McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge
60 mi northeast · Fish and Wildlife Service
The refuge supplies important feeding and resting habitat for migrating and wintering populations of waterfowl, as well as other wildlife.
Outdoors
Camping near Galveston
Campgrounds and camping areas near Galveston on federal land, with which ones take reservations on Recreation.gov.
18campgrounds and camping areas
60 mito the closest
October–Maybest months
Good to know: Popular campgrounds book up months ahead on Recreation.gov; first-come sites fill early on weekends and holidays.
Closest picks
Big Thicket National Preserve
84 mi north · National Park Service
Life of all types abounds in the Big Thicket. This national preserve protects the incredible diversity of life found where multiple habitats meet in southeast Texas.
Double Lake Recreation Area
87 mi north · USDA Forest Service
Double Lake Recreation Area was built in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and offers a little of everything, including camping, fishing, swimming, picnicking, hiking and simply relaxing in nature.
Map of all 18 places
Map of 18 places loads as you scroll.
30 to 75 miles (1)
McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge
The refuge supplies important feeding and resting habitat for migrating and wintering populations of waterfowl, as well as other wildlife.
- Beach
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
75 miles and farther (17)
Big Thicket National Preserve
Life of all types abounds in the Big Thicket. This national preserve protects the incredible diversity of life found where multiple habitats meet in southeast Texas.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Paddling
Double Lake Recreation Area
Double Lake Recreation Area was built in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and offers a little of everything, including camping, fishing, swimming, picnicking, hiking and simply relaxing in nature.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Mountain Biking
- Picnicking
Cagle Recreation Area
Cagle Recreation Area is a popular campground and day-use area that sits along the shoreline of Lake Conroe on the west fork of the San Jacinto River, just 1 hour north of Houston, Texas.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Water sports
Lake Texana
Lake Texana is formed by Palmetto Bend Dam which is feature of the Palmetto Bend Project . The lake provides over 11,000 acres of water surface and 125 miles of shoreline. Accessible from numerous roads.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Recreational Vehicles
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Bluffview Park
Bluffview Park is located on the southwest side of B.A. Steinhagen Lake, in Town Bluff, Texas. The lake provides a great getaway for fishing, boating, picnicking, camping and birding. Recreation B.A.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Wildlife viewing
Steinhagen Lake
Points of interest in this majestic "Big Thicket" region of Texas include four National Forests and an Indian Reservation.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
Sandy Creek
Sandy Creek Park is located on the southeast side of B.A. Steinhagen Lake between the towns of Woodville and Jasper in southeast Texas. The lake provides a great getaway for fishing, boating, picnicking, camping and birding.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
Magnolia Ridge
Magnolia Ridge Park is located on the northwest side of B.A. Steinhagen Lake, between the towns of Woodville and Jasper, Texas. The lake provides a great getaway for fishing, boating, picnicking, camping and birding. Recreation B.A.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
Boykin Springs Pavilion
Located on Boykin Springs Lake in Angelina National Forest, this recreation area offers a little of everything, including camping, hiking, fishing, picnicking and relaxing in nature.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Non-Motorized Boating
- Wildlife viewing
Lake Somerville Marina & Campground
This recreation area is part of Somerville Lake
- Boating
- Camping
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Picnicking
- Water sports
Somerville Lake
Nearby points of interest include Bluebonnet Trails, Independence Day Trek and Salt Grass Trek.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Picnicking
Yegua Creek
Yegua Creek is located at Somerville Lake near Somerville, Texas. The lake offers various types of recreation such as camping, fishing, boating, nature trails and much more for registered campers only.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
Rocky Creek (Somerville Lake)
Rocky Creek Park is located at Somerville Lake near Somerville, Texas. The lake offers various types of recreation such as camping, fishing, boating, swimming, nature trails and much more for registered campers only.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
Ebenezer Park
Ebenezer Park features some of the most beautiful horseback riding trails in southeast Texas. It's the only Army Corps of Engineers park on Sam Rayburn Reservoir with equestrian campsites, making it the go-to destination for horse-owners.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Swimming
- Water sports
Sam Rayburn Reservoir
A 114,000-acre lake in the Big Thicket country of Texas, with native flora including orchids, insect-eating plants and scores of animal species.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Picnicking
- Water sports
Twin Dikes
Twin Dikes Park is located on the waters of the Sam Rayburn Reservoir, in the Piney Woods of southeast Texas.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hunting
Rayburn
Rayburn Park lies on the north shore of Sam Rayburn Reservoir, a popular family destination with boating and fishing and access to hunting less than a mile away.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Galveston. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
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More outdoors near Galveston
Questions
Where is the closest place for camping near Galveston?
McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge (Fish and Wildlife Service), about 60 miles northeast of Galveston as the crow flies. Next are Big Thicket National Preserve (84 mi) and Double Lake Recreation Area (87 mi).
When is the best time for camping near Galveston?
Based on Galveston’s average highs, October–May. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Can I reserve a campsite near Galveston?
11 of the 18 places listed here take reservations on Recreation.gov; others are first come, first served.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, USDA Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.