All Parks
72 Texas State Parks
5,232 campsites monitored across 10 regions. Pick a park to check availability and set alerts.
Hill Country
10 parks · 975 campsites
Blanco State Park
Blanco · 41 sites · 50 min from Austin
Blanco State Park is small, simple, and wonderful. It's basically a campground built around a gorgeous stretch of the Blanco River right in the town of Blanco, and it does one thing exceptionally well: getting you on the river. The dam creates a swimming hole perfect for tubing and splashing around, the cypress-shaded banks are ideal for fishing, and the campsites are compact but well-maintained. It's not a wilderness experience — you can walk to town for coffee — but that's part of the charm. Great for a quick Hill Country getaway without a big production.
Colorado Bend State Park
Bend · 57 sites · 2 hr from Austin
Colorado Bend feels like discovering a secret. The park sits at the end of a long dirt road in a remote stretch of the Colorado River valley, and it rewards the drive with Gorman Falls — a stunning 70-foot waterfall draped in emerald moss and ferns that looks like it belongs in Costa Rica, not central Texas. The camping here is more rugged than most state parks (many sites are primitive), the trails are rocky and real, and the river offers solid fishing and swimming. If you want to feel like you've actually gotten away from it all, this is your park.
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Fredericksburg · 60 sites · 1 hr 30 min from Austin
Enchanted Rock is one of those places that lives up to the hype. A massive pink granite dome rising 425 feet above the surrounding Hill Country, it's been drawing people for thousands of years — and these days, it draws so many that the park regularly hits capacity and closes its gates by mid-morning on weekends. The camping here is your best bet for guaranteed entry, and falling asleep under some of the darkest skies near Austin is worth the trip alone.
Garner State Park
Concan · 327 sites · 2 hr 15 min from Austin
Garner is the most-visited state park in Texas, and once you've spent a summer evening floating the crystal-clear Frio River followed by the legendary nightly dance at the park concession, you'll understand why. Families have been coming here for generations — it's the kind of place where your grandparents camped and your kids will too. With over 300 campsites spread across the park, there's room for everyone, but summer weekends still book up fast.
Guadalupe River State Park
Spring Branch · 87 sites · 1 hr 15 min from Austin
Guadalupe River State Park is where Hill Country camping, river tubing, and good old-fashioned swimming hole culture come together. The Guadalupe River flows through the park over a series of shallow rapids and deep pools — perfect for tubing on a lazy summer afternoon or cooling off after a hike through the adjacent Honey Creek State Natural Area. The campground sits on a bluff above the river with a mix of shaded and open sites, and the drive out from Austin or San Antonio is an easy one.
Hill Country State Natural Area
Bandera · 28 sites · 1 hr 45 min from Austin
Hill Country State Natural Area is the largest state-managed natural area in the Texas Hill Country, spanning over 5,000 acres of rugged limestone hills, spring-fed streams, and grasslands. It is primarily designed for equestrian use, mountain biking, and primitive camping — no developed facilities. This is real backcountry camping in the heart of the Hill Country.
Inks Lake State Park
Burnet · 190 sites · 1 hr 15 min from Austin
Inks Lake is the water park of Texas state parks. Unlike most Highland Lakes reservoirs, Inks Lake stays at a constant level thanks to its position in the chain, which means the swimming, kayaking, and cliff jumping are reliable year-round. The park has its own swimming area carved right into the pink granite shoreline, and you can paddle a canoe from your campsite to a secluded cove within minutes. With 20 cabins and nearly 200 campsites spread across shady loops, it's one of the most complete camping experiences in the system.
Lost Maples State Natural Area
Vanderpool · 58 sites · 2 hr 15 min from Austin
Lost Maples is a time capsule — a remnant population of bigtooth maples left over from the last ice age, growing in a steep limestone canyon along the Sabinal River. In late October and November, these maples light up with fall color that rivals anything in the Ozarks or Appalachians, which is absolutely wild for central Texas. Even outside of fall, this is one of the most beautiful and rugged small parks in the system. The trails climb steep canyon walls with panoramic views, and the camping feels truly remote despite being just over two hours from Austin.
