Not far from Houston... but away from it all... Thousand Trails Colorado River in Columbus, Texas!

We were celebrating something BIG in our little Petite Retreat cabin at Thousand Trails Colorado River. We had TWO birthdays last week!

We got to do all the fun camping things... but we got to come home to beds and plumbing.

We've now been on several camping (and glamping) trips, and this is what I've discovered about campgrounds:

1.  No one looks at you like you sideways when you say you have four kids. They are not really surprised and they don't think you should pay for two hotel rooms.
2. Campgrounds are generally more reasonably priced than hotels, but with a lot of things to do.
3. Camping (and glamping) is a great way to connect. Even with the cabin amenities, everyone is within arms reach and everyone is working together on dinner and campfires and hiking and fun.
4.  Cabins let us do all the fun outdoor camping activities, but come home to showers and beds.

Thousand Trails invited us out and we found it right on the Colorado River... and with trails, a pool, fishing, mini golf, playground, basketball, volleyball, activity center and more. Not only this, but there are deer everywhere and armadillos roaming around.

The activity center might have been the kids favorite spot. It's old and a lot like the activity centers at state parks or like grandma's house... it needs an update but is incredibly clean and tidy.

We played a dozen games of pool, table tennis and air hockey. In the kids room, there are games, toys and dozens of DVDs and VHS tapes. My 9 year old was fascinated by the VCR (with tracking and rewinding and all things VHS) and watched old Disney movies.

The activity center is also where we found a little library, exercise center and staff. The staff was very friendly and  helpful and happy to see us when we ran in during the rain storms.

The kids and I also went swimming at the pool, played mini golf went for a hike, played basketball and pickle ball and surveyed the old damage from Harvey. (The water covered the buildings in the back half of the campground!)

At Thousand Trails, some people stay for the season and some people stay for a few nights. The cabins are all clustered together with a common firepit and we quickly made friends with the kids next door.

(Also, there was a wood fire burn ban when we visited, but the cabin had a propane grill for our dinner.

If you want to rent the cabins, more tips are below:

• There are two sizes. One sleeps 4 and another sleeps 6. Ours was the small cabin and we were cozy... but the point of the trip was to be outside anyway!
• The mattresses and pillows are covered in a slick cleanable cover and linens are provided.
• The cabins are air conditioned and heated with a kitchenette, bathroom and satellite TV. A propane grill is outside.
• Thousand Trails also has spaces for tents and RVs.
• Soap and shampoo is provided.
• Towels are provided.
• The kitchen is fully stocked with pots and plates and silverware… but you need to wash and return everything you use!
• The campgrounds have a lot of things to do! Hiking, fishing, playgrounds, games in the activity center, basketball, volleyball, pickleball, mini golf and more!
• If you have room in your car, bring bikes and balls so you have even more to do!
• The really cool campers seem to bring rope lights to decorate their cabins, RVs, golf carts and bikes… and one of these days we’ll be the cool campers!
• The campgrounds are pretty close to I10, so you can get groceries/gear if you forget anything.
• See the video of the cabin:

If you need a list of things to bring, here’s what we packed:

• Maybe the most essential:
  • Bug Spray
  • Sun Screen
  • Water
• For the cabin:
  • Shampoo and Soap. (Some is provided, but I like my own shampoo!)
• For the Fire:
  • Firewood
  • Lighter/Matches
  • Lighter Fluid
  • Leather Gloves
  • Stick for roasting marshmallows
•  Groceries:
  • Bread
  • Cheese and Turkey
  • Peanut Butter
  • Marshmallows
  • Graham Crackers
  • Chocolate
  • Water
  • Snacks (Granola Bars, Trail Mix)
  • Watermelon
  • Supplies for Foil Dinners
    • Foil
    • Tongs (for taking them off the fire)
    • Vegetables
    • Hot Dogs
    • Butter
    • Salt
  • Cooking Supplies:
    • Knife
    • Veggie Peeler
    • Cutting Board
    • Paper Towels
    • Paper Plates
    • Sporks
    • Cups/Water Bottles
    • Plastic Bags (for storing food)
    • Cooler
  • More supplies:
    • Flash Lights
    • Duct Tape
    • Pocket Knife
    • Hand Sanitizer
    • Trash Bags
    • Deck of Cards
    • Phone/Charger
    • For the pool:
      • Flip Flops
      • Swim Suits
      • Goggles
      • Beach Towels