Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park is near the Rio Grande River and next to the Mexico and New Mexico borders. The park has several campgrounds that accommodate RV and tent campers. If you are looking for a less crowded national park experience, Big Bend is one of the least visited national parks in the lower 48 states, according to the National Park Service website. Campgrounds at Big Bend are in the Chisos Basin and the Rio Grande Village. Chisos Basin is primitive backcountry camping with pit toilets, fresh water taps and fire rings. RVs are accommodated at the Rio Grande Village with water and electric hookups. Pets are allowed in the campground but not on trails. Guests may hike, trek, rock-climb and boulder or raft the Rio Grande at Big Bend National Park.
Big Bend National Park
P.O. Box 129
Big Bend National Park, TX 79834
432-477-2251
nps.gov
South Padre Island KOA
Visitors can wake up in the morning and head out for swimming, surfing, sea kayaking or bird watching along the beaches of South Padre Island, possible when staying at the South Padre Island KOA. The KOA accepts tent campers and RV travelers. Pets are allowed if leashed. Discounted camping rates apply to members of Good Sam or AAA travel clubs. The campground has showers, bathrooms, barbecue grills, fire pits and picnic tables. Bird watching for migratory and native sea and shore birds is plentiful on South Padre Island. Sea turtles use part of the island's beaches to lay eggs during, making for frequent sightings.
South Padre Island KOA
1 Padre Blvd.
South Padre Island, TX 78597
956-761-5665
koa.com
Sam Houston National Forest
The Sam Houston National Forest is in east Texas and has three campgrounds for RV and tent campers. The Cagle, Double Lake and Stubblefield Recreation Areas in the forest offer flat and level sites with picnic tables and fire rings for tent campers. RV sites have water and 30-amp electric connections. Toilets and shower are available, along with fresh water for drinking and cooking. Pets are allowed if leashed. Trails for hiking and mountain biking are accessed from the campgrounds. Visitors may fish, canoe, kayak, swim and bird-watch within the national forest.
Sam Houston National Forest
415 S. First St.
Suite 110
Lufkin, TX 75901
936-639-8501
fs.fed.us
Article Written By Eric Cedric
A former Alaskan of 20 years, Eric Cedric now resides in California. He's published in "Outside" and "Backpacker" and has written a book on life in small-town Alaska, "North by Southeast." Cedric was a professional mountain guide and backcountry expedition leader for 18 years. He worked in Russia, Iceland, Greece, Turkey and Belize. Cedric attended Syracuse University and is a private pilot.
