The best camping near Neches River National Wildlife Refuge

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Neches River National Wildlife Refuge adventure.

Discover the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge and its abundant wildlife.  

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Top-rated campgrounds near Neches River National Wildlife Refuge

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Cabins directly on the Lake

4 sites · Lodging2 acres · Crockett, TX
These three cabins are hand-built, with families in mind, to share with other families. They are located on Houston County Lake. Stewart Cove is perfect for people who are looking to unplug from the outside world and reconnect with their families and nature. The property is perfect for child-friendly adventures or romantic getaways. Enjoy this peaceful lake view surrounded by beautiful pine trees. The Property: - Secluded lake cabins on Houston County Lake. 2-acre property - Panoramic windows of Houston County Lake from the living room - Deck with an incredible view and surrounded by beautiful pine trees - City water and electric Things to do: - We have a Covered Pavilion with a basketball hoop and pickleball court - 60-foot waterside from the large hill into the lake (Weather permitting) - Swimming in the lake - Fishing in the lake - Bird watching (We have eagles, blue herrings, pelicans, etc.) - Several kayaks with adult and child lifejackets free to use - Cement deck near the lake with cafe lights - BBQ pit, bench swing, and picnic tables - Sandbox for kids - The fire pit is great for smores - You can pull your boat right up to the shore Other Things to note: - The owner's primary residence is two lots over and private. Things to Bring: - Sunblock - Bug spray - Outdoor towels - Coffee Sheets, blankets, pillows, and towels are provided for each cabin. You'll need to bring your outdoor towels for swimming. The last 5 miles of the drive are on a "Red Dirt Road" and it can be bumpy or even slippery if it's rained recently. I've never heard of any issues in any vehicles but it's a county road. You will leave with red dirt on your vehicle but that's part of the appeal, the secluded getaway :) Once you start down the driveway you'll see the lake through the trees, making the rough 5-mile ride worth it.
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$100
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Heavenly Haven & Hideaways

9 sites · RVs, Tents60 acres · Tyler, TX
Besides being surrounded by beautiful scenery, it just feels good being here. Getting out and exploring is a wonderful escape from the everyday grind. We love hosting campers and work toward making sure folks feel welcome and comfortable. We were living in the north Dallas area but always had a desire to buy some land and have a little more 'elbow room'. We were avid RVers for many years, but when that chapter closed, we missed 'glamping'. When we found our property, we knew we wanted to share this beauty, nature, and space with others as a campground. Heavenly Haven & Hideaways has been a God-inspired project, born out of our love for people, adventure, and the outdoors. Our beautiful property has RV spots, and tent camping ready now and we're currently building 2 cabins that should be available soon. There's easy access to our family and pet friendly campground in Tyler, Texas. We've set up a large communal firepit and fun outdoor games like tether ball, a volleyball net, horseshoes, and more. There's an open field for frisbee or tossing a ball around. We've cut in a lot of hiking trails that you can hike and explore our 60-acre property that includes an always-running creek. We're within a few miles of Tyler State Park which is great for bike riding & swimming in their lake. You can also rent paddle boats there. We're within a few miles of the Tyler Zoo -which is a surprisingly excellent zoo. There are several museums, shopping areas, and great food establishments in and around Tyler. Nearby Lindale also has the Pink Pistol, a Miranda Lambert store, and other neat places. We partner with Camp Right USA for a new level of tent camping. Simply book your spot with us, then if desired, contact Camp Right USA (https://www.camprightusa.com) to have set up and take down done for you! They say "everything will be in place, from your tent to your campfire. When it's time to head home, leave the packing and dismantling to us." Come visit us in east Texas so you can rest, play, hike, explore. https://www.facebook.com/heavenly.haven.and.hideaways
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$25
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Texas State Railroad Campground

