Camping question

[Sparzo]

Camping question

I'm taking my daughters 7 & 5 tent camping for a night to SFA SP. They've only camped in nice rvs thus far so it should be interesting. Think state parks are the way to go. They're pumped about it so I bet your grandkids will be too. Good luck.

[jmw]

I went on a deer management hunt on Stephen F Austin SP in Sealy this past January. I decided to "rough" it and slept in one of their screened shelters on an air mattress. Good thing I got one of those because it poured one night all night long. It had a picnic table, outlets, and a light inside as well. There was a water faucet and fire pit right outside. There's enough space outside that you could always set up a tent if you wanted to. I think it was $25 per night.

[Prodigy15]

I can't thank y'all enough for all the input with so many options..

[paigers01]

I used to love camping at Fairfield Lake State Park as a kid. It's a pretty area with a lot of wildlife.

[BigL]

Definitely do a trial run in the backyard first.

I would probably start with Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose. It's an easy "hike" to the dinosaur tracks in the river bed from the parking area. Plus you can do the Fossil Rim Wildlife center tour.

Or pick any of these parks in the DFW area.

http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/nearby/dfw

Other options to consider in the Austin area:
Inks Lake
Pedernales Falls
McKinney Falls

Or one that I grew up going to is Fairfield Lake State Park and isn't too far from Dallas area.

Others worth looking at:
Huntsville State Park
Livingston

On all the State Parks they have an events page. Check out the events and if possible arrange your stay with one the kids would enjoy. Sometimes you can find kids fishing or archery ones.

Another option is Jellystone in Burleson. The tent area is by their fishing pond and you can really hammer the perch using hotdogs! It's definitely not a primitive camping trip though but has a LOT to do with the kids. Could be a good first camping trip outside the backyard to ease them into it. We go there every summer with our travel trailer. I have kids who are 10 (11 next month), 6, 18m. Although it's best to go there in the summer when the waterpark is open but that means camping when it's hot outside. You'll most likely spend most of the day at the waterpark so it may not matter.

[30-30]

Eisenhower and Bob Sandlin are my favorite DFW area State Parks.

[Corn Sack]

Eisenhower will not leave you disappointed. About 75 miles north of you on lake texoma. And if you forget anything, I live next door and can hook you up.

[RascalArms]

When our boys were young we camped at Mineral Wells SP and Possum Kingdom SP quite a bit. Both should be within two hours of you - check them out online.

^^^this^^^
Also might check out Tyler State Park as well. They have both the screened in shelters and small cabins as well. Neat little park.

[smokeless]

Dinasour valley would be my first choice. Many of these parks book up fast, so don't wait too long to book.

[yaqui]

Dinasour valley would be my first choice. Many of these parks book up fast, so don't wait too long to book.

yup,

and the animal safari park is close by too. Close to bathrooms and food too.

[Prodigy15]

Eisenhower will not leave you disappointed. About 75 miles north of you on lake texoma. And if you forget anything, I live next door and can hook you up.

Corn Sack, thanks I appreciate that

[Lanceknny]

Dinasour valley in glen rose

[MONSTERKEN]

Hickory Creek is my vote. Its on Lake Lewisville/Dallas. Easy to get to, affordable, has water and electricity, and pretty clean toilets and showers. Nice little playground as well. young kiddos would love it. It was the first place we took our kiddos when we introduced them to camping. Its also on Army Corp of Engineer property so its secure, meaning gates are locked at night. Check it out.

[Texas Grown]

Can't believe nobody has said Cleburne State Park just west of Cleburne on Park Road 21. And just south of Ft. Worth. Lots of hike and bike trails. Fully stocked lake and no fishing license needed if your camping, being a state park. The kids won't need one anyway. Screened cabins, and tent sights available, some with power. Plenty of wildlife for 1st timers to explore. Used to have some paddle boats too.
Call the park and ask what all they have for youth.

http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/cleburne

[Humper]

Dinasour valley would be my first choice. Many of these parks book up fast, so don't wait too long to book.

This....

Then a drive through fossil rim wildlife park.