Fort Worth area to Waco, Bryan, and College Station (home of Texas A&M University). You don’t have to drive far to find a lakeside campground or on-the-water activity, thanks to the area’s 17 Texas state parks and one national wildlife refuge.