A Camping Guide to Texas

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This one’s for the RV fans, camping aficionados, or anyone who simply loves the great outside. From historic universities to Americana beauty that feels straight out of a Western, the spots between Camp Fimfo’s iconic campgrounds are worthy of your next road trip. Join us as we explore the trails of Texas all the way from Waco to just outside San Antonio. S’mores are on us!

Camp Fimfo - Waco

Situated near the Brazos River, Camp Fimfo Waco offers a family-friendly camping experience with modern amenities like full-hookup RV sites, cabins, and glamping tents. It features a water playground, swimming pool, and mini-golf, alongside planned activities and outdoor adventures such as river tubing and fishing. The resort combines classic charm of the outdoors with modern comforts like a swim-up bar and on-site dining, making it the perfect resort for anyone, from adventurous outdoor ruffians to luxurious glampers!

1000 Chickadee Ln, Waco, TX 76708

Silo's at Magnolia

Ten years ago, no one imagined that two abandoned cottonseed silos in Waco, Texas, would become the centerpiece of Magnolia Market, a thriving shopping and cultural destination created by Chip and Joanna Gaines. Once part of the Brazos Valley Cotton Oil Mill, the silos now house six boutique-style shops, each offering themed products like home decor, custom accessories, and hosting essentials. The Magnolia complex also features a bakery, coffee shop, garden center, and community spaces, providing an immersive experience that reflects the signature style of the Gaines family.

601 Webster Ave, Waco, TX 76706

Homestead Heritage

Homestead Craft Village, located near Waco, Texas, is a community dedicated to traditional craftsmanship and sustainable living. Visitors can watch artisans demonstrate handmade crafts like pottery, woodworking, and blacksmithing, and even participate in hands-on workshops. The village also offers a unique cultural experience with its working gristmill, artisan shops, and events celebrating old-world skills and self-sufficiency.

608 Dry Creek Rd, Waco, TX 76705

Armstrong Browning Library

Einstein once said, “The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library.” If you’re an English-poetry enthusiast, the library you’ll absolutely have to know is Baylor University’s Armstrong Browning Library, which houses the largest collections of works by poets Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. If that’s not enough, the library is also home to the world’s largest collection of secular stained glass!

710 Speight Ave, Waco, TX 76706

Baylor University

Baylor University was chartered on February 1, 1845, making the oldest continuously operating university in Texas. The school sits on 1,000 picturesque acres in Waco, where over 19,000 students attend each year, helping to maintain Baylor’s dynamic and thriving academic environment. Sic ‘em, bears!

1311 S 5th St, Waco, TX 76706

Mayborn Museum

The Mayborn Museum Complex at Baylor University combines natural science, history, and interactive exhibits. It features hands-on discovery rooms for children, a historic village displaying 19th-century life, and showcases Texas history and culture. Among its unique collections are a preserved log house from 1835, 636 examples of barbed wire, and fossils and prehistoric artifacts. This vibrant educational center reflects Baylor’s commitment to museum studies, being one of the few U.S. universities to offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees in the field.

1300 S University Parks Dr, Waco, TX 76706

Suspension Bridge

The 475 ft (145 m) single-span Waco Suspension Bridge, which was completed on November 20, 1869, contains nearly 3 million bricks and is the oldest bridge over the Brazos River. Every Independence Day, thousands of Wacoans gather on the suspension bridge, a special symbol to locals, to watch fireworks. If the bridge looks too narrow from afar, worry not: it was built intentionally wide enough for horse-drawn stagecoaches to pass each other!

101 N University Parks Dr, Waco, TX 76701

Downtown Waco/Hippodrome

The Waco Hippodrome, located on historic Austin Avenue, opened in 1914 as a vaudeville and movie theater and remains a cultural hub for Waco. After surviving a fire in 1928 and undergoing modern renovations, it now hosts live performances, movies, and community events, complete with a restaurant and bar. Austin Avenue itself is a significant part of Waco’s history, once the city’s main street for shopping and entertainment, and continues to be a vibrant area with a blend of historic charm and modern attractions.

Austin Ave, Waco, Texas

Alico Building

Construction of the ALICO Building began in 1910, initially planned as eight stories, but was expanded to 22 stories after competing with the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas. Completed in 1911, the building featured advanced innovations like a steel frame and a modern elevator system. It stood as the tallest building west of the Mississippi and south of the Mason-Dixon line until 1929, and it remains standing as an important symbol of strength and stability of the Waco community.

425 Austin Ave, Waco, TX 76701

Waco Mammoth National Monument

In 1978, while Paul Barron and Eddie Bufkin were digging for arrowheads, snakes, and perhaps fossils at a dairy farm, they saw something large protruding from a ravine. It turned out to be the femur of a Columbian mammoth — the larger distant relative of the wooly mammoth, with a shoulder height of 14 feet! Scientists began digging at the site and have unearthed more mammoth remains, including an intact “nursing herd” of nearly 20 female mammoths and fossils of an ancient relative to camels. These discoveries and more can now be found at Waco Mammoth National Monument.

6220 Steinbeck Bend Dr, Waco, TX 76708

Dr Pepper Museum

When thinking of famous Texans, don’t forget Dr Pepper, which was invented in Waco, Texas, in 1885 — predating Coca-Cola by a year. Created by pharmacist Charles Alderton at Morrison’s Old Corner Drug Store, Dr Pepper became a local favorite and later a national sensation, known for its unique flavor that doesn’t fit into any standard soft drink category. Today, Waco is home to the Dr Pepper Museum, which honors this iconic soft drink’s history with one of the world’s best soft drink memorabilia collections. Cheers!

