Our family’s full time travel adventure began in November 2021 with a winter road trip tour of east Texas state parks. During the 3+ months in the state, we camped at 13 state park campgrounds.
In this article, we’ll walk through 8 of our favorite east Texas state parks that we think you need to see on your next road trip.
Pro tip: if you’re planning a state park tour in Texas and aren’t already a Texas State Park Pass holder, we can’t recommend it enough! You get discounts on camping, free day-use state park entry, and 10 percent discount on most products at the campground stores. Worth it!
Pedernales Falls State Park
Location: 1.5 hours north of San Antonio
Why We Love It
We could easily spend weeks exploring the beautiful Pedernales Falls in the Texas Hill Country. Here’s some of the reasons why we think you’ll love it:
- Large, spacious campsites with lots of privacy
- Beautiful overlooks make a perfect picnic destination
- Climb rocks and explore the Pedernales Falls trail system
- Plenty of areas for kids to dip their toes in the water
Learn more about Pedernales Falls State Park or reserve a spot at the campground.
Mission Tejas State Park
Location: 2.5 hours north of Houston
Why We Love It
We visited this hidden gem in the Davy Crockett National Forest during my birthday last January. Here’s some of the reasons why we think you should add this to your list of east Texas state parks to visit:
- This small campground leaves you feeling like you’re all alone in nature
- Beautiful pond surrounded by Loblolly pine trees
- Several easy hiking trails for the whole family to enjoy
- Home to one of our kids’ favorite state park playgrounds
- Easy 20-minute drive into a cute historic town called Crockett
Learn more about Mission Tejas State Park or reserve a spot at the campground.
Caddo Lake State Park
Location: 2.5 hours east of Dallas
Why We Love It
We spent our last 2 weeks in Texas playing on the water at Caddo Lake State Park. Here’s some of the reasons why we think you’ll love it:
- Rent a canoe directly from the state park
- Numerous paddling trails (our personal favorite is Hell’s Half Acre trail)
- Gorgeous bald cypress trees make this bayou truly magical
- Cute Visitors Center offered learning opportunities for the kids
Learn more about Caddo Lake State Park or reserve a spot at the campground.
Guadalupe River State Park
Location: 1 hour north of San Antonio
Why We Love It
We ended up spending the Christmas holiday at Guadalupe River State Park after a last minute cancellation. Here’s some of the reasons why we think you should add this to your list of east Texas state parks to visit:
- Plenty of places to picnic along the serene Guadalupe River
- Spacious, private campsites with plenty of room to spread out
- Honey Creek Natural Area (connected to the park) offers guided tours
- Hike along the river in the shade of bald cypress trees
Learn more about Guadalupe River State Park or reserve a spot at the campground.
Bastrop State Park
Location: 45 minutes east of Austin
Why We Love It
More than 10 years ago, Bastrop State Park was in the path of a destructive wildfire. Today, we witness its rebirth. Here’s some of the reasons why we think you’ll love it:
- It was a beautiful lesson to show the kids how forests grow back after wildfire
- Plenty of trails through the Lost Pines with gorgeous overlooks
- This park is connected to Buescher State Park so you get two for the price of one
- There is some road noise (due to loss of trees from the wildfire), but it’s part of the lesson of the place
Learn more about Bastrop State Park or reserve a spot at the campground.
Palmetto State Park
Location: 1 hour east of San Antonio
Why We Love It
Palmetto State Park left us feeling like we’d left the United States and entered the fictional world of Jurassic Park. Here’s some of the reasons why we think you should add this to your list of east Texas state parks to visit:
- We saw and heard so much wildlife here, from leaf cutter ants to owls to coyotes
- The dwarf palmettos that give the park it’s name are truly unique
- Opportunity to view an extinct mud boil
- Large, spacious campsites with plenty of room for the kids to play
- Plenty of hiking and biking trails that the whole family will love to explore
Learn more about Palmetto State Park or reserve a spot at the campground.
Brazos Bend State Park
Location: 1 hour south of Houston
Why We Love It
Unfortunately, we really only got to spend a couple days at Brazos Bend State Park before we came down with a cold. We saw enough to know it’s amazing, though! Here’s some of the reasons why we think you’ll love it:
- This park had an awesome Nature Center where we learned about the alligators that live here
- Beautiful tower (not too tall for most with a fear of heights) overlooks the water ecosystem
- Tons of wildlife, from deer to alligators to birds
- Check out the fun sun dial near the nature center for a quick science lesson
- Plenty of playgrounds for the kids to enjoy with shade trees for the adults
Learn more about Brazos Bend State Park or reserve a spot at the campground.
Port Aransas Beach
Location: 3 hours east of San Antonio
Why We Love It
This isn’t a state park, but we had to include this beautiful beach town that offers camping directly on the beach. Here’s some of the reasons why we think you’ll love it:
- Camp directly on the beach with an annual permit (only costs $12)
- While there are no electric hookups, there are shower stalls to use while camping off grid
- This beach had tons of wildlife! We saw a starfish and found a whole sand dollar!
- Easy walk into downtown Port Aransas with lots of places to get your seafood fix
Learn more about Port Aransas Beach and get details on how to get a camping permit.
