top texas campgrounds

Houston-area campground stakes a claim on new list of America's best

Spring is here. Let's go camping.

The sunny spring weather has arrived in Texas. Houstonians looking for an outdoorsy spring vacation experience should put one of these seven Texas sites named among Campspot's Best Campgrounds in America on their itinerary.

Online private campground marketplace and booking website Campspot analyzed more than 50,000 data points across 15 different categories, including community reviews and family-friendly amenities, to determine the rankings.

The only Houston-area campground that earned an award in 2024 was Rayford Crossing RV Resort in Spring, about 30 miles north of Houston. Rayford Crossing scored No. 3 in the category for "Top Campgrounds for Long-Term Stays."

Campspot cites Rayford Crossing's top-tier location and its proximity to popular suburbs like The Woodlands and Conroe among its list of standout qualities.

"[Visitors] can enjoy a serene pool, fishing in the stocked pond, and nearby world-class dining and shopping at The Woodlands' Market Street, and offering daily, weekly, or extended stays with vacation rentals, spacious concrete sites, and full hookups," Campspot wrote.

The park also features luxurious amenities such as a resort-style pool and hot tub, a fitness center, a library, arcade, and much more.

Rates at Rayford Crossing begin at $67 per night, which makes it an attractive place for travelers looking for an affordable stay in the Houston region.

Award-winning campgrounds in the Hill Country
The No. 1 resort in the "Top Campgrounds New to Campspot in 2024" category is Summit Vacation & RV Resort in New Braunfels. The 75-acre resort is spread across the Guadalupe River, providing the ultimate riverside getaway for families. The complex also scored third place in the category for "Top Mid-Size Campgrounds."

Summit's New Braunfels neighbor, Camp Fifo Texas Hill Country, also earned two accolades in this year's awards: No. 2 in the category "Top Campgrounds for Digital Nomads," and No. 4 in the list of "Top Large Campgrounds."

"Camp Fimfo beckons families with a perfect blend of outdoor adventure and relaxation, featuring a swim-up bar, outdoor movies, water slides, and a host of amenities designed to create lasting memories for all ages," Campspot wrote.

Terraqueous RV Resort in Blanco, about 50 miles west of Austin, scored No. 2 in the category for "Top Campgrounds for Long-Term Stays." The resort was ranked highly thanks to its many opportunities for family-friendly activities, such as exploring Blanco's western Buggy Barn Museum, or the Exotic Resort Zoo in Johnson City.

The fourth and final Hill Country campground that came away with an award was Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort: Hill Country in Canyon Lake, located about 50 miles southwest of Austin. The camp scored No. 4 in the category for the "Top Campground for Waterparks."

"Enjoy amenities like the Water Zone, jumping pillow, and convenient access to the nearby Guadalupe River, Canyon Lake, and the historic district of Gruene, ensuring a memorable getaway for all ages," Campspot said.

Dallas-Fort Worth award-winning campgrounds
Two Dallas-Fort Worth campgrounds earned coveted spots on the list: The Vineyards Campground & Cabins in Grapevine, and Dallas Northeast Campground in Caddo Mills.

The Vineyards, which is located only 24 miles northwest from Dallas, scored No. 5 in the category for "Top Mid-Size Campgrounds." Campspot says The Vineyards is the best place for a "picturesque getaway" with its cozy cabins, a private beach, wineries, and more.

Over in Caddo Mills, which is about 40 miles northeast of Dallas, Dallas Northeast Campground won No. 3 in the "Top Campgrounds New to Campspot in 2024" ranking.

"Experience the best of both worlds at Dallas Northeast Campground, where scenic tranquility meets easy access to all the attractions of Dallas, offering 63 acres of serene landscapes, a 5-acre lake, and a range of amenities including a pool, community fire pit, outdoor grilling kitchen, catch [and] release fishing, and more, making it an amazing getaway for families and adventurers alike," Campspot wrote.

The full list of winners can be found on campspot.com.

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wave on wave

Exhibit on Jewish immigration to Texas lands at Galveston museum

Bryan Museum/Facebook

The Bryan Museum will open the new exhibit in November.

A new exhibit about the role Galveston played in bringing immigrants to Texas is set to open at the Bryan Museum. The exhibit will particularly highlight the wave of Jewish immigrants from Russia and Eastern Europe in the early 1900s as they fled increasing persecution and pogroms.

Port of Promise: Jewish Pioneers of Texas explores the history of the Galveston Plan, sometimes known as the Galveston Movement. Between 1907 and 1914, roughly 10,000 Jews left Russia after a series of bloody pogroms sparked by conspiracy theories that Jewish leaders had assassinated Tsar Alexander II. Developed with support from the Joan and Stanford Alexander South Texas Jewish Archives at Rice University, it shows how these immigrants spread through Texas as pioneers and entrepreneurs, building communities in America.

“The impact of The Galveston Plan cannot be overstated. These determined individuals overcame tremendous obstacles to becoming some of the most successful and philanthropic people in the history of Texas,” said Charles C. Foster, immigration attorney and historian.

Port of Promise opens November 7 and runs through January 21, 2027. Admittance is included with general tickets.

Though the exhibit is primarily focused on the Galveston Movement, the island's role as one of the largest immigration hubs in the United States during the 1800s is also explored. Known as the Ellis Island of the West, Galveston handled around 200,000 immigrants between 1845 and 1948. For much of this time period, there were no restrictions on immigration into the U.S., and people from Europe, Latin America, and South America were all processed through the Port of Galveston.

According to Foster, the wave of Jewish migration sparked anti-immigrant backlashes in the Northeastern United States, prompting Jewish community leaders to direct migrants to Texas.

“With anti-immigration policies and anti-native sentiments rising, Galveston was strategically chosen as a great alternative to the crowded cities of the Northeast,” said Foster. “It wasn’t just a port; it was a plan. A way to welcome Jewish immigrants into the heart of the country instead of concentrating them on the East Coast.”

With immigration a hot button topic in contemporary politics, the Bryan Museum felt it was important to celebrate how much previous waves have contributed to Texas.

"Texas has always been shaped by people who arrived seeking opportunity and the chance to build a better future," said Melissa Williams Murphy, Bryan Museum executive director. "This exhibition honors the extraordinary contributions of immigrants whose impact continues to be felt across our state while ensuring their stories are preserved for future generations."

In addition to the exhibit, the Bryan Museum will also host three special public programs throughout the run. These include a panel talk with Foster on the Galveston Plan; a presentation by Robert Sakowitz on his family's luxury stores in the state; and a lecture by Dr. Nancy Katz on Jewish Texas before and after the Galveston Plan. Tickets for these events are separate from admission and must be reserved in advance through the Bryan Museum website.

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