let's pitch a tent

2 scenic retreats near Houston declared best places to camp in U.S.

Laf Ranch in Medina, 2026 Hipcamp Awards, best places to camp in the U.S.

It's time for a camping trip.

Photo courtesy of Hipcamp

A dozen outdoorsy sites scattered throughout Texas' vast landscape have been crowned the best places to camp in the U.S. — and two of them are in Houston's backyard.

The 2026 Hipcamp Awards identified the places that Hipcamp users loved the most based on an analysis of bookings, ratings, and reviews across more than 500,000 campsites from August 2025 to August 2026. The featured campgrounds are "a celebration of the [h]osts who consistently offer some of the most incredible camping experiences in the world."

"There are thousands of incredible places to camp on Hipcamp, so being recognized in the Awards is a genuinely high bar," said Alyssa Ravasio, CEO and Founder of Hipcamp, in a release. "These are places that have earned exceptional feedback again and again, and we’re excited to give the Hosts behind them the recognition they deserve."

The two best places to camp outside Houston are all within a one or two-hour drive of the city, making it a fun weekend getaway that's just far enough to embrace the beautiful scenery.

One property that backs up to Sam Houston National Forest is the perfect destination for campers that want to immerse themselves in the Texas wilderness. Circle C CampGrounds in Montgomery boasts eight campsites that are scattered along the Lone Star Hiking Trail. Reviews praise the pet and kid-friendliness of the camp, as well as its scenic views.

"This spot is amazing and peaceful," one reviewer wrote. "My two dogs and I had the whole place to ourselves since we came on a weekday which was really nice since it’s fenced in and I didn’t have to worry about my dog[s]."

Hikers will similarly enjoy traversing 14 miles of trails at 5D Ranch in Navasota, located just 30 miles further west from Circle C CampGrounds and 70 miles from Houston. This ranch encompasses 400 acres of land with 24 secluded RV/tent sites for campers to pick from. The ranch also has two fishing ponds and four boats that guests are free to use during their stay. Property owner Julie also offers guests extra activities to make their stays even more special.

"We also can provide rentals of camping essentials, a S'mores package[,] and we offer a meet the ponies session that can be scheduled upon your arrival," the ranch's description says.

5D Ranch in Navasota, 2026 Hipcamp Awards, best places to camp in the U.S. You might spot a pony or two during your stay at 5D Ranch.Photo courtesy of Hipcamp

The best campgrounds elsewhere in Texas
Avid Houston campers might recognize one other winner on the list: Llama Land Ranch in Tool, a property just a short drive from Dallas where llamas and other wildlife roam free on 101 acres of land. Earlier this summer, the ranch was named one of America's 50 favorite camping spots, thanks to its affordability and its mix of tent-only, RV/tent, and RV-only campsites.

"From the moment we arrived, everything felt peaceful, welcoming, and thoughtfully set up," wrote one reviewer. "The campsite itself is beautiful, clean, and well-maintained, with just the right balance between comfort and nature. Waking up to the fresh air and scenic surroundings was incredibly relaxing. The highlight, of course, was the llamas — they were adorable, friendly, and added such a special touch to the entire stay."

Campers that recommend the ranch don't only rave about the llamas. Many reviews also praise the owner, Judy, whose family has owned the property for almost 40 years.

"Judy was a fantastic host — kind, responsive, and clearly passionate about what she’s created," the review continued. "She made sure we had everything we needed and offered helpful tips to make the most of our visit. If you’re looking for something different from a typical camping trip, this is the perfect spot."

The other award-winning best places to camp in the Lone Star State are:

Hill Country Nature Retreat, Blanco
Boulderdash Cabin & Camping, Bandera
Camping Near Hamilton Pool, Dripping Springs
The Ranch At Beulah, Elkhart
River Grove Campground, Gonzales
Laf Ranch, Medina
Colorado RiverBend Retreat, Smithville
The Best Dam Spot, Staples
Temple of the Bird, Terlingua

camping awards hipcamp travel vacation campgrounds

see historic natchez

New direct flight connects Houston with Southern tourist favorite

Photo by Mike Chapman

United has begun new non-stop flights to Natchez, MS.

United Airlines has announced the first direct flight to Natchez, Mississippi from George Bush Intercontinental Airport in three decades, offering quick trips to one of the fasted growing tourist destinations in the Magnolia State. The flights started July 1.

“With daily flights now operating, Natchez is more accessible than ever to visitors, and our residents have a convenient connection to destinations across the country and beyond,” said Lance Harris, executive director of Visit Natchez. “As we head into one of our busiest event seasons, we encourage travelers to take advantage of the new service and plan a fall trip to Natchez.”

Why Natchez?

While it might not be the first name that comes to mind when choosing a vacation spot, Natchez has been

growing in popularity. According to Visit Natchez, 2025 was a record year for tourism in the city, with hundreds of thousands of visitors.

Popular attractions include touring the many antebellum houses as well as historical cemeteries; the Forks of the Road slave market museum site, and the annual October Balloon Festival. The city boasts stunning river views along hiking trails as well as first class restaurants. For those who may have skipped Houston's rescheduled Pride Parade thanks to the August heat, Natchez also has a Y'all Means All Festival the weekend before Halloween.

The Flights

Daily flights out of Bush will be on a 50-passenger CRJ-200 aircraft with a flight time of just 45 minutes. Round-trip prices start at only $192, making it a fairly cheap and quick trip for a weekend getaway. Flights will land in the new Natchez-Adams County Airport passenger terminal, which streamlines the wait times for a more seamless visit.

Natchez has been investing heavily in tourism lately, making it one of the city's biggest industries. It received a $24.5 million grant in 2024 from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the promotion of sites related to African-American history. The grant is set to improve signage, lighting, and other aspects of the area between Devereaux Drive and St. Catherine Street through downtown Natchez to the sites overlooking the Mississippi River, dubbed the Forks to Freedom Corridor.

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