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    camping awards

    5 Texas parks win 2025 awards for best campgrounds in America

    Amber Heckler
    Mar 21, 2025 | 1:00 pm
    Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Fredericksburg

    Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Fredericksburg has a fun pool for children to swim.

    Photo courtesy of Campspot

    Camping season has begun in the Lone Star State, and five Texas parks have earned new recognition as must-visit destinations in the just-released 2025 Campspot Awards.

    Award-winning parks are chosen based on campground search platform Campspot's "comprehensive evaluation" to determine the best parks that offer the most memorable experiences.

    Though none of the parks are near the Houston area, three of the award-winning parks are located in the Hill Country, while the remaining two are based in North and West Texas.

    "The Campspot Awards aim to recognize those parks that are delivering outstanding guest experiences and embodying the spirit of modern camping," said Campspot CMO Erin Stender in a press release. "This year’s winners represent the variety and depth of camping in North America. From peaceful retreats where you can disconnect to adrenaline-pumping destinations perfect for families, we’re thrilled to showcase parks that are truly exceptional. Every campground on this list provides a unique experience for campers, and they’ve earned their place as the best in the business."

    Top Central Texas parks
    Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park
    in Fredericksburg, located about 227 miles west of Houston, topped the list as the No. 1 Top Campground in the U.S. for 2025. It also won an award as one of the top RV campgrounds.

    The resort is loaded with amenities to keep campers and families happy, such as an arcade, a dog park, GaGa Ball pit, mini-golf area, an outdoor theater, and so much more. The park is also near some of the Hill Country's iconic wineries.

    Campspot says Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park is one of the best family-friendly parks in the heart of Texas Wine Country.

    "Whether you are looking for a family vacation spot or a place to stay while visiting the area's beautiful wineries, they offer accommodations and amenities to fit your needs," the park's profile says. "Take a dip in the pool, relax at Blue Bonnet Hall, or grab friends for a game of mini-golf! Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort at Fredericksburg, Texas has something for everyone!"

    Hidden Valley RV Park in Von Ormy, a suburb of San Antonio, earned an award in the category for "Top Mid-Size Campgrounds."

    The park is located 300 miles southwest of Houston, with Campspot showing 76 available RV sites available for campers. The park has many amenities, including a general store, laundry facilities, showers, bathrooms, a pavilion, and more.

    According to its profile, Campspot says Hidden Valley feels like it's much farther away from San Antonio, tucked away in a "quiet country setting."

    "Park your RV for a night, week, or month and enjoy the art, culture, and history that San Antonio has to offer," the profile says. "Onsite, enjoy a private creek for fishing, walking trails, bird and wildlife viewing, planned events, and more."

    \u200bHidden Valley RV ParkHidden Valley RV Park in Von Ormy is one of the best mid-size campgrounds, according to the report. Hidden Valley RV Park/hiddenvalleyrvpark.com

    Reviews for the park praising its peaceful atmosphere, its bountiful fishing opportunities, and its overall cleanliness. One reviewer specifically appreciated the large dog park and friendly staff members.

    "The park is beautiful! Large , green spots — some by the creek. Conveniently located to get into downtown San Antonio. It was only about a 20 [minute] drive to everything we wanted to do. We had great WiFi up near the office. The dog park is enormous and full of toys for your furry friends. The staff was very nice and stayed late to make sure we got into our spot," the review said.

    The third Central Texas park to earn an award is Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park, Guadalupe River in Kerrville. This park is 266 miles west of Houston, and was named one of the top campgrounds for glamping.

    Other Texas parks
    Buffalo Springs Lake Campground in Lubbock, about 500 miles northwest of Houston, topped the list as the No. 1 quiet getaway in the country. Campspot calls Buffalo Springs an oasis "for all sports recreation and fun at the lake."

    "They offer RV and tent camping, as well as their Buffalo Bay Marina with lakeside rentals and two incredible beaches," the park's profiile says. "Whether you choose to enjoy the water by boat, jet ski, canoe, or kayak, they have you covered! Also onsite you will have access to ATV trails, nature trails, concerts, fishing and more!"

    Lake Bonham Recreation Area also won an award in the category for "Top Quiet Getaways in the USA." The park is located 315 miles north of Houston on 1,200 acres of land in Fannin County, which is just south of the Texas-Oklahoma border. The park has a volleyball court, lots of water access, a recreational pavilion, and more. It has 4.7 stars across 269 reviews.

    campingvacationsspring breakawards
    news/travel

    REVIVING THE ALAMO

    Texas landmark the Alamo reclaims historic cannon from private ownership

    Brandon Watson
    Jan 19, 2026 | 2:00 pm
    The Alamo
    Photo by Gower Brown/ Unsplash
    A 90-pound cannon used in the Battle of the Alamo is returning to its San Antonio home.

    It turns out the Alamo's original 1836 cannons are good for more than just defense — they also make a sturdy birdbath. After serving as a garden ornament for Samuel Maverick’s descendants, an authentic piece of San Antonio history is finally returning home to the revered mission.

    According to an Alamo announcement, the swivel cannon weighs 90 pounds and is approximately three feet long. The relic was originally found in 1852 when Maverick built a home near the northwest corner of the battle’s site.

    The lawyer and land baron was saved from death when he was urged by William Barret Travis to ride to the Texas Declaration of Independence convention in Washington-on-the-Brazos to send reinforcements. Returning to the Alamo’s grounds, he found a cache of cannons buried where the Hotel Gibbs sits today.

    From there, the cannon wound up at the Maverick family’s Sunshine Ranch on the Northwest Side, where it was eventually incorporated into the garden DIY project. In 1955, the cannon was removed from the ranch, and the current location remained a mystery until the Alamo received a call from a Maverick relative in Corpus Christi.

    Alamo cannon This Alamo artifact gives an idea of what the cannon will look like once restoration is complete.Photo courtesy of the Alamo.

    “The relative graciously donated the cannon to the Alamo,” wrote a rep from the mission. “Alamo Senior Researcher and Historian Kolby Lanham and Head Conservator Pam Jary Rosser drove down the very next day to take this piece of history home to the Alamo.”

    Although the artillery is mostly intact, it is missing its trunnions (the pivot-point protrusions on the sides of the barrel) and cascabel (the knob and neck assembly at the rear of historic muzzle-loading cannons). The parts were removed by the Mexican army to make the cannon inoperable.

    Once preservation is complete, this cannon and the Alamo Collection’s other battle cannons will make their way to the upcoming Visitor Center and Museum, where they will be joined by rocker Phil Collins' collection of Alamo artifacts. The Alamo is in the midst of a $550 million preservation project, which includes conserving the Alamo Church, Long Barrack, and the mission’s original footprint. The museum is on track to debut in late 2027.

    historymuseumsartifactstexas historythe alamo
    news/travel

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