It’s no secret that we’re big fans of Houston.
After all, we’re based here! But we also love our city because it’s got a ton of things going for it—one of which is Samir Becic. It’s been almost 4 years since HFR founder Samir Becic was named “Fitness Czar” for the City of Houston! What better way to celebrate the anniversary than with a series of healthy living recommendations for Houstonians?
Mayor Sylvester Turner proclaimed Samir with the official title on November 1st, 2018 following 16 years of Samir’s dedicated service (starting with Mayor Lee Brown in 2002) to make the city a healthier and fitter place to live. In honor of our founder and his tireless work to make the city a healthier place to live for the past 20 years (as a volunteer and 4 years as “Fitness Czar”), we’ve decided to share some of our favorite healthy Houston recommendations- to see all of our top picks, click here.
Best Camping Sites near Houston
There’s nothing quite like the quiet and peaceful nature of camping. But, just like our body’s health, our mental health is just as essential.
We love camping sites because they give us a chance to get our minds off stressful times in our lives and enjoy ourselves with family and friends.
As the fourth largest city in the US, Houston is known for its variety of activities and culture. HFR has curated a list of the top 10 camping sites in the Houston area for you to enjoy with your loved ones. We picked the camping site with the highest ratings and good places less than 2 hours from downtown Houston.
Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center
- 14140 Garrett Rd Houston, TX 77044
- This campsite is about 20 minutes away from downtown Houston.
- This park opens from 5am to 8pm Mon-Sun for certain activities.
- This place is perfect if you want to avoid spending money at a resort. The park is free and offers many activities for your family, such as fishing, hiking, paddling, and nature watching. It is a nearby oasis waiting for you to check it out!
Getaway Brazos Valley
- 17777 Deer Run Rd, Navasota, TX 77868
- The camping site is about 1 hour trip from downtown Houston and only a few minutes away from Lake Conroe.
- This place is a perfect spot to take your partner or friends and enjoy the woods in a modern cabin with all the necessary amenities. The best part is that you can book these in advance and they are well maintained so you can enjoy your time while visiting.
- This place is perfect if you prefer to avoid being in the woods alone. You have a neighbor nearby but have enough space in-between to give everyone some privacy.
Lake Houston Wilderness Park
- 25840 FM 1485, New Caney, TX 77357
- Opens from 7am-6pm Wed-Mon and closed Tuesdays for certain activities.
- This park is about 30 minutes from downtown Houston.
- Like many parks, this campsite offers you and your loved ones many opportunities to enjoy. This park is approximately 20 acres and is surrounded by woods. A perfect place for you to escape the loud and busy city and enjoy a peaceful time in nature.
The Retreat RV & Camping Resort
- 27514 Huffman Cleveland Rd, Huffman, TX 77336
- This caping sight is about 45 minutes from downtown Houston.
- Like the Getaway, this camping site can be booked in advance and have more options for the type of camping you want. Including luxury cottages, RV sites, glamping tents, covered wagons, and retro RVs. This is a perfect place to bring your whole family and enjoy this park’s beautiful scenery.
Lakeview RV Resort
- 11991 South Main Street, Houston, TX 77035
- This camping set is about 25 minutes from downtown Houston.
- The camping site is a more modern approach instead of the wilderness type of camping. All the amenities are included for people to use. But the environment feels more included in civilization than other camping sites on this list.
- If you want to enjoy a place with modern amenities such as a pool and jacuzzi, this place is excellent to get your mind off your busy life.
Outpost 203 – Camp & Glamp
- 11201 County Rd 203, Plantersville, TX 77363
- This camping site is about an hour away from downtown Houston.
- This beautiful site has fields and forest views for you to enjoy. In addition, it has many, many activity spaces for you to try including swimming, biking, boating, and fishing.
Westlake RV Resort
- 18602 Clay Rd, Houston, TX 77084
- This campsite is about 35 minutes from downtown Houston.
- Like the south lake, this camping site is more of a modern approach to camping in which you do not need to bring all of your camping gear to enjoy a peaceful time in nature. Like the South Lake Resort, this resort has many activities and camping homes for you to spend time with your family. One of the best features of these resorts is that wifi is still available, meaning you can still be connected to the outside world while enjoying time in nature.
Kelly Ponds Camping Ground
- Kellys Pond Rd, Montgomery, TX 77356
- This campsite is about 1 hour and 10 minutes from downtown Houston.
- This park is for you if you want to experiment with the wilderness and camping experience. This park offers eight campsites with picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern posts. The area is very primitive, with no potable water or electricity. Although primitive, it is an excellent escape from our comfortable world. It is a fun experience to have with the people you care about the most.
Galveston Island State Park
- 14901 FM3005, Galveston, TX 77554
- Opens from 7am-10pm Mon-Sun for certain activities
- This park is about an hour and 10 minutes from downtown Houston.
- Suppose you are looking for a place to camp slightly different from the woods. This park may be for you. Galveston Island is great for seeing the ocean and doing activities such as paddling, fishing, hiking, or biking. There are even lodges you can rent out, so you don’t have to bring your tent.
South Lake RV Resort
- 13701 Hycohen Rd, Houston, TX 77047
- The South Lake RV Resort is about 20 minutes away from downtown Houston.
- This camping site has all the amenities you would need. The managers are always on-site, meaning help is only a call away and a few minutes out. This resort offers an outdoor kitchen and fishing lakes to enjoy with your family. You can make reservations in advance!