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Camping

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by Bäumer, Oct 2, 2013.

  1. Bäumer

    Bäumer Contributing Member

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    Does anyone know of a good tent camping spot within about 3 hours from Houston? I want to get out of the city this weekend for a couple of nights and have a campfire and see some stars. I'll be taking my girlfriend so I was hoping for a place somewhat non-primitive (near a bathroom w/ showers), but preferably not too crowded. Any suggestions?
     
  2. Rocketman95

    Rocketman95 Hangout Boy

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    Stephen F. Austin State Park or Brazos Bend?
     
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  3. REEKO_HTOWN

    REEKO_HTOWN I'm Rich Biiiiaaatch!

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    Galveston island state park around now is nice. A little more than an hour from downtown and quite. Can walk the trails and kayak.
     
  4. Haymitch

    Haymitch Custom Title
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    Bastrop, Huntsville state park, Retreat at Artesian Lakes (formerly called Chain-O-Lakes).

    The last one has log cabins and you can get all sorts of crap in your package there. That's the only way my fiance will go camping: cabin, A/C, jacuzzi, horse drawn carriage to take you to breakfast, spa, etc.
     
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  5. rhadamanthus

    rhadamanthus Contributing Member

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    Huntsville has always been my preference.
     
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  6. Bäumer

    Bäumer Contributing Member

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    Great, that's like 45 minutes from me. It's not too crowded this time of year?
     
  7. JunkyardDwg

    JunkyardDwg Contributing Member

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    Hard to beat Lake Somerville. Far enough away from the city but still close enough to be an easy drive. Also got Lake Livingston amd Martin Dies.
     
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  8. Bäumer

    Bäumer Contributing Member

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    I have been to Somerville and loved it and go now, but they have a burn ban right now. What is Martin Dies like? a lot of gators?
     
  9. leroy

    leroy Contributing Member

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    Agree completely with Huntsville. Very nice park. Good luck getting anything more than a primitive spot (you'll still have water), though. Spring and fall camping fills up quickly.

    Palmetto State Park is nice. I don't know if Bastrop is 100% back online after the fires and floods it's had. Damaged a lot of the park. If so, it's a great park, too.
     
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  10. LonghornFan

    LonghornFan Contributing Member

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    Aren't all of the state parks closed due to the government shutdown?
     
  11. updawg

    updawg Member

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    National parks will be closed not state

    I'd check about burn bans ahead of time
     
  12. macalu

    macalu Contributing Member

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    national parks are closed. screws up my solo roadtrip to Big Bend and Grand Canyon next week if those bastards don't get back to working. :mad:
     
  13. rimrocker

    rimrocker Contributing Member

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    Not our choice.
     
  14. DFWRocket

    DFWRocket Member

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    a little farther away (4hrs) but also a State park and therefore NOT closed is Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. They have camping sites and great hiking.
    The view from the top of the Rock is very nice (its much bigger than it looks in the video)


    <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/E8WfZL1_Ck0?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
     
  15. macalu

    macalu Contributing Member

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    i was just speaking in general. are you a park ranger? :)
     
  16. Bäumer

    Bäumer Contributing Member

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    I just called to book at Huntsville and they were completely booked on Saturday. I booked a spot for just Friday night before it filled up ... a little disappointing
     
  17. updawg

    updawg Member

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    Go to tpwd's website and you can reserve places online
     
  18. Duncan McDonuts

    Duncan McDonuts Contributing Member

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    You want to see some stars? I'm surprised not enough people are touting Brazos Bend State Park outside of Sugar Land, which hosts the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences George Observatory with its 3 telescopes (although the big one has been down for repairs longer than a year). Every Saturday, the Observatory opens its telescopes for stargazing and has multiple guides to focus on stars and planets. Some people even bring their own telescopes and let others use them.

    I've been there twice and it's great. Unfortunately, the large 36" telescope is down and who knows when it'll get repaired, but generous donors have donated two smaller telescopes for public viewing.
     
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  19. Bäumer

    Bäumer Contributing Member

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    Has anyone camped at Sam Rayburn?

    Most parks are full for both nights, I never realized that these parks were this popular. I thought I would be fine booking a spot today.
     
  20. REEKO_HTOWN

    REEKO_HTOWN I'm Rich Biiiiaaatch!

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    All kinds of people camp from Boy Scout troops to traveling tourist and in Texas fall and Spring are peak seasons for it because of the cool weather.

    When you get used to it you'll start booking a month of two in advance. Invest in a Texas Parks membership.
     

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