Nearest Mountain Type Camping from DFW Area? - Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation

Cajun Camper · 09-05-2006, 11:30 AM

Hi, I am brand new to this forum. We live NE of Dallas in Commerce, TX and love to camp in the fall. Right now we tent camp, but may move to trailer camping one day soon.

Anyhow, what I am looking for is a place to camp with some type of water, river, lake, etc. What I really would like is some type of terrain with lots of hills, or bluffs. It's kind of hard to describe, I guess what I mean is that I want something different than the usual NE Texas terrain. Instead of lots of green, little hills and fauna, I would like rocks and boulders and streams.

Something like a "Colorado Rocky Mountain Stream" type camping, if exists such a thing. Maybe camping beside a flowing river, or canoeing besides towering bluffs. We have a 5 year-old son, and my wife really isn't into terribly long car rides. 4-5 hours would probably be a max distance for a weekend trip. I love NE Texas, we're just looking for a new view.

I am open to a radius: Tx, Ok, Ar, etc.

Any ideas?

Thanks!
Jamie

ploddinTod · 09-05-2006, 01:06 PM

Do a search for Arkansas State Parks. The drive is not too far from your area. Pick out those parks that meet your criteria.

The Ouachita Mountains are the closest to you that have some true elevation (2600 feet). The Albert Pike Rec Area close to Langely, AR is a very nice area and is right on the Little Missouri River. Hike up or downstream from the camping area to attain some solitude and then listen to the sounds of nature. It's very therapeutic.

A "Must Do" is the Talimena Scenic Drive from Talimena State Park in OK to Mena, AR. It follows the crest of the Ouachita Mtns with many pull-outs to view the scenery.

Cajun Camper · 09-05-2006, 02:05 PM

Many thanks! I was looking at Hot Springs, since that is the only place I can remember ever going in Ar.

I'l definitely check into the places you mentioned.

Thanks!

Motorman355 · 09-05-2006, 09:16 PM

What you need to do is to pick up this month’s issue (Sept.) of Backpacker. It has a great article about an overnight canoe trip on Arkansas’ Buffalo National River. I was driving through the area last summer and made a promise that I would come back for a river trip. There are also some campgrounds along the river. Check out http://www.nps.gov/buff for more info. Only thing, it’s about a six hour drive from Commerce.

ploddinTod · 09-05-2006, 11:55 PM

Motorman makes an excellent suggestion. I thought about the Buffalo River area and the Ozark National Forest also. Of course, it's a longer drive but if you could put a couple of days vacation with a weekend, it would be well worth it.

I think the scenery in this area is even better than the Ouachitas. Check out Steele Creek Campground right on the Buffalo with a spectacular bluffline right across the river. And if you make it the last week of October when the fall colors are at or near peak.........Oh, the joy!! :laugh:

Cajun Camper · 09-06-2006, 09:14 AM

These are all great ideas, thanks! I'll get the magazine and start looking at the places ya'll mentioned.

Jamie

dwalsdorf · 09-07-2006, 02:04 PM

Petit Jean SP in Arkansa is a great park...lots of hiking.

Cajun Camper · 09-07-2006, 02:31 PM

What a coincidence, I was looking at PJ this morning. I visited it briefly about 16 years ago and would like to go back.

I am starting to expand my radius, thinking a weekend may be too short and something like a holiday would be better.

Arkansas is still on the list, but something like Big Bend is also looking good. These links point to pictures of what I am looking for.

ploddinTod · 09-07-2006, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cajun Camper

Something like a "Colorado Rocky Mountain Stream" type camping, if exists such a thing.
Jamie

When you wrote this, I visualized tree-dotted lakes and streams similar to what one would find in AR except at much lower elevations. But I see that you actually like more arrid lands similar to Utah's canyon country. And with that in mind, Big Bend should suit your wishes just fine as it sits on the edge of the Dog Desert. There are lots of trees in the Chisos Basin, however.

Cajun Camper · 09-07-2006, 09:29 PM

Oh no mon ami, I want tall cliffs and bluffs and LOTS and LOTS of water. I just want to escape the mosquitos and low land for majestic scenes, clear nights and flowing rivers.

I like the mountains, for the change of scenery -- but give me water!

Cajun Camper · 09-08-2006, 05:31 PM

Inks Lake State Park is looking like a real good place. 4 hours from home and pretty!

AYYYYYEEEE!!!!

Now, to find a couple of kayaks to buy...

toejam · 09-12-2006, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cajun Camper

Something like a "Colorado Rocky Mountain Stream" type camping, if exists such a thing.

On a more mountainous note, there's New Mexico. The nearest forested mountains with flowing streams and big views is the White Mountain Wilderness outside of Ruidoso. Here are some of my pictures:

http://www.thebackpacker.com/picture...m/pdtkmxzm.php

I suck it up a couple of times a year and drive out to New Mexico or Colorado to escape the lowland bugs, heat and humidity.

Cajun Camper · 09-12-2006, 10:03 AM

Great pictures. Reminds me of September 2002 when I drove up to Colorado and a cousin there dragged me up Gray's Peak near Keystone. A 14'er he called it. All I knew was that there was no air, it was slippery and the wind really can kick up there.

But it was a blast.

Jamie