Prime Areas for Camping in Texas

Texas is a diverse state with many different types of environments for camping and other outdoor activities. You can explore beaches and deserts, mountains and prairies, and bayous and forests without ever leaving the Lone Star State.

Of course, with so many choices for camping in Texas, it can be hard to decide where to go. That’s where this guide comes in!

Below, we’ve listed a top spot for camping in five different regions of Texas. No matter what kind of scenery or environment you like for camping, you’ll find something you like here!

Camping in Texas at Big Bend National Park

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Texas is home to two national parks–Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains. Big Bend, the larger and more famous of the two, offers abundant outdoor activities in one of the most beautiful and scenic areas in the Lower 48 states.

As you can see above, the soaring mountain peaks are a far cry from what most people typically envision of Texas. There’s no prairie here! Instead, you can travel more than 100 miles of paved roads and explore the park in your car. Or, if you prefer to get away from the crowds, take your 4x4 on 150 miles of dirt roads where you can explore the park up close and boondock–an off-road trailer would be perfect for that–for a quiet night under the vast West Texas sky.

Of course, Big Bend is a hiker’s dream, with around 200 miles of hiking trails. You can find beauty around every corner, from peaks to valleys to desert landscapes. The Elena Canyon hike is a particular favorite, as is exploring the Chisos Mountains on foot. Beyond that, Bend Bend offers a hot spring, bird watching, mountain biking, horseback riding, and float trips, canoeing, and kayaking on the nearby Rio Grande River.

You can plan for an extended stay at Big Bend by camping in one of the park’s numerous campgrounds. You can choose from three developed campgrounds in the front country operated by the National Park Service, which provides drinking water and restrooms. There is also a full hookup RV campground operated by Aramark, Big Bend’s park concessioner. Backcountry camping is also available, but you’ll need a permit to do so.

Regardless of where you camp, you’ll have a treasure trove of activities throughout the park to fill your days. Beware if you visit in the summer, though–temperatures can easily exceed 100 degrees. For a cooler experience, consider a visit in the winter.

Camping in Texas on the Gulf Coast at Mustang Island State Park

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Mustang Island State Park is truly one of the best spots for camping in Texas because it offers a perfect mix of coastal beauty and outdoor adventure. With over five miles of pristine coastline, there's no shortage of space to enjoy the sun, surf, and sand. Whether you want to relax on the beach, cast a line for some bay fishing, or do a little bird and wildlife watching, this unspoiled barrier island provides endless opportunities for fun.

Camping at Mustang Island is an experience in itself. Choose from 48 water and electric campsites or go primitive at one of the 50 drive-up sites, all within a short distance from the beach. The park offers conveniences like portable toilets along the beach and full restrooms with showers near the water-electric campground, ensuring a comfortable stay. Better still, head to this area with a trailer like the Escapod TOPO2 Voyager and enjoy your very own outdoor shower rather than having to wait in line to use the public shower.   

If you’re after more of an adventure, bring your kayak with you and explore the Mustang Island State Park Paddling Trail. With 20 miles of paddling trails along the island’s western shoreline, it's a perfect opportunity to get out on the water. This area also happens to offer some of the best shallow-water fishing spots in Texas. And if you’re looking to expand your knowledge or get involved, you can participate in ranger-led programs like birding, stargazing, and nature walks, or even volunteer.

Camping in Texas in the Pineywoods at Martin Dies, Jr. State Park

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If you want to combine a camping adventure with some of the most gorgeous fall foliage opportunities you’ll find in the state, Martin Dies, Jr. State Park should be at the top of your list of places for camping in Texas…

This park is a hidden gem nestled deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, where the Neches and Angelina rivers converge to create a beautiful area for camping and outdoor exploration. From exploring the lake and forest trails to discovering the unique habitats of the Big Thicket, Martin Dies, Jr. State Park will give you an unforgettable experience.

The park is a paddler’s dream, too. There are many opportunities to navigate the scenic waters of the Neches and Angelina rivers. Fishing in the B.A. Steinhagen Reservoir is a popular pastime as well, while biking, hiking, and geocaching offer plenty of ways to connect with nature. With over 200 campsites, many of which are located right by the lake or a slough, it’s easy to find a perfect spot to pitch a tent or park your RV. In fact, this area is perfect for camping in a campervan, especially a pop-top model, so you can lay in the elevated bed and catch the beautiful views all around you.

