6 Best Places to Drive Your RV Near Houston

Spontaneity is the spice of life. But once you've decided to get away from the groceries and back lawn, choosing your destination for fresh air may be just as time-consuming. Texas is perfect for road trips, and having the city of Houston as a starting point offers numerous choices from scenic forested areas to large lakes perfect for weekend getaways. Hop in your RV and get ready to make a stop at one of these best RV parks near Houston.

Galveston Island KOA Holiday

There are two routes to the Galveston Island KOA Holiday. The most direct route is 68 miles from downtown Houston along I 45 south over the Galveston Island causeway bridge onto the island and then south on Seawall Boulevard to Taramar Beach and your destination. The second option is 83 miles via 288 South Freeway through Lake Jackson, Freeport, and Surfside Beach. From there, take Bluewater Highway and San Luis Pass Road onto Galveston Island and north to the campground. While the second route is longer, about an hour and a half driving time, it is more scenic and may avoid the inevitable traffic of IH-45 South.

The Galveston Island KOA Holiday is uniquely situated to explore the numerous Wildlife Refuge areas up and down the mid-Texas coast. The campground's amenities include catch-and-release fishing, pickleball, a general store, a pavilion with local musicians, and beer tastings. Campers can also visit Galveston Island State Park and double up on the best places to camp near Houston.

Public beach access is across the street. For a full day of activity, try a short drive into the city of Galveston to sample a hot bowl of gumbo or grab a pint. You can find trendy one-of-a-kind shops on the Strand, visit tall ships at Pier 21, or a water park at Moody Gardens.

On The Bayou RV Park

Water surrounds this family-owned and -operated recreational park. The Bayou RV Park is 55 miles from downtown Houston on Austin Bayou - minutes away from Chocolate Bayou and Bastrop Bay. The most direct route is down 288 South to TX-288 Business South in Brazoria County. Take the exit toward Angleton. Take FM 523 S to FM 2004 North and your destination is on the left, directly across from the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge, one of 10 wildlife refuges in the area, was established in 1966 and covers 46,000 acres of salt marsh, freshwater wetlands, and Columbia Bottomland Forest.

Within the park, campers can fish, and boat ramps are a scant three miles away. Sea Center Texas is just a short 15-mile drive. This marine aquarium sits on 75 acres in Lake Jackson and is free to the public. The Lake Jackson Historical Museum honors the rich history of the area.

Pecan Grove RV Park

The Pecan Grove RV Park sits on Auditorium Shores of Austin's Town Lake adjacent to Zilker Park. This 93-site RV Park is an option for anyone looking to visit the city of Austin for a quick getaway or a more extended stay in the heart of Austin.

Although there are at least two ways to get to Austin from Houston, the fastest and most peaceful drive is via 71 W. Follow IH-10 W to Highway 71 W Exit #695 south of Columbus. Continue the 81 miles drive through scenic pine forests to Austin. After passing Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, take State Hwy 71 W/E Ben White Blvd to N IH-35. Merge onto IH-35, taking Exit 233 - East Riverside Dr to Barton Springs Rd. The RV park is on the right, past Auditorium Shores.

The best park of Pecan Grove RV Park is its location. Well-loved rental cabins offer a view of Austin's skyline, and free Wi-Fi reaches all types of RVs. Once visitors are settled, the park sits near restaurants, coffee shops, and more than a few local haunts to enjoy, such as Austin Eastciders-Barton Springs or Biscuits & Groovy.

Lake Conroe RV & Camping Resort

The Lake Conroe RV & Camping Resort is a destination campground. Getting to the Resort from Houston is easy—a short 49-mile drive up IH 45 North. Follow IH-45 N to the FM 830 W Exit just past the city of Conroe and Panorama Village.

Turn left onto FM 830 W and zigzag left onto Little Egypt Rd/MP Clark Rd, then right on Thousand Trails Rd to Thousand Trails on Lake Conroe. You are 1,000 ft from the waters of Lake Conroe. The scenery is minimal on an interstate, but you will arrive at your destination quickly.

It's hard to get bored with Lake Conroe RV & Camping Resort. Sporting 360 campsites, it's open year-round. Visitors can boat, fish, explore bike trails, rent paddle boats, or relax on the private beach. If visitors want to spend some time indoors, the clubhouse and game room are open to all. Upscale rental cabins are available at The Reserve at Lake Conroe, a new annex with boat docks, pool, and tennis courts, about a mile away.

Camp Jason RV Resort

Camp Jason RV Resort is a find for intimate RV and tent camping. Located one mile from Lake Livingston on the edges of the Sam Houston National Forest, this northeast Texas campground is family-owned.

Driving from Houston, the 67-mile trip is a direct route via 59 N/IH-69N towards Lufkin. The drive passes through aromatic pine forests. Take exit 453B toward TX-424 Loop/Farm to Market 3460/Shepherd. Then continue onto TX-424 Loop/S Byrd Ave. Turn left onto Main St. A couple of blocks up, turn right onto FM 222 / Spring Street and follow to the resort on the left, four miles from Lake Livingston Dam.

Local stores sell ice and lake essentials. For more extensive shopping, visit McClaine's Food Market on IH-69. For a sit-down meal, Joe's Italian Grill offers pizza and lasagna, and further dining options and amenities are available in Livingston, less than 20 minutes away.

The park offers all the basics in a serene environment. Amenities include big-rig-covered spots, Fiber Optic Wi-Fi, a catch-and-release pond, a Smore's pit, a leash-free dog run, and local meal delivery, all in a gated community with security.

Grand Texas RV Resort

Grand Texas RV Resort is a premium destination campground in Montgomery County. Area resources are numerous, including grocery stores, restaurants, and big-box stores along IH-69. The drive from Houston is a short 35 miles up I-69/US-59 N to US-59 BUS N, exiting #161. With a quick left turn onto TX-242, the RV campground sits half a mile on the left.

Surrounded by a wooded area of the National Forrest, the clubhouse is the center of the action, with a fire pit, BBQ smoker, and outdoor games. During the spring and summer, this resort checks all the boxes for activity and fun. The Grand Texas RV Resort sits across from Big Rivers Waterpark and Adventures, which offers a waterpark, a new fairground, and aerial adventures. Go-karts and games are a short mile away at SpeedSportz Racing Park, and the Roman Forest Park and Splash Pad are a quick two miles away.

Make a Lifetime of Memories in Texas

Texas is vast, and nature has gifted Texans with a breathtaking array of outdoor adventures. It is conceivable to spend a lifetime exploring and discovering the dozens of wildlife refuges, forests, lakes, and the Gulf of Mexico located within 100 miles of Houston. Venture a bit to the south, and you'll find South Padre Island National Refuge or to the east, McFadden and Sabine National Refuges—all within reach of your RV. Whether you're moving to Houston or just passing through, these campgrounds and more are definitely worth a visit while you're here.