Best Texas Campgrounds for Families in 2020
Camping with kids in Texas is fun with these family-friendly tent campgrounds and RV resorts. We profiled the best Texas campsites that make it easy for families to camp with young children and teenagers alike.
Here are the top 11 campgrounds in the great State of Texas for family camping in 2020. Whether you are looking for a luxury RV resort, a private tent site with running water, a primitive campground for your whole group, or a Tipi or Cabin – these campgrounds have it all! Camping with the family doesn’t have to be stressful or boring for the kids! (Read this if you haven’t camped with little kids before) There are many campgrounds in Texas that have all sorts of activities aimed to keep the whole family enjoying their vacation and experiencing quality family time together.
As parents ourselves, we know what’s important for a successful family camping trip.
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CLEAN BATHROOMS – so important for tent campers who rely on clean, well-maintained bathrooms and showers! Even if you have a bathroom with your RV, its essential to have nice bathrooms when you are out and about exploring the parks.
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KIDS’ AREAS & ACTIVITIES. While it isn’t essential to have organized activities for children, they are nice to have as an option. In addition – playgrounds and kid-friendly hiking trails are a must. Camping with a toddler or preschooler? Read this.
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CAMPSITE PRIVACY. No one wants to drive a couple hours from home with all their camping gear to just be crammed into a campsite practically on top of their neighbors! We know we aren’t exactly back-packing into the wilderness, but bonus points for those campsites who have a measure of privacy so you can at least pretend you are miles away from society.
With these criteria in mind, here is our suggested list of best campgrounds for families listed from North to South:
Caprock Canyons State Park – Quitaque, TX
Lake Mineral Wells State Park – Mineral Wells, TX
Dinosaur Valley State Park – Glen Rose, TX
Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area – Kennard, TX
Inks Lake State Park – Burnet, TX
Tipis on the Guadalupe – New Braunfels, TX
Garner State Park – Concan, TX
Splashway Campground – Sheridan, TX
El Campo Lost Lagoon – El Campo, TX
Jamaica Beach RV Resort – Galveston, TX
Padre Island National Seashore – Corpus Christi, TX
Caprock Canyons State Park
Location:
850 Caprock Canyon Rd
Quitaque, TX 79255
Phone: 806-455-1492
Website: Caprock Canyon State Park
Bison roam freely on the rugged beauty of Caprock Canyon State Park. Families can explore the 90+ miles of hiking trails that range from easy to very challenging. Lake Theo offers all water sports (no-wake) and there is also opportunity for geocaching, horseback riding (bring your own horse), and a robust Ranger program (including Junior Rangers for kids). Each September the park helps host the Texas State Bison Herd Music Festival in downtown Quitaque which raises funds for maintaining the bison herd.
Horse owners can even use the Equestrian Camping grounds which feature stalls for horses!
Caprock Canyon State Park offers families the chance to enjoy wide-open spaces with tranquility. This is a great option for families looking to get into nature and enjoy what the Texas State Park system has to offer.
Facilities | 90 miles of trails for hiking & biking Geocache Horseback riding (drinking water available for animals on trail) No-wake boating on Lake Theo (120-acre) Fishing Swimming Group picnic facilities Ranger programs Jr. Ranger program Bison Fest |
Camping with 50 amp Electricity
Campsites: | 10 |
Site features: | Max people per site = 8. Picnic table, fire ring, water hookup, shade shelter, lantern post. Restrooms nearby. |
Campsites with 30 amp Electricity
Campsites: | 25 |
Site features: | Max people per site = 8. Picnic table, fire ring, water hookup, shade shelter, lantern post. Restrooms nearby. |
Campsites with Water Only
Campsites: | 10 |
Site features | Max people per site = 8. Fire ring/grill, covered picnic table, organic toilet. |
Primitive Campsites (walk-in)
Campsites: | 30 |
Site features | Max people per site = 8. Fire ring/grill, organic toilets. |
Primitive Campsites (hike-in)
Campsites: | 40 |
Site features | Max people per site = 4. 1-mile hike to camping area. Bring drinking water. Hike all trash out. No ground fires allowed. Composting toilets nearby. Pets on leash only. |
Primitive Campsites (hike-in – along trailway)
Campsites: | 40 |
Site features | Max people per site = 4. Minimum 7-mile hike/bike to camping area. Bring drinking water. Hike all trash out. No campfires allowed. Containerized fuel stoves OK. Chemical restrooms available. |
Equestrian Camping
All horses must have negative Coggins test less than 12 months old
Campsites: | 12 |
Site features | Max people & horses per site = 8. Picnic table, fire ring/grill. 2 10’ x 20’ horse corrals. Tents, trailers & RVs OK. Water for horses. No restrooms. No electricity. |
Lake Mineral Wells State Park
Best known for its rock climbing at Penitentiary Hollow, Lake Mineral Wells State park sits in the midst of cattle country. The lake is over 640 acres and you can either bring your own boat or rent one at the park. Kids will enjoy swimming and fishing on the lake too.
