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The wife and I are taking a Friday off and planning to do a weekend camp trip in mid or late October. Problem is we haven't decided where.

I was hoping I could rely on ya'll for some good recommendations. Preferably within 5 or 5.5 hours of the Abilene area. I was really wanting to go down to Lost Maples and see the fall foliage but I think it is too early for that. Also was considering Palo Duro, or Davis Mountains.

Or, other than state parks, I'd love to hear about some privately owned campgrounds if ya'll know of any good ones.

We are looking for tent camping, ideally near some type of water (lake, creek, river, etc..). This will be our first camping trip together. My idea of camping is far more primitive to what she grew up doing so we are still working on a good compromise. To her, roughing it is a fire ring, picnic tables, and a cinderblock restroom with running water.

Anyway, thanks in advance for any help.

There are several options within the range and amenities you listed, Lost Maples is nice, also Inks Lake, Perdenales, and Mother Neff, they all have water, primitive camping and also showers, and restrooms for Mrs. Pig Renter.

My wife is the same way, roughing it means no room service.

After camping with my son's Boy Scout Troop for the past 8 years, I just need a tarp, hammock, and a coffee pot. For food, just a fishing pole. The good thing about Texas State parks, is that you can fish from the banks, or a pier if available, with no fishing license required.

If you haven't already, take a look here: http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/

They give you the locations, amenities, and some even have customer reviews regarding the best times to go etc.

My wife and I just came back from Broken Bow, OK. The Beaver's Bend State Park is just north of Broken Bow and it is beautiful pretty much all year round. It is exceptional in my opinion during October and November. We have a 5th wheel and we set up right next to the river. I do not know much about tent camping. They do have many sights along the water for tents.

We spent spring break at Mcgee Creek state park in Oklahoma. Beavers bend didnt have any openings and we were not disappointed. We got there on wednesday and were the only ones in the whole park until saturday night. Its more camping and less tourist stop than broken bow if that makes sense. Game warden that patrolled the park was extremely laid back and even ate dinner with us one night.

Consider the South Llano River State Park, which is just outside Junction. It's located on the South Llano River.

We are going camping in October to Inks Lake SP. Last October we went to Garner SP and it was really nice.

glock27 wrote:we just took the kids to Turner falls. had a blast. the weather will probably not be swimming weather in October though. ther water was freeeeeezing in august when we went! we did some hiking and they have a fun zipline up there too!

Turner Falls is beautiful. In the same general is Lake Murry State Park. Have been there several times. Camping galore. Lake Murry State Park is the largest state park in Oklahoma. It's really worth considering. Just off of I-35.

http://www.lake-murray.org/

Jusme wrote:There are several options within the range and amenities you listed, Lost Maples is nice, also Inks Lake, Perdenales, and Mother Neff, they all have water, primitive camping and also showers, and restrooms for Mrs. Pig Renter.

My wife is the same way, roughing it means no room service.

After camping with my son's Boy Scout Troop for the past 8 years, I just need a tarp, hammock, and a coffee pot. For food, just a fishing pole. The good thing about Texas State parks, is that you can fish from the banks, or a pier if available, with no fishing license required.

If you haven't already, take a look here: http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/

They give you the locations, amenities, and some even have customer reviews regarding the best times to go etc.

Mother Neff if open will not be worth going to. With the rains the last few years the old park is under silt and lots of trees and debris are scattered all around. The old part of the park where you can get to the river is definitely closed. There's a log jam that's rerouting the river into the adjacent land next to the bridge and I think the only way to clear it will be a practical use of explosives. We use to put in at the Moody Leon and run lines up past the park but I don't know how much of the river is accessible now.

It's a shame because it use to be a nice place to go. Our family's land is 10 minutes from there and all of us cousins use to go play down there while my dad and uncles were cutting or hauling hay. When the river is not out, I drive by it every time I visit the in-laws.

Good info all. Much appreciated. Especially appreciate the warnings about Mother Neff because I was giving that some serious consideration. Right now I'm leaning toward Colorado Bend but am still taking in yall's advice.

Thanks so much.

The first park we ever stayed at years ago was at Mother Neff. Not only did I set up at 2:00AM during a thunderstorm, but I felt like we were in a severe thunderstorm the whole time. It wasn't until going up to the office that I found out it wasn't thunder I was hearing, but rather the tanks from Ft. Hood.

Palo Duro Canyon is worth a visit if not just for the Texas show. My son went to that with a Scout troop and if 15 year old boys were talking about a musical we thought we should go. It is a great show. A smaller park which may be closer is Meridian SP west of Waco. It has two small campgrounds, but if you are tent camping and don't need electricity, they have tent spots scattered around the lake in the trees. Davis Mountains is nice because it is close to Fort Davis National historic site and the McDonald Observatory both of which are worth a look see. And it is close enough to Balmorhea SP to drive down and if the weather is warm enough take a brisk swim in the giant spring fed pool there.

Chris

My Sister and BIL went to Garner SP ever year when they were younger. Instead of setting up a tent, they rented a screen enclosed shelter. When they had kids it was large enough for two adults and two kids. I've never been, but they said it was beautiful.

October is a good time to visit Big Bend NP and Terlingua

Garner State park is great in October. The staff is friendly people and the trails are fantastic. The river though the park is up now and the water is always cool. Bike trails are easy to ride but short only abou 5 miles. If you go there alway get a camping spot in the new section the sites are huge. Before the boy started college we wnt every spring.