71 sites · RVs, Tents15 acres · Rusk, TX
The Texas State Railroad Campground is located in the beautiful East Texas town of Rusk and is a great spot for a fun southern escape! We offer campsites with water only, water and electricity or full hookups with 50-amp service and sewer. The Grounds offer picnic tables, grills, fire rings, laundry facility and WiFi! There are separate showers and restrooms onsite, a water splash pad, nature trails and a campground office complete with sundries and firewood for purchase. The 15-acre Cherokee Lake is where fishermen will find a variety fish including crappie, catfish, striped bass, sauger, walleye, smallmouth bass, bluegill and largemouth bass. Whether they are casting, spinning or flying fish, chances of getting a bite are good! Onsite, travelers may look forward to historic sightseeing. For the history buff, there's plenty of other historic sites, a number of green spaces of nature walks and scenic viewing and of course, visitors may expect great local eateries and bars to enjoy. Whether it's for a night or two, we hope to see you soon!
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$25
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Tara Vineyard & Winery estate

22 sites · Tents50 acres · Athens, TX
Peaceful, quiet, luxurious, historic, wine country experience. Tara Winery offers a unique vineyard and winery resort style experience. Discover Tara and the myths surrounding the secrets of the vines. TARA was named after the sailboat TARA, pierce family started the vineyard in 2006 and opened the winery in 2007. The historic Murchison mansion is an iconic structure in the midst of the vines. Onsite tasting room and restaurant with share plates and full meals. In 2023, we have added a beautiful 50 ft pool with lovely water features, there is an activity fee to use the pool. Please plan to arrive before dark, so you can get settled in the daylight. We do not have 24 hour staff. Learn more about this land: Camping throughout the Tara Vineyard property.  We have primitive sites available in the wooded trail. If you would like a beautiful view of the winery property, ground camping throughout the vineyard is available and most popular ! There is quick access to our winery and food service if you prefer to relax under our covered patio, or pick up a rib eye or filet  from the chef and cook it yourself on your propane grill our our community grill. Enjoy your hand crafted estate wine from TARA winery while camping under the stars. You can be among others or select a remote location. Fires permitted only in designed fire pits. No exceptions.
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$50
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Coyote Campground

6 sites · Lodging, Tents14 acres · Lindale, TX
I4 acres with spring-fed creek, just a few minutes from Lindale restaurants and supplies. For more info about the tiny house or yurt rentals, please inquire. It has extended acreage with multiple ecosystems. I just found a spring and will be doing livestock. I just built an outdoor kitchen area and camp shower (need propane tank). There is an RV plug, electricity (extra fee), and a water hose. There is a garage on the property that should remain locked; if you have an ATV or something you want to lock up, we can discuss garage access if need be (for a fee). The lower parts of the property require 4-wheel drive, but the top has water and electricity, so any car is fine. As this is an outdoor area, there are bugs and critters. I have never had a problem, but this is notice that you agree to assume all liability and responsibility for your party by camping at this property. NEW: Starlink Satellite Internet!
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$14.70
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M Rockin C Ranch

