Summer 2017 Texas Trends

Hipcamp is a company that empowers landowners to share their property with campers to create sustainable revenue and support in the conservation of land. From public parks to private land, Hipcamp is the most comprehensive guide to camping in the nation. Search, discover and book ranches, farms, vineyards, nature preserves and public sites for camping across the U.S. Hipcamp offers a referral bonus for anyone who refers a landowner that lists on Hipcamp. The landowner and their referral both receive $100 cash when they take their first booking! HipCamp.com

Pedernales Falls State Park Campground | TEXAS

Other than the youth group area, an equestrian group camp and two mile hike-in primitive sites, Pedernales Falls Campground is your one and only choice! 69 sites sit in the center of the park, all equipped with a picnic table, water and 30 AMP electric and many nearby amenities. Sites 11-20 are exceptionally close to a scenic overlook of Twin Falls, though all sites are pretty darn equidistant from all park activities!

Colorado Bend State Park Campground | TEXAS

If you just can’t sleep at night without the sound of a babbling brook, 28 sites are available in Colorado Bend State Park Campground for tent campers on a walk-in basis and have a picnic table, fire ring and nearby potable water. The other 15 sites are ripe for river glamping! Pull up in your rugged ride (up to 30 feet), enjoy all of the same amenities and the rest is history.

Inks Lake State Park Campground | TEXAS

Many of the campsites here are on the water! The amenities are solid and you can choose a primitive backpacking site, a site with water and/or electricity or even a mini-cabin. The only catch is that you need to book well in advance during the peak season (spring, summer). We recommend grabbing a site on the eastern end close to Devil’s Waterhole; this area is usually less crowded, has more foliage, is the farthest point from boat traffic and plus it’s close to the coolest spot in the park.

Gaia GPS resets the standard for outdoor navigation, with fast vector maps, comprehensive park/trail search and a thoughtful user interface to make navigating the backcountry simple. The app is widely considered essential by backpackers, guides, hunters and other people who work and play outdoors. Gaia’s comprehensive catalog of maps and intuitive navigation tools help people find their way and stay safer in the woods. Works seamlessly across iOS, Android and desktop devices. GaiaGPS.com

She Explores is a website for inquisitive women in the outdoors, on the road and besides. Something happens to us when we step outside. Whether it’s the act of lacing up our boots, the fresh air in our lungs or the panorama of landscape—it inspires us to create and tell stories. Who is she? She is curious and ready-to-go; invariably planning her next endeavor. You could just as easily find her climbing in the mountains as rediscovering her home town. You might find her with a watercolor paint brush looking out at the lake, or with her adventure rig pulled over on the side of the road, camera poised. She Explores is a growing resource for the creative outdoors woman. They’ve featured more than 200 women’s stories, photographs and artwork. You can find a selection of talented women on their site. On the site you’ll find their podcast for and about women who are inspired by time spent outside. She-Explores.com

In MeatEater, author, hunter and outdoorsman Steven Rinella walks on the wild side where cliffs, claws and the culinary art all come crashing together in one nail-biting outdoors adventure. Rinella will deconstruct and master any hunting technique, track and pursue prey and procure his own food, which he will turn into a mouth-watering fireside meal. Far from trophy or sport hunting, Rinella stays true to our ancestral tradition of sustenance hunting. Nothing he harvests goes to waste. Whether tracking black tail deer in the remote Alaskan Wilderness, or rooting out javelina in Texas, Rinella will defer to his back-country roots, challenging himself at every corner while providing nail biting adventure along the way. The show airs on the Sportsman Channel and you can catch episodes on Netflix as well. On TheMeatEater.com you’ll also find the episodes along with Rinella’s podcast. TheMeatEater.com

Every horse needs a home. Few moments are more treasured than watching a once-starved horse, now healthy and happy, sharing a new home with a loving family. Habitat for Horses is a not-for-profit equine protection agency committed to the prevention, rescue and rehabilitation of neglected, abused and homeless equine. While being responsive to calls for assistance from law enforcement, the organization maintains a leadership role in horse protection issues and assists in setting the standards for all equine facilities throughout the U.S. Visit their site to view a list of horses and donkeys that are fully vaccinated, have all medical work completed and are ready to join you and your family! HabitatForHorses.org

An American travel brand built upon telling true stories of place. The name Wildsam comes from John Steinbeck’s East of Eden, and a quote that describes its main character, Sam Hamilton, as having “that joyous faraway look” on his face. It’s that look, that eagerness to face the wilderness and lean forward, that forms the foundation that Wildsam is built on. Founded in 2012, Wildsam’s aim is to point travelers towards unforgettable experiences. Wildsam sells the American Dream in the form of its city-by-city travel guides and the in-depth analysis each one offers. By mixing historical anecdotes, local interviews, memoir and hand-drawn maps, each guide explores the region in a unique way, both accessible and intricate, making your travel experience one worth remembering, and repeating. The guides also offer a highly curated list of recommendations, the kind of smart list a close friend might offer. Wildsam currently features two Texas guides—Austin and San Antonio—and we’re featuring the Austin guide here! Wildsam.com

Howler founders Chase Heard and Andy Stepanian spent their adolescent summers haunting the waters and fish of Florida and Virginia and riding the ripples those states call waves. Both Heard and Stepanian now live in Texas where they raise families, work hard, make music together, chase fish with fly rods and make runs to the nearest coast or river when the opportunity arises. Heard and Stepanian formed Howler Brothers to craft limited run, high quality clothing and goods that draw inspiration from the style and tradition of surfing and coastal sports. Howler Brothers clothing designs honor the soul, passion and timeless style of sports such as surfing and fly fishing but update historic garment ideas with modern influence from waves, water, geography, fashion and art. Every garment and accessory is crafted with functionality and attention to detail at the forefront. They avoid trendy or overly traditional ideas and use small batch production and collaborations with artists and craftsmen to create original, alternative offerings. Their base of operations, Austin, Texas, is miles from the nearest ocean but provides daily inspiration with its vibrant and diverse creative culture. HowlerBros.com

Let’s make the outdoors more accessible. The Outbound was built to spread the excitement of outdoor adventure, whether just down the street or across the globe, by inspiring people to discover, explore and share their favorite activities and local playgrounds. It is their hope that by making it easier to find relevant information and harnessing the power of our community, they can encourage more people to enjoy and appreciate the outdoors. As individuals who love the outdoors, they believe that the stewardship of our favorite playgrounds is our responsibility. They’re commited to constantly improving the level of education within our community and ensuring that their users are prepared to responsibly enjoy the places they find on The Outbound. Have any suggestions? Let them know at Support@TheOutbound.com. TheOutbound.com

Madera Hammock Company, based out of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, works to establish commitment to spirit, nature and service. Doing good is their motive, and they want all who are involved with them to feel the spirit known to Jackson Hole. Because it takes two trees to hang a hammock, Madera plants two trees for each hammock sold. Through their partnering with Trees for the Future, to-date they have planted 10,000 trees and counting. Together, they are improving the livelihoods of impoverished farmers by revitalizing degraded lands. They have demonstrated the transformative power of trees in helping people break out of the poverty trap while also addressing the global environment. Today, their work in East and West Africa is helping to build a world where people can leave a legacy of opportunity through sustainable practices and productive lands for future generations. MaderaOutdoor.com