Texas State Railroad Campground

Campground in Rusk, TX • 57 RV Sites

Texas State Railroad Campground in Rusk, Texas, offers 55 full-hookup RV sites and 16 tent sites at the historic depot of the only state-owned heritage railroad in Texas, with 30 and 50-amp service and rigs accepted to 45 feet. A splash pad, lake, clubhouse, and playground sit on a big-rig-friendly property in the East Texas Piney Woods. Fifty-five sites carry water, sewer, and electric on 30 and 50-amp in pull-through and group back-in configurations, sized to 45 feet, with fire pits, picnic tables, and BBQ pits. Sixteen tent sites cover simpler camping. A general store, laundry, dump station, restrooms, showers, and firewood handle the practical side, and WiFi reaches the property. One vehicle is allowed per site; additional vehicles are $5 per night on arrival. On-site recreation suits families staying around the train schedule. A splash pad anchors the warm months, a lake on the property supports fishing, and walking trails, a playground, a clubhouse, and a pavilion fill out the grounds. Pets are welcome. The railroad is the reason most guests book. Its 25-mile steam and diesel excursion runs through the Piney Woods between Rusk and Palestine, and the campground sits at the Rusk depot, the eastern terminus — which means guests can walk to the platform rather than drive to it. The line was built in 1881 to haul lumber and supplies during the East Texas timber boom. In town, the Carnegie Library, the Museum for East Texas Culture, the Howard House Museum, and Veteran's Memorial Park are all close. Excursion schedules drive occupancy here. Check the train calendar first and book your site around it — running days fill well before quiet ones.

Campground rules and policies

Check-In Procedure
- Check-In: 9 am
- Check-Out: 1 pm
- Upon arrival, please stop at the Campground office and check-in.
- If you should arrive after office hours, please proceed to your assigned campsite, set up, and enjoy the evening. The next morning stop by the campground office after 9:00 am and check in. Thank you, we look forward to having you!
- While each park attempts to accommodate your exact spot request, the on-site manager has the ultimate decision for spot placement.Use of Campground Policy
- Check with the attendant in the campground office for use of this historic park and/or campground.Railroad Tracks Policy
- Walking on or beside the railroad tracks is illegal.
- Please stay clear of the railroad tracks at all times.Use of Vehicles Policy
- The operation of a vehicle is restricted to roads, driveways, and designated parking areas.
- Please do not park on grass without prior management permission.
- Operators must have a valid driver's license.Firearms Policy
- We are a no-hunting facility and firearms must remain unloaded and inside a vehicle.Off-Road Vehicles Policy
- No use of off-road vehicles, including ATVs, dirt bikes, or golf carts, is permitted on railroad property.Quiet Time
- Shhhhh!! We ask that the campground remain a quiet domain between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.Alcoholic Beverages
- As per Texas State Law, drinking alcoholic beverages in public places is outlawed and all of those imbibings must be 21 years or older.
- Please check with management for designated consumption areas as outlined by state law.Pet Restrictions
- Please secure all pets on a leash not exceeding 6' in length.
- Please be careful of weather changes and heat indexes when confining a pet in a vehicle for an extended period of time.
- No one likes a "barker".