• Home
  • popular
  • EVENTS
  • submit-new-event
  • CHARITY GUIDE
  • Children
  • Education
  • Health
  • Veterans
  • Social Services
  • Arts + Culture
  • Animals
  • LGBTQ
  • New Charity
  • TRENDING NEWS
  • News
  • City Life
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Home + Design
  • Travel
  • Real Estate
  • Restaurants + Bars
  • Arts
  • Society
  • Innovation
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • subscribe
  • about
  • series
  • Embracing Your Inner Cowboy
  • Green Living
  • Summer Fun
  • Real Estate Confidential
  • RX In the City
  • State of the Arts
  • Fall For Fashion
  • Cai's Odyssey
  • Comforts of Home
  • Good Eats
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2010
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2
  • Good Eats 2
  • HMNS Pirates
  • The Future of Houston
  • We Heart Hou 2
  • Music Inspires
  • True Grit
  • Hoops City
  • Green Living 2011
  • Cruizin for a Cure
  • Summer Fun 2011
  • Just Beat It
  • Real Estate 2011
  • Shelby on the Seine
  • Rx in the City 2011
  • Entrepreneur Video Series
  • Going Wild Zoo
  • State of the Arts 2011
  • Fall for Fashion 2011
  • Elaine Turner 2011
  • Comforts of Home 2011
  • King Tut
  • Chevy Girls
  • Good Eats 2011
  • Ready to Jingle
  • Houston at 175
  • The Love Month
  • Clifford on The Catwalk Htx
  • Let's Go Rodeo 2012
  • King's Harbor
  • FotoFest 2012
  • City Centre
  • Hidden Houston
  • Green Living 2012
  • Summer Fun 2012
  • Bookmark
  • 1987: The year that changed Houston
  • Best of Everything 2012
  • Real Estate 2012
  • Rx in the City 2012
  • Lost Pines Road Trip Houston
  • London Dreams
  • State of the Arts 2012
  • HTX Fall For Fashion 2012
  • HTX Good Eats 2012
  • HTX Contemporary Arts 2012
  • HCC 2012
  • Dine to Donate
  • Tasting Room
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2012
  • Charming Charlie
  • Asia Society
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2012
  • HTX Mistletoe on the go
  • HTX Sun and Ski
  • HTX Cars in Lifestyle
  • HTX New Beginnings
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013
  • Zadok Sparkle into Spring
  • HTX Let's Go Rodeo 2013
  • HCC Passion for Fashion
  • BCAF 2013
  • HTX Best of 2013
  • HTX City Centre 2013
  • HTX Real Estate 2013
  • HTX France 2013
  • Driving in Style
  • HTX Island Time
  • HTX Super Season 2013
  • HTX Music Scene 2013
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013 2
  • HTX Baker Institute
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2013
  • Mothers Day Gift Guide 2021 Houston
  • Staying Ahead of the Game
  • Wrangler Houston
  • First-time Homebuyers Guide Houston 2021
  • Visit Frisco Houston
  • promoted
  • eventdetail
  • Greystar Novel River Oaks
  • Thirdhome Go Houston
  • Dogfish Head Houston
  • LovBe Houston
  • Claire St Amant podcast Houston
  • The Listing Firm Houston
  • South Padre Houston
  • NextGen Real Estate Houston
  • Pioneer Houston
  • Collaborative for Children
  • Decorum
  • Bold Rock Cider
  • Nasher Houston
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2021
  • CityNorth
  • Urban Office
  • Villa Cotton
  • Luck Springs Houston
  • EightyTwo
  • Rectanglo.com
  • Silver Eagle Karbach
  • Mirador Group
  • Nirmanz
  • Bandera Houston
  • Milan Laser
  • Lafayette Travel
  • Highland Park Village Houston
  • Proximo Spirits
  • Douglas Elliman Harris Benson
  • Original ChopShop
  • Bordeaux Houston
  • Strike Marketing
  • Rice Village Gift Guide 2021
  • Downtown District
  • Broadstone Memorial Park
  • Gift Guide
  • Music Lane
  • Blue Circle Foods
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2022
  • True Rest
  • Lone Star Sports
  • Silver Eagle Hard Soda
  • Modelo recipes
  • Modelo Fighting Spirit
  • Athletic Brewing
  • Rodeo Houston
  • Silver Eagle Bud Light Next
  • Waco CVB
  • EnerGenie
  • HLSR Wine Committee
  • All Hands
  • El Paso
  • Houston First
  • Visit Lubbock Houston
  • JW Marriott San Antonio
  • Silver Eagle Tupps
  • Space Center Houston
  • Central Market Houston
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Travel Texas Houston
  • Alliantgroup
  • Golf Live
  • DC Partners
  • Under the Influencer
  • Blossom Hotel
  • San Marcos Houston
  • Photo Essay: Holiday Gift Guide 2009
  • We Heart Hou
  • Walker House
  • HTX Good Eats 2013
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2013
  • HTX Culture Motive
  • HTX Auto Awards
  • HTX Ski Magic
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2014
  • HTX Texas Traveler
  • HTX Cifford on the Catwalk 2014
  • HTX United Way 2014
  • HTX Up to Speed
  • HTX Rodeo 2014
  • HTX City Centre 2014
  • HTX Dos Equis
  • HTX Tastemakers 2014
  • HTX Reliant
  • HTX Houston Symphony
  • HTX Trailblazers
  • HTX_RealEstateConfidential_2014
  • HTX_IW_Marks_FashionSeries
  • HTX_Green_Street
  • Dating 101
  • HTX_Clifford_on_the_Catwalk_2014
  • FIVE CultureMap 5th Birthday Bash
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2014 TEST
  • HTX Texans
  • Bergner and Johnson
  • HTX Good Eats 2014
  • United Way 2014-15_Single Promoted Articles
  • Holiday Pop Up Shop Houston
  • Where to Eat Houston
  • Copious Row Single Promoted Articles
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2014
  • htx woodford reserve manhattans
  • Zadok Swiss Watches
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2015
  • HTX Charity Challenge 2015
  • United Way Helpline Promoted Article
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Fusion Academy Promoted Article
  • Clifford on the Catwalk Fall 2015
  • United Way Book Power Promoted Article
  • Jameson HTX
  • Primavera 2015
  • Promenade Place
  • Hotel Galvez
  • Tremont House
  • HTX Tastemakers 2015
  • HTX Digital Graffiti/Alys Beach
  • MD Anderson Breast Cancer Promoted Article
  • HTX RealEstateConfidential 2015
  • HTX Vargos on the Lake
  • Omni Hotel HTX
  • Undies for Everyone
  • Reliant Bright Ideas Houston
  • 2015 Houston Stylemaker
  • HTX Renewable You
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • HTX New York Fashion Week spring 2016
  • Kyrie Massage
  • Red Bull Flying Bach
  • Hotze Health and Wellness
  • ReadFest 2015
  • Alzheimer's Promoted Article
  • Formula 1 Giveaway
  • Professional Skin Treatments by NuMe Express

