A reviewer described SFA State Park best, calling it “all the fun of camping without actually roughing it.” With a wide range of camping options, some great hiking and mountain biking trails, interesting history, and close proximity to Houston, Stephen F. Austin State Park is a great place to be introduced to an active, outdoor lifestyle. Saturdays are particularly crowded
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Bastrop State Park owes its impressive beauty to the presence of the “Lost Pines,” the westernmost forest of loblolly pines in the country, separated from their nearest neighbors in east Texas by 100 miles. Also of interest are several buildings constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Considered an excellent example of the rustic, non-intrusive architectural style of
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Cloaked by the loblloy pine and oak trees of The Davy Crockett National Forest sits Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area, a campground that hosts locals and national visitors every year. Built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, this beautiful lake area is open year-round and is an ideal location for camping, leisurely hikes, swimming, and other outdoor activities. Driving from
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One of the largest parks in Austin, Emma Long (mostly just known as “City Park”) is great place for locals to get their fill of nature without having to travel far from home. With off-leash trails that let man’s best friend enjoy a bit of freedom, highly technical mountain biking, and family-friendly swimming and picnic spots along Lake Austin, Emma
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Red Hills Lake Recreation Area is the best kept swimming secret of East Texas. It is where the locals go to enjoy the serene lake and forest environments, without battling the fisherman and tourists for a crowded spot on Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn reservoirs. The 19- acre lake was hand-dug by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1940
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Visitors come from near and far to Goose Island State Park for a great camping experience, excellent bird watching, and fabulous fishing. This area is perfect for nature lovers and avid photographers seeking the ideal wildlife backgrounds. The area is known for oyster shell, mud flat and marsh grass, perfect for those that don’t mind getting a little dirty in
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Texas is known for cowboys and cattle but did you know that dinosaurs also once trekked through this land and just happened to leave behind their footprints? Dinosaur Valley State Park takes you back millions of years through history while also giving you the ultimate experience in camping under the stars, swimming and fishing along the river, and horseback riding
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Prized for Lake Meredith itself, this national recreation area in the Texas panhandle offers visitors a place to swim, boat and fish, as well as takes scenic hikes along the naturally-formed canyons and multiple campsites. With a few activity-specific exceptions (such as boating permits) visiting Lake Meredith is free! Thirty miles north of Amarillo, the national recreation area offers an
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Comprised of two units, Nails Creek and Birch Creek, the Lake Somerville State Park draws crowds because of its secluded campsites (which feel private even with hundreds of other guests), trails and lake activities. A laid back environment with a little something for everyone, Lake Somerville is popular for family reunions, holiday trips, and group outings with people of all
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Five miles of beach on the Gulf, in addition to the bordering marshy wetlands, make up Sea Rim State Park. Known for its naturist beach and landscape, Sea Rim boasts rustic accommodations and little human enhancement to the sand and oceanfront. Beach visitors typically come to enjoy a long walk by the ocean, complete with wildlife observation and beachcombing. Visitors
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At this unconventional Texas park, adults and kids alike can – quite literally – dive into the 70-foot high Monahans sand dunes. With over 3800 acres of state park land, visitors are welcome to explore, play, ride and sand surf to their hearts’ content. For horseback riders and hikers, Monahans offers a respite from the beaten path, with acres of
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Less than 20 miles from downtown Dallas, Cedar Hill State Park is a quick getaway for city dwellers known for its mountain biking trails and access to Joe Pool Lake for swimming, picnicking, fishing, paddle sports and boating. The park features hundreds of spots for “urban-friendly” camping, all with easy access to hot showers and bathrooms. Some additional primitive hike-in
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