Campgrounds and RV parks near Ivanhoe, TX

The main draws are water and forest. At Martin Dies, Jr. State Park, RV travellers can paddle the waters of the Neches and Angelina rivers, walk or bike trails, swim, go fishing in B.A. Steinhagen Reservoir, and geocache. Ranger-led activities include nature and night hikes, paddling tours, star parties, campfire programs, and history programs, and a Junior Ranger program lets kids borrow an Explorer Pack, pick up an activity journal at headquarters, and complete tasks to earn a badge. Beyond the state park, day trips reach the nearby Angelina National Forest to the north and the Big Thicket National Preserve to the south for hiking, birding and scenic drives. Woodville, known as the Dogwood Capital, and Jasper, the Jewel of the Forest, have fuel, grocery stores, and restaurants.

Spring and fall are the most comfortable windows for RV travel in this part of East Texas. March through May brings warming temperatures and blooming dogwoods around Woodville. Bug pressure and humidity climb quickly as spring turns to summer. Summer, June through August, is hot and humid, with daytime highs typically in the mid-thirties Celsius and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. July average high is around 93 degrees Fahrenheit. Lake and paddling activity peaks, but shaded, water/electric sites are the practical choice for running air conditioning. Hurricane season along the Gulf runs June through November, with peak Atlantic activity in August and September; travellers should monitor the National Hurricane Center in late summer. Fall cools noticeably by mid-October and is prime for hiking and paddling, though September is typically the wettest month due to tropical moisture. First freeze occurs early November and last freeze occurs late March, and the January average low is around 38 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter is short and mild, with lower campground demand outside holiday weekends.

Expect a rural, wooded setting with two-lane highways connecting small towns. At Martin Dies, Jr. State Park, most sites are water/electric, and many sit next to the lake or a slough. Screened shelters and cabins are also available, but RVs, travel trailers and pop-up campers are not permitted in the shelter sites. Quiet hours are in effect nightly from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m., and pets are allowed in all areas of the park but not inside any park buildings including cabins, shelters, restrooms or offices. Guests with reservations arriving after 5 p.m. can go directly to their campsite and return to park headquarters to complete check-in after 8:30 a.m. the following morning. Cell coverage in the Piney Woods can be spotty, so download maps and reservation confirmations before arriving.