Two charming Texas campsites – Galveston's Stella Mare RV Resort and Neches Bluff Overlook Campground in Davy Crockett National Forest – were just ranked among the best campgrounds in America in 2025.
Campground review platform The Dyrt combed through the most highly rated and favorably reviewed campgrounds across its website for the "2025 Best Places to Camp Regional Awards." Campgrounds were sorted into six regions: Central, Midwest, Mountain, Northeast, Pacific, and Southeast.
Stella Mare RV Resort ranked No. 6 on the The Dyrt's ranking of the best campgrounds in the Central region. The resort offers 195 different RV sites just steps away from the beach and is pet friendly, making it an ideal summer vacation destination for Houston-area families that don't want to travel too far from home. Campsite rates range between $39-$598 per night.
Other amenities provided by the resort include high-speed Wi-Fi, 30-50-amp service, two dog parks, barbecue grills, a heated outdoor pool, splash pad, hot tub, and a 3,000-square-foot observation deck. Stella Mare also hosts weekly events such as craft activities, bingo, and more.
In one review, a returning guest praised the resort's cleanliness and the attentive staff.
"We have visited Stella Mare every December for 4 years now. This last winter we stayed for 2 months and really enjoyed Galveston," the reviewer said. "The campground is well maintained. The staff is super friendly. They have events for all ages multiple times a week including kid and adult only crafts, candy bar bingo, wine night, s'mores, and golf cart parades for holidays."
Thrifty campers will enjoy staying at Neches Bluff Overlook Campground, which ranked as the No. 8 best campground in the Central Region. Neches Bluff Overlook is a free campground located in the Davy Crockett National Forest, which is about 150 miles north of Houston.
Neches Bluff is a primitive campground that only offers "minimal amenities," according to The Dyrt, which means campers will have to rely on their own preparedness if they want to spend several nights in the East Texas forest. The campground operates on a first-come, first-serve basis, and guests are welcome to pick their own site and "create [their] own adventure."
Neches Bluff Overlook is a very scenic place to pitch a tent and enjoy nature.fs.usda.gov/
One of the most stunning features of Neches Bluff is the panoramic views of the forest from the overlook, according to reviewer Rachel H.
“There was a creek nearby that we hiked up and down, even found what appeared to be a natural spring feeding the creek," wrote Rachel. "We used the creek as our water supply, and the water was delicious. Lots of cool rocks, and even found a couple snail shells. 10/10 would definitely go again and explore more. The overlook is so pretty, and honestly, this place gave us the perfect camping experience."
The top 10 best places to camp in the Central Region, according to The Dyrt, are:
- No. 1 – The Wall, South Dakota
- No. 2 – Scoria Pit, North Dakota
- No. 3 – Buffalo Gap, South Dakota
- No. 4 – Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Campground, North Dakota
- No. 5 – Big Pine Campground, South Dakota
- No. 6 – Stella Mare RV Resort, Texas
- No. 7 – Hackberry Hollow Campground - Indian Cave State Park, Nebraska
- No. 8 – Neches Bluff Overlook Campground - Davy Crockett National Forest, Texas
- No. 9 – Territory Route 66 RV Park and Campgrounds, Oklahoma
- No. 10 – Wilson State Park Campground, Kansas
Estella is the signature restaurant at Canyon Ranch Austin.Courtesy of Canyon Ranch Austin
