Thing about Enchanted Rock and Lost Maples is they are primitive camping and hike-in camping only. If you're not hardcore, then those are probably not for you. Great spots to go hiking though that's for sure. Garner is great, but for a weekend is a little too far. Plus, it's best when the weather still allows you to go in the river. Pedernales might be my favorite park to go camping for a weekend trip. Not too far from Houston, has some nice trails, the river and climbing/hiking over the rock formations along the river is awesome. Bastrop would have been nice For a weekend trip though, you definitely can't go wrong with Lake Sommerville. I usually go to the Birch Creek Unit. It's got nice trails, nice camping spots (primitive, water, and water/electric), a lake (don't know the condition of it though). It's only an hour and a half from Houston.
To clarify, as there is alot of misinformation in this and other posts: Lost Maples does in fact have 30 drive-up campsites with electricity and water (though difficult to obtain at this time of year). I know, as I have a site reserved for this weekend (booked a few months back)...and I stayed at a drive-in tent site last year with picnic table, RV accessibility, fire ring, etc. located w/in park grounds. Regarding Enchanted Rock, it is a bit of a misnomer to say it only has walk-in camping. By definition it is true, but the walk-in water sites are only literally 25 to 100 yards from the parking lot (according to the TPWD site) and include all amenities including tent pads, picnic tables, fire rings, and water and restrooms with showers nearby. There are 46 such sites. Regarding Garner...it is only 33.5 miles from Vanderpool, the location of Lost Maples, so if Lost Maples isn't too far for you...neither should Garner. If you are already heading out to Lost Maples, or are having difficulty finding a site there or around Vanderpool, it makes sense to get a site at nearby Garner in Concan. It is a large park, with about 450 campsites...and for those that are new to camping or don't want to 'rough it,' they also offer cabins. The fall foliage though not equal to Lost Maples is still really incredible.
One further clarification: Again, in Bastrop...while Bastrop State Park was hit very hard by the recent fires, Buescher State Park (literally sharing a boundary line with Bastop SP) sustained minimal damage and can be enjoyed the same now as it had been prior to the fires. Do note, while the Piney Woods offer a great locale to spend the weekend, I'd recommend the Hill Country area (specifically Lost Maples and Garner) during the fall. The foliage changes in this area have been written about nationally. Meanwhile, the Piney Woods do remain mostly green and do not undergo much change (assuming this is a draw for you and family).
There is Crystal Lake that is not far from the others mention. To me it's probably the best. Very nice area with awesome trails all around the lake. Really quiet and not that many people around.
i would absolutely recommend pedernales in november (or anytime of year). in fact, if you are car camping pedernales is the first place i would suggest. highly underrated spot, especially considering its only 30 minutes outside austin. like i said, there is plenty of hiking out there to fill up a weekend. there is car camping at both of those places - but this time of year its going to be booked up on weekends.
Call Inks Lake State Park: 512/793-2223 Ask about the cabins, they're small and basic but great in cold weather, the primitive/drive up (w/in 100 yards) camping around Devil's Water Hole is solid. Canoe/kayak rentals available, it's the prettiest lake up here; the fishing is great right now and if the day's sunny swimming/cliff jumping is always there. There is a burn ban, so no fires, but I do think you can use a gas and maybe a charcoal grill. Longhorn Cavern is right down the road, it's a great way to kill a few hours when it's hot/cold. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/inks/
