Are you in Texas and looking for a great place to camp with your pet? We’ve put together a list of some of the best dog-friendly campgrounds in the state.
Whether you’d like to stay lakeside, at the beach, or have access to gorgeous hiking trails, there’s something here for you.
Click the map below for more information on each location, and scroll down to learn about the best Texas has to offer in dog-friendly camping.
11 Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds in Texas
- Double Lake Campground
- Caddo Lake State Park
- Abilene State Park
- Big Bend Ranch State Park
- Big Thicket National Preserve
- Padre Island National Seashore
- Cedar Breaks Park
- Inks Lake State Park
- Palo Duro Canyon State Park
- Caprock Canyons State Park
- Big Bend National Park
1. Double Lake Campground
- located in the Sam Houston National Forest, this campground is a destination for hiking, mountain biking, swimming, and fishing in the lake (which is stocked with bass, bream, and catfish)
- accommodations range from tent sites to RV sites with hookups
- reservations are required at Double Lake; visit this website for more information and to secure a site
2. Caddo Lake State Park
- choose from a range of sites (from primitive tent sites to those with full hookups for RVs), rent a canoe and explore over 50 miles of paddling trails through bald cypress trees, or fish from the shore (no license needed)
- please be aware there are alligators living in the park; visit this page for more details
- dogs must be leashed
- visit the park website for more information, and to make a reservation
3. Abilene State Park
- ideal for tent and RV campers, Abilene State Park offers hiking, geocaching, bird-watching, and more
- in the summer, take advantage of the campground swimming pool, and bring your boat along to explore the lake (Lake Abilene is a no-wake lake); fishing requires no license at Texas state parks, so enjoy!
- dogs must be leashed
- visit the park website for more information, and to make a reservation
4. Big Bend Ranch State Park
- enjoy hiking, stargazing, mountain biking and more at this recreation destination in the high desert; the park is ideal for tent camping
- don’t forget to look up on a clear night; Big Bend Ranch is a designated International Dark Sky Park, and perfect for stargazing (maybe bring your telescope?)
- dogs must be leashed; please see this page for more information on where dogs are allowed in the park
- visit the park website for more details, and to make a reservation
5. Big Thicket National Preserve
- Big Thicket encompasses over 100,000 acres, which can be explored on foot, or by canoe or kayak
- dogs are allowed on all trails in the preserve but must be leashed
- the preserve only offers backcountry camping sites, which must be reserved; see this page for more details
6. Padre Island National Seashore
- Padre Island is a destination for boating, birdwatching, windsurfing, sport fishing, and more
- dogs are allowed in all outdoor locations, as long as they are leashed
- be sure to arrive early if you intend to camp because no reservations are permitted; tents and RVs are welcome, but all sites are primitive and without hookups
- visit the park website for more information to help you plan your trip
7. Cedar Breaks Park
- a destination for boating and fishing, Cedar Breaks offers tent camping and RV sites with hookups
- if your’e in the mood for a hike, try the San Gabriel River Trail, which makes a complete loop around the lake
- dogs must be leashed
- visit this website for more information, and to make a reservation
8. Inks Lake State Park
- located roughly an hour from Austin, this park is perfect for a quick getaway; enjoy hiking, boating, fishing and more, with plenty of room to camp
- if you didn’t bring gear, boating and fishing equipment are available to rent; and if you’re low on food or want something special, you can find provisions at the park store
- accommodations at Inks Lake range from primitive tent sites to RV sites with hookups; dogs must be leashed
- visit the park website for more information, and to make a reservation
9. Palo Duro Canyon State Park
- Palo Duro is the second largest canyon in the country, and an ideal destination for hiking and nature appreciation
- the campground offers a range of sites for tents and RVs; backcountry campsites are available first-come, first-served
- dogs must be leashed
- visit the park website for more information, and to make a reservation
10. Caprock Canyons State Park
- Caprock Canyons offers a wide range of activities, from watching bison and bats to hiking (with something for every level), boating, and fishing on Lake Theo
- the campground offers a range of sites for tents and RVs (some with hookups)
- dogs must be leashed
- visit the park website for more information, and to make a reservation
11. Big Bend National Park
- this national park is one of the most popular vacation destinations in Texas, and is perfect for hiking, stargazing, and wildlife observation
- choose from several different campgrounds, with sites for tents and RVs
- dogs must be leashed
- visit the park website for more information, and to make a reservation (be aware that only three campgrounds at Big Bend have RV sites)
We hope you and your pet have a fabulous camping trip! But if you’re too busy to take your dog on a getaway, Rover is here to help. Our dog walkers in Texas can get your pet out for some much-needed nature time.
