Texas RV Travel blog

The day before we left Lake Conroe, we went out exploring the east side of the Sam Houston National Forest. We drove FM 150 east from New Waverly, almost to Coldspring. We turned right (south) on FM 2025 and made an immediate left on FS 210, entering Double Lake Recreation Area.

As soon as you enter, you you may explore either side of the lake.  On the east (left) side of the lake (as you enter), on FS210A, there is a loop of RV camping. On the right side of the loop (it is one way), sites #29, #32, #36 and #39 are pull through. On the left side, #31, #40-#44 are larger back-in sites. As you make the curve, #51 on right is fair sized back-in site and #55 and #60 are pull through sites. Before you leave the loop #65 is fair sized back-in site.

The reason I am being so detailed is that some of the sites with full hookups were not big enough for anything other than a popup or truck camper.   This was a lovely shaded camping area, with some sites overlooking the lake. Further down FS210A is group camping to the left and right. These sites are not suited for RVs.

Camping Site

Back around the other side of the lake on FS210, there are 23 camp sites without utilities on both sides of the road. There are decks and piers on the lake, and a hiking trail with bridges and a boardwalk that circles the lake. There is also an eight-mile mountain biking trail that I will write up in separate post.

Double Lake

If you hike on the biking trail, you are endangering yourself and the bike riders. From Double Lake RA, there is a five-mile hiking trail that will take you to the Big Creek Scenic Area.  The Lone Star Hiking Trail makes a short detour through the lower park area.

Double Lake Hiking Trail

Double Lake RA is stocked with bass, bream and catfish. There is one small boat ramp with parking. Only boats with electric motors are allowed on Double Lake. This 23-acre lake has a swimming beach. There is a wonderful CCC built lodge and pavillion that may be rented.  During the season, canoes and paddleboats can be rented at the concession stand at Double Lake which also has groceries, ice, and other items for sale.

This recreation area is a great spot for day use or camping. We will definitely camp in this spot in the future.

Posted by CyberCelt under Campground Reviews & Camping & Camping & Family Fun & Fish/Hunt & Hike/Bike/Run & Lakes & Nature & Wildlife Watching | 1 Comment »

Posted by CyberCelt under Beach & Birding & Camping & Family Fun & Fish/Hunt & Horseback Riding & Lakes & RV Travel & Rivers & Wildlife Watching | 1 Comment »

Sam Houston National Forest

While we were in Lake Conroe, we explored the Sam Houston National Forest, an incredibly lush, green pine forest. Loblolly pines have rough-textured bark that sticks out from the tree. Shortleaf pines have smoother bark, more like plates of bark. Loblolly pines have large cones and their leaves are groups of three twisted pine needles. The Shortleaf pines have smaller cones and straight pine needles usually found in groups of two. Loblolly pines are found in moist areas, while Shortleaf pines are more drought-resistant.

As you can see by the map below, the Sam Houston National Forest is in chunks and pieces, intermixed with private lands.

We set out to explore the forest by going west on FM 1097 and crossing Lake Conroe. On the west side of Lake Conroe, we turned right on Lake Mount Pleasant Road. This is a windy road that crosses farmland and forest, we stayed to the left whenever the road forked. This part of the byway was all mature pine trees, so we pulled over to listen to the sound the wind made through the trees.

The road ended in a T-intersection with FM 149, where we turned right (north). The road ran through Loblolly and Shortleaf pines. We came to a crossing of the Lone Star Hiking Trail.  This 128-mile trail is off limits to horses, bikes and ATVs.  It is possible to hike segments of the trail by leaving a car at a designated parking area or having a friend pick you up at the end of the hike.

Stubblefield Lake

We drove east (right) on  FR 237 to FM 1357 where we turned east (right) again.  We headed north (left) on FR 215 to Stubblefield Lake Road.  Stubblefield Lake is an oxbow lake separated from Lake Conroe by the wanderings of the West Fork of the San Jacinto River.  The trees around the lake were mature, mixed hardwoods and pine trees. This is not an RV campground, the sites are short and have tent pads. Some sites overlook the lake. The campground is convenient to hikers of the Lone Star Hiking Trail.

Posted by CyberCelt under Camping & Family Fun & Fish/Hunt & Hike/Bike/Run & Lakes & RV Travel & Road Trips | 2 Comments »

Texas Windfest

April 16-19

Portland Community Center, 2000  Billy G. Webb Drive, Portland, Texas

Saturday morning the annual Windfest Parade will wind through the heart of Portland with jugglers, floats, marching bands and, dancers. Live music fills the air from the entertainment pavilion. Clown shows, Wild West shoot outs and magic shows will entertain you.. Follow your nose to the annual Windfest cook-off to taste chili, ribs and beans. Sunday at noon registration for the annual Windfest Dachshund Dash costume and race contest opens.

Texas Sandfest

April 17-19

Port Aransas, Texas

Sandfest is the largest Master Sand Sculpting Competition in the US! This year, 28 Master Sculptors and 200 amateur sculptors will compete in five different competitions, spanning three days.  Over 100K attended last year.

International Boat Show

April 23-26

Corpus Christi Marina, Shoreline Blvd.,Corpus Christi, Texas

People’s Street T-Head is host to a large boat show and wakeboard and wakeskate event.

