What are some options for camping near Houston?

For beach camping and bird watching, head south toward the Gulf of Mexico. Keep an eye out for alligators and diverse birdlife along the swamp trails of Brazos Bend State Park. Setting up camp in or near Galveston Island State Park gives you easy access to the city with its shopping, dining, beaches, and stellar sunsets. Head northeast from Houston along Highway 59 to find one of the city’s favorite gateways to the outdoors. The 4,500-acre Lake Houston Wilderness Park protects wooded parkland along the shores of the eponymous lake, with 20 miles of hiking and bike trails, including 13 miles of equestrian trails for horseback riding. Continue northeast to Big Thicket National Preserve, just north of Beaumont, for backcountry camping amid the longleaf pine forests. The Brazos River winds through the countryside West of Katy through hardwood trees and upland swamp. Go hiking and biking along the riverbanks at Stephen F. Austin State Park, where the campground includes both tent camping and full hookup RV sites. With camping sites throughout the area, you can pitch your tent in a pecan orchard, or park your campervan at a working cattle ranch or horse rescue farm. You can also explore different options for camping near Houston on Hipcamp.