Thread: Tour of Texas this summer??

All those are great ways to see Texas

Idea 1 is Campermom's vacation somewhere on this site from last summer, Panhandle is HOT in July but they had fun. We did parts of that in April 2008 pictures somewhere in this forum

Idea 2 we did the Carlsbad, Davis Mountains trip from North Texas just a few years ago. Had a great time. We stayed at the KOA North of Carlsbad, no shade but we have an RV, there are posters on this site see Big Bend July 2008

that tent.

As to Arkansas, we did Lake Ouichita a few years back and loved it, here is some pictures, A scout troop in tents was near us by the lake.
Slideshow of pictures, photos, and videos, from webshots

It sounds like a road trip is coming up. I have also experienced the Guadelupe camping and one night was enough for me! You have to stop at Garner. The kids will have a blast. They are at the right age to truly enjoy the park. Old Garner is more noisy and a party atmosphere. But, it is where most of the fun is at ; river swimming, rope swings, peddle boats,hiking, kids roaming around and of course the dance at night. New Garner is less noisy and laid back. The river can be a good float or a float-walk, drag your tube event. The water is cold and relaxing. Once there, it may be hard to leave. Have fun and enjoy.

Palo Duro in July would be a little tough. Hot, dry, windy. Not much around Carlsbad for shady camping.
i would vote for Davis moutains for a couple days, a little cooler and you could day trip to Balmorea for a cool dip in the springs/pool. While at Davis you could do the observatory and the old Fort for contrast. I would then come back to Frio canyon. Slower pace on the river compared to Guadalupe and if Garner is full, a lot of other camping choices to pick from. Of course it will be hot there, but the Frio will still be cold. Not many places to take a dip/float/get cool around Palo Duro.
Just one persons opinion, yours may differ. I suspect you will have a good time either way.

Okay great advice everyone! I officially love this site. You guys rock.

From what i have read here I'm thinking the panhandle may not be the best choice for July. I have never been to the Frio and am always up for something new.

I'm gonna run this by my husband and see what he thinks - Davis Mountains (how many days are needed here?) and then the Frio (how many days here?). I do have ten days for this trip so I need to break it down. Oh and will I need reservations at all? Oh gosh so now I guess the questions is Old or New Garner. Really loud roudiness out night will get me pretty po'd. Do they inforce the quiet hours or no? If not then maybe I should choose New Garner. Does anyone have any choice sites at either Davis Mountains or Garner. Huh - I wonder if we can swing Carlsbad into this somehow too. I know we'd stay at the KOA north of town if we go there.

Yes you have given me great advice and things to think on. Thanks so much. Keep the advice coming please!

FYi you can easily swing up to Carlsbad from Davis Mountains SP and the KOA is a nice KOA. Two nights would cover your trip up with a swing by the Guadalupe Mountains National Park to check it out,and then a day of the caverns, and watching the bat flight that evening, that was really neat. Of course you may want to go further to Roswell and see the aliens

I will tell you the KOA is not right next to Carlsbad Caverns maybe 30 minutes or so. If I remember correctly.

Rest is hard to say try to be there (Davis Mountains) when the do Star parties,

McDonald Observatory

and visit during the day for uniquie view of sun spots.

I would say start thinking about reservations sooner rather than later, it can't hurt to have them once you know you are going.

Old garner or New garner it's just a matter of convience. If you don't mind driving then new garner is ok. The park rangers try to keep the noise down at night. Last year the rangers were walking the roads at night, checking things out. Old garner is mostly large families having a good time and normally respect each other at night. For site availability check out reserveamerica. Then call parks and wildlife for reservations.

Campermom you rock girl! I found your slideshows of your trips - man how fantastic!!! And what a big help they were. Now I know for sure I want to go to the Panhandle maybe just not in the dead of summer, but sometime.

Okay I think we figured it out. Maybe. We want to do Davis Mountains, Fort Davis, the observatory and swimming but not camping at Balmorhea. Also either a couple of days in Carlsbad to see the caverns and Sitting Bull Falls or Garner - that we haven't decided yet. We would love to do the ghost town but aren't planning to do Big Bend this time. Should I get a water/electric site at Davis Mountains so I can run a fan at night or is it cool in the mountains?

Now my next questions is..........do I need to make reservations? Do I need them in Davis Mountains State Park in July?? I know i need them if we go to Garner on the weekend, however if we go to Garner in the middle of the week and not the weekend will we need them??? Also if we do Carlsbad do I need any reservations for the cave tour?

Thank you all so much for helping us out planning our trip!

Garner books up months in advance.( in the summer, late May thru early August ) You can go to the TP&WD and check for availability.

I have camped Caprock in July and done the drive inn theatre, which is a really neat deal, very family, extremely polite rural kids from the area gather there. Its a great park. The dirt is very red. A fishing lake but no real swimming water.

Heading south Abilene is also a nice old park with a pool. Town of Buffalo Gap nearby is a nice place to spend a day knocking around, fun shops.

Heading south from there and worth seeing are South Llano at Junction and then a drive through of Lost Maples on the way to Garner. At Garner living in holes beneath the concrete on the bank of the frio just down from the screen shelters is a species of O. palmeri different from any other, possibly a yet to be described subspecies.

Balmorhea is simply a place everyone need to go swimming. Be sure to take mask/snorkel for everyone.

Ft Davis I have only been to for Thanksgivings. I prefer the scenic drive to town. The fort is not a state park so your park pass won't get you in there.
I don't think I have ever been to Ft Davis when there was not a burn ban and I like a camp fire as part of my camping, even in summer.

With the central and western parts of the state in severe drought, it may be that the streams and scenery will not be at their best this summer if we don't get rain.

Make sure you take your dipnets and send me the crawdad photos here Texas Crawdads - Home