State parks are some of our most overlooked travel destinations. These natural treasures offer visitors beautiful scenery, wildlife, recreation and relaxation. The genius of our state park systems is that no matter where you live you have access to at least one or more of these getaways relatively close to home. Should you want to travel further, you can take your choice of hundreds of state parks.

Texas is no exception, with parks scattered across the state. Several of these parks offer unusual opportunities and one program tailored for families new to camping in Texas parks.

Texas Outdoor Family Workshops

Thinking about camping? Not quite sure if it’s really the activity for you? Texas state park system offers a program that should help you decide if yours is a camping family, without having to buy camping equipment, except sleeping bags. Every year, almost fifty Texas Outdoor Family Workshops are offered at parks across the state.

These workshops help families explore camping and the fun of being outdoors in Texas state parks. All the camping equipment you need for a family of six is provided, but you’ll have to set up your own tent and campsite, with expert help of course. You’ll get a list of personal items to bring. No camping trip is complete without good food. You’ll receive a shopping list so you can bring the food--all the ingredients you need. During the workshop, instructors will teach campground cooking and safety.

There will also be plenty of time for enjoying a wide range of recreational activities, depending upon what is available at the park you choose. For instance, the workshop at Goose Island State Park introduces campers to saltwater fishing and kayaking. At Caddo Lake, families can learn about wildlife viewing and photography, as well as nature journaling.

For information about these workshops, the cost and which parks offer them, check out Texas Outdoor Family.

San Angelo State Park

Visitors from around the world come to Texas state parks to see the Texas Longhorn Herd. You can see part of that herd at San Angelo Park and do the Longhorn Tour to get a closer look and learn about these famed animals—facts, legends and lore.

Once a year you can return to the Old West for a weekend at the Trail Ride and Cowboy Celebration. How about a trail ride, then a chuck wagon meal and then some West Texas entertainment? On Sunday, you can attend a real live Cowboy Church.

Learn about this state park, the official Texas Longhorn Herd and making reservations for the Trail Ride at San Angelo State Park.

Monahans Sandhills State Park

Texas is big and diverse, but did you know that diversity includes camels? Deep in west Texas you will find Monahans Sandhills State Park and an adventure called Texas Camel Treks. If you’re physically in shape and willing to exert yourself, you can experience the desert life. The Texas State Parks and Wildlife Department calls it “a slice of the Sahara and the Bedouin way of life in the West Texas desert while on this camel-assisted walking trek where the camels carry all your gear.”

Along the way you’ll be able to learn about the land and its history. Trekkers also explore the plants and animals indigenous to the park. You also get to work with the camels, learning to load and unload them. All participants must be able to walk three-to-five-miles per day in the sand dunes. This is definitely not a trip for the faint of heart, but for the active, healthy traveler, Texas Camel Treks might just provide the next great overnight adventure.

Make reservations or learn more at Texas Camel Treks. For more information on the park, visit Monahans Sandhills State Park.

Enjoy one of these park adventures, or take advantage of the many other opportunities that Texas state parks have to offer. It’s all part of our American heritage.