    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

    most read posts

    Michelin-recognized Houston sushi chef fires up 4-seat Japanese skewer spot

    New Mexican restaurant sizzles into Houston's 5 most popular stories

    7 off-beat Valentine’s Day date ideas for couples in Houston

    5-star Stay

    Tilman Fertitta's Houston hotel tops U.S. News & Forbes lists for 2026

    Amber Heckler
    Feb 11, 2026 | 1:15 pm
    Post Oak Hotel pool
    Photo courtesy of The Post Oak Hotel
    The Post Oak Hotel and its luxurious spa were crowned Texas' most elite hospitality property for 2026.

    Houston's grand Post Oak Hotel has climbed into the No. 1 spot in U.S. News and World Report's prestigious list of the best Texas hotels in 2026, and it was awarded a five-star rating for the sixth year in a row by Forbes Travel Guide.

    In addition to being named the best hotel in Texas, U.S. News ranked the Post Oak Hotel as the 15th best hotel in the U.S. for 2026.

    The publication's Best Hotels rankings annually examine over 31,000 hotels and resorts across more than 400 destinations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Europe to "help travelers find the hotel that suits their needs." Hotels are ranked based on industry awards, star ratings, and online guest reviews.

    The Post Oak Hotel last reigned as Texas' best hotel in 2023, but it slipped into No. 2 in U.S. News' 2024 and 2025 rankings.

    "Sleek decor, modern amenities and a standout concierge are just a few reasons why recent guests heap praise upon The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston," U.S. News wrote in the hotel's profile. "The property's 250 rooms and suites are outfitted in warm cocoa, gold and mahogany hues, featuring 50-inch smart TVs, marble bathrooms (also equipped with TVs, plus dual vanities, a tub and a separate shower), free Wi-Fi access and Nespresso coffee machines."

    In a press release, general manager Steven Chou expressed his gratitude to both U.S. News and Forbes for "continually recognizing" the hotel and its staff's commitment to providing "top-notch service" for guests.

    "2026 has only just begun and it’s already shaping up to be another banner year for The Post Oak Hotel," Chou said. "Receiving the news that the hotel is ranked number 15 in the U.S. this year was especially poignant and we look forward to continuing to show our guests why the hotel is among the best in the world."

    Other Houston hotels that made it among U.S. News' top 50 best hotels in Texas include:

    • No. 5 – Four Seasons Hotel Houston
    • No. 13 – JW Marriott Houston Downtown
    • No. 16 – The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa
    • No. 17 – The St. Regis Houston
    • No. 25 – Hilton Americas-Houston
    • No. 26 – Hotel Zaza Houston Museum District
    • No. 32 – Marriott Marquis Houston

    Houston hotels recognized in Forbes Travel Guide's 2026 Star Awards

    Forbes Travel Guide recognized 25 Texas properties in its 2026 Star Awards rankings, with six Houston hotels and spas earning either four- or five-star ratings.

    To determine the ratings, anonymous inspectors visit every hotel, restaurant, spa, and cruise ship in person, visiting as a typical guest for a minimum of two nights to review the quality and condition of each property and its overall guest experience. According to the rankings' methodology, inspectors pay their own way and no one can buy a rating.

    The Post Oak Hotel and its hotel spa were the only two Houston properties to be awarded five-star ratings for 2026 for the sixth year in a row. The property also maintained its elite status as Texas’ only double five-star rated hotel and spa, according to the release.

    The four other Houston properties that earned four-star ratings were the Four Seasons Hotel Houston, Hotel Granduca Houston, The Houstonian Club, Hotel & Spa, and the Houstonian's Trellis Spa.

    The St. Regis Houston, which was previously awarded a four-star rating in 2025, is undergoing a renovation and rebranding following a recent acquisition, making it absent from the 2026 rankings.

    hoteltravelhotel awardsforbes travel guideus news & world reportreportsrankings
    news/travel
    CULTUREMAP EMAILS ARE AWESOME
    Get Houston intel delivered daily.
    Loading...