Camping has never been at the top of my bucket list. Beds, indoor plumbing and a healthy distance from things that can crawl into my sleeping bag at night had a tendency to outweigh any pull to become one with Mother Nature. Alas, after 37 years of avoiding the tent life, I found myself snuggled in a six-person pop-up with my husband and seven-year-old son over spring break.
Did the experience forever alter my attitude toward the great outdoors? Not exactly. My heart still pines for a plush hotel pillowtop. That said, with s’mores, kites, fishing and several intense checker competitions, camping with my boys turned about to be a lot more fun than I anticipated.
If you’re ready to rough it (or at least semi-rough it in a cabin), we have a number of family-friendly sites within two hours of the Houston area. Grab those sleeping bags and let’s hit the road!
Brazos Bend State Park, Needville
Where: 21901 FM 762 Road, Needville, TX
Where: If your kids have a fascination with alligators, make a beeline for Brazos Bend State Park, about 45 miles outside of Houston. From a safe distance, little gator fans can marvel over the closest things we’ll ever see to a living dinosaur. The reptiles like to come out and warm their bodies on the shores of ponds and streams, so if you bring along some fishing poles, there should be plenty of alligator watching opportunities. Keep in mind, though, that it is illegal to feed the alligators, so no scrap tossing in their direction.,
Accommodations: Brazos Bend features campsites, screened shelters, and cabins, but note that cabins and screened shelters are currently closed through the end of May 2018 in order to continue the area’s Harvey recovery. Most sites have access to bathroom and shower areas, too.
Cost: $12 to $25 per night for campsites. $25 per night for screened shelters. $65 per night for cabins. Brazos Bend also charges a $7 entrance fee per person, per night (children under 13 are free). Reservations can be made online or by calling 512-389-8900.
Galveston Island State Park, Galveston
Not ready to sleep with the gators? Go coastal and drive down to Galveston Island State Park, just a little over an hour from Houston. Also nearby? The beach! Bust out those sand pails, beach blankets, volleyballs, and boards because this is a camping adventure that everyone in the family can get behind.
Accommodations: Like Brazos Bend, Galveston Island State Park offers campsites and cabins (with furniture, air conditioning, kitchens…more glamping than camping, really). For tent campers, choose from bay or beach sites. Beach sites have water and electricity and access to bathrooms within the first and third loops. All bay sites have water, but only some come with electricity. Restrooms with showers are nearby.
Cost: $15 to $25 for campsites. $200 to $250 for cabins. Galveston Island State Park also charges a $5 entrance fee per person, per night (children under 13 are free). Reservations can be made online or call 512-389-8900 for more information.
Lake Houston Wilderness Park, New Caney
Where: 25840 Farm to Market 1485, New Caney, TX
Where: In general, camping is pretty reasonably priced, but Lake Houston Wilderness Park is incredibly budget friendly. Better still, it’s only 30 minutes north of downtown Houston.,
As the only Houston Parks and Recreation park that allows overnight camping, Lake Houston Wilderness Park offers city dwellers more than 20 miles of gorgeous bike paths, hiking trails, spots for kayaking, and horseback riding trails. No rentals are available, though, so if you’re looking to ride, be sure to bring your own horses, bikes, and kayaks. An educational nature center, with exhibits on the park’s various habitats, is open Wednesday to Sunday.
Accommodations: Several campsite options are available. Choose from lakeside cabins, lakeside a-frames, screen shelters, group campsites, backpacking campsites and walk-in campsites.
Cost: $7 to $40 for campsites. $26.50 to $133.75 for shelters/cabins. Lake Houston Wilderness Park also charges a $3 entrance fee per person (children under 13 are free). For reservations or more information, call 832-395-7690.
Lake Livingston/Onalaska KOA, Onalaska
Where: Looking for a few more luxury amenities? How about a pool and hot tub overlooking the lake? Part of the huge Kampgrounds of America family, the Lake Livingston/Onalaska KOA, just about 87 miles from Houston, makes camping easy with super clean facilities, bathhouses, a marina for your watercraft, a 103-yard fishing pier, covered picnic areas, a full-service restaurant and playground.,
Accommodations: Campers can choose from RV sites, cabin rentals with covered decks, deluxe tent sites with water and electricity, and primitive tent sites with no hookups.
Cost: Varies depending on number of campers and site chosen. For more information and estimates, visit the Lake Livingston / Onalaska KOA website or call 936-646-3824.
Lone Star Jellystone, Waller
Where: 34843 Betka Rd, Waller, TX
Where: Who’s smarter than the average bear and can’t pass up a delicious pic-a-nic basket? Yogi, of course! Take a nostalgia trip to Lone Star Jellystone, 35 miles northwest of Houston. It’s like visiting camp, but for the whole family. Kids will have an absolute blast with the resort’s swimming pools, water slides, lazy river, miniature golf course, fishing pond, and recreation center activities. At night, cozy up around your fire ring, catch an outdoor movie, and post pictures from the day’s adventures to Facebook—because, yes, all sites have access to free wi-fi.,
Accommodations: Lone Star Jellystone features RV and tent sites, all with water and electricity. A wide range of cabins are also available.
Cost: $39 to $59 for tent and RV sites. $89 to $799 for cabin rentals. Lone Star Jellystone also charges $8 per person, per night for ages 4 to 64 (children under 4 are free). Ages 65 and older are $4 per day. Reservations can be made online or by calling 979-826-4111.
Splashway Waterpark and Campground, Sheridan
Where: 5211 Main St, Sheridan, TX
Where: For those having a hard time convincing the family to camp, tell them this one has an honest to goodness water park on site. With mild and thrill slides, a lazy river, kid zones, a toddler area, wave pool, and plenty of lounge chairs for parents to kick back and soak up some sun, Splashway, located one hour west of Katy and Sugarland, has a little something for everyone.,
For those looking for more traditional camp activities, the park’s campsite boasts a stocked fishing pond, playgrounds, sand volleyball, tetherball, paddle boats, giant checkerboards, pedal karts, outdoor movies, and plenty of room to just run around and play.
Accommodations: Guests can choose from RV and tent sites, both with water and electrical hookups. Small cottages and cabins are also available if you’re looking to sleep in an actual bed (just remember to bring your own linens).
Cost: $39 to $64 for tent and RV sites. $110 to $325 for cabin and cottages. Note that waterpark admission tickets are separate from campground admission. Waterpark tickets range from $21.99 to $36.99. Reservations can be made online or by calling 979-234-7718.