Pedernales Falls State Park
Johnson City · 69 sites · 50 min from Austin
Pedernales Falls is one of the best kept secrets within an hour of Austin — though it's getting harder to call it a secret. The namesake falls are a series of stepped limestone ledges where the Pedernales River tumbles over tilted rock layers, creating natural pools perfect for wading and swimming. The camping area sits up on a bluff above the river valley with solid shade from live oaks and junipers. Great bird watching territory too — over 150 species have been spotted here.
South Llano River State Park
Junction · 58 sites · 2 hr 30 min from Austin
South Llano River State Park is a Hill Country paradise along the crystal-clear South Llano River. Known for its wild turkey roosts (one of the largest in Texas), excellent river swimming, and scenic hiking, it offers a quintessential Texas Hill Country camping experience. The river is spring-fed and perfect for tubing, swimming, and fishing.
Central Texas
14 parks · 712 campsites
Bastrop State Park
Bastrop · 91 sites · 35 min from Austin
Bastrop State Park sits in the heart of the Lost Pines — a 70-square-mile pocket of loblolly pine forest isolated from the East Texas Piney Woods. The park recovered beautifully from a devastating 2011 wildfire and now offers some of the best camping near Austin. Shaded sites, a swimming pool, lake fishing, and 8.5 miles of trails through recovering pine forest.
Buescher State Park
Smithville · 44 sites · 50 min from Austin
Buescher State Park is the quieter, less-crowded sibling of nearby Bastrop State Park. Connected by the scenic Park Road 1C, it wraps around a small 30-acre lake in the Lost Pines ecosystem. Dense post-oak woodlands provide excellent shade, making it one of the most peaceful camping experiences close to Austin.
Fairfield Lake State Park
Fairfield · 55 sites · 2 hr 15 min from Austin
Fairfield Lake State Park was returned to state park status after a brief closure and remains a beloved Central Texas camping and fishing destination. The 2,400-acre warm-water lake was originally a power plant cooling reservoir, giving it unique warm temperatures that extend the swimming and fishing seasons.
Fort Parker State Park
Mexia · 35 sites · 2 hr from Austin
Fort Parker State Park sits along the Navasota River and Springfield Lake, surrounded by bottomland hardwoods. The CCC-built park features historic stone structures, excellent paddling on the river, and a peaceful lake. It is also home to one of the oldest Confederate Reunion Grounds in Texas.
Lake Brownwood State Park
Brownwood · 46 sites · 2 hr 30 min from Austin
Lake Brownwood State Park sits on the shores of a 7,300-acre reservoir in the rolling terrain between the Hill Country and West Texas. CCC-built stone cabins, a council bluff overlook, and lakefront camping make it a classic Texas state park experience. The fishing is excellent for bass, catfish, and crappie.
Lake Somerville State Park - Birch Creek Unit
Somerville · 60 sites · 1 hr 30 min from Austin
The Birch Creek Unit of Lake Somerville State Park sits on the north shore of Lake Somerville, connected to the Nails Creek Unit by a 13-mile trail. It offers equestrian and mountain biking trails through post-oak woodland, plus lakefront camping and excellent fishing. Popular with Houston and Austin visitors alike.
Lake Somerville State Park - Nails Creek Unit
Ledbetter · 40 sites · 1 hr 40 min from Austin
The Nails Creek Unit of Lake Somerville State Park sits on the south shore of Lake Somerville, offering a quieter camping experience than its Birch Creek sibling. Connected by a 13-mile multi-use trail, the park features open prairie, post-oak woodland, and lakefront access for fishing and paddling.
Lake Whitney State Park
Whitney · 72 sites · 2 hr 15 min from Austin
Lake Whitney State Park sits on the eastern shore of Lake Whitney, a 23,560-acre reservoir on the Brazos River. The park features limestone bluffs, a swimming beach, and excellent striped bass and white bass fishing. Its central location between Austin, Dallas, and Waco makes it a popular weekend destination.
Lockhart State Park
Lockhart · 20 sites · 40 min from Austin
Lockhart State Park is a compact, CCC-built gem just 40 minutes south of Austin. It features a rare 9-hole golf course (one of only two state park golf courses in Texas), a spring-fed swimming pool, and shaded camping along Clear Fork Creek. And of course, the BBQ capital of Texas is right next door in Lockhart.
