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Illustrative landscape
Mission Tejas sits in the heart of Davy Crockett National Forest — a quiet, shaded East Texas park with a replica of the San Francisco de los Tejas mission, the first Spanish mission in Texas established in 1690. The camping is simple and affordable: a small loop of shaded sites under towering loblolly pines, with good hiking access into the surrounding national forest. It's not a destination park on the level of Garner or Enchanted Rock, but it punches above its weight for East Texas road trips, family reunions, and anyone who wants to be genuinely surrounded by forest. The Rice Family Log Home on the property is a highlight.
Campsites
19 campsites
Region
East Texas
Guide rate from
$10/night*
Entrance
$4/person
Short answer
Most Texas state park overnight camping and lodging reservations can be made up to five months in advance. Confirm the current reservation schedule for your accommodation and dates with Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Texas Parks and Wildlife reservation guidance · Checked 2026-09-07.
Compare your options
Campsite types
*Guide prices only. Confirm current rates when booking.
Water + Electric
$15/night*12 sites
Water and electric; picnic table, grill, restrooms with showers nearbyRV OKTent OK
Water Only
$10/night*2 sites
Water; picnic table, fire ring with grill, restrooms nearby; no electricityTent OK
Primitive Hike-in
$10/night*5 sites
No water - pack in; 0.5 to 1 mile hike from parkingTent OK
Book directly with the park
Most Texas state park overnight camping and lodging reservations can be made up to five months in advance. Confirm the current reservation schedule for your accommodation and dates with Texas Parks and Wildlife. Confirm current inventory, rates, fees, and seasonal details on the official booking site.
Texas state parks don’t have live cancellation alerts yet — but most sold-out sites free up 1–2 weeks before the date. We’ll email you the booking playbook (exact release times, the cancellation window, how to pounce) and tell you first if live Texas alerts launch.
Get the Texas state-park booking playbook
Location & trip guide
Grapeland, Texas
Mission Tejas State Park is in East Texas, about 3 hr 15 min from Austin. Use the official booking provider for current arrival directions and access details.
Get directions ↗Best campsites
For Families:Book the water-and-electric sites first — they have hookups, are near restrooms with showers, and go fastest
For Privacy:The primitive hike-in sites are 0.5 to 1 mile from parking and offer the most solitude (no water, pack everything in)
For RVs:The water-and-electric sites are the only ones suited for RVs and trailers; the park is small so call ahead about length limits
For Couples:The water-only sites are quieter and more tucked into the pines than the electric sites
When to Go
Spring is beautiful — dogwoods and azaleas bloom in March and April. Fall foliage peaks in November. Summers are hot and humid but the forest provides shade. Christmas and New Year's weekends fill quickly.
Tips
- →The mission replica is small but historically significant — bring kids who love Texas history
- →Davy Crockett National Forest is accessible directly from the park — bring a forest map
- →Mosquitoes can be intense in summer — bring strong repellent
- →The park is on the way between Houston and Dallas — good midpoint stop
- →Cell service is spotty — download offline maps before you go
Highlights
Replica of the 1690 San Francisco de los Tejas mission — significant Texas historySurrounded by Davy Crockett National Forest — access to miles of forest trailsRice Family Log Home from the 1830s, a well-preserved pioneer homesteadTall loblolly pines and hardwoods provide excellent shadeWildflowers in spring — dogwood, azaleas, and native wildflower meadowsBirding — Pileated woodpeckers, Red-cockaded woodpeckers, and more
Mission Tejas State Park — Frequently Asked
Is Mission Tejas State Park hard to book?+
Yes. Mission Tejas State Park is one of the more popular Texas state parks and fills up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. Spring is beautiful — dogwoods and azaleas bloom in March and April. Fall foliage peaks in November. Summers are hot and humid but the forest provides shade. Christmas and New Year's weekends fill quickly. If your dates are already full, book direct on ReserveAmerica the moment the 5-month window opens, or reserve a cabin or vacation rental nearby that you can book today.
How many campsites does Mission Tejas State Park have?+
Mission Tejas State Park has 19 campsites, including Water + Electric, Water Only, Primitive Hike-in. Published guide rates start at $10/night plus a $4/person entrance fee; confirm current rates when booking.
What is the entrance fee at Mission Tejas State Park?+
The entrance fee at Mission Tejas State Park is $4 per person per day. A Texas State Parks Pass ($70/year) waives entrance fees for you and all passengers in your vehicle.
How far in advance should I book Mission Tejas State Park?+
Most Texas state park overnight camping and lodging reservations can be made up to five months in advance. Confirm the current reservation schedule for your accommodation and dates with Texas Parks and Wildlife.
How can I get a last-minute campsite at Mission Tejas State Park?+
Cancellations at Mission Tejas State Park happen regularly, most often 1 to 3 weeks before the date, so it is worth checking ReserveAmerica directly for openings. If campsites are full, check cabins and vacation rentals near Grapeland for your dates.