Originally inhabited by the Ais tribe of the Hasinai Indians, San Augustine was first settled by the French traders from Natchitoches. In 1691, Spaniards traveled through the area, cutting out a path known as the Old San Antonio Road. In 1717, a Spanish Father established a Mission Site in the area.
Over the years, many tribes and pioneers immigrated from the southern states to the San Augustine region. They formed a community known as the Ayish Bayou. As the town was officially recognized as a municipality under Mexican Law, Mexican officials named the region San Augustine to honor St. Augustine of Hippo. After a long history of fighting the Texas Revolution, Cordova Rebellion, Cherokee War, and the Regulator-Moderator War, San Augustine was officially incorporated under the U.S. Government in 1837.
By 1860, this town was well-known for being a shipping center for southern cotton. This lucrative endeavor allowed the town to grow significantly. However, as the Civil War took its toll, the town's cotton shipping success waned. In 1901, the Gulf, Beaumont, and Great Northern Railway made its way to San Augustine and was acquired by the Santa Fe Railway in 1903. Transporting lumber became the new cornerstone for this town until the Great Depression hit and the lumber companies moved out of the East Texas timberlands.
Today, San Augustine relies on the retail, health care, and construction industries to survive. It still has some great historical landmarks, like the Mission Dolores State Historic Site and Lobanillo Swales, that you can visit. There are many fun recreational areas you can enjoy, like Red Hills Lake and North Toledo Bend State Park.
El Camino Real Sale on the Trail - This event takes place in early May, where vendors stretch along the historic trail.
Heritage Festival - In late April, the town hosts a heritage festival packed full of vendors, demonstrations, and food.
Main Street Christmas Jubilee Days Celebration - In Mid-November, San Augustine comes alive as Christmas sights, sounds, scents, and shopping take over the downtown region.
Hot Springs National Park is located in Arkansas. This place of relaxation and healing offers warm thermal waters known as the "American Spa." While the natural geothermal pools are the park's biggest attraction, it does also showcase the history of the western settlements. There are many opportunities for exploring, hiking, and bathing at this state park.
Big Bend National Park is located in the southwest corner of Texas. This adventurous park is the perfect destination for mountain bikers, hikers, and kayakers alike. This park encompasses 801,000 acres at the U.S.-Mexico border. You'll enjoy seeing canyons, deserts, thermal hot springs, the Majestic River, and mountains.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is located in the northwest corner of Texas. It's home to the tallest point in Texas, known as Guadalupe Peak. Explore the ruins of the old stagecoach station and visit the Frijole Ranch which showcases the ranching history of the area.
Martin Creek Lake State Park is notable for its fishing. It has a lighted fishing pier that will be sure to please. There are many areas to launch your boat and go swimming, with warm water all year-round. Take a hike or bike around the five miles of trails where you can see remnants of the town's roads.
Just over the Louisiana state line, you'll find South Toledo Bend State Park. This park showcases a beautiful waterfront view along the Toledo Bend Reservoir. You'll find it to be a great location for outdoor activities like bass fishing, camping, birding, cycling, and hiking.
Also, a little way into Louisiana is North Toledo Bend State Park. This state park covers 900 acres in Louisiana and 185,000 acres of the reservoir. You'll love the wondrous hiking trails, excellent fishing opportunities, and waterfront views that this park has to offer.
Mission Dolores State Historic Site is a 36-acre site that preserves the Franciscan mission that was established back in 1721. You'll get to see first-hand the experiences of Native Americans and early European settlers in the area. There is an interpretive display of the Mission Dolores and the El Camino Real De Los Tejas National Historic Trail that passes through this historical site.
Mission Nuestra Senora de Dolores de Los Ais, known informally as the Mission Dolores, was founded in the 1720s. It was constructed as a place to convert the Ais Indians. Over the 1700s, it faced many hostilities with the French. Eventually, the mission was dismantled in the 1760s, and its inhabitants were sent to San Antonio. Now, you can tour the museum to learn about the rich history associated with this mission.
Lobanillo Swales is located in a lush forest region. It showcases physical parallel swales that were engrained into the landscape by refugees in the 1770s. It's part of the much larger El Camino Real de Los Tejas Historic Trail.
Bearazinga RV Park is located just south of San Augustine in the city of Beaumont. This charming RV park has 20 spaces with full hookups. It's pet-friendly and provides a secluded and quiet vacationing experience.
AAA RV Park, also located in Beaumont, offers 110 RV sites with full hookups. It's pet-friendly, offers beautiful shade trees throughout, and is located near the lake. This park is just moments away from local shopping, entertainment, and fine dining.
LaBelle RV Park is a locally owned and operated RV park in Beaumont. It's pet-friendly and offers large sites with full hookups. This quiet country setting is just a few miles away from the Central Mall, grocery stores, and many major restaurants.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in San Augustine, TX, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in San Augustine?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in San Augustine from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in San Augustine?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
