|
Camping in Houston
There's lots of places to camp in and around Houston and all over Texas! BCO loves to camp and has visited just about all of them!
We follow the Leave No Trace Rules. Make sure that you know and follow the rules when you go outdoors to play!
If you're still looking for things to do in and around Houston, check out our Get Into the Outdoor Life Series for our Guide to Houston's Hot Spots!
FREE! Our Gift to YOU!
We have travelled all over this great state and you can see some of what we've found:
Private Campground Locator
Texas State Park Camping Locator
KOA's around Texas
Travis County Parks
Texas Lake Parks
Places to Camp in and around Houston:
Lake Livingston State Park - Lake Livingston State Park is off Hwy 59 North. There's water sports like kayaking, hiking & biking trails, cabins, campsites and primitive pack-in campsites. Click Here for Details
Huntsville State Park - Off I-45 North in the piney woods of East Texas, Lake Raven is a great place for paddle boats, kayaks, and canoes. There are miles of hiking, biking and horse trails. Large group camping sites are available. Click Here for Details
Stephen F. Austin State Park - Off I-10 West and just an hour from Houston and on the Brazos River, this historical state park has plenty of wildlife, hiking and biking trails and unique flora and fauna. Click Here for Details
Brazos Bend State Park - Off Hwy 59 South and known for its alligators, oaks and observatory, this large state park has miles and miles of trails and astronomy programs. Click Here for Details
Enchanted Rock - Book early if you want to go to Enchanted Rock State Park (affectionately known as E-Rock). Enchanted Rock is the largest exposed granite dome in the U.S. You can hike the dome, or for the more adventurous, you can rock climb up. There's a 4-mile hiking loop and some primitive camping. Click Here for Details
Garner State Park - On the banks of the Rio Frio, one of Texas' most beautiful rivers, is the very large Garner State Park. With rolling and rocky hills, there are both easy and difficult hiking trails. When the water's up there is tubing; when the water's down, there is kayaking - if you dare! Frio is COLD in Spanish. And enjoy the historical dances on the cliff at certain times of the year. Click Here for Details
Palo Duro Canyon - Known as the "Grand Canyon of Texas", this historical park is off the beaten path, but is worth the trip! It offers incredible rock scenery, hiking, and canoeing & kayaking. You can also reserve historic CCC vintage cabins on the rim of the canyon. Click Here for Details
Camping Checklist!
If you're wondering what you should bring on a camping trip, well, we've done the research for you! The following checklist from REI will help!
For a printer-friendly version, click Here Print Checklist (PDF)
In and around camp
- Tent (with stakes and guylines)
- Tent footprint
- Tent-pole repair sleeve
- Sun shade, tarp or screen house
- Sleeping bags (with optional liners)
- Sleeping pads/air mattresses
- Pad/mattress repair kit
- Pump for air mattresses
- Pillows
- Multi-tool or knife
- Daypacks (see our Day Hiking checklist)
- Trekking poles
- Child carrier
- Rolling jogger
- ______________________
- Folding chairs
- Folding table
- Cots
- Other furniture __________________
- Headlamps (with extra batteries)
- Flashlights (with extra batteries, bulbs)
- Lanterns (with mantles, if needed)
- Lantern fuel or batteries
- Water filter or treatment tablets
- Bikes
- Bike trailers
- Inflatable boat with paddles
- Fishing gear (and license)
- Canoeing/kayaking gear
- ______________________
(if chilly nights are possible, come prepared)
- Moisture-wicking T-shirts
- Moisture-wicking underwear
- Quick-drying pants/shorts
- Long-sleeve shirts (for sun, bugs)
- Sun-shielding hats
- Swimsuits
- Bandanas or buffs
- Boots or shoes suited to terrain
- Socks (synthetic or wool)
- ______________________
- Long underwear
- Sleepwear
- Insulating jacket or vest
- Insulated pants
- Gloves or mittens
- Rainwear (jacket and pants)
- Clothesline with clips
- Water sandals
- In-camp sandals or booties
- _______________________
Kitchen
(select according to personal tastes and needs)
- Stove
- Windscreen
- Fuel
- Fuel bottle(s) with fuel funnel
- Matches/lighter
- Charcoal (with fire starter)
- Firewood (plus saw or ax)
- Grill rack
- Frying pan
- Cook pots
- Pot grabber
- Dutch oven
- Portable coffee/espresso maker
- Hot-cold vacuum bottle
- Hand-crank blender
- Bottle opener/corkscrew
- Tablecloth and clips (or tape)
- Recipes
- Marshmallow/wiener roasting sticks
- Food-storage containers
- Resealable storage bags
- Trash bags
- ________________________
- Coolers
- Ice
- Water bottles
- Plates, bowls, mixing bowls
- Mugs/cups
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Utensils
- Paring knife
- Spatula
- Whisk
- Kitchen organizer
- Cutting board or cutting surface
- Funnel
- Foil
- Egg holder(s)
- Biodegradable soap
- Pot scrubber/sponge(s)
- Collapsible water container(s)
- Portable or standing camp sink
- Drying rack
- Quick-dry towels
- _______________________
Food
(for more options, see our Outdoor kitchen checklist)
- Coffee
- Cereal/granola/oatmeal
- Eggs (freeze-dried or fresh)
- Breakfast bars
- Batter mix
- Syrup
- Butter/margarine
- Jelly/jam
- Bread/bagels
- Meat (fresh and jerky)
- Soup mixes/bouillon cubes
- Prepared or freeze-dried meals
- Cooking oil/spray
- Salt/pepper
- _______________________
- ______________________
- ______________________
- Tea
- Milk (powdered or fresh)
- Cocoa
- Drink mixes
- Bottled/canned beverages
- Energy food (bars, gels, trail mix)
- Fruit (dried and fresh)
- Vegetables
- Cheese
- Crackers/chips
- Chocolate/sweets
- Marshmallows
- Spice kit
- Herbs
- ______________________
- ______________________
- ______________________
Personal items
(tip: To more easily locate gear, keep similar items in a single duffel)
- Toilet paper
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Insect repellent
- Hand sanitizer
- Alcohol or antiseptic wipes
- Spare eyeglasses/contact lenses
- Mirror
- ______________________
- First-aid kit (see First-Aid checklist)
- Prescription medications
- Toothbrush, toiletry kit
- Cosmetics
- Brush/comb
- Eyeshades; earplugs
- Biodegradable soap
- Shower water bag
- _______________________
Other items
- Camera
- Camcorder
- Memory cards/film
- Binoculars
- Campsite reservation confirmation
- Maps
- Guidebook
- Interpretive field guides (flowers, insects)
- Star chart/night-sky identifier
- Pet tent
- Pet bed
- _______________________
- Paperbacks/DVDs
- Notebook and pen/pencil
- Sketchpad with art supplies
- Radio or music player with headphones
- Two-way radios
- GPS receiver
- Cell phone
- Travel alarm clock
- Umbrella
- Pet food (with favorite bowl)
- Pet toys (such as Chuckit!)
- ______________________
Fun stuff
(search "toys" at REI.com for more ideas)
- Playing cards
- Rolling ice cream maker
- Kick-around foot bag
- Kites
- Geocaching materials (with GPS receivers)
- Paddle ball set
- Glow sticks
- _______________________
- Flying discs
- Puzzles (crosswords, etc.)
- Board games
- Water toys
- Electronic toys
- Boomerang
- _______________________ for kids
- _______________________
|