71st Annual Buc Days Festival

April 23-May 3

Corpus Christi Bayfront, Corpus Christi

Buc Days begins when the Pirate Queens sail into the Yacht Basin and kidnap the mayor. The mayor surrenders the city and the pirates raise their flag. Buc Days includes illuminated night parade, PRCA Pro rodeo, BBQ challenge, Folklorico competition, carnival, Music and Fire on the Bay, 5k Run, live music.

Posted by CyberCelt under Beach & Camping & Fairs/Festivals & Family Fun & Fish/Hunt & Music & Nature & RV Travel & Rodeos & Sports | 1 Comment »

. . . You should plan to see stunning documentary called Texas: The State of Flowing Water that will air on PBS stations throughout the state at 8 PM on February 12. The program will feature environmentalists, landowners, anglers, river enthusiasts and others who know and love Texas rivers and the rich coastal bays and estuaries.  See the beautiful natural water features and the fish and wildlife that they nurture.

From the Lone Star Chapter of Sierra Club:

Texas is blessed with an incredible bounty of water resources.  The preservation of those resources is not assured, however; their future depends on the efforts of all of us to protect our natural water heritage.  The Parks & Wildlife program will highlight some of the steps being taken now to insure that our rivers continue flowing.

Tune in to the program on the following PBS stations:

• KACV Amarillo
• KLRU Austin
• KAMU Bryan-College Station
• KEDT Corpus Christi
• KERA Dallas
• KCOS El Paso
• KMBH Harlingen
• KUHT Houston
• KNCT Killeen, Temple
• KTXT Lubbock
• KPBT Odessa-Midland
• KLRN San Antonio
• KWBU Waco

For more information about Texas water, visit the website of the Texas Living Waters Project (a joint project of the National Wildlife Federation, the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club, and Environmental Defense Fund) at:  http://www.texaswatermatters.org

Posted by CyberCelt under Beach & Birding & Education & Fish/Hunt & Kayak/canoe/tube & Nature & Rivers & Wildlife Watching | 2 Comments »

Four of the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) parks are offering discounted RV camping through the end of February. Winter discounts of 25 to 50 percent for prepaid weekly and monthly camp site rentals are available at participating parks (below).

• North Shore and South Shore parks, Lake Bastrop, (512) 498-1922. South Shore has 38 universal camp sites, and North Shore has 15.  Note: These parks are separate from the Bastrop State Park located in Bastrop.
• Matagorda Bay Nature Park, at the mouth of the Colorado River, (979) 863-7120. The 70-site RV area is open year-round with full utility hookups. Near beach and fishing pier.  Read post on this park on Texas RV Travel blog.
• Black Rock Park, Lake Buchanan, (512) 793-3138. Fifteen RV sites have beautiful lake views. Here is information on Black Rock Park on the LCRA website.
• Canyon of the Eagles Nature Park, Burnet County, 75 miles northwest of Austin, (512) 715-0290. The park has 25 RV sites. Read about this park on Texas RV Travel blog.

RV campers should take advantage of the less crowded parks now, especially on weekdays. While you are camping in January and February, be prepared for day time temperatures ranging from 45-85 degrees.  However, humidity should be low, and most likely the days will be mild and pleasant.

Winter means no mosquitoes or fire ants.  You will see more wildlife, such as deer, bobcats, squirrels, rabbits and armadillos. Migrating birds winter in Texas, so you will see some birds to add to your life list.

Posted by CyberCelt under Accommodations & Family Fun & Fish/Hunt & Hike/Bike/Run & Lakes & Nature & RV Parks & RV Travel & Rivers & Wildlife Watching | 4 Comments »

Comanche Warrior Triathlon

Comanche Trail Park in Big Spring Texas (432-264-2376)
Saturday, September 6, 2008

Packet Pickup: 430 PM to 830 PM on Friday and 530 AM on Race Day
Pre Race Meeting: 715 AM on Race Day

Triathlon: Begins at 8:00 AM

The Swim: 500 Meters in Comanche Trail Lake
The Ride: 30K of rolling terrain
The Run: 5K of level to rolling terrain inside Comanche Trail park

The park in which this is held is family friendly and includes a Kid Zone, golf course, tennis courts, hike and bike trail and a small camping area.

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RV Parks in Area:

Lake Colorado City State Park - We have stayed in this park and it is nice. Bring your fishing pole! The park has campsites with water hook-ups and campsites with water and electrical hook-ups. 50-amp electric service hook-up for RVs available for an additional fee. In addition, the park has 11 Limited Use Cabins (waterfront) with small refrigerator, microwave, sleep 4 people, A/C, heat, ceiling fan, shutters, picnic table on a covered porch, fire ring and grill.

Moss Lake - RV Park/Campground offers full hook-up (includes water, sewer, and electricity) and half hook-up (water and electricity). A dump station is also provided. Overnight camping by permit is allowed throughout the facility.

There are two privately owned RV parks in the area. Here are the reviews.

Posted by CyberCelt under Family Fun & Fish/Hunt & Golf & Hike/Bike/Run & Lakes & RV Parks & RV Travel & Sports & Wildlife Watching | 4 Comments »