21 sites · RVs, Tents95 acres · Grapeland, TX
M-Rockin-C Ranch, owned and operated by retired US veteran, is raising egg laying chickens, pastured boiler chickens, goats (Nigerian Dwarfs, Pygmy and a Nigerian-Pygmy cross), rabbits (California - meat/pets) and also have grass-fed beef (Brangus, Angus and F1 Hybrids). We have expanded our rabbitry soon to include Rex and Harlequin breeds as well. The drought of 2022 and 2023 caused us to have to cut fencing which we are still working to repair in order to bring back our heritage hogs. Turkeys are raised only when pre-paid by customers. We are currently working to get bees again for local harvested honey in Houston County, Texas. All my poultry and livestock are free ranged and live on pasture supplemented with non-GMO feeds using no antibiotics or hormones. My goal is growing all the livestock in an environment outside where they can live normal lives eating bugs and grass, enjoying the sun and rain and through holistic management creating more sustainable pastureland for the future. Our main rule is please enjoy observing the ranch life but do not harass the animals. We live in the country please do not be too loud or cross outside of our ranch boundaries. My neighbors have lived here or moved here for their own peace and solitude as well... be respectful of that and enjoy your stay in the country. The ranch is located in the Piney Woods of eastern Texas and consists of 95.26 acres mostly in open grazing land with dispersed pine and oak trees in small groupings and along the fence lines. The ranch has a nearly a 1/4-acre upper pond and an elongated narrower lake that is close to 1 and a 1/2-acre below the upper pond to the west. There is a fenced in just over 1/2 acre area just north of the upper pond. The ponds gain water from natural spring flow and rainwater. Cook Creek runs through the entrance area off of FM 2022 on the northwest side of the property. The creek is year-round but normally is only a few inches deep but does have a few deeper pools of water. The ranch has about 65+ acres of gentle rolling hills of open pasture. The pastures consist of bahia, maxio and angusta ryegrasses, with mostly coastal grasses with some red and white clover mixed with natives. The ranch also has a diverse group of wildlife including but not limited to coyotes, white tail deer, roadrunners, racoons, possums, wild pigs and hawks of different species. We have spotted a golden eagle on the ranch within the last few months. We have a couple juvenile bald eagles on the north-northwest side of the property. Our large great blue heron is back from his migration south. Several kingfishers are nesting near the large lake. Several other migratory birds and waterfowl also traverse the ranch during their travels north and south through the area. The night sky is amazing! If nothing else brings you here. You must come enjoy the view of the milky way and thousands of stars visible in our south-east Texas night sky. Photos of the night sky have been added to the listing... do not miss them! I really enjoy just leaning back in a zero-gravity chair and getting to view the sky when not looking through my 8in Meade Coma-Free Smith-Cassegrain telescope. I often have the scope setup and visitors are more than welcome to come view the wonders that our night sky has to offer on most clear nights. Bring apples and carrots to get close to our draft mules and horses. They will love you for the treats and offer great photo opportunities for those treats. They might follow you back to your campsite though if they get too be too much trouble just shoo or scare them away. Bring a fishing pole to see if you have any luck catching a bream, sunfish, small mouth or largemouth bass. We do have turtles as well. The biggest and meanest is the alligator snapping turtles best to just cut the line than try to take your hook or lure back from these guys.
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$22.50
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The best camping near Neches River National Wildlife Refuge guide

Overview

About

A camping trip near the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge sets you amid 7,000 acres of some of the finest bottomland hardwood forests in the nation. In the heart of the North American Central Flyway, this refuge serves as a crucial "interstate highway" for countless migrating birds, from ducks and geese to warblers and orioles. Camping near Neches River National Wildlife Refuge, you'll be perfectly positioned to witness the ebb and flow of millions of birds as they traverse this vital migration route. But the avian wonders are just the beginning. The refuge boasts a rich tapestry of biodiversity, from towering oaks, hickories, and maples to the playful antics of raccoons, ospreys, and river otters. Dive deeper, and you might even spot the elusive mink or the graceful wood stork. The Neches River itself, flowing serenely through the refuge, is a testament to Texas's rich history. Once a bountiful source for Native Americans and later a hub for Anglo American settlers, this river has witnessed centuries of hunting, fishing, and timber cutting. Today, the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge is prime for hiking, picnicking, bird-watching, or simply capturing the perfect photograph. So, gear up for a Neches River National Wildlife Refuge camping experience that promises a blend of nature's wonders and a deep dive into Texas's storied past.

When to go

The best time to visit the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge is during the cooler months, from late fall to early spring, when migratory birds flock to the area. Summer can be quite warm and humid, making outdoor activities less comfortable.

Know before you go

  • Check the refuge's official website or contact the office for the latest information on closures and safety advisories.
  • Remember to bring water, sunscreen, and insect repellent to enhance your visit.
  • Be mindful of the wildlife; observe from a distance and do not disturb their natural behaviors.
  • Stay on designated trails to protect the habitat and for your own safety.
  • Note that the refuge is open from sunrise to sunset, so plan your visit accordingly.

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