Best Tent Camping: Texas

Wendel Withrow is a native Texan who began treks into the woods at a young age. During his years at the University of Texas at Austin, where he received his BA in history with high honors, Wendel began his camping career and developed a wanderlust that has taken him to the most remote and beautiful parts of Texas. After receiving his law degree from the Texas Tech University School of Law, he continued to search out the lesser-known natural wonders and historic landmarks throughout Texas and the United States. In 1989 he stumbled on Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey, and his love for the outdoors was transformed into a crusade to try and save all things wild while any remained to be saved. Joining the Sierra Club, Wendel used his passion for photography and inspiration from Abbey to rise to the chair of the Lone Star Chapter and the Dallas group of the Sierra Club. Wendel continues to seek adventure in the outdoors and is currently planning educational field trips to help others experience the unique heritage and wilderness we all share as Texans.Most recently, the Memnosyne Institute named Wendel as the director of Green Source DFW, an all-digital environmental newspaper and community resource seeking to inspire and coordinate the ever-growing number of local green-minded groups and their dedicated supporters. Finally, just in case any hours remain in the week, he is the founder of ExplorersAcademyUSA.org, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing outdoor adventure and appreciation to all ages and groups previously denied the opportunities many of us take for granted.You can access photos and additional information and leave comments or ask questions at menasharidge.com/wendel or wendel@withrowlaw.com.

• Texas Campground Locator MapMap LegendAcknowledgmentsPrefaceBest CampgroundsIntroductionBig Bend Country and the Guadalupe MountainsAbilene State ParkBalmorhea State ParkBig Bend National Park: Chisos Basin CampgroundBig Bend National Park: Rio Grande Village and Cottonwood CampgroundsBig Bend Ranch State ParkDavis Mountains State ParkGuadalupe Mountains National ParkCentral Texas and the Hill CountryBastrop and Buescher State ParksColorado Bend State ParkEnchanted Rock State Natural AreaGarner State ParkGuadalupe River State ParkInks Lake State ParkLake Buchanan: Canyon of the EaglesLake Whitney: Lofers Bend ParkLake Whitney State ParkMcKinney Falls State ParkMeridian State ParkPalmetto State ParkPedernales Falls State ParkNorth Central Texas and the Lake CountryDinosaur Valley State ParkEisenhower State Park: Lake TexomaLake Mineral Wells State Park & TrailwayLyndon B. Johnson National GrasslandsPossum Kingdom State ParkPurtis Creek State ParkRay Roberts Lake State Park: Isle du Bois Unit and Johnson BranchSouth Texas and the Gulf CoastBrazos Bend State ParkChoke Canyon State ParkGoose Island State ParkMustang Island State ParkPadre Island National SeashoreTexana Park and CampgroundThe Texas Panhandle, High Plains, and Caprock CanyonsCaprock Canyons State Park & TrailwayCopper Breaks State ParkLake Arrowhead State ParkPalo Duro Canyon State ParkDeep East Texas and the Big ThicketFairfield Lake State ParkHuntsville State ParkMartin Dies, Jr. State ParkSam Rayburn Reservoir: Rayburn ParkToledo Bend Reservoir: Indian Mounds CampgroundNortheast Texas and Caddo Lake AreaAtlanta State ParkBonham State ParkCaddo Lake State ParkCaddo National GrasslandsCooper Lake State Park: South Sulphur UnitDaingerfield State ParkTyler State ParkAppendix A: Sources of InformationAppendix B: Camping Equipment ChecklistAppendix C: Top 10 Equipment TipsAppendix D: Day Hiking in TexasIndexAbout the Author