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The 11 Best Campgrounds Near Houston for Families

by Joe ColemanMar 29, 2022
The 11 Best Campgrounds Near Houston for Families

Contrary to what you may think, you don’t have to drive hours to find the best campgrounds near Houston. Families enjoying their time on the Gulf Coast will be happy to hear that there are plenty of great campsites within an hour of the city! Whether you’re a local looking for a retreat or a visitor planning a big trip to Texas, keep these 11 Campspots in mind.

1. St. Ives RV Resort

The main building at St. Ives RV Resort, a campground near Houston perfect for families.

If you want your campground to be more than just a place to stay, St. Ives is for you. With a significant number of on-site activities for the whole family to enjoy, St. Ives is a destination on its own. Nestled nicely between Houston and Galveston, you’ll have easy access to both cities and be about an hour from the Gulf itself.

Distance from Houston: 33 miles

Amenities: General store, showers, laundry, full hookups

Unique Features: Pool, hiking trails, dog park, horseshoes

Features for Kids: Mini golf, volleyball courts

Things to do Nearby: Resoft Park, Froberg Farm, Bayou Wildlife Zoo

2. Trinity Bay RV and Lodging

A body of water and sunset on the horizon at Trinity Bay RV and Lodging.

Trinity Bay is one of the most beautiful options for camping in the Houston area. The only thing that beats sunrise at Trinity Bay is its sunsets. If you want to relax without being entirely off the grid, you’ll find high-speed internet when you need it and outdoor relaxation when you’re ready to take a break.

Distance from Houston: 40 miles

Amenities: Full hookups, dump station, cable TV, fiber optic Wi-Fi, laundry

Unique Features: Pool, horseshoes, boat launch

Features for Kids: Paddleboats, playground, kayaking, fishing

Things to do Nearby: Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, Fort Anahuac Park

3. Danny’s RV Resort

A blue truck and row of campers parked at Danny's RV Resort, a campground near Houston, Texas.

Does the idea of driving into the city every day sound unappealing? Well, then stay near downtown Houston at Danny’s. Yes, you will be in Houston itself, but don’t let that deter you. Since you’re still in the city, you’ll be just a short drive from some of Houston’s popular spots! You’ll be within 15 minutes of great breweries (like Great Heights) or shopping opportunities at Northline Commons!

Distance from Houston: 0 miles

Amenities: Garbage, laundry, internet access, showers, full hookups

Unique Features: Dog park, dog wash, cable TV, firepits

Features for Kids: Clubhouse

Things to do Nearby: Discovery Green, Houston Police Museum, Toyota Center, Houston Escape Rooms

4. Towering Oaks RV Park

A camper parked in a lot under a red-purple sunset sky at Towering Oaks RV Park, a campground near Houston, Texas.

Want to get away but not entirely? Want to get mostly away? Towering Oaks in Montgomery, Texas, is your place. You’ll be far enough from Houston to feel secluded among the oak trees but near enough to The Woodlands that you won’t be too far from anything you could want or need.

Distance from Houston: 51 miles

Amenities: Full hookups, internet access, pavilion, laundry, cable TV

Unique Features: Dog park

Features for Kids: Fishing

Things to do Nearby: Fernland Historical Park, Texas Wolfdog Project, Jenkins Sunshine Farm

5. Rayford Crossing RV Resort

The pool at Rayford Crossing RV Resort, a campground near Houston.

Possibly the most luxurious choice on this list, Rayford Crossing has everything you could want (and some things you didn’t even realize you wanted). Located just minutes from all major amenities, this resort still feels secluded and relaxing. If you don’t want to hit the road to go fishing, Rayford Crossing has a stocked fishing pond on-site—perfect for first-timers and relaxation-seeking veterans alike.

Distance from Houston: 24 miles

Amenities: Full hookups, internet access, laundry, pavilion, general store, garbage, showers

Unique Features: Shuffleboard, dog park, hot tubs, cable TV

Features for Kids: Playground, pool, arts and crafts, arcade, fishing

Things to do Nearby: TGR Exotics Park, Texas TreeVentures, Jurassic Quest

6. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Waller

An aerial shot of the pond and campsites at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort: Waller, one of the  campgrounds near Houston.

The family favorite has a location near Houston as well. You’ll have all the activities that the kids (and you, for that matter) could want in one place! Don’t want to leave to have a relaxing day on the water? Float down the Lazy River that runs right by the park!