Horse owners can bring their own horses and camp at any of the 20 equestrian campsites. In addition there are hiking and mountain biking trails, Geocaching, and Jr. Ranger programs.
Facilities | Geocache Amphitheater for rent Group hall for rent 640-acre Lake Mineral Wells Boat ramp Boat rentals available (flat-bottom boats w/trolling motors, canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, and rowboats) Fishing (catfish, crappie, sunfish, largemouth bass) 6 fishing piers (no fishing license necessary) 12+ miles of trails Rock climbing – Penitentiary Hollow Ranger Programs |
Camping with 50 amp Electricity
Campsites: | 47 |
Site features: | Max people per site = 8. Picnic table, fire ring, outdoor grill, water, lantern post. Restrooms & showers nearby. |
Campsites with 30 amp Electricity
Campsites: | 30 |
Site features: | Max people per site = 8. Picnic table, fire ring, water, outdoor grill, lantern post. Restrooms & showers nearby. |
Campsites with Water Only
Campsites: | 11 |
Site features | Picnic table, outdoor grill, fire ring, water, lantern post, and restrooms nearby. |
Primitive Campsites (hike-in)
Campsites: | Not defined |
Site features | Max people per site = 4. 2.5 miles hike to camping area. No reservations – first come/first serve. No ground fires. |
Equestrian Camping
Campsites: | 20 |
Site features | Pull-through. Picnic table, outdoor grill, fire ring, water, lantern post. Restrooms & showers nearby. Max 4 people & 4 horses. |
Screened Shelters
Shelters: | 15 |
Site features | Max people per site = 8. Tents outside of shelter OK. Picnic table, water nearby, electricity. Restrooms & showers nearby. |
Dinosaur Valley State Park
Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area
Location:
18551 State Highway 7 East
Kennard, TX 75487
Phone: 936-655-2299
Website: Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area
Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area was built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The facility is opened year-round and features a 45-acre lake where visitors can fish, swim, boat, and bird watch. The park is heavily wooded and perfect for hiking and hunting.
The campsites are older and electric only – but overall the campground is well maintained. RV sites have plenty of room between neighbors and tent sites are private too. Families looking for a peaceful get-away will enjoy their holiday at Ratcliff.
Facilities | Boat ramp Dump station Swimming site Hiking Fishing (largemouth bass, bream, and channel/blue catfish) Hunting (squirrel, deer, quail, dove, turkey, waterfowl) Historic & cultural site Boating Picnic shelters & amphitheater for reservation Playground |
Camping Tent only
Campsites: | 27 |
Site features: | Max 8 people per site. Flush toilets, hot showers, trash bins nearby. |
Group Tent Camping
Campsites: | 3 |
Site features: | Max 10 people per site. No electricity. Flush toilets, hot showers, trash bins nearby. |
Camping with Electric
Campsites: | 25 |
Site features | Max 8 people per site. Flush toilets, hot showers, trash bins nearby. |
Inks Lake State Park
Only an hour SW of Austin, TX, Inks Lake State Park offers RV spots, tent sites, and cabins for your stay. Activities are plentiful with hiking, geocaching, and picnicking being the favorites on land. Hikers can explore a small canyon, swim at Devil’s Waterhole, or explore scenic waterfalls upstream from the lake (when Valley Spring Creek is running).
