I live in College Station and I am looking for recommendations for a place to tent camp with my kids. I am looking for a place that we wouldn't park right next to where we camp and also preferably near water, river or lake. Ideally this would be within two hours of College Station since we would go after school lets out on a Friday. Thanks!

check out 5D Ranch outside of Navasota on Hipcamp - 5D Ranch

Our favorite park to camp in close to BCS is Huntsville, but you will camp at your car.

here is a list of state park camping opportunities by camp site type. I assume you are looking for the walk-in or hike in spots.

So i would recommend checking out Bastrop, Brazos Bend, Buescher, Fort Boggy, Lake Somerville Trailway and maybe Colorado Bend

https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/park-information/facilities/campsites/campsites/#walk-in-tent-campsites

TPWD actually has a pretty good search engine on their reservations page. If you set it for primitive campsites, it should show you available parks with sites where you would need to hike at least a short distance to the camp sites. South Llano River SP has some that are a very short hike from the parking lot, but that would be well outside of your 2 hours from BCS.

Colorado Bend SP has some good, short hike in spots that are great with kids. Inks lake SP also has some good hike in spots.

If you want to stay closer to College Station, Nails Creek SP is a good spot. Some cool mountain bike trails if your kids are into it. But, it's traditional car camping.

Enchanted Rock is a bit out of your drive time window but they also have some sites that are couple easy miles in.....and everyone enjoys climbing around on the rocks at Enchanted Rock

Pedernales Falls

Double Lake Campground near Coldspring.

Also have Buescher/Bastrop state park has some that are like football field from the truck. Can go get a burger at Roadhouse after your done on Sunday.

Thanks for the suggestions! Great list to work from.

Buescher state park has a fishing lake, hiking trails, and has several spots that are short walk-in tent sites where you are a short walk from your vehicle. The sites are fairly well set off in the trees and brush so you don't see the cars or road from the campsites.

Sam Houston and Davy Crockett national forests are great spots to do what you want and are inside your window. Just not a great time with hunting season open.

AgDad121619 said:

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Sam Houston and Davy Crockett national forests are great spots to do what you want and are inside your window. Just not a great time with hunting season open.

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I've been wanting to camp in the Davy Crockett NF. Was thinking about making a trip this spring. Any suggestion on general areas?

apylant said:

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AgDad121619 said:

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Sam Houston and Davy Crockett national forests are great spots to do what you want and are inside your window. Just not a great time with hunting season open.

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I've been wanting to camp in the Davy Crockett NF. Was thinking about making a trip this spring. Any suggestion on general areas?

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Lake Ratcliff is great campsite and sits at one end of the 4C trail - 20 mile trail that you can hike/ camp along the way. It is a typical east Texas pine forest with hard wood bottoms along the trail. The lake is perfect for kayak/ canoe fishing and has (had) good fishing 15-20 years ago. We had a lot of scout trips in that campground back when my boys were that age.