McKinney Falls State Park
Austin · 81 sites · 15 min from Austin
McKinney Falls is the park that Austin locals are quietly protective of. Sitting just 13 miles from the state capitol, it feels like you've driven an hour into the countryside. Onion Creek cuts through exposed limestone here, creating two beautiful waterfalls — Upper and Lower McKinney Falls — where you can swim, wade, or just sit on the rocks and forget you're inside city limits. The camping is solid, the trails connect to the city's greenway network, and you can grab tacos on the way home.
Meridian State Park
Meridian · 18 sites · 2 hr from Austin
Meridian State Park is a charming CCC-built park surrounding a 72-acre spring-fed lake in the limestone hills north of Waco. The Bosque River Valley setting, clear lake waters, and dense juniper woodland create an inviting landscape. The park is known for excellent birdwatching, particularly for the endangered golden-cheeked warbler.
Mother Neff State Park
Moody · 30 sites · 1 hr 30 min from Austin
Mother Neff State Park is the very first Texas state park, donated by Isabella Neff (Governor Pat Neff's mother) in 1916. Recently expanded and renovated, the park sits along the Leon River with towering live oaks, limestone bluffs, and the historic Tonkawa Cave. A cornerstone of Texas state park history.
Palmetto State Park
Gonzales · 40 sites · 1 hr 15 min from Austin
Palmetto State Park is a tropical-feeling oasis along the San Marcos River, featuring dwarf palmetto plants that give the park its name. Artesian wells, lush vegetation, and the Ottine Swamp create an unexpectedly exotic landscape in Central Texas. The warm-water swimming hole on the river is a highlight.
Stephen F. Austin State Park
San Felipe · 80 sites · 2 hr from Austin
Stephen F. Austin State Park sits along the Brazos River at the site of San Felipe de Austin — the capital of Stephen F. Austin's colony and the birthplace of Anglo-American Texas. The park combines rich Texas history with excellent river access, shaded camping in bottomland forest, and an 18-hole golf course.
East Texas
11 parks · 893 campsites
Atlanta State Park
Atlanta · 54 sites · 5 hr 15 min from Austin
Atlanta State Park sits on the shores of Wright Patman Lake in the piney woods of far northeast Texas. With 1,475 acres of rolling hills and towering pines, it offers excellent fishing, swimming, and hiking. The park's location on the lake provides scenic waterfront campsites that are rare in East Texas.
Caddo Lake State Park
Karnack · 56 sites · 4 hr 30 min from Austin
Caddo Lake feels like you accidentally wandered into Louisiana. Ancient bald cypress trees draped in Spanish moss rise out of dark, tea-colored water, and the maze of bayous, sloughs, and channels makes it feel more like a swamp than a Texas lake. This is the only natural lake in Texas (sort of — the dam raised the water level), and paddling through the cypress forest in a canoe is one of the most otherworldly experiences in the state. The CCC-built cabins on the shore are some of the most charming accommodations in any Texas state park.
Daingerfield State Park
Daingerfield · 45 sites · 4 hr 30 min from Austin
Daingerfield State Park is a hidden gem in the piney woods of East Texas, renowned for its spectacular fall foliage — one of the best displays in the state. The 80-acre spring-fed lake, surrounded by hardwoods and pines, offers swimming, fishing, and paddling in a setting that feels more like the Ozarks than Texas.
Fort Boggy State Park
Centerville · 20 sites · 2 hr 30 min from Austin
Fort Boggy State Park is a small, quiet park with a 15-acre lake nestled in the post-oak woodland of Leon County. Perfect for a peaceful getaway with fishing, paddling, and easy hiking. Its location between Austin and Dallas makes it a convenient mid-route stop.
Huntsville State Park
Huntsville · 169 sites · 2 hr 30 min from Austin
Huntsville State Park is a proper East Texas piney woods experience. The park wraps around Lake Raven, a quiet 210-acre lake that's perfect for canoeing, kayaking, and bank fishing. The campground is large and shaded by tall loblolly pines, the trails are flat and easy, and the whole vibe is relaxed and low-key. It's the kind of park where you can actually read a book by the lake without feeling like you're missing something. Also a great stop if you're road-tripping between Austin and Houston.
Lake Bob Sandlin State Park
Pittsburg · 78 sites · 4 hr from Austin
Lake Bob Sandlin State Park is a well-maintained park on the shores of a 9,460-acre East Texas reservoir. Dense pine and hardwood forest provides shady campsites, while the lake delivers outstanding bass and crappie fishing. The park features modern facilities and scenic waterfront trails.
