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holiday headaches

A record 5.6 million Texans will travel for the 4th of July, AAA says

Amber Heckler
Jun 28, 2024 | 1:30 pm
southwest freeway loop 610

Expect busy freeways for the next two weekends.

Photo courtesy of TxDOT

Get ready to share the roads, Texas drivers: A new report by AAA Texas is predicting the highest travel volume on record during the 2024 Independence Day holiday week. An estimated 5.6 million Texans are expected to take a trip at some point during the nine-day period from Saturday, June 29 to Sunday, July 7.

The statewide projection is a 5.2 percent increase over last year's travel numbers, and an 8.3 percent hike from 2019, the report found. Driving has consistently been the most popular form of transportation during the holiday period - with 4.8 million people expected to travel by car in 2024 - followed by 555,000 estimated air travelers, and 242,000 taking public transportation.

It's enough to make Houstonians want to stay home and enjoy all the great local fireworks and events around town.

Summer break is the perfect time for a quick getaway to a family-friendly destination now that children are out of school, and there's no better place to be than Texas, which outshined the rest of the nation as the No. 1 state for for summer road trips in 2024. But don't forget to check your vehicle tires, battery, and fluid levels before embarking on that long road trip, as AAA Texas expects to rescue over 41,000 stranded Texas drivers during the holiday period.

The report says the top destinations in Texas are mostly located on the coast or near a body of water, like Galveston, Corpus Christi, or the San Antonio River Walk. But the beloved Texas Hill Country, plus major cities like Houston, Dallas, and Austin, weren't too far behind.

Nationally, AAA Texas predicts nearly 71 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles over Independence Day week in 2024. Though most Americans will be traveling domestically, AAA Texas vice president and general manager Galen Grillo says many people will also be heading out of the country for the occasion.

"We anticipate this July 4th week will be the busiest for this holiday ever," Grillo says in a release. "Travel is in high gear this summer with more people not only booking domestic trips, but AAA travel advisors are seeing more international and cruise bookings as many people are taking bucket list vacations."

For those who will be flying for Independence Day, make sure to arrive at the airport at least two hours for domestic flights, or three hours prior to an international flight. And try not to check a bag if it can be avoided, just in case there are any flight delays or cancelations.

travel traffic 4th of july holidays
news/travel

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lets go camping

Texas llama ranch roams onto America's 50 favorite camping spots

Amber Heckler
Jul 13, 2026 | 2:00 pm
Llama Land Ranch in Tool, Texas
Courtesy of Hipcamp
Camp where the llamas roam.

A family-owned, llama roaming ranch in North Texas was just declared one of America's 50 favorite camping spots in 2026.

The field guide was compiled by online marketplace Hipcamp following a review of campsite ratings from users, regional trends, cultural relevance, and a "spirited debate" of Hipcamp experts. Campgrounds were chosen from 35 different states and organized into seven regions: the Pacific Northwest; California and Hawaii; the Southwest; the Mountain West; the Great Plains and Midwest; the Northeast; and the Southeast.

Llama Land Ranch in Tool, Texas — about 3.5 hours from Houston — was one of nine total campgrounds featured in the Southwest region. The ranch is the perfect place for families to go on core memory-making excursions like meeting the free roaming llamas or watching out for other wildlife like wild boars. The ranch spans 101 acres, and a 50-foot deep creek also flows along the property lines for fishing and swimming.

"The llamas will come to greet you and so will many more things in this wonderful place," the ranch's listing says. "We are conveniently located in a secluded area, but just a short drive from many local conveniences."

The listing also specifies that the pastures are only mowed three times a year and some of the property is on rough terrain, so campers are welcome to bring their own machetes if they want to explore the area thoroughly.

There are 14 sites available for guests to set up camp, with a mix of tent-only, RV/tent, and RV-only sites. The ranch is also very affordable; sites can be booked for as little as $15 per night.

Many reviewers enjoy getting out into the country to reconnect with nature, and many also praise the ranch's owner, Judy, who says the ranch has been in her family since 1987.

"I went with a group of women for an overnight camp at the pond," one reviewer wrote. "It was so beautiful and a much needed break from city life. The host was wonderful and kind. She was also very accommodating to our group."

A second Dallas-Fort Worth-area campground tucked away in Texas' newest state park was also highlighted in the report. Warbler Ridge Campground, located in Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, was the only other Texas representative on the list.

The pet-friendly campground's listing doesn't offer many details, but it says there are 22 RV and tent campsites for visitors, as well as showers, toilets, potable water, and picnic tables. There are activities galore for visitors, including a 68-acre lake for swimming, fishing, and boating, and over 16 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department says campsites at Palo Pinto Mountains State Park start at $13 per night (plus a daily entrance fee) for hike-in primitive sites. Walk-in campsites with water are $15 per night and campsites with electricity are $30 per night.

camping travel vacations ranches campgrounds
news/travel
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