Thanksgiving camping at Martin Dies Jr. state park

Post Reply
Phishtech
TKF 2000 club
TKF 2000 club
Posts: 2339
Joined: Mon Jan 30, 2006 7:47 pm
Location: DEER PARK, TEXAS

Thanksgiving camping at Martin Dies Jr. state park

Post by Phishtech »

I'd heard this was a great park and I wasn't disappointed, its a jewel. This place has it all: large camp sites, clean, clean restrooms and showers, they sell fire wood cheap, canoe, row boat and bicycle rentals, tent camping, sites with just water or water and electric for pop-ups, travel trailers, motor homes, etc. Miles of beautiful hike and bike trails through the woods, 2 boat ramps, 2 fishing piers, lots of sites on the water, you name it. Also had playgrounds for the kids. This place will be a regular spot for us from now on.

We had deer come through our camp site every morning and evening
Image

Our campsite was large, clean, and quiet with picnic table, BBQ pit, and fire ring
Image

We got there about noon Thanksgiving day and set up camp. The Norther blew through that night and we woke up to 36° temps and fog that soon burned off.
Image

Part of one of the many hike and bike trails.
[IMG]http://i529.photobucket

Some pics of the lake with fog
Image

[IMG]http://i529.photobucket

We took the Ultimate 14.5 with us. The wife hadn't been in a kayak for over 2 years now due to a wreck caused by a female talking on a cell phone as she ran a red light. She put on her back brace and I helped her in and out of the kayak. She had to take her babies, I mean dogs along for the ride.
Image

You can see some of the shelters they rent. Some with water, some with water and electric, some also have A/C. All were on or near the water. The campgrounds also has play grounds for the kids.
Image

Image

One item we can't do without on our camping trips is our Coleman stove. The little propane bottles seem to last forever. We finally emptied one after four camping trips and used it for making coffee, cooking, boiling water to wash dishes, etc. This is a must have item. On Friday night we ate wild caught salmon that we brought back from last year's Alaska trip.
Image

Image

On Saturday night we ate fried catfish and trout fillets.
[IMG]http://i529.photobucket

A pic of one of the trails through the woods. This is a neat place if you're into hiking.
IMG]http://i529.photobucket.com/albums
Image

This place is also a kayak paddler's dream. Can't wait to go back.
Image

We ended each day sitting in front of a fire drinking hot coffee and solving the world's problems. In bed by 9 and fall asleep listing to the leaves falling on the camper's canvas and the armadillos crawling through the brush behind us, wake up at daybreak ready to start the day.

Image
Last edited by Phishtech on Mon Nov 30, 2009 9:54 am, edited 2 times in total.
User avatar
bowgarguide
TKF 5000 Club
TKF 5000 Club
Posts: 5370
Joined: Mon Jan 15, 2007 7:52 pm

Re: Thanksgiving camping at Martin Dies Jr. state park

Post by bowgarguide »

Looks like a great trip thanks for the pics and report.
Ron
bigfost
TKF 3000 Club
TKF 3000 Club
Posts: 3401
Joined: Thu Sep 15, 2005 3:39 pm
Location: Hammer Whisperer, TX

Re: Thanksgiving camping at Martin Dies Jr. state park

Post by bigfost »

My wife and I love Martin Dies. We go there quite a bit in the winter. It's too dang hot in the summer.
User avatar
Mythman
TKF 10,000 Club
TKF 10,000 Club
Posts: 23716
Joined: Wed Mar 22, 2006 8:23 am
Location: Cypress.......watching the weather to go BTB fishing!

Re: Thanksgiving camping at Martin Dies Jr. state park

Post by Mythman »

Impressive looking place.................the pics show a fun time............congrats and thanks for the report.
Wolfman57
TKF 4000 Club
TKF 4000 Club
Posts: 4148
Joined: Tue May 10, 2005 3:05 pm
Location: League City

Re: Thanksgiving camping at Martin Dies Jr. state park

Post by Wolfman57 »

going to check out this camp site...thanks for the report and pics
User avatar
beljason
Posts: 286
Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2007 8:54 pm
Location: Waco

Re: Thanksgiving camping at Martin Dies Jr. state park

Post by beljason »

great report and pictures, looks like a very scenic park.
User avatar
On the Guad
TKF 1000 Club
TKF 1000 Club
Posts: 1699
Joined: Sun Apr 19, 2009 10:16 pm
Location: Smithson Valley

Re: Thanksgiving camping at Martin Dies Jr. state park

Post by On the Guad »

Thanks for sharing. Nice pictures. Where is the park at.
User avatar
Pogo
TKF 3000 Club
TKF 3000 Club
Posts: 3627
Joined: Mon Jul 28, 2003 4:49 pm
Location: League City
Contact:

Re: Thanksgiving camping at Martin Dies Jr. state park

Post by Pogo »

Very cool report, makes me wanna go! GREAT looking food shots, too. 8)

Since ya mention those little propane bottles, thought I'd pass this on, Ron told me about it:
Image

http://tinyurl.com/cvctw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
User avatar
Drmsfish
Posts: 881
Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2004 4:18 pm
Location: Corpus Christi, TX

Re: Thanksgiving camping at Martin Dies Jr. state park

Post by Drmsfish »

Unless I'm senile, this is on Dam B? Beautiful pics. Watch out for duck hunters (AM only) and for those big alligators. There are more than a few when it's warm.
Matt
bluewave18
Posts: 80
Joined: Tue Sep 07, 2010 1:22 pm
Location: LP

Re: Thanksgiving camping at Martin Dies Jr. state park

Post by bluewave18 »

Great report. We just bought a pop up and this place is on our list.
User avatar
86cowboy
Posts: 21
Joined: Sun Aug 29, 2010 6:20 pm
Location: Kingwood, Tx

Re: Thanksgiving camping at Martin Dies Jr. state park

Post by 86cowboy »

I use to be a CubMaster and we took the scouts there a couple of times and loved it. Great camping and not far out of Houston. I had actually forgot about it until I read this article.
Post Reply