Vacation destinations

Texas RV resort makes list of 'bucket list' camping destinations in 2024

Oak Forest RV Resort is a "bucket list" destination, according to Campspot.

Photo courtesy of Oak Forest RV Resort

A Texas RV park has made a list of the best camping destinations of 2024, according to a new report by Campspot.

The online campsite finder ranked a "bucket list" of areas and campsites based on popularity for travelers to reinvigorate their sense of connection with nature.

Campspot suggests Texas travelers looking to camp should visit Oak Forest RV Resort, less than 10 miles east of downtown Austin. The resort provides accommodations for motorhomes, fifth-wheel RVs, and travel trailers. Fully furnished rental cabins are also available for vacationers or small groups who want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, but keep amenities such as an on-site playground, ping pong tables, bocce ball courts, dog parks, resort-style pool, and hot tub.

Austin ranked No. 18 on the list, out of the 24 U.S. locales. Denver came in at No. 1.

"Campers in Austin can enjoy the city’s live music scene, eclectic food options, and cultural attractions alongside its many outdoor attractions, including riverside sites along the Colorado River to the serene landscapes of McKinney Falls State Park," the report's author wrote. "With the opportunity for hiking, rock climbing, and water activities in the nearby lakes, camping in Austin provides a perfect balance between urban excitement and outdoor adventure in the heart of Texas."

Campers looking toward the Hill Country should set their sights on Hidden Falls Adventure Park in Marble Falls, or Lazy L&L Campground in New Braunfels, which were among Campspot's Best Campgrounds in America in 2023.

The top 10 best places to camp in 2024 are:

No. 1 – Denver, Colorado
No. 2 – Oxford, Florida
No. 3 – Yellowstone National Park
No. 4 – Great Smoky Mountains National Park
No. 5 – Orlando, Florida
No. 6 – Arches National Park
No. 7 – Tampa, Florida
No. 8 – Acadia National Park
No. 9 – St. Augustine, Florida
No. 10 – Phoenix, Arizona

The report can be found on campspot.com.

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End of the Road

Hill Country's Enchanted Rock opens expanded backcountry to hardcore hikers

Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Enchanted Rock Ranch is a new purchase that was added on to the state park in 2025.

Confident hikers have a new area of Enchanted Rock State Natural Area to explore in the Texas Hill Country. On July 7, the park opened the Backcountry Area, which invites visitors to stop by during the daytime for self-guided use.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department says additional amenities will be added later to accommodate visitors of all experience levels.

This marks the first phase of development for the newly expanded state park, which doubled in size thanks to a 3,073-acre acquisition in 2025.

Enchanted Rock, in Fredericksburg, is one of Texas' Centennial Parks, a group of parks purchased or expanded through the $1 billion Centennial Parks Conservation Fund that Texas voters approved in 2023. Each is on a timeline that guides how the public will use them; at 12 months, they should be ready for guided hikes, and in 18 months, visitors can "explore on their own," a webpage about the Centennial Parks explains.

“This first wave of development will be a good fit for true adventurers who want a more rugged experience than what they’ve been currently experiencing at Enchanted Rock,” said superintendent Doug Cochran in a press statement. “Future phases will see closer parking so people of other experience levels can enjoy the beauty of the Backcountry.”

For now, the only way to access the Backcountry is through park headquarters, followed by a roughly two-mile hike to the pedestrian gate. Visitors can find their way through new trail maps at the headquarters and online.

Because the park expansion is still early in its development, visitors should take extra precautions. Trails are "rugged," TPWD says, and there is not much shade. There are two water refill stations in the new area: one at the entrance and another toward the center of the property with a portable restroom.

TPWD further cautions that hikers bring their own water, salty snacks, sunscreen, long shirts, a buddy, and a cellphone. Having a hiking plan in advance enhances safety, especially if it includes heat safety precautions.

The Backcountry Area at Enchanted Rock will have different hours from the rest of the park. The Backcountry will be open from 8 am to 6 pm.

Texans plugged into park news have likely heard about several new park projects. In Central and South Texas, they include the newly purchased Silver Lake Ranch, Bear Creek State Park, and an area in Burnet and Lampasas Counties including Yancey Creek.

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