Best Tent Camping: Texas

Wendel Withrow is a native Texan who began treks into the woods at a young age. During his years at the University of Texas at Austin, where he received his BA in history with high honors, Wendel began his camping career and developed a wanderlust that has taken him to the most remote and beautiful parts of Texas. After receiving his law degree from the Texas Tech University School of Law, he continued to search out the lesser-known natural wonders and historic landmarks throughout Texas and the United States. In 1989 he stumbled on Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey, and his love for the outdoors was transformed into a crusade to try and save all things wild while any remained to be saved. Joining the Sierra Club, Wendel used his passion for photography and inspiration from Abbey to rise to the chair of the Lone Star Chapter and the Dallas group of the Sierra Club. Wendel continues to seek adventure in the outdoors and is currently planning educational field trips to help others experience the unique heritage and wilderness we all share as Texans. Most recently, the Memnosyne Institute named Wendel as the director of Green Source DFW, an all-digital environmental newspaper and community resource seeking to inspire and coordinate the ever-growing number of local green-minded groups and their dedicated supporters. Finally, just in case any hours remain in the week, he is the founder of ExplorersAcademyUSA.org, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing outdoor adventure and appreciation to all ages and groups previously denied the opportunities many of us take for granted. You can access photos and additional information and leave comments or ask questions at menasharidge.com/wendel or wendel@withrowlaw.com.

Texas Campground Locator Map



Map Legend



Acknowledgments



Preface



Best Campgrounds



Introduction



Big Bend Country and the Guadalupe Mountains




Abilene State Park


Balmorhea State Park


Big Bend National Park: Chisos Basin Campground


Big Bend National Park: Rio Grande Village and Cottonwood Campgrounds


Big Bend Ranch State Park


Davis Mountains State Park


Guadalupe Mountains National Park





Central Texas and the Hill Country




Bastrop and Buescher State Parks


Colorado Bend State Park


Enchanted Rock State Natural Area


Garner State Park


Guadalupe River State Park


Inks Lake State Park


Lake Buchanan: Canyon of the Eagles


Lake Whitney: Lofers Bend Park


Lake Whitney State Park


McKinney Falls State Park


Meridian State Park


Palmetto State Park


Pedernales Falls State Park





North Central Texas and the Lake Country




Dinosaur Valley State Park


Eisenhower State Park: Lake Texoma


Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway


Lyndon B. Johnson National Grasslands


Possum Kingdom State Park


Purtis Creek State Park


Ray Roberts Lake State Park: Isle du Bois Unit and Johnson Branch





South Texas and the Gulf Coast




Brazos Bend State Park


Choke Canyon State Park


Goose Island State Park


Mustang Island State Park


Padre Island National Seashore


Texana Park and Campground





The Texas Panhandle, High Plains, and Caprock Canyons




Caprock Canyons State Park & Trailway


Copper Breaks State Park


Lake Arrowhead State Park


Palo Duro Canyon State Park





Deep East Texas and the Big Thicket




Fairfield Lake State Park


Huntsville State Park


Martin Dies, Jr. State Park


Sam Rayburn Reservoir: Rayburn Park


Toledo Bend Reservoir: Indian Mounds Campground





Northeast Texas and Caddo Lake Area




Atlanta State Park


Bonham State Park


Caddo Lake State Park


Caddo National Grasslands


Cooper Lake State Park: South Sulphur Unit


Daingerfield State Park


Tyler State Park





Appendix A: Sources of Information



Appendix B: Camping Equipment Checklist



Appendix C: Top 10 Equipment Tips



Appendix D: Day Hiking in Texas



Index



About the Author