You know Houston is a great place to start an RV trip. With almost 2.3 million people, the city has plenty of resources for you to stock up on food and supplies before you hit the road.
But there’s so much more to Texas than its biggest metropolis! I’ve been exploring this state for decades, and I’m always finding fresh gems hidden away in the rolling hills and canyons of our beautiful landscape.
That said, here are five of my favorite routes that’ll get you out of the big city and into some small-town fun:
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1. Holly Beach, Louisiana (8 hours)
Holly Beach is a great place to visit. You’ll find everything you love about the Louisiana coast, from beautiful beaches and fishing to eating your weight in crawfish.
The drive from Houston to Holly Beach will take about 8 hours, but it’s worth it for a day trip or weekend getaway.
If you want some alone time with nature, head out on one of their many nature trails along Bayou Lafourche or take a dip into one of their freshwater swimming holes.
If you want to catch up with friends or family instead (and who doesn’t?), there are plenty of places where you can enjoy music festivals, parades and other fun activities with other locals in town.
2. Lake Corpus Christi State Park (3 hours)
Lake Corpus Christi State Park is a great place to camp and go boating. In addition, there are hiking trails, camping sites, and bird-watching opportunities.
The best part of this park is that it has several different types of birds you can observe and other wildlife. So if you love being outdoors and seeing nature at its best, then this is the place for you.
3. Galveston Island State Park (1 hour)
Galveston Island State Park is a great place to camp, especially if you’ve got kids. The park is only an hour’s drive from Houston, and there are plenty of things to do: hiking trails, swimming in the surf or fishing in the Gulf of Mexico (check out our guide on how to fish at Galveston).
Plus, there’s a mile-long beach with lifeguards on duty. If you’re looking for more convenience than camping offers but don’t want to stay in your RV all day, consider renting one of their cabins or yurts.
4. Garner State Park (5 hours)
Garner State Park is located in Uvalde, Texas, about five hours from Houston. This park is perfect if you’re looking for a nice, quiet weekend getaway but don’t have time to go very far (or if your kids are already begging for an adventure).
It has over 1,000 campsites, complete with full hookups and cable TV! The park also has swimming pools, fishing areas, hiking trails, and even a petting zoo.
This park is open year-round so that you can visit any time of year—and thanks to the affordable rates ($30-$50 depending on the season), it won’t cost you much either! Plus, there are no entrance fees because Garner State Park is run by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.
5. Kickapoo Cavern State Park (4 hours)
This is the first state park on our list, and it’s also the closest to Houston. It’s about a four-hour drive from the city, so if you’re itching for a road trip but don’t have time away from work, this is your best bet.
The main attraction here is Kickapoo Caverns, which are limestone caverns with calcite formations (some of them are more than 600 million years old!).
There are hiking trails through the forest surrounding them and an observation deck where you can look down into one of their main chambers.
If you’re interested in getting closer to nature while exploring caves, I highly recommend Kickapoo Caverns State Park as a place to check out.
Conclusion
There are so many great destinations for RV camping near Houston! Whether you want to spend a weekend at the beach or an entire week exploring the Texas Hill Country, these five campgrounds are within easy driving distance of this bustling metropolis. The best part is that no matter where you go, there’s something interesting about it—and most importantly, fun for everyone in your family or group of friends. Happy travels!