If you’re interested in a scenic adventure beyond the park, the surrounding area is rich with outdoor beauty. The nearby Angelina National Forest and Big Thicket National Preserve are perfect for additional hiking or scenic drives, while the Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend reservoirs offer even more opportunities for water-based recreation.

Camping in Texas in Hill Country at Inks Lake State Park

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Inks Lake State Park is a perfect Hill Country destination if you’re after family fun both on land and water. Just an hour northwest of Austin, this beautiful park is known for its sparkling blue water, colorful rock formations, and breathtaking sunsets, making it the perfect spot for a day trip or a weekend escape.

Thanks to the lake’s constant water level, Inks Lake State Park is an ideal place for year-round recreation. On land, you can camp, hike, backpack, geocache, play volleyball, and enjoy a family picnic. With nine miles of scenic hiking trails winding through shady forests and rocky hills, there’s plenty to explore. Be sure to visit the park’s bird blind to catch a glimpse of the local wildlife while you’re at it!

Water activities are just as exciting at Inks Lake. You can swim, boat, water ski, scuba dive, and fish. The park features a large no-wake zone that’s perfect for paddling, and boat rentals are available if you want to explore the lake by canoe, kayak, paddle boat, or stand-up paddleboard. Want to fish? No problem! There are two piers, fish cleaning stations, and a boat ramp. Plus, no fishing license is required to fish from shore or the pier within the park.

When it comes to camping, Inks Lake State Park provides nearly 200 campsites. Most sites have electricity and water and offer space to park a trailer or RV. If you visit this area in the summer, you’ll want shelter from the sun, heat, and humidity, as it can get very hot. Again, the Escapod TOPO2 Voyager mentioned earlier is a great option for this. With a 12-volt air conditioner, you can keep the cabin nice and cool and use it as an escape from the oppressive heat!

Camping in West Texas at Monahans Sandhills State Park

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Monahans Sandhills State Park, located in the west Texas desert, offers an incredible landscape where the wind sculpts ever-changing sand dunes. This vast ocean of sand provides a Texas-sized sandbox no matter your age, offering a close-up view of a unique desert environment and plenty of opportunities for fun and exploration.

You can enjoy the dunes on foot or horseback, and do so at your own pace, as there are no marked trails. Keep an eye out for the fascinating plants, wildflowers, and wildlife that call this desert home, despite its seemingly harsh conditions.

If you're planning to stay a bit longer, set up camp at one of the park’s 26 campsites, all of which are equipped with water, electricity, and shade shelters. Here, a rooftop tent could be ideal - you can knock all the sand and dirt off of you and your clothes before climbing the ladder and crashing after a long day of exploration.

Have a horse? Monahans Sandhills is an ideal spot to get out and ride with an 800-acre riding area. Though the terrain is heavy with sand and scattered with mesquite trees, the park provides potable water, trailer parking, and three dedicated campsites for horse riders.

Whether you’re sand surfing, horseback riding, or simply marveling at the beauty of the dunes, Monahans Sandhills State Park is one of our favorite destinations for camping in Texas because it showcases the wonder of Texas’s desert landscape.

A Better Experience No Matter Where You’re Camping in Texas

Quite the view at Martin Dies, Jr. State Park. Photo by unnamed via Shutterstock.

Regardless of whether you like the Gulf Coast, Pineywoods, Hill Country, West Texas desert, or points in between, heading out for a camping adventure in Texas requires you to have the right gear. That’s where we come in!

We’re experienced outdoor adventurers who love nothing more than to spend time outside in this big, beautiful state of ours. Our expertise in all things outdoors has been put to the test over the years, and we can use that expertise to help you get outfitted with a tent or truck camper, a cooking stove, or table. Heck, we can even help you upfit your vehicle to be ready for off-road adventures or help you find the perfect campervan for your needs. 

In other words, we’re ready to outfit you for a better camping experience, no matter where you’re going or what your gear needs might be. After all, our name isn’t BTR Outfitters (BTR is pronounced “better”) for nothing! Drop us a line or come by our facility just off I-20 in Abilene to get ready for your adventures camping in Texas!