big little getaway

New tiny cabin getaway offers big escape in wooded Brazos Valley

As Texans venture out for vacation during the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns are arising over the safety of hotels and even Airbnb locales. Now, a Brooklyn, New York-based company is offering Houstonians a socially distanced travel option with a chance to unplug.

Getaway, which offers a nationwide chain of tiny cabin resorts called Outposts, has unveiled its largest site to date. Nestled in Navasota, Texas — about an hour from Houston in the Brazos Valley— the new 142-acre Outpost boasts 34 two-person cabins featuring a queen bed, and 12 four-person cabins with queen bunks. Rents start at $99 per night.

The cabins are meant to be diminutive at some 200 square feet, but are meant to create a “mindful escape” within and in the wooded acreage. Techies take note: no WiFi is available at the Outpost and a lockboxes are available to store electronic devices. A few of the amenities include: a private bathroom, sink, two-burner stove, drinking water, and cooking tools.

So why choose a tiny cabin with no plug-in play over a lavish hotel? Getaway pitches the following reasons to go cozy:

Guests travel to Getaway is via car, not plane — all Outposts are located less than a two-hour drive from major cities.
Getaway cabins are naturally socially distant — they are secluded, private and located between 40 to 200 feet from other cabins.
There’s contact-free check-in and check-out and no communal spaces for guests to gather.
Outposts are operating at reduced capacity (50 percent) so there are less guests at an Outpost at any given time.
Getaway has intensified routine cleaning procedures to ensure cabins are more deeply disinfected.
Getaway is designed to encourage people to reflect quietly, and to themselves or with their immediate friends or family.

“Getaway was created with a sense of purposeful isolation in mind. Our cabins are located among the peace, solitude and tranquility of nature, providing a much-needed emotional and spiritual break during times like these,” said Jon Staff, CEO and founder of Getaway, in a statement. “Getaway is a viable option for those looking to spend a few days in nature, and we want to be a resource to people who need time away. We look forward to welcoming guests from the Houston area to our new Outpost.”

The Navasota site makes the 11th Getaway Outpost in the nation. The chain also has sites in Austin-San Antonio; Dallas; Boston; Cleveland; Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, New York, Portland, Oregon; and Washington, D.C.

Getaway cabins are 200 square feet on a wooded site.

Photo courtesy of Getaway

Getaway cabins are 200 square feet on a wooded site.

vacation

Exploring Texas

Texas' new, 4,871-acre state park is now open to the public

Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Palo Pinto Mountains State Park opens March 1.

Outdoor adventurers are able to hike, fish, camp, and explore Texas' first new state park in 25 years.

Open since March 1, Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, located at 100 Park Road 77 in Strawn, spans 4,871 acres of former ranchland between Abilene and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex (about five hours from Houston).

According to a release, the land was originally purchased by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) in 2011 and the park was expected to open three years ago, but construction delays impeded the opening. Funding for the park was provided by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF), the Texas Legislature, the Sporting Goods Sales Tax, the federal government, and $10 million was raised by TPWF through private donations.

The park offers more than 16 miles of trails for hikers, bikers, and horseback riding, and the park's website states 1.25 miles are ADA compliant, and all-terrain wheelchairs are available for some non-accessible trails. Campers and overnight guests also have three campsites to choose from, including RV sites, walk-in tent spots, and primitive camping areas.

Visitors are also welcome to swim, fish, and boat (note: motorboats are not allowed) in the 68-acre Tucker Lake using the park's accessible kayak/canoe launch, fishing pier, and fish cleaning station. Visitors don't need a license to fish at Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, and the park will loan fishing gear upon request.

Tucker Lake at Palo Pinto Mountains State Park Visitors are welcome to kayak and canoe at Tucker Lake, but motorboats are not allowed.Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Birding enthusiasts might spot golden-cheeked warblers during their visit, as the endangered species take residence in the park's oak and Ashe juniper trees in the spring and summer months. Many other migratory birds can be seen at the park throughout the year.

Palo Pinto Mountains State Park is anticipating high visitation in March with the spring season's temperate weather and Texas schools' spring breaks. TPWD strongly encourages visitors to reserve day passes in advance to avoid being turned away if the park has reached its capacity limit.

"This is a tremendous moment for Texas State Parks and the state of Texas," says Texas State Parks director Rodney Franklin in the release. "Opening Palo Pinto Mountains State Park represents the culmination of collaborative efforts that includes our Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation as well as private donors. I am proud of the dedication of our TPWD team but also the unwavering support of the Texas Legislature and the voters of Texas that have brought us to this moment. State park staff stand ready to welcome families far and wide to begin making memories at Texas’ newest state park."

Day passes are available up to one month in advance, are non-transferrable to another person or park, and are valid all-day until 10 pm unless the park closes earlier. Day passes can be reserved online or by calling TPWD's Customer Service Center during regular business hours at (512) 389-8900. Entrance fees are $7 daily for adults and children aged 13 and older, and admission is free for children 12-years-old and younger.

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