Camping with the kids near Houston (Galveston, Livingston: RV parks, city hall, to rent)

[chicagomama]

Since we have a long weekend....

Where are some nearby places to camp? (tent)

Anything to be aware about? Are dogs allowed?

I grew up in MN, love the outdoors, but there is nothing dangerous/poisonous!!! My biggest fears is snakes... Can they find their way inside tents?

[rigas]

we like to go to lake somerville, about an hour-hour and a half drive but nice, safe.

[Poltracker]

See: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department | Welcome

[asonnier]

Lots of great places to camp here. We like Brazos Bend off of 288 on the way to Surfside. I will tell you though that last minute it will be hard to find a camping spot unless you get lucky with a cancellation. Most of the Texas state parks book solid months in advance!

[glorplaxy]

A great, cheap, and very quiet place to camp is the Alabama Coushatta Indian reservation, which is close to Livingston (about 1.5 hours north of Houston).

Campsites without electricity or water are $10 a night, with is $15. They also have teepees and cabins starting at $40 a night. There are bathhouses with toilets and showers.

There is a lake there that is great for fishing or swimming when it is warm and lots of wilderness as it is right next to the Big Thicket reserve.

Dogs are allowed.

[SteveArmy]

what? you dont put up tents in your gamerooms??

[desertsun41]

As full time RVer I know the camping life. Actually RVing is not camping, it's a lifestyle. Who the hell needs a house (depreciating asset) anyway?

Many RV parks do not allow tents. I do know one that does and it happens to be rated the 2nd best RV park in the USA, 2nd only to the one in Branson, Missouri which has had the best rating for about 8 years now. And it is right here north of Houston.

Go to Wolf Creek Park in Coldspring. Right on the south western shores of beautiful Lake Livingston, about an hour and a half north of Houston. This park is owned by the TRA (Trinity River Authority) and they do take pride in this beautiful well spread out park which fronts hundreds of acres right on the lake front. Catfishing is 2nd to none.

After Hurricane Katrina they expanded the tent section to take on the Katrina freeloaders....oops I mean refugees. Many of these sites are right on the lakes edge. All have water and many have electric hookups. Shower rooms are clean.

TRA - Wolf Creek Park

It don't get much prettier then this place. While in Coldspring, stop in Elaine's for dinner right across from city hall on the square.

[bfizzy]

Originally Posted by desertsun41

Who the hell needs a house (depreciating asset) anyway?

Wow.

[sbhubbell]

Our neighbors camp at Brazos Bend with their kids ALL the time and absolutely love it.

[citizen_jane]

We camp with kids and dogs too. In fact, we're camping this weekend at Fairfield Lake State park for the first time. Lake Livingston and Somerville are both nearby and allow dogs. I like Somerville better. I know Livingston will have snakes. Galveston State Park with beach side camping would not have snakes and they allow dogs.

HOWEVER - we made our reservations weeks ago and Fairfield Lake was the only park "nearby" with spots available. We have a camper so you may have better luck finding "tent" slots.

If you're willing to schedule in advance, camping along the Guadalupe River is my favorite. It's to late this year since you need to reserve your spot months in advance. This is a great private camp ground but it's RV/camper only. It's worth it to rent a pop-up and give it a try.

2nd Crossing Camp on the Guadalupe River