Lake Livingston State Park
Livingston · 154 sites · 3 hr from Austin
Lake Livingston State Park is a family-friendly East Texas destination on the shores of the 83,000-acre Lake Livingston — one of the largest lakes in the state. The pine-forested park offers swimming, fishing, boating, and horseback riding. Its proximity to Houston makes it a popular weekend getaway.
Martin Creek Lake State Park
Tatum · 63 sites · 4 hr 15 min from Austin
Martin Creek Lake State Park wraps around a warm-water 5,000-acre lake in the piney woods of East Texas. The power-plant-heated water creates an extended season for fishing and swimming, with excellent bass and catfish. Island-studded coves and pine-shaded campsites make it a hidden gem.
Martin Dies, Jr. State Park
Jasper · 71 sites · 4 hr from Austin
Martin Dies, Jr. State Park is a Big Thicket area park where B.A. Steinhagen Lake meets the Neches River. Dense bottomland hardwoods, cypress-lined sloughs, and rich biodiversity make it one of the best wildlife-watching parks in East Texas. Alligators, river otters, and over 200 bird species call it home.
Purtis Creek State Park
Eustace · 59 sites · 3 hr from Austin
Purtis Creek State Park is a trophy bass fishing destination with a strict catch-and-release policy and a slot limit that produces lunker bass. The 355-acre lake is limited to 50 boats, ensuring a peaceful fishing experience. Dense East Texas woodland provides shaded camping and excellent bird habitat.
Tyler State Park
Tyler · 124 sites · 3 hr 30 min from Austin
Tyler State Park is one of the most beautiful CCC-built parks in Texas, featuring a pristine 64-acre spring-fed lake surrounded by towering pine and hardwood forest. The park's stone dam, bathhouse, and bridges are stunning examples of Depression-era craftsmanship. Swimming, paddling, fishing, and scenic trails make it a top East Texas destination.
North Texas
9 parks · 513 campsites
Bonham State Park
Bonham · 30 sites · 3 hr 45 min from Austin
Bonham State Park is a compact 261-acre gem built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. It features a 65-acre lake perfect for fishing and paddling, wooded hiking trails, and historic CCC stone structures. A peaceful getaway for North Texas families.
Cooper Lake State Park - Doctors Creek Unit
Cooper · 46 sites · 4 hr 15 min from Austin
The Doctors Creek Unit of Cooper Lake State Park offers equestrian-friendly camping and riding trails on the eastern shore of Cooper Lake. With over 10 miles of multi-use trails and spacious lakeside campsites, it is a favorite for horseback riders and anglers in northeast Texas.
Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulphur Unit
Sulphur Springs · 50 sites · 4 hr from Austin
The South Sulphur Unit of Cooper Lake State Park sits on a wooded peninsula jutting into Cooper Lake. It offers excellent lakefront camping, a scenic swimming beach, and some of the best crappie fishing in northeast Texas. The diverse woodland habitat makes it a terrific birding destination.
Copper Breaks State Park
Quanah · 37 sites · 5 hr from Austin
Copper Breaks State Park is an official International Dark Sky Park in the rugged Red River country of north-central Texas. Dramatic copper-colored mesas, juniper breaks, and two small lakes create a striking landscape. The park hosts monthly star parties and offers some of the best stargazing in the state.
Dinosaur Valley State Park
Glen Rose · 54 sites · 2 hr 45 min from Austin
Dinosaur Valley is one of those parks where kids (and let's be honest, adults too) lose their minds. Real, actual dinosaur tracks from 113 million years ago are preserved in the limestone bed of the Paluxy River, and when the water is low, you can walk right up and put your foot inside the footprint of an Acrocanthosaurus. Beyond the tracks, the river itself is gorgeous for swimming and wading, the trails wind through rugged limestone hills, and the campground is small enough to feel intimate. It's a perfect weekend trip with kids.
Eisenhower State Park
Denison · 98 sites · 3 hr 30 min from Austin
Eisenhower State Park occupies a peninsula on Lake Texoma, one of the largest reservoirs in the southern United States. Limestone bluffs, diverse habitats, and excellent fishing make it a top destination for North Texas outdoor enthusiasts. Named for President Eisenhower, who was born nearby in Denison.
