I'd like to buy a pop-up some day soon, but the wife insists we rent before. I've got a rental scheduled for the first weekend in October and now I need to find the best place to 'test' it out for a long weekend. I have reservations at Goliad state park so that might be our best choice. But I wanted to see if anyone had any other recommendations that are 2+ hours from Houston (not much more).
We're looking for a woodsy campground, somewhat private (so they won't see all our early mistakes ), but has a lot to do around the area. We aren't the types to sit on a log for 3 days and never leave the campsite. I figured Goliad would provide day trips to Rockport, etc.
I second Brazos Bend, also consider Bastrop, if you like Piney woods Livingston and Huntsville are ok too. Sure some Houston folks will chime in.
What kind of Pop up are you looking at? We had a Coleman Sea Pine for 7 years and enjoyed it. The bigest difference to a tent is if you want to relax its easier Sometimes inside is better because you can turn on the A/C) . Cooking is also easier, you still will need an ice chest and most normal camp gear.
Brazos Bend, Buescher,Bastrop,and a little further Gaudalupe near San Antonio.Have a great trip and lets us know how it went.Dw says Doublelake is a good place also.
Thanks all. We've spent time before at Brazos. We were really trying to get some distance between us and Houston. We've visited Double Lake before and it is very nice. We really want some place with lots of nearby day trips and things to do.
We're flexible on the kind of pop-up we'd eventually buy. Something light, with at least one queen bed. Not concerned about showers, and we'll make do with some form of a port-a-potti. Until we get past the rental stage to make sure we like it, my wife won't let me get too crazy (yet).
Don't know what size pup your looking for but even the 12 ft Saratoga by Fleetwood has a bathroom in it (which if you use it you will need to drain it) and two beds
the site also shows how to set one up if you never have. The door can be tricky.
Brazos is "away" from Houston but I understand. I guess it comes down to what one wants when they get away, we prefer a hike/walk a bike ride or a swim in the park when we are out. Others have Yaks or tubes, fishing poles or boats and other forms of fun. We like sites to see but don't often go out more than one day to see them.
Last edited by Troop198; September 6th, 2008 at 04:22 PM.
I would second the recommendation of Bastrop/Buescher as a possible choice. Wooded setting, trails, small lake. As a side bar it is short jump into Austin for a quick history/civic lesson if time allows.
I am a fan of Jayco trailers. We had a 10ft Jayco Jay series we used for years with two boys. Would still have it but we upgraded (?) to a Jayco hybrid. Do not worry about being out of site so folks can not see your mistakes. If you have never messed up erecting a tent, or took forever trying to back a trailer into a tight camping slot, well you probably have never been camping. I have never laughed at someone having problems, all part of learning. Have chuckled a time or two when a wife is giving the man grief because he is having problems, and obiviously not listening to her...
I also vote Bastrop. If your going the first weekend in October, go to Austin for the Expo. It's free and tons of stuff to do and see. It's right off Hwy 71 and 183 and open saturday and sunday.
I live in Magnolia (Behind the Woodlands) and have a Pop up. Love, love, LOVE IT!! Been camping 2+ years now with it & it's just Me and my son (11).
McKinney Falls SP near Austin (actually RIGHT outside Austin) -- about 2.5 hours from Houston. Go to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Expo the first weekend in October. Loads of fun. Go see the Congress Bridge bats come out.
Brazos Bend SP -- 1.5 hours away. George Observatory Star Party on Sat. night. Nature exhibits & walking the lakes to see alligators. Drive to Lake Jackson (40 min. away) & go to the Sea Rim Aquarium (free).
Bastrop/Buescher SP's. I've stayed @ Bastrop. 2 hours away. Easy to get to Austin from there also. Lots of woods.
Huntsville SP (1 hour) very close to Huntsville. Nicely wooded and has Lake Raven to go boating/fishing on.
Cagle Recreation Area (COE park). On the banks of Lake Conroe. Close to Conroe, Outlet Malls, and Huntsville.
Galveston Island SP. No trees -- just sand. 2 areas to stay: on the Gulf side (about 50 yards from the beach) and the Bay side (a little more vegetation). Lots to see/do in Galveston.
Well, it's our third morning and we'll be getting ready to pack up soon. We eventually stayed at Goliad State Park for three nights, arriving on a Friday. We arrived around 3pm and had our pick of the sites. Chose site 19 as it didn't have a neighbor on one side and was somewhat close to the bathhouse down the road. The sites are extremely well spaced out (not as much in the inner loop, but certainly the outer sites were).
EDIT: Forgot to mention, as I had read about previously, the trailer loop is VERY near the main drag that runs n/s through Goliad. Only a 2 lane road, but there is a bit of roadnoise. Not an issue if you have a TT or 5er. We ran the AC or fan during the night to drown out the noise. It wouldn't stop me from staying here again though, but it might bother others. The tent sites are further away from the road and shouldn't have as much of an issue I wouldn't think.
The park was nice, the restrooms were clean. It did draw a few more people on Sat night, but nothing too crowded. Everyone was very quiet. Park rangers were pleasant enough.
The popup experience was great for us and our 6 year old son. Everyone had a great time and no major mishaps. And excessive combing of the internet made sure that we had everything that we needed and I was able to put my 'book' knowledge to work setting up the thing.
We spent Saturday staying local around the park and Goliad. Sunday we took a drive down to Aransas Wildlife Preserve and then over to Rockport to bum around. The mosquitos were SEVERE at Aransas Preserve. They were carrying away small children if you weren't careful. We didn't spend too long there. Also swung through Goose Island State Park to look at it closely for a future stay. With the sketers as bad as they were along the coast, I couldn't imagine Goose Island would be fun right now. It would explain why there was almost no one in the wooded areas.
I'm sure another PUP trip will be in our future soon. The wife was already talking about when our next trip would be.
Thanks for everyone's suggestions and input. See you soon.
Mark
Last edited by QuestionMark; October 6th, 2008 at 07:18 AM.
Glad you enjoyed your outing. I am sure future trips will be happening as it gets in your blood. I definately know what you mean about the skeeters carrying off small children and pets! Went thru a weekend like that and is not a lot of fun.
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), but has a lot to do around the area. We aren't the types to sit on a log for 3 days and never leave the campsite. I figured Goliad would provide day trips to Rockport, etc.
To Camp or Not to Camp -Lets go Camping- Have Fun
