Best of Texas

[Suzbp]

Planning a visit to the great state of Texas for a month. Realize it is a BIG state and can’t see it all in that time frame but want to see Austin, San Antonio, Amarillo for starters. Where are your must see Texas cities and where did you stay? We prefer state parks with natural settings. In Austin we would like to be close to the action.

Greatly anticipating your suggestions and may end up making this a two month trip with your recommendations! Looking to go April/May 2018

[InterBlog]

We have many great state parks, but I recommend that you book well in advance. We are facing the triple whammy of:

(1) chronic underfunding for which tax-driven solutions have not yet been realized,
(2) access overpressures, and
(3) flood damage throughout much of the state, leading to park closures or partial closures that can persist (and have persisted) on a timescale of years.

Regarding (2), one symptom of this is the advisory on the state park reservation website which this morning reads, "We are now making reservations for arrival dates up to: 12-13-2018". Some parks book more than 300 days out, especially on weekends.

I'm not trying to be discouraging, just to let you know that advance planning is key. Any dry camping capacity that you have will work very much in your favor in Texas, as it gives the opportunity to fall back to off-grid locations and the occasional Wallydocking episode in the event that you find yourself shut out of every other opportunity (voice of experience here).

For instance, here is a blog post that describes a waltz across Texas involving three popular state parks, including Palo Duro, which is the most heavily visited park in the system. During this six-night adventure, a camp site with hook-ups was only attainable in one park for one night, and only because of someone else's last-minute cancellation due to bad weather.

[pdavitt]

As a native Texan, who spent most of their working life in Houston and now live on a ranch in the Davis Mountains of West Texas, I would suggest you start your research at the Travel Texas website. https://www.traveltexas.com

Based on your post I would concentrate on the Hill Country and Big Bend regions. The hill country is just west of both San Antonio and Austin. The Big Bend region is the natural jewel of Texas, especially Big Bend National Park.

Texas is a big place, I've lived here for years and haven't seen all of it.

Have fun,
Pat

[TexAirS]

Actually, most of the state did not flood. But from a League City view, it did. The Coast was hit very hard last year and sustained a lot of damage. In Austin and north and west, we got a couple of inches of rain and a lot of wind from the hurricane. Some of the coastal communities are rebuilding as fast as possible and could use tourist dollars to help. Think Port Arkansas and Corpus Christi. And the Houston area has a lot to see.

Austin to Amarillo is a two day tow if you keep each day around 250 miles. Palo Duro Canyon is great. Garner State Park. Guadalupe River SP. Palmetto SP. Balmorhea SP. Brazo Bend SP. Big Bend SP. Buesher SP. Davis Mtns SP. These are some of the TX parks. Probably booked all fall, winter and spring. So, make a plan and reserve it here. TPWD.TEXAS.GOV

John

[Iansk]

Originally Posted by Suzbp

Planning a visit to the great state of Texas for a month. Realize it is a BIG state and can’t see it all in that time frame but want to see Austin, San Antonio, Amarillo for starters. Where are your must see Texas cities and where did you stay? We prefer state parks with natural settings. In Austin we would like to be close to the action.

Greatly anticipating your suggestions and may end up making this a two month trip with your recommendations! Looking to go April/May 2018

Hey,
When you get close to being here, drop me a line and I may be able to host you for a few days (30amp, water, waste). I'm within the Austin City Limits in a small town, Sunset Valley.

Garner State Park
Davis Mountains State Park
Marfa (Tumble In RV park)
Marathon
Palo Duro State Park (pretty far up there but really nice)
Caddo Lake State Park (could be good coming or going)
Big Bend Ranch State Park
Big Bend National Park
Blanco State Park

I could go on and on...

The weather could be pretty much anything when you are here, but it'll probably be warm.

[Bubba L]

We stay in mostly state parks and a few COE parks. There a lot of great parks around Austin area. I guess the closest would be McKinney Falls. Getting out an hour or so out of Austin would be Guadalupe River SP, Blanco SP, Pedernales SP and, our favorite, Inks Lake SP. As mentioned, look at a map of Texas SPs and plan your trip accordingly. Texas has 7 or 8 different ecosystems with a lot of SPs in each. There’s a park for everyone’s taste. Just book way ahead. Parks fill up quickly when school lets out. Good luck, Bubba

[Suzbp]

Thanks for everyone’s quick responses. Sounds like I may be a little too late in the planning stages but will check your park recommendations. It has become hard to do much spontaneous RVing as it has exploded in popularity. Will take all your advice for advance planning and try to implement it.

[cfishii]

Don't give up yet. Get on the State Park Web Page. McKinney Falls State Park, just 7 miles form downtown Austin is a must if you prefer State Parks. Great parks, easy to get to Austin, Water and Electric but no sewer hook ups, just a dump station.

[snow]

"Any dry camping capacity that you have will work very much in your favor in Texas, as it gives the opportunity to fall back to off-grid locations and the occasional Wallydocking episode in the event that you find yourself shut out of every other opportunity (voice of experience here)."

I'd love to hear where the good dry camping spots are if you'd care to share.

[InterBlog]

Originally Posted by TexAirS

Actually, most of the state did not flood. But from a League City view, it did. ...

Harvey was the third major flood in three years. I'm also talking about the effects of the other two that came before, plus other isolated extreme events, which had different areas of impact.

McKinney Falls SP (Austin) - mostly open (visitor's center flooded)
Brazos Bend SP - partly closed
Stephen F Austin SP - totally closed
Lake Somerville SP - partly closed
All East Texas SPs - partly closed
Guadalupe River SP (San Antonio) - partly closed and undergoing repairs
Buescher SP (Central Texas) - trails closed due to storm damage

The full accounting is here. About half the state park inventory is on the list, many for flood-related reasons, some for other management issues.