Learn More

300 S 5th St, Waco, TX 76701

Texas Flag Barn

Nestled under the sprawling Texas sky and flanked by a striking rural landscape sits the Texas Flag Barn, a barn painted with the Texas state flag on its roof. It’s a popular roadside stop for travelers, photographers, visitors, and locals looking to take a moment to snap a photo and to celebrate Texas heritage at this small but beautiful landmark off Highway 6.

7PHV+F4, Bruceville-Eddy, TX 76524

Texas Capitol Building

It’s common knowledge that “Everything is bigger in Texas,” and the state’s Capitol building in Austin certainly gives credence to that saying. The Texas Capitol Building is the largest State Capitol in the US, including the US Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. Built from Texas pink granite in a Renaissance Revival style, the striking Capitol has long been a symbol of Texas pride and history.

1100 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701

Camp Fimfo – Texas Hill Country

Nestled along the Guadalupe River in New Braunfels, Camp Fimfo Hill Country offers a scenic retreat with a mix of adventure and relaxation. Visitors can enjoy river activities like tubing and fishing, while the site provides water slides, mini-golf, hot tubs, and even a swim-up bar for relaxation. With RV sites, cabins, and glamping options, this location is ideal for families, groups, or anyone looking to experience Texas’ beautiful Hill Country!

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520 Whitewater Way, New Braunfels, TX 78132

Naegelin's Bakery

Naegelin’s Bakery, located in New Braunfels, Texas, is the oldest continuously operating bakery in the state, having opened in 1868. Known for its classic German baked goods like strudels, kolaches, and other pastries, the bakery reflects the area’s strong German heritage. It has become a beloved local institution, serving generations of customers with both traditional and modern treats, showing how Naegelin’s has maintained its old-world charm while continuing to produce fresh, handmade goods daily.

129 S Seguin Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78130

Gruene Hall

Gruene Hall, built in 1878, is Texas’ oldest and most iconic dance hall, largely unchanged since its original construction. Its 6,000 square foot space, featuring a tin roof, open-air flaps, a front bar, and a small stage, offers an authentic dance hall experience. Musicians ranging from established world-renowned musicians like Willie Nelson, Garth Brooks, The Chicks, or Ziggy Marley to up-and-coming newbies who could be the next breakout star have taken the stage at Gruene Hall, but one thing has remained constant: patrons are guaranteed to enjoy top-notch live music and have a rootin’-tootin’ time.

1281 Gruene Rd, New Braunfels, TX 78130

Gruene General Store

Whether you’re a fan of Americana, browsing for old-fashioned goods, soaking in history, or just love a scoop icecream, Gruene General Store has something that’s sure to please! This historic store and soda fountain was originally established in 1878 for the local sharecroppers. Today, visitors from all over stop on by for a $.05 cup of coffee, load up on Texas souvenirs, and take in the rich history that is all around the store (even on the old wood floors patched with rusty license plates!).

1610 Hunter Rd, New Braunfels, TX 78130

HD Gruene Building

In 1878, Henry D. Gruene, prominent local figure and son of the town’s founder, Ernst Gruene, built a mercantile store providing essential goods to townspeople and farmers and played a key role in supporting the town’s economy. Today, the HD Gruene Building is an important piece of Gruene’s historic district and stands as a testament to the town’s dedication to maintaining its history — while adapting to changing times. Visitors of the building today can find various boutiques, shops, and restaurants to peruse while they experience the history and culture of Gruene.

1601 Hunter Rd, New Braunfels, TX 78130

San Marcos River

San Marcos, Texas, is home to the famous Spring Lake and San Marcos River, where crystal-clear waters offer visitors the chance to explore the unique ecosystem through glass-bottomed boat tours. These tours provide a rare opportunity to view underwater life, showcasing the river’s rich biodiversity in a way that feels like gliding over an aquarium. Its also the grounds (waters?) of the Texas Water Safari, an internationally recognized, 4-day, 260-mile (418 km) race known as “The World’s Toughest Boat Race.”

Learn More

201 San Marcos Springs Dr, San Marcos, TX 78666

Lockhart Courthouse

The Lockhart Courthouse, built in 1894, is a striking Second Empire-style building, featuring a prominent clock tower, a Mansard roof, and intricate stonework comprised of local materials. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, it is a key historical landmark and architectural attraction, drawing in thousands of visitors thanks to its beauty and role in Texas history.

110 S Main St #201, Lockhart, TX 78644

Black's BBQ

Opened nearly a century ago in 1932, Black’s BBQ is a legendary Texas barbecue restaurant in Lockhart, known for its slow-cooked brisket, ribs, and sausage, using traditional methods passed down to five generations of the Black family. Still family-operated, it has maintained its status as one of the top destinations for authentic Texas-style barbecue and the oldest family-run BBQ joint in the state. Lockhart was officially named the fBBQ capital of Texas by the Texas Legislature, and the town certainly has Black’s BBQ to thank for that Texas-sized honor!

215 N Main St, Lockhart, TX 78644

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Camp Fimfo - Waco

Silo's at Magnolia

Homestead Heritage

Armstrong Browning Library

Baylor University

Mayborn Museum

Suspension Bridge

Downtown Waco/Hippodrome

Alico Building

Waco Mammoth National Monument

Texas Flag Barn

Texas Capitol Building

Naegelin's Bakery

Gruene Hall

Gruene General Store

HD Gruene Building

Lockhart Courthouse

Black's BBQ

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