• Camping opportunities are abundant at state parks near El Campo and Palacios, Texas.camping image by Colin Buckland from Fotolia.com
  
  Located near or on the Gulf of Mexico, El Campo and Palacios are within two hours of several scenic state parks. The towns themselves have rich histories that are reflected through murals, industries and events. El Campo was a railhead where Mexican cowboys brought cattle and is well-known for its waterfowl hunting. Palacios is home to the largest fishing fleet on the Texas Gulf Coast as well as the Marine Fisheries Research Station, which explores the adaptability of saltwater fish to freshwater.
  
  

Lake Texana State Park

• Lake Texana State Park is about 30 minutes southwest of El Campo and 48 minutes northwest of Palacios. The park includes 575 acres of woodlands and two miles of accessible waterfront. Fishing, canoeing, water skiing and hiking are available. The park also has picnic grounds and camping areas with water and electric hookups. Lake Texana is an 11,000-acre reservoir on the Navidad River. Park activities include camping, boating, water and jet skiing, sailing and canoeing, swimming, hiking and fishing as well as bird-watching. Picnic areas are available. Camping facilities have water or water and electrical hookups. There also is a pavilion and an amphitheater.
  
  Lake Texana State Park
  
  P.O. Box 760
  
  Edna, TX 77957
  
  361-782-5718
  
  tpwd.state.tx.us
  
  

Brazos Bend State Park

• Brazos Bend State Park is located northeast of El Campo and Palacios, about 41 and 66 miles, respectively. The park is located on the Brazos River. Activities at the 5,000-acre park include camping, picnicking, hiking, biking and horseback riding. Six lakes are available for fishing, although visitors are cautioned about alligators. The George Observatory is available for stargazing. There also are screened shelters, tent and RV camping facilities, as well as picnic areas. Wildlife observation decks allow visitors to see deer, coyotes, bobcats, migratory waterfowl and resident and migratory birds such as wood storks, yellow-crowned night heron and bald eagles.
  
  Brazos Bend State Park
  
  21901 FM 762
  
  Needville TX 77461
  
  979-553-5102
  
  tpwd.state.tx.us
  
  

Bastrop and Buescher State Parks

• Bastrop and Buescher state parks are located within 90 miles of El Campo and 135 miles northeast of Palacios. These two adjoining parks are located near Austin and are connected by 12 miles of scenic road. Bastrop State Park is nearly 6,000 acres and is home to the "Lost Pines," a 70-square-mile timbered area of loblolly pines that sit along the Colorado River. Visitors can backpack, camp, picnic, canoe, watch wildlife or hike. Camping facilities include water and electricity. The park also has cabins, group barracks and a dining hall. The park also includes a 6,152-yard golf course with electrical and pull carts available for rent. Twelve miles down the road, Buescher State Park offers non-motorized boating, fishing in a stocked lake, hiking and nature study. Camping facilities include water and electricity, although more primitive sites are available, screened shelters, a group picnic pavilion with a playground, a rec hall and cabins with bunk beds, and air conditioning and heating, as well as a refrigerator and microwave. The park is 1,016 acres.
  
  Bastrop State Park
  
  3005 Highway 21 E.
  
  Bastrop TX 78602
  
  512-321-2101
  
  tpwd.state.tx.us
  
  Buescher State Park
  
  100 Park Road 1E
  
  Smithville TX 78602
  
  512-237-2241
  
  tpwd.state.tx.us