[pt.reyesfan]

Originally Posted by Suzbp

Planning a visit to the great state of Texas for a month. Realize it is a BIG state and can’t see it all in that time frame but want to see Austin, San Antonio, Amarillo for starters. Where are your must see Texas cities and where did you stay? We prefer state parks with natural settings. In Austin we would like to be close to the action.



Greatly anticipating your suggestions and may end up making this a two month trip with your recommendations! Looking to go April/May 2018

Big Bend

[mimiandrews]

Try booking our state parks on weekdays instead of weekends. Much easier that way. There are good private RV parks that will have space near the cities on the weekends.

I'll definitely second the recommendations for the Hill Country, especially if you're coming in the Spring. The wildflowers in that area are fantastic! Inks Lake is my favorite.

Check https://tpwd.texas.gov for park descriptions and reservation info.

As stated above, Texas is a big place. Look at the mileages and plan your travel accordingly. Usually, our roads are excellent to good, however there are reports of damaged pavement due to heavy oil field traffic in some areas of West Texas (price we pay for cheap gas).

And, in advance, Howdy and welcome.

[SharonF]

Originally Posted by Suzbp

Planning a visit to the great state of Texas for a month. Realize it is a BIG state and can’t see it all in that time frame but want to see Austin, San Antonio, Amarillo for starters. Where are your must see Texas cities and where did you stay? We prefer state parks with natural settings. In Austin we would like to be close to the action.

Greatly anticipating your suggestions and may end up making this a two month trip with your recommendations! Looking to go April/May 2018

Interested in how your trip to Texas went and if you have any recommendations now? We are planning the same type of trip, same time in 2019. Thanks!!!

[rowiebowie]

Originally Posted by SharonF

Interested in how your trip to Texas went and if you have any recommendations now? We are planning the same type of trip, same time in 2019. Thanks!!!

April is a good time of year (before it gets too hot). You'll be off-season and easier to find spots. But you may want to make reservations as you get into the state and know where/when you'll be arriving. As previously mentioned, the state has not spent enough to expand camping sites to meet demand. Especially weekends and holidays like spring break.

That being said, seek out the assistance of "Park Hosts" (who are basically volunteers granted accommodations in exchange for their roles as after-hours managers) at whatever park you'd like to stay at. Our experience is the Entrance staff often close early (don't observe posted hours) and don't know nearly as much as the volunteer park hosts. We found the same is true at National Parks like Big Bend as well.

Due to the assistance of Park Hosts, we've stayed at least half a dozen times in parks that were "Full". Yet park hosts found us a place and often the parks were far from actually full. That includes Blanco SP, Palo Duro SP, and Big Bend Chisos Basin.

Let me add Dinosaur Valley SP to the list. You can wade into a shallow stream and stand in the fossilized footprints of dinosaurs. The park is often full, but you can probably get a nice site at nearby (and overlooked) Cleburne SP.

.

[kb0zke]

Are you a member of one of the discount groups, like Passport America or Thousand Trails? If so, you may be able to stay at one of those parks. A couple of years ago we visited Big Bend National Park in late December. We chose to stay some distance away so that we could talk to our kids at Christmas since we were told that cell phone service in/near the park is very limited. We were able to stay at a PA park for a reasonable rate. We left early in the morning, arriving at Big Bend somewhat after sunrise, and stayed until near sunset. Yes, those were rather long days, but we didn't go down each day. We actually made three trips down in a week or so, with a day or two off between them.

[DaytonaDan]

'That being said, seek out the assistance of "Park Hosts" (who are basically volunteers granted accommodations in exchange for their roles as after-hours managers) at whatever park you'd like to stay at.

Due to the assistance of Park Hosts, we've stayed at least half a dozen times in parks that were "Full". Yet park hosts found us a place and often the parks were far from actually full.'

How did you find these "Park Hosts" Guardian Angels?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Thank You!

[rowiebowie]

Originally Posted by DaytonaDan

How did you find these "Park Hosts" Guardian Angels?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Thank You!

Drive into the park and look for a "Host" sign posted outside their rv site. Another tip off is you may see a Park truck or Kawasaki Mule they are given to get around the park. We have Texas & National Parks passes that get us in the gate free, so we drive in and look for them. If it's after hours, same thing, just drive in.

Over many state & nation parks (with a single exception), we've found them friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. Much more than regular park employees. So I do consider Park Hosts as Guardian Angels for weary travelers.
.

[InterBlog]

Originally Posted by DaytonaDan

...

How did you find these "Park Hosts" Guardian Angels?
...

Don't worry - they'll find you. That's their job.

[Suzbp]

Our trip was great! In Austin we stayed at Lone Star RV Resort. It gave us easy access to explore. It was gated park, GREAT bathrooms and laundary facility. Sites were all pull thru and close but had separation with landscaping. Also stayed at Abilene SP, it had nice sized sites that were shaded. Palo Dura Canyon was awesome! Lots of hiking trails for various levels of fitness. Initial 10% grade descent terrified us flat landers but was very doable with switchbacks. Beautiful park! We loved site 125. If I remember correctly, they do not assign sites until you check in. We stayed a full week in Palo Dura but felt that was a few days too long. Hope you enjoy!

[rowiebowie]

Individual site reservations will be available once Texas Parks revises their reservation system. It is supposed to be complete late this year or early '2019.