Mission Tejas State Park
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.
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Campsite Types
Water + Electric
$15/night12 sites
Water Only
$10/night2 sites
Primitive Hike-in
$10/night5 sites
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Guide to Mission Tejas State Park
Best Campsites
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
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. Using a campsite alert service like Camp.land to catch cancellations is the most reliable way to get a site when it appears sold out.
How many campsites does Mission Tejas State Park have?+
Mission Tejas State Park has 19 campsites, including Water + Electric, Water Only, Primitive Hike-in. Sites start at $10/night plus a $4/person entrance fee.
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?+
Texas state parks open reservations exactly 5 months in advance. For Mission Tejas State Park, popular weekends sell out within minutes of the booking window opening. If your dates are already showing as full, set a Camp.land alert at camp.land/pricing?park=mission-tejas — cancellations happen regularly.
How can I get a last-minute campsite at Mission Tejas State Park?+
The best strategy for last-minute campsites at Mission Tejas State Park is to monitor for cancellations. Camp.land (camp.land) scans every 10 minutes and emails you the moment a site opens up, with a direct booking link. Cancellations are most common 1–3 weeks before the reservation date.
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