Planning a family vacation in a fully furnished cabin can be fun and enjoyable for the whole family. Renting a cabin eliminates the need to pack too much, which when traveling with kids can be very helpful. Texas offers a wide variety of landscapes in which to enjoy a family cabin camping vacation, from the Piney Woods of east Texas to the high deserts of west Texas. Choosing a destination depends on the activities family members enjoy participating in together.
Rent a Family Camping Cabin
There is no shortage of state parks and private ranch land on which cabins can be rented. Most cabins come fully furnished, from rugged to luxurious depending on the kind of experience you want to have. Choosing a location depends on what families enjoy doing together. East Texas provides beautiful pine forests, lots of lakes and swamps. In west Texas, Big Bend National Park is a big draw all year round. West Texas is great for hiking, biking and cave exploration. In central and south Texas, there are lots of rivers, creeks and natural springs that will provide endless entertainment during hot weather.
Bring Your Own Food for Healthy Family Meals
When renting a cabin, most will be supplied with a partial to fully-stocked kitchen which makes cooking easy. Check out the area around the cabin's location online before heading out to find out if there are any local farmers markets where fresh produce can be purchased. Depending on the services available, a trip to the local grocery store for food supplies before heading out to the cabin will probably be a good idea. It is beneficial to ensure a sufficient supply of healthy food for cooking.
Small convenience stores in Texas don't normally supply the healthiest of food options so finding good food to prepare for family meals can be challenging. However, when staying in a cabin near water then a supply of healthy fresh fish will be readily available if one of the family activities enjoyed is fishing. Just be sure each angler has a valid Texas fishing license before heading out. These can be bought at most bait and supply stores near fishing areas.
Be Prepared to Keep Your Family Healthy While Camping
It is important to take precautions to keep healthy while camping. If the family camping trip is during the summer, be prepared for bugs, especially mosquitoes. As well as providing a painful sting, mosquitoes can also carry diseases like dengue and malaria. Bring lots of citronella candles to burn at night, as well as plenty of mosquito nets. Diatomaceous earth sprinkled on the ground around your cabin will keep fleas and chiggers at bay and is harmless to children and pets. This is especially important for camping during the wetter months of March through May when these pests can be a major problem.
Family campers who will be spending a lot of time by the water will want to take steps to prevent painful burns and dehydration from heat. Bring hats for each family member and remember to drink water throughout the day. For winter campers, be sure and bring lots of warm clothes and stock your cabin with wood for toasty evening fires since Texas nights can get chilly, especially in the fall and winter.
Fun Daytime Family Camping Activities
There are many daytime activities families can participate in while camping in Texas. Hiking and mountain biking are possible in Texas parks throughout the year. Pick up a copy of a local bird or plant guide to learn about the wildlife you see on family hikes. Road cycling on back country and ranch roads make fun and safe bike trips for families. Get a current Texas road map to help map out some family bike treks.
During the summer, families camping by water can enjoy a number of water activities. Fishing and boating are possible year round, and in warm weather swimming and tubing can be fun for the whole family. Check to see what kinds of water equipment rentals are available near your cabin or bring your own. Families bringing a boat will want to make sure it is properly permitted for Texas waterways.
Nighttime Family Camping Activities
No matter what time of year it is, a campfire is a camping tradition. Sitting by the campfire at night and telling stories and talking can be great for family bonding. Texas is famous for its big skies, and at night away from city lights, an amazing amount of stars will be visible. Bring along your telescope or check to see if there are stargazer groups in the area.
In west Texas, the McDonald Observatory offers regular “Star Party” nights where families can visit at night and witness the stars and planets through some of the telescopes at the observatory. If you are camping near caves, of which there are many though out Texas, hike out to witness native bat populations fly out at dusk on their evening hunt.
A family camping trip in Texas is a great way for families to spend some time enjoying each other and nature. More information on Texas State Parks and cabin rentals can be obtained at the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.
Andrea Julian - As a child I was always fascinated with ancient worlds and far away lands. After completing a Bachelors Degree in Biology at Texas State ...
