My wife and I have finally decided on where we are going for our next trip and it is going to be around the eastern side of Texas. We will be leaving central Mexico around Sept 22, go north via CD Victoria and cross into Texas with our fiver probably in Brownsville. We need to be in Lavon no later than Sept 29. After Sept 1 or 2 we have no dates or places that we really need to follow. Sorry Madhat and y'all, but will not see you for this trip.

This is where I need the advice of you Texan's. You know, the guys and gals that talk kinda funny. For this trip we will stay away from the coast, so do not need to go to Corpus (or any other large city) and can start out by following either 77 or 281. Want to stay away from 35, 37 and 45 and see the country from the less traveled roads. I am a off-the-beaten-track kind of guy. Can any of you recommend some nice state parks or RV parks to stay at? If possible we want to stay overnight next to water, such as lakes or rivers. Any particularly nice sites that we just "have" to see?

We can go up following an eastern route and come back via a more western route. Will make a stop of a day or two in Kerrville on the way back. (Rich, will you be around?) So what can you Texan's recommend as a nice route to see the great state of Texas, or at least a piece of it?

 

Stan,
There is a nice RV park located on Lake Livingston on the northeast side of the lake. I can not remember the name of it, but will come back once I find it and post. It is off of a 2 lane road that skirts the northeast side just out of the burg of Sebastapol. You can also go to Jacksonville area, old and quaint east Texas town. It is located near Caddo lake and is the epitome of small country towns. There are others that elude me right now, but I will get back with more, later.

Gary

 

I'm not much on the water deal Mexstan but I make that drive 4 or 5 times a year and have traveled several different ways and off the beaten paths

it's all beautiful IMHO

 

If you decide on the 281 route, once north of San Antionio 281 will take you through some nice pieces of the Texas hill country. Canyon Lake, Lake Buchanan, Lake Whitney, etc are all on or near to 281.

 

Garner State park is a lot of fun. and would be a nice drive in the hill country from Kerrville

 

Stop by Shinner TX and tour the brewery, very interesting and tasty too.

I might also add check out Fredericksburg TX and go through the museum of the pacific war .

 

I will be watching this thread. Going to Texas next year for 3-4 weeks, looking to start planning places to go.


Have a safe trip Stan.

 

That's ok, Stan. Maybe next year! Just have a safe trip.

 

The Texas Hill country is the favorite for me, Boerne, Bandera, Leakey, fredericksburg (If you havent seen Enchanted Rock, I would go for it). There is a really nice State Park, Lost Maples State Park near Vanderpool, and a few good KOAs in the region. garner State Park like mentioned is very nice but very busy. You could also look around New Braunfels and stay by the Guadalupe. You could also come around my area, lots of tourist attractions, antiques, rolling hills, plentiful roads. I'm in between Austin and Houston about 30 miles from Brenham and Blue Bell Ice cream. Many many possibilities.

 

Thanks guys for all the suggestions so far. Keep 'em coming. I agree, the Texas Hill country is very nice. Seen a bit of it already, but know that there is lots to still see.
Once we cross the border into Texas we would prefer not to drive for more than 6 hours a day with the fiver. Without the fiver, my wife is very good and can handle up to a 14 hour day driving. Need to find stops about a plus or minus 6 hour drive starting from around Harlingen to Lavon. On the way back we can drive as little as 2 or 3 hours if there are nice places to drop anchor for a day or two.
Still have a couple of weeks before I lock in the route and timing, so hope you Texans can do more bragging about your state and want to show it off to me.

 

Stan .... still learning the area myself, so wouldn't be much help to you in the way of picking scenic routes & campgrounds. But ... if you get up here around the Houston area and get into a bind for any reason ... I would be more than honored to come lend a hand.

I'll PM you my phone # in case you need it.

Cheers,
PISTOL

 

Not sure Stan i'm at a rig site now and probably wont be thru here till the end of the month. Not sure if i will get time to go home or not then. i run 59 or 77 when i am running up from the corpus to east tx.