Best Campgrounds of the year – 2015

Posted in COE Park, Louisiana, Parks, RVing, State Parks, TexasTagged , ,

Our 2015 wandering took us on a long a spring trip from Georgia to Texas and a short fall trip to South Carolina, Virginia, and North Carolina.

During our 2015 travels we camped in  7  states and stayed in a total of 21 different parks: 11 state parks, 6 private RV parks,  3  COE parks, and 1 county park. While we enjoyed them all, a few stand out.

So here it is, the second annual “Wandering Dawgs best campgrounds of the year” list.

Number 3: Lake Bistineau State Park, Doyline, Louisiana

Waterfront Camping at Lake Bistineau State Park, Doyline, Louisiana
Waterfront Camping at Lake Bistineau State Park, Doyline, Louisiana
Cypress Trees dripping with Spanish Moss at Lake Bistineau
Cypress Trees dripping with Spanish Moss at Lake Bistineau

We first discovered this beautiful state park when we were traveling west in 2011. The park ranger was one of the nicest and most helpful rangers I have ever met. I have such fond memories of sitting on our own private deck watching the lake that I had been trying to figure out when we would have an opportunity to return.

It was a no-brainer to stop here as we headed home toward Georgia on our return trip from Texas. The same great ranger was there and he is still one of the most friendly and most helpful rangers of any place we have been.

Lake Bistineau State Park is located a short drive south of I-20 near Doyline, Louisiana. The sites have paved parking pads with water and electric hook ups, a picnic table, and fire pit. We had a premium site with a wooden deck overlooking the lake.There are several fishing docks located in the campground and one was right in front of our site. The bath house was spotless and there is a small free laundry. The park also has a boat launch. WiFi is available at the office.

We camped at Lake Bistineau in April, 2015.

Number 2: Inks Lake State Park, Burnet, Texas

Relaxing behind our campsite at Inks Lake State Park, Burnet, Texas
Relaxing behind our campsite at Inks Lake State Park, Burnet, Texas

We traveled through Texas in the spring when the Texas Bluebonnets were blooming. After researching where the best place to see them would be, the area in the Texas Hill Country around Inks Lake sounded perfect. When my friend Tim from Arlingon recommended it we knew we had to stay there.

We made reservations just a few days before our arrival and were fortunate to get a waterfront site the week before Easter. We had plenty of space behind our back in site to set up our chairs an enjoy the lake. We would have stayed longer but the park was full for Easter weekend and we had to leave on Good Friday.

Our site was a waterfront, back-in site with a beautiful view of the lake behind the campsite. We enjoyed beautiful sunsets every day.

Sunset at Ink's Lake
Sunset at Ink’s Lake

There are hiking trails, a fishing pier, boat launch, marina, and gift shop. Longhorn Caverns State Park is just down the road and there are many scenic drives through the Texas Hill Country.

We camped at Inks Lake State Park in April, 2015.

Number 1: Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas

Our own private picnic area behind our campsite
Our own private picnic area behind our campsite
Our campsite in Palo Duro Canyon
Our campsite in Palo Duro Canyon

When we made a day trip to Palo Duro Canyon from Amarillo several years ago we talked about returning one day to camp in the canyon. Camping there was high on our must do list when we traveled around Texas in the spring.

There are several campgrounds in Palo Duro Canyon State Park with backpacking, equestrian sites, tent sites, and RV sites with water and electricity. Our site in the Sagebrush Campground had large private sitting area with a covered shelter over the picnic table and a fire ring. There are hiking, biking and equestrian trails. There are also several day use picnic areas, cabins, stables with guided horseback rides, an interpretive center, and the Trading Post Restaurant and Park store.

Leigh over at Campendium asked me to submit a post for my favorite State Park Campground for their May, 2015 Campendium Blog post featuring Best State Park Campgrounds. To read my contribution to the post click here.

We camped at Palo Duro Canyon in April, 2015.

Honorable Mention:

  • Cranes Mill Park COE, Canyon Lake, Texas
  • Goose Island State Park, Rockport, Texas
  • Poche’s Fish N Camp, Breaux Bridge, Louisiana
  • Claytor Lake State Park, Dublin, Virginia (2nd year on our list)

Where do you think we will wander next year? Stay tuned…

Happy New Year!!

20 thoughts on “Best Campgrounds of the year – 2015”

  1. Beth, what a great post. Thanks for posting beautiful photos and useful information about these parks. We enjoyed our stay at Lake Bistineau State Park and I agree with you, the staff there are the friendliest we have met. I am looking forward to following you and crew on your 2016 travels!!

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Wow! Nice photos and good summaries. We’re less than a month from hitting the road full-time in our motorhome. Since we’re almost 72′ combined length, we may not get into some of the more intimate parks. Oh well. I’ll have to research each of these though! Beth, because of you we’re now Passport America members, just in case. Keep sharing your wonderful photos!

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    1. I hope the PA works for you. Believe it or not we have seen 100 ft sites in a few COE parks. Many state parks and COE have overflow parking if you will be somewhere long enough to unhitch the trailer. Also some campsites are wide enough to unhitch and park the trailer next to the motor home or sideways in front of the motor home. Your best bet is to call and ask ahead of time.

      Good luck with you full timing! Safe travels and happy trails in 2016. Looking forward to following you in your adventures.

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  6. Happy New Year! Since we don’t travel I am really looking forward to seeing where you take us next year!

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  9. Thanks for the great info — we also love Goose Island SP, Poche’s, and Palo Duro Canyon SP, so I bet we’ll like your other “favorites” as well. Happy travels in 2016!

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  11. What a great idea — I’m going to jot these spots down for the day(s) when we (eventually!!) get out that way! Can never get enough information about great RV park/camping suggestions!! Thanks for posting this, Beth!

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  12. Could be in GA and SC this summer. Of course many are sending “it’s HOT” warnings but we are pretty used to hot and humid. Hard to leave Gulf Shores but time to go exploring soon…loved taking notes about your home state. We’re excited!

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    1. The HOT will depend on where you are in Georgia. There are some beautiful, cool spots in the Georgia mountains but anything along the coast or middle Georgia will be hot. Enjoy your Gulf Shores winter!

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