Camping ideas for a week trip - Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation

04-09-2005, 10:02 PM

My wife and I are looking to vacation about a week with our dog in our van. Looking for BLM or free areas to park in natural areas near where best scenics for photographs and historic stuff near the best fishing spots, plus one night staying near the beach, maybe Padre Island. Will be taking our tent as well if we decide to tent camp.
Only looking for places within 200 miles around Austin (with the price of gas and all

You're suggestions are welcome.

Shannon · 04-09-2005, 10:35 PM

Which of your criteria is negotiable? Because if you're anticipating something that meets all your criterion, you drive a hard bargain... sort of like asking for beach front property in Arizona!

04-09-2005, 10:50 PM

Well the wife prefers the scenic spots, I prefer spots near historic areas soo guess the scenic spots win out. Would like to do some fishing. Since we won't be in any one spot the whole time we can just move if we don't like an area.
Just wanting to get some general ideas on to consider that would be within 200 mile radius of Austin.

copuswalker · 04-10-2005, 09:58 AM

You always have San Antonio??? Loaded with history! Definetly scenic around the river walk....and you can fish the riverwalk while the wife shops. I even think they have a grassy area for the tent..Now the dog could be a problem.....Hmmmmm

P.S. Just meeing with ya!!

04-10-2005, 10:30 AM

Thanks. The wife is not the shopping type and the dog could be a problem. Was thinking more remote where people aren't all around and can do some fishing, with a pioneer museum or anitique shops just down the road. We've been to San Antonio several times. May venture that way but keeping our options open to go to several places.

Shannon · 04-10-2005, 10:44 AM

You'll not find any BLM land within 200 miles of Austin. Most, if any, BLM land Texas has is in East Texas.

West Texas is your probably best bet for getting away from crowds, and civilization. Not much fishing to be had out there, though.

Free lands? Most city and even county parks that offer camping charge some type of fee -- if not a day use fee, then a camping fee. State Parks all charge day use and camping fees (if you have a Texas State Parks pass, that exempts you from day use fees, but not camping fees.)

Do some surfing for Fredericksburg and Bandera and see if either town catches your interest. Good mix of history, culture and nature opportunities. Fredericksburg sounds like it may be more up your alley than Bandera. Bandera's 118.32 miles from Austin and Fredericksburg's 77.80 miles. Padre Island which you mention -- not sure how you plan to get there, as Corpus Christi is 217.34 miles from Austin, and Padre Island National Seashore is south of Corpus Christi.

copuswalker · 04-11-2005, 06:56 AM

Lost Maples State Park may fit the bill if you hike in a mile and camp, Scenery ,solitude and fishing are there.

04-11-2005, 07:40 AM

All great suggestions. Thanks. Some of the areas we're focusing on now are Fredericksburg, Bandera, Hill Country State Natural Area, Dinosaur State Park, along the Guadalope River, and North Padre Island (I know, past the 200 mile limit). I'm sure we won't get to all places but can schedule for next time.
If we didn't have our dog with us we could get more adventuresome in hiking to our spot to camp or would stay at a b&b or cabin instead of in our tent or van. Any affordable (as in less than $40 a night) cabins near fishing spots that accept dogs (a retreiver)?

copuswalker · 04-11-2005, 01:06 PM

www.crockettresort.com

Down the road from where I live. Some of the cabins are at the $40 level. Crappie are running now as well as Bass. Your even in the 200 mile limit

SKOT FREE · 04-12-2005, 02:50 PM

The Devils River State Natural Area may fit your bill. Because of its isolation, (twenty mile flint road, 8 ply tires recomended) it is a great place to camp, hike, and the fishing is excelent. I was out there a month ago and streams were flowing high. Thus making a large part of area inaccessible to vehicles. This place is very remote, I only picked up 1 45 cal. shell casing, 1 lipton can, 1 camoflage patriotic automobile magnet. It was nice not to have to pack out more than I came with. Enchanted Rock is also nice but it is overused. IF YOU GO TO DEVILS RIVER MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE A SPARE TIRE!!!!!!!!! HAPPY TRAILS AND PLEASE LEAVE NO TRACE. SKOT

Shannon · 04-12-2005, 04:32 PM

I concur -- we actually took my Corolla (4 door sedan) through part of Devil's River, but were greatly limited in our scouting abilities due to not having a more rugged, higher clearance vehicle. Definitely left with the impression it was a place we needed to camp at someday...with Justin's 4x4 pickup, not my sedan, though!