Primitive camping around the Houston area? - Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation

PaulR · 09-12-2006, 04:01 PM

I'm wanting to take my son (almost 3) camping with me this fall. We did the backyard thing this Spring and he loved it. So I'm trying to plan a trip for the two of us, as well as possibly a friend and his son.

Personally, I'd prefer something way out of the beaten path, but with a young kid, I know it's not the best idea. But I just don't want to be out in an area that's little more than a trailer park set up for the weekend with hundreds of people within 500 yards from you, along with their generators, radios and all that.

I really enjoy Lost Maples...but think that may be a little far from home in case he doesn't like it in the middle of the night.

I used to go to Chain O' Lakes with my folks when I was younger, but it looks like they're phasing out tent camping for individuals.

I was looking at Brazos Bend State Park, but the only primitive sites they have are for horseback campers.

So any suggestions on a more out of the way place? I'd prefer it to have a pond or small lake where we could do a little bank fishing.

Ideally somewhere within about 2 hours of Houston...and I'm looking for woods, not the beach.

happybooker1 · 09-12-2006, 06:11 PM

If you're willing to pay a little more for a site, go to Brazos Bend and get a site with water &/or electric. You might need the electric, anyway. Take an extension cord & hook up a small fan, coffeepot, etc. Plenty of tent people camp at the partial hookup sites!

The sites should only be about $5 more and BB is a great first place to take kids. If you stay over Saturday night you can take him to the Observatory for the star party on the roof. It doesn't cost much.

Their nature building is pretty neat, lots of nice displays, and you will probably get to see an alligator around one of the ponds!

PaulR · 09-12-2006, 06:32 PM

Thanks for the recommendation...and while I have considered Brazos Bend, I really want something more primitive/secluded.

I don't want something with water or electricity...and would prefer to be as far from another human being (that I didn't come with) as possible.

Fans and coffee pots aren't even on my list of needs/wants.

Thanks again.

happybooker1 · 09-12-2006, 06:57 PM

OK, what about Sam Houston National Forest? Stubblefield Lake recreational area seems to be fairly primitive. But I've also never camped there.....

campermom · 09-12-2006, 08:32 PM

Lake Livingston, Bastrop, Palmetto, Buescher, Somerville, One of these should be nice. Once you find out how much he likes it, venture out to the hill country. Hill COuntry and Lost Maples have some nice hike to locations.

ploddinTod · 09-12-2006, 11:24 PM

Stubblefield Lake would be my recommendation also. First of all it's small so you won't be inundated with people. I've never camped there but have been there several times to access the Lone Star Trail, which has a trailhead at the campground.

Since I've never stayed there, I haven't done a thorough look at their facilities, which appear scant.....restrooms with hot showers, and that's about it. I've seen mostly tent campers there with maybe a pop-up camper or two.....they are not set-up for anything larger. I don't even think every site has a water spigot.........they're centrally located.

Another recommendation is Double Lake close to Cleveland. However, it's larger than Stubblefield.

It's good that you're starting your son out while he's young. If he takes to it, he'll be hooked for life.

copuswalker · 09-13-2006, 07:46 AM

One could wander out on the Lonestar trail a ways and be very primitive. Also the 4 c trail out of Weches or Ratcliff. Camp anywhere on the trail and walk as far as oyu want. The 4c trail has a shelter or a few pond side campsites and is always nice.
You can take a road and park near the pond site but have to find it....the rangers will help and i have heard even drop you off at most any point?

PaulR · 09-15-2006, 11:15 AM

Thanks for the suggestions. I think we're going to start out with Buescher State Park near Smithville for our first outing this fall...Smaller, small lake, water only campsites...which I think is key. I don't want to be around electrical hookups...not only out of general principle but out of a desire to not be in an area where those close by can easily plug in their televisions and radios.

So we'll start out with a light car camping trip and see how it goes from there. But I'd definitely like to get him (and his younger brother, who is almost 1) up to where we can tackle the places I really want to see...Palo Duro, Big Bend, Davis Mountains, etc.). But that's a long time off.

He's already taken a shine to fishing after one trip, and loved our backyard camping trip, so I think it's something he'll be enjoying for a long time.

copuswalker · 09-15-2006, 10:20 PM

That's a great start for the kids

Shannon · 09-16-2006, 10:06 AM

Oh, my... Justin and I will be posting stuff like this, one day! :-)

"How to pitch a tent with a 2-year-old..."

{grin}