The real draw to the park is Inks Lake itself which has sunfish, catfish, and several species of bass. There are 2 fishing piers, fish cleaning stations, and a boat ramp. No fishing license is necessary when fishing from the pier or the shore in Texas State Parks. If fishing isn’t your thing, you can swim, scuba dive, water ski, and rent paddle boards, canoes, and kayaks. Just don’t forget your sunscreen!
Many of the 200 campsites are lakeside and/or have easy access to the lake. 22 Cabins are also available if you prefer.
Facilities | 9 miles of hiking trails Bird blinds Group picnic pavilion for rent Swimming Boating, waterski, scuba dive Fishing (sunfish, catfish, bass) 2 fishing piers (no fishing license necessary) Borrow fishing gear No-wake area for paddling Rent paddle boards, canoes, kayaks Park store Youth group camping area Devil’s Waterhole Ranger programs |
Camping with Electricity
Campsites: | 125 |
Site features: | Picnic table, water hookup, fire ring/grill, 30/50 amp electric, restrooms & showers nearby |
TENT only camping with Electricity
Campsites: | 4 |
Site features: | Picnic table, outdoor grill, fire ring, water, No RVs. Restrooms & bathrooms nearby. |
Campsites with Water
Campsites: | 49 |
Site features | Picnic table, water hookup, lantern post, fire ring/grill, restrooms & bathrooms nearby. |
Primitive Campsites (hike-in)
Campsites: | 9 |
Site features | Hike 1.5 miles to camping area. No ground fires or pets. Bring your own water. Primitive toilet. |
Cabins
Cabins: | 22 |
Site features | Sleeps 4 (2 sets bunk beds). No linens provided. A/C, ceiling fan, picnic table, outdoor grill, fire ring, water hookup, 30 amp electrical. Table & chairs. Restrooms & showers nearby. No pets. |
Tipis on the Guadalupe
Location:
12821 River Road
New Braunfels, TX 78132
Phone: (no phone number listed)
Website: Tipis on the Guadalupe
We included Tipis on the Guadalupe for two reasons, 1) its FUN!! Who hasn’t wanted to try out sleeping in a tipi? And 2) this campground gets consistently high reviews from travelers. If you are looking for a different sort of camping trip with the kids, you can rent a tipi that’s decked out in a Glamping sort of way. Real beds, kitchens and BBQs, all linens and bathrooms. No – you won’t be roughing it – but guaranteed this will be a family vacation that is memorable! A family of 6 can comfortably sleep in the beds provided in the tipi – and you can squeeze a few more little ones on air mattresses on the floor.
For activities, kids will enjoy the game room (in a treehouse), and there is endless fun on the Guadalupe River. If you haven’t spent the day tubing down the Guadalupe (with a nice beverage), you haven’t fully experienced all life has to offer.
Facilities | Community game room Adjacent to Guadalupe River (fishing, swimming, tubing, bird-watching) Tube rentals |
Tipis
Campsites: | 8 |
Site features: | Sleeps up to 6 people. Fully furnished – including TV, DVD player, cable, wifi, A/C, kitchenette with sink, dishes, utensils, cooking ware, mini-fridge, electric stove top, toaster oven and coffee maker. Outside tipi is BBQ pit with utensils, seating area, and fire pit. Private bathroom with shower. All linens provided. |
Garner State Park
Families love to visit Garner State Park to enjoy Frio River floating trips, camping, and outdoor recreation. With over 1744 acres, this park is home to almost 3 miles of Frio River where visitors can tube, paddle, fish, and swim. In addition they have Mini golf, geocaching, and a variety of ranger programs suitable for the whole family. Hiking families can trek to the top of Old Baldy (.5 miles to the top – steep) where you can see for miles around the Texas Hill Country.
Summer evenings are filled with jukebox music at the park’s concession building for dances. (tip: arrive early to get a parking spot).
