#vanlife .

This is a state that used to be its own country so I expect there will eventually be quite a bit on this page.


Place to Stay

Galveston – we found the most enjoyable here is to stay with relatives.  If that is not an option there are camp site right on the beach in the Galveston State Park.

Padre Island

BIG BEND

Big Bend has three different campgrounds within the park.  Our favorite is the Big Bend – Rio Grande.  There are many sites and a generator free zone.  Bathrooms were clean.  The cmap store has basics like milk, bread and beer.  Showers were $2.

Chisos Basin Campground looked fine but the road up to may be a challenge for longer motorhomes and trailers.

Cottonwood has only a handful of sites.  We were lucky to  at 10 am on a Sunday.  Pit toilets were clean.  There is only one water spigot with drinkable water.

WEST TEXAS

Abilene State Park – Park had several areas.  We chose one that had sites with no power to save money but there were lots of low branches in that area that Sparty was not happy about.  Bathroom and showers were adequate.

Monahans Sandhills State Park – There are sand dunes in more places than we expected.  We stayed here overnight and did not rent any sleds.  Every site had electricity. The bathrooms were clean and the showers were hot.  There were no shower curtains in the men’s room.  We were surprised by the oil pump in the picnic area.

Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area – it was free to stay here with our state park pass.

DALLAS-FORT WORTH

Lake Tawakoni State Park – Lots of camp sites and a big lake.

FREDERICKSBURG

KOA – This is only a few miles outside of town. We had a great tent spot with a bathroom right across from us.  The free range cats and chickens were a concern and they did like the bathroom area.

CORPUS CHRISTI

Labonte Park – This park located just off the highway is free to stay at.  Give them a call and they will email a form you then submit and they email you permit good for 3 days.

HOUSTON

Brazos Bend – The closest state camping spot to Houston.  Most sites level and amix of and private paved sites.  There is hiking here but watch for alligators.


Things to do

Houston Space Center

Galveston  – Go to the beach, turtle tour or Moody Gardens

Beaumont – A very large fire hydrant and a free Fire Museum.  There is also a Texas Energy Museum and an art museum.

Austin State Capitol

Fredericksburg – after hitting a few restaurants and wineries, stop by the enchanted Rock State Park for a hike.  They have camping but only for people in tents.  They do not want any people sleeping in vehicles.

San Antonio – If you have noce weather, park at Mission San Francisco and bike in to the other missions.  You can bike all the way into the Downtown Riverwalk.

Corpus Christi

  • Padre Island
  • USS Lexington
  • Texas State Aquarium

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