Fort Richardson State Park
Jacksboro · 23 sites · 3 hr 45 min from Austin
Fort Richardson State Park preserves the northernmost frontier fort in Texas, established in 1867 to protect settlers from Comanche and Kiowa raids. The park combines Civil War-era history with natural beauty along Lost Creek, offering camping, hiking, fishing, and a fascinating restored fort complex.
Lake Arrowhead State Park
Wichita Falls · 48 sites · 4 hr from Austin
Lake Arrowhead State Park offers lakeside camping on a 16,200-acre reservoir near Wichita Falls. The rolling prairie landscape and wide-open skies provide a classic North Texas outdoor experience. A resident prairie dog town and excellent fishing make it a fun family destination.
Possum Kingdom State Park
Caddo · 127 sites · 3 hr 30 min from Austin
Possum Kingdom Lake has some of the clearest, bluest water in Texas — and when people from out of state see photos, they genuinely don't believe it's in Texas. The state park sits on a high bluff overlooking the lake, with rocky shoreline that drops off into deep, turquoise water. The rugged Palo Pinto Mountains landscape gives the whole area a wilder, more dramatic feel than most Texas lake parks. Cliff jumping at Hell's Gate (outside the park) is famous, but the park itself offers excellent fishing, swimming, and some of the best sunset views you'll find anywhere in the state.
North Texas / DFW
6 parks · 746 campsites
Cedar Hill State Park
Cedar Hill · 317 sites · 3 hr 15 min from Austin
Cedar Hill is the go-to camping escape for the entire DFW metroplex, and for good reason. Sitting on the shores of Joe Pool Lake just 20 minutes from downtown Dallas, it delivers surprisingly good camping for a park surrounded by suburbs. The tallgrass prairie habitat is unusual for North Texas, the lake views from the bluffs are genuinely pretty, and with over 300 campsites you have a real shot at snagging a spot even on popular weekends. Mountain bikers love the DORBA trail system here too.
Cleburne State Park
Cleburne · 58 sites · 2 hr 45 min from Austin
Cleburne State Park is a popular DFW-area escape featuring a spring-fed lake, limestone bluffs, and rolling prairie. Cedar Hollow Lake provides swimming, fishing, and non-motorized boating, while the 5-mile trail system winds through varied terrain. A great option for families south of Fort Worth.
Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway
Mineral Wells · 99 sites · 3 hr from Austin
Lake Mineral Wells State Park is a premier rock climbing and mountain biking destination west of Fort Worth. Penitentiary Hollow offers dramatic sandstone formations for climbing, while the 20-mile rail trail connects the park to Weatherford. The 646-acre lake provides fishing, swimming, and paddling.
Lake Tawakoni State Park
Wills Point · 58 sites · 3 hr 30 min from Austin
Lake Tawakoni State Park provides lakefront camping on a 36,700-acre reservoir east of Dallas. The park features 5 miles of shoreline, a sandy swimming beach, and wooded campsites in the Post Oak Belt. It is well-known for catfish and striped bass fishing.
Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Isle du Bois Unit
Pilot Point · 162 sites · 3 hr 30 min from Austin
Ray Roberts Isle du Bois is one of the best lake camping parks in North Texas, sitting on the south shore of Ray Roberts Lake about 45 minutes north of the DFW metroplex. The park has a big, well-organized campground, a legitimate sandy swimming beach, and excellent fishing. The cross-timber forest here — a mix of post oak, blackjack oak, and eastern red cedar — gives the park a different feel from the Hill Country parks most Texans think of first. Mountain bikers love the DORBA trail system, and the lake is big enough for real boating.
Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Johnson Branch Unit
Valley View · 52 sites · 3 hr 30 min from Austin
The Johnson Branch Unit of Ray Roberts Lake State Park sits on the north shore of Ray Roberts Lake, offering a more remote and less crowded alternative to the popular Isle du Bois Unit. Lakefront camping, equestrian trails, and outstanding fishing make it a favorite for North Texas outdoor enthusiasts seeking a quieter experience.
