Summer in Texas does not have to mean crowded airports, expensive hotels, or spending months planning a vacation.

Some of the best trips are the simple ones.

Hook up the camper.
Load the van.
Grab a cooler and a few easy meals.
Leave after work on Friday and wake up somewhere beautiful Saturday morning.

That’s the beauty of overlanding. You do not have to go far to make memories that feel big.

If you are looking for easy summer trips within a day’s drive of New Braunfels, here are three perfect spots to start.

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1. Garner State Park

Drive Time: About 2 hours

Garner is a Texas classic for a reason.

Clear Frio River water, giant cypress trees, scenic drives, and easy access make it one of the best quick weekend trips in the state.

This is the perfect spot for:

• first time overlanders
• families with kids
• rooftop tent camping
• slow river days

Simple trip idea:
Leave Friday afternoon, set up camp before sunset, spend Saturday floating the river and cooking dinner outside.

Easy Camp Meals:

• breakfast tacos on a camp griddle
• sandwiches and fruit for lunch
• burgers or fajitas over the fire

Pro tip: Summer reservations go FAST.

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2. Padre Island National Seashore

Drive Time: About 3.5 hours

There is something really special about beach camping.

Padre Island National Seashore gives you miles of coastline where you can drive right onto the beach and set up camp.

No schedules.
No crowded resorts.
Just salt air, campfires, and sunrise coffee by the water.

This is one of the easiest and most rewarding trips you can do in an adventure van or camper.

Perfect for:

• Storyteller vans
• rooftop tents
• overland trailers

Easy Camp Meals:

• breakfast burritos
• hot dogs over the fire
• grilled shrimp tacos

Make sure to bring:

• extra water
• shade setup
• recovery boards if driving deeper into the sand

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3. Big Bend National Park

Drive Time: About 6 hours

If you have never taken your rig to Big Bend, this summer might be the time.

Big Bend feels completely different from the rest of Texas. Massive mountain views, desert roads, incredible stargazing, and endless exploring make it one of the most unforgettable overlanding destinations in the country.

This trip is ideal for:

• adventure vans
• off grid camping
• longer weekend trips
• experienced campers wanting more remote adventure

Easy Camp Meals:

• foil packet fajitas
• campfire sausage and veggies
• simple coffee and breakfast sandwiches

Big Bend rewards simplicity. The less complicated your setup, the more you enjoy the experience.

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Keep Summer Trips Simple

One of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking every trip has to be some huge production.

It doesn’t.

Some of the best memories happen on simple weekends close to home:

• slow mornings outside
• cooking dinner at camp
• kids running around barefoot
• no real schedule

That’s what this lifestyle is really about.

And honestly? That’s why so many Hawkes customers come back from their first trip saying the same thing:

“I wish we had done this sooner.”

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Gear That Makes Summer Trips Easier

A few upgrades can make summer adventures way more comfortable.

Rooftop Tents

Quick setup and easy camping almost anywhere.

👉 Browse rooftop tents:
https://hawkesoutdoors.com/collections/rooftop-tents

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Adventure Vans

Comfortable, capable, and ready for spontaneous trips.

👉 Explore Storyteller vans:
https://hawkesoutdoors.com/collections/storyteller-overland

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Storage Systems

Keep camp gear organized and easy to access.

👉 Explore DECKED systems:
https://hawkesoutdoors.com/collections/decked

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Ready for Summer?

If you have been thinking about getting outside more this year, this is your sign.

Take the trip.
Keep it simple.
Make the memories.

👉 Explore vans, campers, rooftop tents, and gear:
https://hawkesoutdoors.com

📍 Hawkes Outdoors - New Braunfels
📞 210-352-5119