Campgrounds near Alto, Texas

camping fire in the forest image by Galina Barskaya from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>

Alto is a small town southeast of Dallas, located near three large national forest areas: Sabine, Angelina and Davy Crockett. Davy Crockett National Forest is 8 miles immediately south of town and contains many wilderness areas, scenic overlooks and dispersed camping opportunities. The campgrounds serving the area are all located on or near park land and provide numerous possible outdoor activities.

Rusk KOA

Rusk KOA, 10 miles north of Alto, supports RV, tent and trailer camping. The RV sites have 50-amp electric, and long pull-through sites accommodate big rigs. The park offers free wireless Internet service and LP gas and firewood for sale. Guests can swim at the saltwater pool, rent a bicycle to explore the area and hone their disk golf skills. The park is midway between water sports and boating on the massive Lake Palestine and wilderness hikes at Davy Crockett National Forest. Four C National Recreation Trail at Davy Crockett offers 20 miles of enjoyment for hikers only. No horses or bikes are allowed.

Rusk KOA
745 FM 343 East
Rusk, TX 75785
(903) 683-6641
ruskkoa.com

Rusk Depot Campgrounds

Located 13 miles north of Alto, Rusk Depot Campgrounds includes 71 sites for group, tent or RV camping. Full hookups and a dump station are supplied for RV travelers, and all campers are welcome to use the showers and restrooms. A camp store sells convenience items, firewood and ice. Visitors can ride the Texas State Railroad from the depot or enjoy the Texas State Railroad State Historic Park grounds. The park has a 15-acre lake and a short nature trail. Outdoor games, tennis courts and areas for basketball and volleyball are provided.

Rusk Depot Campgrounds
Texas State Railroad
U.S. 84
Rusk, TX 75785
(888) 987-2461
texasstaterr.com

Mission Tejas State Park

At Mission Tejas State Park, 13 miles southwest of Alto, sites are available with full or partial hookups. The park offers a dump station, shower and restroom facilities, and a park store is located near the entrance. Visitors can wander 3.5 miles of hiking trails that cross over the majority of the park grounds and wind around the 1-acre pond. Mission Tejas abuts Davy Crockett National Forest land, providing campers greater options for nature trails and outdoor recreation. Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area within the national forest offers additional hiking trails, swimming, camping and multiple piers serving Ratcliff Lake.

Mission Tejas State Park
120 State Park Road 44
Grapeland, TX 75844
(936) 687-2394
tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/mission_tejas

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Article Written By Alice Moon

Alice Moon is a freelance writer with more than 10 years of experience. She was chosen as a Smithsonian Institute intern, working for the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and has traveled throughout Asia. Moon holds a Bachelor of Science in political science from Ball State University.

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