Gulf Coast
5 parks · 445 campsites
Brazos Bend State Park
Needville · 94 sites · 2 hr 30 min from Austin
Brazos Bend is where you go to camp with alligators. Not metaphorically — you'll see them sunning themselves on the lakeshore from your campsite, swimming in 40-Acre Lake, and occasionally crossing the trail in front of you. It sounds intimidating, but the park has coexisted with gators safely for decades, and the wildlife viewing here is the best of any state park in Texas. Add in the George Observatory for stargazing and some of the flattest, easiest trails in the system, and you've got a park that's genuinely unique.
Galveston Island State Park
Galveston · 119 sites · 3 hr 30 min from Austin
Galveston Island State Park is that rare spot where you can camp on the beach and kayak through coastal wetlands in the same day. The park straddles both sides of the road — the bay side has calm water, mangroves, and incredible kayaking through tidal marshes, while the beach side puts you steps from the Gulf of Mexico surf. It's the closest thing Texas has to a coastal camping experience, and the bird watching here is genuinely world-class during spring and fall migration.
Goose Island State Park
Rockport · 106 sites · 3 hr 15 min from Austin
Goose Island State Park is a premier coastal camping destination on the shores of Aransas and St. Charles Bays. Home to the famous Big Tree — a 1,000+ year-old live oak — and adjacent to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, it offers world-class birding, fishing, and waterfront camping. Whooping cranes winter here from November through March.
Mustang Island State Park
Port Aransas · 96 sites · 3 hr 30 min from Austin
Mustang Island State Park offers beach camping directly on the Gulf of Mexico — one of the few places in Texas where you can pitch a tent or park an RV right on the sand. Five miles of pristine beach, excellent fishing, kayak trails through the bay, and world-class birding make it a top coastal destination.
Sea Rim State Park
Sabine Pass · 30 sites · 5 hr from Austin
Sea Rim State Park is a wild Gulf Coast park where the beach meets the marshland at the Louisiana border. Unlike developed beach parks, Sea Rim offers a raw, untamed coastal experience with primitive beach camping, world-class birding in the marshes, and a kayak trail through coastal wetlands. It is the real Gulf Coast.
South Texas
5 parks · 217 campsites
Choke Canyon State Park - Calliham Unit
Calliham · 40 sites · 2 hr 30 min from Austin
The Calliham Unit of Choke Canyon State Park sits on the shores of Choke Canyon Reservoir in the South Texas brush country. Known for excellent bass fishing and abundant wildlife — including alligators — this park offers a warm-weather camping experience with waterfront sites and wide-open skies.
Choke Canyon State Park - South Shore Unit
Three Rivers · 45 sites · 2 hr 45 min from Austin
The South Shore Unit of Choke Canyon State Park provides a more developed camping experience on the reservoir's south side. With screened shelters, full hookup sites, and a swimming pool, it is a comfortable base for fishing and wildlife watching in the South Texas brush country.
Goliad State Park
Goliad · 20 sites · 2 hr 30 min from Austin
Goliad State Park sits along the San Antonio River near the historic Presidio La Bahia and the site of the Goliad Massacre during the Texas Revolution. The CCC-built park combines Texas history with nature, offering river access, fishing, hiking, and a reconstructed Spanish mission.
Lake Casa Blanca International State Park
Laredo · 58 sites · 3 hr 45 min from Austin
Lake Casa Blanca International State Park provides a recreational oasis in the brush country near Laredo on the Mexican border. The 1,650-acre reservoir offers year-round fishing, swimming, and boating in a subtropical climate. The park serves as a major recreation area for the Laredo community and visiting winter Texans.
Lake Corpus Christi State Park
Mathis · 54 sites · 3 hr from Austin
Lake Corpus Christi State Park borders a 21,000-acre reservoir in the South Texas brush country. CCC-built structures, a swimming pool, and excellent largemouth bass fishing make it a popular destination. The park also serves as a gateway for birders heading to the coastal birding trail.
West Texas
9 parks · 399 campsites
Balmorhea State Park
Toyahvale · 34 sites · 5 hr 30 min from Austin
Balmorhea State Park is home to the world's largest spring-fed swimming pool — a 1.75-acre, 77-degree pool fed by San Solomon Springs. Located in the desert foothills of the Davis Mountains, the crystal-clear pool supports endangered fish species and provides a stunning oasis in the arid West Texas landscape.
