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Mission Tejas State Park RV & Campground Guide

Texas

Tucked away on the north side of the Davy Crockett National Forest, Mission Tejas State Park has a historical past and remains a fantastic place for an outdoor adventure. State officials moved the Joseph and Willie Masters Rice cabin, which workers built between 1828 and 1838, to this park near Grapeland, Texas. You can also fish, hike and watch nature at this park. First opened in 1934, this park sits at the site where the Mission San Francisco de los Tejas was first opened in 1690. Nearby, you can play on Ratcliff Lake, hike in the forest and ride your horse.

Nearby Cities

  • Grapeland, TX

  • Rusk, TX

  • Centerville, TX

  • Groveton, TX

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Weather
Spring 50-75 F
Summer 72-95 F
Fall 55-85 F
Winter 42-62 F
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RV Resorts & Campsites in Mission Tejas State Park

Campground Accommodations

Mission Tejas State Park Campground

  • Water hookup: 14 sites

  • Electrical hookup: 12 sites

  • Sewer hookup: No

  • Wi-Fi: No

  • Pet-friendly: Yes

  • Max RV length: 45 feet

  • Other amenities: Picnic tables, showers, grills

Mission Tejas State Park Campground

Sleep under the trees at Mission Tejas State Park Campground. With fewer than 20 sites, it makes for a peaceful base camp. Twelve of the sites offer water and electricity; two others come with water. Enjoy dinner outdoors on your picnic table, and make a campfire in your site's fire ring. There’s even a grill for preparing classic camp meals. Close by, you’ll find restrooms with hot showers. Sites range from $10 to $15 per night, plus the park’s entrance fee.

Salmon Lake Park

Located in rustic Grapeland, Salmon Lake Park is a beautiful and historic place to make camp. This family-owned facility includes an RV park and an event center. The grounds are beautiful and impeccably maintained. Fall asleep to the sound of the waves on the small lake, and enjoy quiet strolls around the green lawns. When it’s warm, hop in the lake for a swim. The pull-through and back-in RV sites come with full hookups and your choice of 30-amp or 50-amp electricity. Rates start at $25 per night, with discounts for longer stays.

Crockett Family Resort

Your crew will be delighted with the Crockett Family Resort—it’s packed with activities for adults and kids. After you park your RV in the well-shaded, full-hookup sites, take the short walk down to Houston County Lake for a swim or an afternoon of bass fishing. You can also check out the pool and splash pad, bring the kids to the playground, or take out a paddleboat from the marina. Be sure to keep an eye out for the deer and bald eagles that frequent the area. With the resort's on-site laundry and showers, you can feel fresh after a day in the sun. When the sun starts to set, head to the water for one of the park’s legendary sunsets. RV sites range from $34-$37 per night for two people, with an added $3 per additional person.

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What to Do at
Mission Tejas State Park

Enjoy camping in the Pineywoods by staying at Mission Tejas State Park. You can fish in the creek, hike under the trees and see the historic log cabin. Many people love hunting for the hidden geocache.

Hike, explore history, fish and more at Mission Tejas State Park. You will love exploring nature at this park. You can see indigenous earthwork structures constructed about 1690 and one of the oldest log cabins in the state.

Inside Mission Tejas State Park

Watch history come alive at Mission Tejas State Park. Check out the wheel ruts on the fabled El Camino Real on the Nabedache Loop Trail and examine the 1800s-era Rice Family Log Home. Walk through a re-creation of the Spanish San Francisco de Los Tejas mission that’s rumored to have stood on the site. With more than 8.5 miles of trails, it’s easy to get out into the wilderness. Paths are wide, well-maintained, and mostly level. If you’re bringing little ones, get your fishing gear and cast into the small pond within the park’s boundaries. The park office loans out fishing poles and geocaching gear to visitors.

