Past trips
Past trip
in Mammoth Cave National Park, KentuckyFun place to explore and an easy location to check out the largest cave network in North America. Bring a jacket for the caves though.
Past trip
in Lake Catherine State Park, ArkansasBeautiful campground. Lots of teaching opportunities and amazing sunsets. It does get pretty windy on the tent camping peninsula so bring layers of the evenings and good firestarters.
Past trip
in City of Rocks State Park, New MexicoUsed to come with my parents and sisters. They would hang out by the RV and relax and we'd all go explore the rocks and do some low key bouldering. It never got old and they do have a telescope where they do evening star talks so be sure and check the calendar. The starts are amazing even without their assistance.
Past trip
in Zion National Park, UtahWe went in late January early February and, since most campgrounds are closed due to snow and ice you need to book a reservation well in advance. Bring plenty of firewood and a great camera for capturing the beautiful starscapes at night with the contrasting canyon walls. Most bathrooms are closed at this time too so be sure and go before you go to bed at night to prevent a late-night, cold walk to the restrooms. The scenery was amazing and we were by a partially frozen stream that would be babbling in the background.
Past trip
in Bryce Canyon National Park, UtahWe went in early February and it was nearly abandoned. Everything was covered in about 3 feet of snow so we had to dig out the camp table and fire pit with a piece of wood we found. It was cold but so peaceful. Be sure and dress and pack for the weather if tent camping and bring tons of firewood to stay toasty in the cold evenings and brisk mornings. The other 2 people in the entire campground chose to sleep in their cars so to each their own.
Past trip
in Sam Houston National Forest, TexasDid a backpacking trip through a strip of the Lone star Trail and this was our base camp. It was shaded but still hot in August and we were the only campers there both times we camped here. They have latrines but no formal restrooms. It's right by a lake so you can cool off and wash up there during your stay. The campsites had spickets so it was easy to get water for cooking. No covered shelters so be sure and bring a tarp or shade structure for added sun protection. Great trees for hammocking.
Past trip
in Mission Tejas State Park, TexasSo much culture at this site and great staff. We partook in a picture scavenger hunt with the kids I was with and they all got Texas Parks and Wildlife Department temporary tatoos and rubber bracelets. We were given an impromptu nature interpretive talk because the ranger liked that we were getting kids out and exploring (it was my job). The kids loved and the staff were Great! There are buildings on site to go into and look at with information about who built it and the history of the area.
Past trip
in Martin Dies, Jr. State Park, TexasIve only been in July on two separate occasions and the campground was basically abandoned. We had no one camping near us and had tons of amazing trees to keep us shaded. We went canoeing while there and there is easy access to a boat launch. It can get pretty warm so you can rinse off in the showers in the bathroom facilities that were always kept up with. Though right along Caddo Lake the waters are warm so they offer great relief from the hotter days. Opportunities to see deer, ratcoons, opposums, squirrels and owls. It was always a fun trip and has beautiful sunsets along the water.
Past trip
in Huntsville State Park, TexasEasy access to restrooms and along the water so you can go for a dip and relax or check out the Lonestar Trail and learn some history of the area. Well kept restrooms but a busy campground in summer.
Past trip
in Inks Lake State Park, TexasClose enough to hop over to Longhorn Caverns and take a tour or a nearby cave system but still head back for lunch or dinner. Hiking trails are available and, depending on the weather, the lake could be fun to take a dip in. It can get crowded as it isn't a large state park and doesn't have a ton of campsites so it's always important to call well in advance and see what's available.
Past trip
in Lost Maples State Natural Area, TexasBeautiful cluster of Maple trees in the middle of the Texas hill country. Great hikes during the fall to see the color changes but this is also the busiest time of year at the park so it may be crowded. Good facilities and friendly staff.
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Past trips
in Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
Fun place to explore and an easy location to check out the largest cave network in North America. Bring a jacket for the caves though.
in Lake Somerville State Park, Texas
Great time to see deer over Thankgiving Break and low park attendance makes it feel more secluded.
in Lake Catherine State Park, Arkansas
Beautiful campground. Lots of teaching opportunities and amazing sunsets. It does get pretty windy on the tent camping peninsula so bring layers of the evenings and good firestarters.
in City of Rocks State Park, New Mexico
Used to come with my parents and sisters. They would hang out by the RV and relax and we'd all go explore the rocks and do some low key bouldering. It never got old and they do have a telescope where they do evening star talks so be sure and check the calendar. The starts are amazing even without their assistance.
in Zion National Park, Utah
We went in late January early February and, since most campgrounds are closed due to snow and ice you need to book a reservation well in advance. Bring plenty of firewood and a great camera for capturing the beautiful starscapes at night with the contrasting canyon walls. Most bathrooms are closed at this time too so be sure and go before you go to bed at night to prevent a late-night, cold walk to the restrooms. The scenery was amazing and we were by a partially frozen stream that would be babbling in the background.
in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
We went in early February and it was nearly abandoned. Everything was covered in about 3 feet of snow so we had to dig out the camp table and fire pit with a piece of wood we found. It was cold but so peaceful. Be sure and dress and pack for the weather if tent camping and bring tons of firewood to stay toasty in the cold evenings and brisk mornings. The other 2 people in the entire campground chose to sleep in their cars so to each their own.
in Sam Houston National Forest, Texas
Did a backpacking trip through a strip of the Lone star Trail and this was our base camp. It was shaded but still hot in August and we were the only campers there both times we camped here. They have latrines but no formal restrooms. It's right by a lake so you can cool off and wash up there during your stay. The campsites had spickets so it was easy to get water for cooking. No covered shelters so be sure and bring a tarp or shade structure for added sun protection. Great trees for hammocking.
in Mission Tejas State Park, Texas
So much culture at this site and great staff. We partook in a picture scavenger hunt with the kids I was with and they all got Texas Parks and Wildlife Department temporary tatoos and rubber bracelets. We were given an impromptu nature interpretive talk because the ranger liked that we were getting kids out and exploring (it was my job). The kids loved and the staff were Great! There are buildings on site to go into and look at with information about who built it and the history of the area.
in Martin Dies, Jr. State Park, Texas
Ive only been in July on two separate occasions and the campground was basically abandoned. We had no one camping near us and had tons of amazing trees to keep us shaded. We went canoeing while there and there is easy access to a boat launch. It can get pretty warm so you can rinse off in the showers in the bathroom facilities that were always kept up with. Though right along Caddo Lake the waters are warm so they offer great relief from the hotter days. Opportunities to see deer, ratcoons, opposums, squirrels and owls. It was always a fun trip and has beautiful sunsets along the water.
in Huntsville State Park, Texas
Easy access to restrooms and along the water so you can go for a dip and relax or check out the Lonestar Trail and learn some history of the area. Well kept restrooms but a busy campground in summer.
in Inks Lake State Park, Texas
Close enough to hop over to Longhorn Caverns and take a tour or a nearby cave system but still head back for lunch or dinner. Hiking trails are available and, depending on the weather, the lake could be fun to take a dip in. It can get crowded as it isn't a large state park and doesn't have a ton of campsites so it's always important to call well in advance and see what's available.
in Lost Maples State Natural Area, Texas
Beautiful cluster of Maple trees in the middle of the Texas hill country. Great hikes during the fall to see the color changes but this is also the busiest time of year at the park so it may be crowded. Good facilities and friendly staff.