Brazos Bend State Park Family Camping
by Pat
(Houston, TX)
Brazos Bend State Park-Texas
One of our favorite family campsites was Brazos Bend State Park, only 30 miles from Houston on FM 762 near Needville, Texas.
This wonderful and affordable park is so close to our family, and so beautiful it is a real treasure. On the grounds is the George Observatory, a real bonus to the natural features of the park and far enough from the city lights to have good viewing.
The park is snuggled in the curves of the Brazos River and home to an incredible variety of wildlife from deer to alligators. The mild climate here makes it attractive year around, and with the live oaks, always mostly green year around.
The facilities are wonderful,from primitive campsites to screened shelters and a fully equipped dining hall, and there are ample, clean restrooms. Dumping for campers and RV's is also available at an additional fee. We usually opted for the campsites with electricity and water which are only $16 a night for up to eight people, although sometimes extras are allowed at $2 each. Park daily fees are $4 per person over 13, but many discount options exist.
Brazos Bend has over three miles along the river and is about 5000 acres with marshes, coastal prairie and wooded areas. There are many hiking trails and equestrian trails as well. Once a tribe of cannibals lived here, the Karankawas, and telling this made for nifty shivers around the campfire. Many historical events in Texas have ties to the Brazos so this is a teaching opportunity about history as well as nature.
We loved to just walk everywhere and enjoy the scenery and the animals. My younger daughter has a special gift with animals and could stand in a field and have deer come right up to her. Fortunately she never tried to attract the alligators! We also loved to bird watch and to find rare plants and wildflowers and to identify as many species as possible. It's a photographer's dream, and the kids had a ball with cheap cameras. Now with digital cameras it would be even better.
You can find information about Brazos Bend on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website, including schedules and fees for this and all state parks. There are formal tours offered at various fees but we always liked to set out on our own. The biggest drawback to this park is the mosquito issue, so don't forget the repellent unless you enjoy being eaten alive!
We camped many different places, as a family and with scouts and such, but this park was our absolute favorite family camping site.
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