Fishing Fishing

Anglers find two fishing options at Mission Tejas State Park. The first is a small fishing pond near the picnic area. The second is to go fishing in San Pedro Creek. Bring your own fishing equipment or borrow some gear from the park's office. Anglers do not need a fishing license to fish at this location. This park is not heavily fished, so there may be large fish waiting for you to catch them.

Geocaching Geocaching

A short hike through the woods at Mission Tejas State Park will bring you to a traditional cache. You can borrow a GPS unit from the park's headquarters. The cache is a short distance from the recreated mission building. Parking is nearby, and there is a well-maintained trail.

Nature Watching Nature Watching

Mission Tejas State Park is a terrific place to see animals in their natural habitat, including squirrels, rabbits, foxes and deer. Consider watching for deer near the water sources at sunrise and sunset. If you are staying in the campground, consider hiking along the Mission Tejas Middle Loop, which begins there, and you will likely see the animals living in the pine forest.

Flora and Fauna

Most Mission Tejas State Park trees are under 80 years old because timber companies heavily logged this area. This park's oak trees make it a beautiful location for an autumn hike. You will also love hiking near the pine trees because of their heavenly aroma. As you hike, you will also see a variety of small woodland plants under the canopies of the trees.

Hiking Hiking

There are at least five hiking trails at Mission Tejas State Park. The Nabedache Loop passes the Commemorative Mission that the Civilian Conservation Corps recreated and El Camino Real, which settlers from Spain constructed in about 1690. It also passes the Sentry Pine before reaching the natural stone bathtubs used by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s when they helped build this park. The trail ends near the Rice Family Log Home, a two-room log cabin connected by a central fireplace. Therefore, hiking this trail is an especially great option for history lovers. Note that the beginning and end of this trail have some steep hills that can be muddy after it rains.

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How to Get to
Mission Tejas State Park

It is about 18 miles to Mission Tejas State Park from Grapeland, Texas. Start by getting on FM 227. While it does have some corners, stay on it until it intersects with Texas 21 in about 15 miles. Then, turn left on Texas 21 and go 1.4 miles. Turn left on State Park Road 44 and go straight until you see the park in about two miles.

By Car

Entering Mission Tejas State Park

You can park vehicles of any size near the campground at the Big Pine Trailhead. There is a $3 per person entry fee for everyone aged 13 and over. Those 12 and under can get into this park for free. There is no fee for parking.

Mission Tejas State Park Adult : $3.0

Children 12 and under are free

Whether you’re interested in history, outdoor activities, or both, Mission Tejas State Park is well worth a visit. If you agree, the team at RVshare would love to hear about your trip. When you post about the park on social media, feel free to tag RVshare to let the staff and fans follow along. Not a social media user? No problem—email your pictures, stories, and RVing tips to [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions About Mission Tejas State Park

What is the best time of year to visit Mission Tejas State Park?

Fall is a fantastic time to visit Mission Tejas State Park because the oak trees are putting on their fall foliage display. Temperatures will be cooler for hiking than in the summer. In addition, the fish should be biting in the pond and creek.

What kind of wildlife can be found in Mission Tejas State Park?

When visiting Mission Tejas State Park, you may see squirrels, rabbits and deer. Visitors will also likely see various birds, including wild turkeys, doves and quail. One bird that visitors will want to watch for is the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker.

Are there designated RV camping spots in Mission Tejas State Park?

Campers will find 14 RV camping spots at Mission Tejas State Park. Each site comes with a picnic table and grill. All but two sites have water and electric hookups, and those two sites have water hookups only.

Do you have to reserve a camping spot at Mission Tejas State Park and what is the cost?

Reservations are encouraged at Mission Tejas State Park, and you can make them up to a year in advance. The park remains open for day use. Overnight camping fees vary but expect to pay $10 to $20 per night.

Are pets allowed at Mission Tejas State Park?

Pets are allowed at Mission Tejas State Park but cannot be in any of the park's buildings. Owners must keep their pets on a leash and clean up after them. Many people enjoy hiking on this park's trails with their dogs.