Facilities | 2.9 miles of Frio River Miniature golf course Geocache Concessionaire (meals & snacks) Pavilion for rent Dancing (summer evenings at dance pavilion) Rent paddle boats, kayaks, innertubes Tube shuttle during busy season Lockers for rent near boathouse Ranger programs Fishing Swimming Biking |
Full Hookup Campsites
Campsites: | 12 |
Site features: | No tents allowed. Pull-through, picnic table, water & sewer hookups. Lantern post. 20/30/50-amp electrical, fire ring & grill. |
Campsites with Electricity
Campsites: | 211 |
Site features: | Picnic table, outdoor grill & fire ring, water hookup, electric hook up, lantern post, restrooms nearby. |
Campsites with Water
Campsites: | 124 |
Site features: | Picnic table, outdoor grill & fire ring, water, lantern post. |
Group Camping (Cypress Springs)
Site features: | Dining hall + 5 bunkhouse shelters. Pets, tents & RVs not allowed. Picnic tables, A/C + heat, large 4-burner commercial stove, 2 ovens, upright freezer, commercial refrigerator, prep area, large BBQ grill, folding tables & chairs. Kitchen utensils NOT provided. Restrooms + showers nearby. |
Cabins with Fireplace
Cabins: | 13 |
Site features: | Fireplace, kitchen, bathroom, 2 double beds. Central heat/air. No utensils, dishes, or linens provided. Fire ring & grill. |
Cabins without Fireplace
Cabins: | 4 |
Site features: | Kitchen, bathroom, 2 double beds. Central heat/air. No utensils, dishes, or linens provided. Fire ring & grill. |
Screened Shelters (Old Garner)
Shelters: | 21 |
Site features: | No RVs allowed. Electricity, light & outlet, Picnic table, fire ring & grill, water spigot. |
Screened Shelters (New Garner)
Shelters: | 16 |
Site features: | No RVs allowed. Electricity, light & outlet, Picnic table, fire ring & grill, water spigot. |
Splashway Campground
El Campo Lost Lagoon
El Campo Lost Lagoon prides themselves on being considered a ‘True Luxury RV Resort’ – and reviews back that claim up. The pool is 700,000 gallons with slides, a kiddie area, an adults-only area, a swim-up bar, and one of those giant buckets that dumps tons of water onto waterpark visitors below. There is also a lazy river and what they call a ‘Wibit’ which is an inflatable obstacle course.
‘Gangs’ of excited children ride their bikes all over camp – so make sure you’ve brought some wheels! In fact, if your kids are old enough to hang out with other kids unsupervised (say…ages 6+) – don’t expect to see them much during your stay! Its too much fun playing with all their new friends and doing all of the activities available. Don’t worry, you can relax at the swim up bar and enjoy some adult time.
Facilities | HUGE pool with waterslide, rope swing, waterfalls, lazy river, swim-up bar, and jacuzzi Cabanas available to rent Kiddie lagoon Wibit (floating obstacle course) Free wifi Arcade Park Fenced dog park Fishing pond (catch & release) Fitness center Laundry facility Convenience store Café Remote control car track Golf carts for rent |
RV Sites
Campsites: | 255 |
Site features: | Full hook-up, 30/50 amp electric, onsite water, onsite sewer, wifi. Many sites will accommodate oversized rigs (ask at reservations) Pets OK. |
Jamaica Beach RV Resort
Location:
17200 Termini-San Luis Pass Rd
Galveston, TX 77554
Phone: 409-632-0200
Website: Jamaica Beach RV Resort
Jamaica Beach RV Resort is located right across the beach and has unobstructed views of Galveston Bay area and the Gulf of Mexico. All RV sites are pull-through and feature full hookups. Campers report that the pools, common areas, and roads are all well-maintained and clean. Kids of all ages are kept constantly entertained with the many activates available – from 700 foot lazy river to pickleball courts, to mini golf, and more. There are restaurants for when you don’t want to cook and movies each night for the family. This is a holiday resort where you can relax knowing that there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Facilities | 700 ft Lazy River Beach pool with swim up bar Family pool Hot tubs Splash pad Shuffleboard Horseshoe pits Pickleball & Basketball courts Lifesize Jenga Outdoor chess Bounce house (summer) Community area Pool table 3 Shower houses 3 Laundry facilities Community kitchen Restaurants Mini-golf Propane sales Camp store Movies at night |
RV Sites
Campsites: | 181 |
Site features: | 30 & 50 amp electric. Water, sewer, cable TV, wifi, all pull-through sites, concrete pads. Picnic table at each site. |
Padre Island National Seashore
Location:
P.O. Box 181300
Corpus Christi, TX 78480
Phone: 361-949-8068
Website: Padre Island National Seashore