Brazos Bend State Park Camping!
Those are words I would not have said 10 years ago. Not 5 years ago. Not even 3 years ago. But my kids begged to go camping... so, off we went to figure out how to survive in the wilderness.
This is still intimidating because I’m a mom, with very little camping experience, taking four little kids out in the woods.
That's why Texas Outdoor Family is so cool. They provide the equipment, show you how to camp... and then they help you hike, bike, paint and play in the woods.
We just got back from our Brazos Bend State Park camping trip and had the BEST time.
Texas Outdoor Family:
This program is designed to help families discover the joys of camping and Texas State Parks. All camping gear required for a stay in the park is provided and several rangers stay with the group for the trip.
And friends, the Texas Outdoor Family program is amazing. We set up tents, made meals and built campfires... and we rode bikes, went fishing and hiking, learned to geocache and made nature watercolors!
We have now been on one night and two night Texas Outdoor Family weekends. Last year we went for one night, and this was nice because all the camp set up was done in the daylight.
This year we went for two nights. The cool thing is that we had more time at the park. The downside is having to fight Friday traffic to get to the park... and having to do some set up in the dark. (I recommend coming a little early to get a head start!)
Our experience with Brazos Bend State Park camping:
On both Brazos Bend State Park camping trips, the park rangers gave us lessons on setting up our tents and using our stoves and taught the kids about playing in nature and leaving no trace.
The rangers also went campsite to campsite to make sure everything was safe and the food was packed up tight each night.
With this Texas Outdoor Family, you can participate in as much or as little as you want. We did a lot of group activities… but even if we just did our own thing, it is nice to know the rangers are close by to help.
What we liked:
My little girl has been talking about the Brazos Bend State Park camping trip, all week long. The birds were noisy and she touched a baby alligator and she slept in tent and...
My big kids liked the hikes and loved the bikes the park provided. They road around and around all day long... waving as they passed by the tent.
They all liked visiting the George Observatory (run by the Houston Museum of Natural Science) on Saturday night. The trail to get there was lined by alligators during the day... and we had to cross it at night!
And as for me, I just liked camping with my family. We worked together, cooked together, told stories together and tried something new together.
What you need to know about Brazos Bend State Park camping:
- Check for Texas Outdoor Family Programs HERE! (More are coming after the holidays!)
- You don’t have to participate in Texas Outdoor Family to enjoy the park! Anyone can visit Brazos Bend State Park for the day or the night!
- The park entrance fee is $7/person over 12, regardless if you are staying the night or not. Entrance is free for Texas State Parks Pass Holder.
- To camp on your own, you can reserve a spot for $12… or pay as much as nearly $65. There are campsites, screened shelters and primitive shelters. The Texas Outdoor Family fee included the campsite fee.
- There are restrooms and showers near the campsites. (And ours was very clean.)
- Whether you spend the night or not, you can visit the park, take guided nature hikes and visit the nature center.
- The Nature Center has exhibits on the three ecosystems in the park, as well as on reptiles that live there.
- The George Observatory is open on Saturdays from 3 to 10 p.m. The observatory is part of the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
- The park has 37 miles of trails, some of which are stroller and wheelchair friendly.
- There are alligators in some areas of the park. Be smart around them!
- Gathering firewood is not allowed, but it can be purchased around the park.
- Ice is available for purchase at the front of the park.
- It was cold on Friday night and hot on Saturday night. Be sure to pack for both!
- Texas Outdoor Family loaned us some equipment and I packed up everything else I thought we might need… and listed it below. If you have essentials you pack on your trips, tell me and I’ll add it!
- What was provided with the program:
- Tent for 6 people (This was a very nice REI tent.)
- Lantern (But we still used our own flashlights and lanterns to see a little better.)
- Stoves and fuel
- Pots, fry pan, and cooking utensils
- Equipment necessary for all activities (Like bikes and fishing poles.)
- 2 Cots and 4 foam pads (Our cots happened to be brand new.)
- What we packed:
- For the Campsite:
- Sleeping Bags
- Blankets
- Camp Chairs
- For the Fire:
- Firewood (bought at the entrance of the park)
- Lighter/Matches
- Lighter Fluid
- Leather Gloves
- For Us:
- Bug Spray with DEET
- Sun Screen
- Water
- Camp Towels
- Clothes/Toiletries
- A glow stick for the toddler. It was so dark by dinner that it was nice to have a glow stick on her back.
- First Aid Kit (Band aids, Ointment, Anti-Itch for Bug bites)
- Groceries
- Ice (Freeze a gallon of water for the cooler. It stays cold longer than just a bag of ice!)
- Bread
- Peanut Butter, Jelly
- Marshmallows
- Graham Crackers
- Chocolate
- Water
- Pre-cut Veggies
- Snacks (Granola Bars, Trail Mix)
- Supplies for Foil Dinners
- Foil
- Tongs (for taking them off the fire)
- Vegetables
- Hot Dogs
- Butter
- Salt
- Cooking Supplies:
- Knife
- Marshmallow skewers
- Veggie Peeler
- Cutting Board
- Paper Towels
- Paper Plates
- Sporks
- Cups/Water Bottles
- Plastic Bags (for storing food)
- Cooler
- More Supplies:
- Biodegradable Soap (because we have a faucet)
- Lantern/Flash Lights
- Duct Tape
- Pocket Knife
- Hand Sanitizer
- Trash Bags
- Deck of Cards
- Phone/Charger
- Cold Weather Supplies:
- Winter cap
- Extra socks
- Extra blanket
- Hand Warmer Packets
- I Wish I Had:
- More batteries. (Half of our flashlights were dead!)
- For the Campsite:
- What was provided with the program:
Thank you Toyota for telling us about the program!
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