• Camping is a great American experience.camping image by Colin Buckland from Fotolia.com
  
  Texas is home to a wide variety of nature, including lakes, plains, desert, forest and hills. Etoile is conveniently nestled in an area with many camping sites. These facilities often take full advantage of the beautiful nearby lakes and reservoirs. Individuals and families can enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in these campgrounds. Whether you are a traditional camper with nothing more than a tent and a backpack, or the proud owner of a recreational vehicle, you can find camping to suit your needs in Etoile, Texas.
  
  

Shirley Creek Marina and Campground

• Shirley Creek is one of many camping facilities located on Lake Sam Rayburn, a reservoir maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This large lake provides the setting for most of the campgrounds in and around Etoile, Texas. Shirley Creek's 34 acres of park land offers tent sites and RV camping, as well as a full-service marina. A large cafe hosts Sunday religious services, and also serves coffee, snacks and meals. Campers may bring their own boats or rent boats at the campgrounds.
  
  Fishing equipment and bait are also available, as well as fishing rod maintenance services. Largemouth bass are plentiful and among the most popular fish in the Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Catfish and crappie are also in abundance. Sunfish, bluegills and other variety of bass can also be caught on occasion. Those unprepared for outdoor or RV camping may rent one of Shirley Creek's log cabins.
  
  Shirley Creek Marina and Campground
  23177 FM 226
  Etoile, TX 75944
  (936) 854-2233
  shirleycreek.com
  
  

Rayburn Park

• Also located on the north side of Sam Rayburn Reservoir, the Rayburn Park offers 45 campsites, half of which can accommodate an RV with electric hookups. There are 21 campsites without power for use by tent campers. The Park offers picnic areas and a playground for day guests or overnight campers.
  
  Rayburn Park offers 25 year-round campsites, but extends the capacity during the spring and summer months. As with other nearby campgrounds, those with boats may enter Sam Rayburn Reservoir directly from within Rayburn Park via any of three boat launches, however no marina services are available. A dump station and a restroom with showers is available on premises for the convenience of all campers.
  
  Rayburn Park
  Sam Rayburn Reservoir
  F.M. Road 3127
  Broaddus, TX 75929
  877-444-6777
  swf-wc.usace.army.mil/samray
  
  

Hanks Creek Park

• Hanks Creek Park is located 20 minutes from Etoile. All of the campground's 49 campsites offer electrical hookups for RV camping. Among these, six have higher power 50-amp circuits. The campground also boasts a volleyball court and a playground.
  
  As with most campgrounds along Sam Rayburn Reservoir, it is possible to launch a boat into the lake directly from Hanks Creek Park. A swimming beach is also provided at Hanks Creek Park. Showers, a shelter, playfields, a dump station and a group shelter round out the offerings at this campground. To reduce crime in the area, this park is not open to vehicle traffic between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. each day. However, the boat ramp is open at all times.
  
  Hanks Creek Park
  RT 3 Box 486
  Jasper, TX 75951-9598
  877-444-6777
  swf-wc.usace.army.mil/samray/Recreation/Parks/Corpsparks.asp#HanksCreek