Distance from Houston: 41 miles

Amenities: Full hookups, garbage, general store, showers, internet access, laundry, dump station

Unique Features: Sauna, outdoor theater, cable TV, dog park

Features for Kids: Waterpark, volleyball courts, pool, playground, mini-golf, arcade, fishing

Things to do Nearby: Neal’s Berry Farm, Dewberry Farm

7. Traders Village Houston RV Park

A pool with light blue water surrounded by trees at Traders Village Houston RV Park, one of the many campgrounds near Houston.

If you’re a fan of function over fashion, you’ll love Traders Village. While you get everything you could want out of an RV park, the biggest plus here is location. Being in Houston itself (and near the popular Traders Village Flea Market) means later wakeup times and shorter drives to top attractions.

Distance from Houston: 0 miles

Amenities: Dump station, internet access, showers, laundry, full hookups, general store

Unique Features: Shuffleboard

Features for Kids: Pool, mini golf, clubhouse

Things to do Nearby: Track 21 Indoor GO Karting, Carol Fox Park, Mr. Pixel’s Classic Arcade

8. Grand Texas RV Resort

The stone entrance sign at Grand Texas RV Resort, a campground near Houston.

“Stay and Play” is a term often used to promote locations in Las Vegas, but Grand Texas RV Resort has its own take on that phrase. With lots of fun activities just minutes away from this relaxing resort, you won’t have to go far to appreciate what New Caney, Texas, has to offer.

Distance from Houston: 31 miles

Amenities: Internet Access, Showers, Laundry, full hookups

Unique Features: Hot tub, dog park, cable TV

Features for Kids: Clubhouse, playground, pool

Things to do Nearby: Big Rivers Waterpark, Lake Houston Wilderness Park, Speedsportz Racing Park

9. Fields of New Market Campground

A cream-colored glamping tent with two twin beds and a rug inside with trees in the background.

This campground offers seasonal camping stays with a renaissance flair. Travelers visiting the area in October and November are in for a treat as this spot is at the Texas Renaissance Festival! If you want an event and a campground in one, grab a comically large turkey leg and enjoy the bonfires, live music, and performances that the Texas Renaissance Festival offers annually.

Distance from Houston: 45 miles

Amenities: Dump station, general store, showers

Unique Features: Renaissance camping experience

Features for Kids: Renaissance Fair

Things to do Nearby: Texas Renaissance Fair, Iron Horse Guest Ranch, Lone Pint Brewery

10. Big State RV Park

A river with lush green grass on either side, with blue sky and clouds overhead.

Located roughly a half-hour from Downtown Houston as well as Galveston Island, you’ll love this spot whether you’re hitting the waves or shopping in the city. With a lovely waterfront view in the park itself, you can’t go wrong.

Distance from Houston: 36 miles

Amenities: Internet access, full hookups, laundry, showers

Unique Features: Waterfront, convenience store

Features for Kids: Clubhouse, fishing

Things to do Nearby: Highland Bayou Park, Moody Gardens, Schlitterbahn Galveston Island, Bayou Wildlife Zoo

11. Cullen RV Resort

An RV parked on a concrete slab with a picnic table at Cullen RV Resort, a campground near Houston.

Cullen RV resort is for you if you want quick access to the highway. If your goal is to get on the road early and easily, you’ll only need to drive three miles to head towards your destination. With just under 100 sites, you won’t feel like you’re in a massive resort, but you won’t lose out on necessities either.

Distance from Houston: 16 miles

Amenities: Dump station, full hookups, laundry, showers, internet access

Unique Features: Waterfront

Features for Kids: Clubhouse

Things to do Nearby: Shadow Creek Ranch Disc Golf, John Hargrove Wetlands, 288 Lake, Lunar Mini Golf

The Lone Star State has more than its share of campgrounds near Houston for the whole family. If your travels take you through the Houston area, you’ll have tons of options when looking for a place to rest your head. If you don’t see anything here that suits your interest, take a look at even more places to stay in the Houston area!

Joe Coleman is a freelance travel and outdoor writer based in East Texas. His love for the outdoors started when living near Olympic National Park and has stayed with him ever since. Taking a respite from social media, you can reach him exclusively at joecolemanfreelance@gmail.com.

Photo credit in order of appearance: Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort: Waller, St. Ives RV Resort, Trinity Bay RV and Lodging, Danny’s RV Resort, Towering Oaks RV Park, Rayford Crossing RV Resort, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort: Waller, Traders Village Houston RV Park, Grand Texas RV Resort, Fields of New Market Campground, Big State RV Park, Cullen RV Resort