Big Bend Ranch State Park
Presidio · 35 sites · 7 hr 30 min from Austin
Big Bend Ranch State Park is the largest state park in Texas at over 311,000 acres of remote Chihuahuan Desert wilderness along the Rio Grande. It offers rugged backcountry camping, challenging 4WD roads, and some of the most dramatic canyon scenery in the Southwest. This park is for experienced campers seeking true solitude.
Davis Mountains State Park
Fort Davis · 98 sites · 5 hr 45 min from Austin
Davis Mountains State Park sits at 5,000 feet elevation in one of the most scenic mountain ranges in Texas. Cooler temperatures, stunning Montezuma quail habitat, and proximity to McDonald Observatory and Fort Davis National Historic Site make it a premier West Texas destination. The Skyline Drive Trail offers panoramic views of the Davis Mountains.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Salt Flat · 39 sites · 7 hr from Austin
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is home to the highest peak in Texas — Guadalupe Peak at 8,749 feet. This remote park features ancient Permian reef geology, McKittrick Canyon (famous for fall color), and over 80 miles of hiking trails. Camping is primitive but the mountain scenery is unmatched in the state.
Indian Lodge (Davis Mountains State Park)
Fort Davis · 39 sites · 5 hr 45 min from Austin
Indian Lodge is a historic adobe lodge built by the CCC in the 1930s, located within Davis Mountains State Park. With thick adobe walls, a swimming pool, and stunning mountain views, it offers a unique lodging experience. While not traditional camping, it provides comfortable base camp access to Davis Mountains hiking and McDonald Observatory stargazing.
Lake Colorado City State Park
Colorado City · 47 sites · 4 hr from Austin
Lake Colorado City State Park occupies a stretch of semi-arid West Texas terrain on the shores of a 1,600-acre reservoir. The park offers an uncrowded lakeside camping experience with good fishing and boating, plus native mesquite and juniper habitat that attracts roadrunners and other desert wildlife.
Monahans Sandhills State Park
Monahans · 26 sites · 5 hr 30 min from Austin
Monahans Sandhills State Park protects 3,840 acres of active sand dunes up to 70 feet tall in the Permian Basin of West Texas. Visitors can rent sand discs to surf down the dunes, explore the interpretive center, or simply enjoy one of the most unique landscapes in the state. Camping here feels like sleeping in the Sahara.
San Angelo State Park
San Angelo · 50 sites · 3 hr 30 min from Austin
San Angelo State Park encompasses over 7,000 acres on the shores of O.C. Fisher Reservoir and the North Concho River. The park features official Texas Longhorn and bison herds, diverse habitats from mesquite grassland to river bottoms, and excellent mountain biking. When the reservoir is full, the fishing and boating are outstanding.
Seminole Canyon State Park
Comstock · 31 sites · 4 hr from Austin
Seminole Canyon State Park protects some of the oldest and most significant rock art in North America — pictographs dating back over 4,000 years. The park sits on the rim of a dramatic canyon above the Rio Grande and Pecos River confluence. Guided canyon tours take you to the Fate Bell Shelter, one of the most important rock art sites on the continent.
Panhandle
2 parks · 270 campsites
Caprock Canyons State Park and Trailway
Quitaque · 148 sites · 6 hr 30 min from Austin
Caprock Canyons is where the Great Plains suddenly drop off into a maze of red-rock canyons, and where the official Texas State Bison Herd roams free. You might round a bend on the trail and find yourself face-to-face with a 2,000-pound bison — from a safe distance, of course. The park is remote and raw, with dramatic canyon scenery that rivals Palo Duro but with a fraction of the crowds. The 64-mile Trailway follows an old railroad grade through tunnels and over bridges, and the camping down in the canyon is about as far from civilization as you can get in Texas.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Canyon · 122 sites · 7 hr 30 min from Austin
Most people don't expect to find a 120-mile-long, 800-foot-deep canyon in the middle of the Texas Panhandle flatlands, and that's exactly what makes Palo Duro so jaw-dropping. It's the second-largest canyon in the United States — only the Grand Canyon is bigger — with layers of red, yellow, and orange rock that glow at sunrise and sunset. The Lighthouse Trail is one of the most iconic hikes in Texas, and camping down on the canyon floor feels like sleeping in another world entirely. If you can make the drive, it's worth every mile.
Rio Grande Valley
1 parks · 62 campsites
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