Key takeaways
- Waco has kid favorites close together: Cameron Park Zoo, the Mayborn Museum, the Waco Mammoth National Monument, the Dr Pepper Museum and Waco Surf.
- Our park is family- and pet-friendly, and we serve complimentary waffles, coffee and juice every Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 to 11:00 AM.
- We host seasonal events for guests, like our Halloween party with a costume contest for kids, adults and pets.
- Mix busy outing days with slow days at camp, and pack simple games for downtime.
- A weekly stay gives the family time to settle in and makes the RV feel like home.
Is Waco a good place for a family RV trip? Yes. Within about a 15-minute drive of our park you can visit Cameron Park Zoo, see real mammoth fossils, and finish the day with a soda fountain treat at the Dr Pepper Museum. Add big parks, a hands-on science museum and a surf park, and kids of most ages will stay busy.
Just as important, you need a calm place to come back to. Magnolia RV Resort is a quiet, secluded park with spacious, level sites, and we welcome families and pets. Below you will find what to do, how to keep kids happy at camp, a packing checklist and a sample three-day plan.
Kid-friendly things to do near the park
Cameron Park Zoo
This 52-acre zoo sits inside Cameron Park beside the Brazos River and uses natural habitats with native plants, waterfalls and ponds. The Brazos River Country area features native Texas habitats and a large saltwater reef aquarium, and the Asian Forest has been home to orangutans, Komodo dragons and Sumatran tigers. Check the zoo’s website for current animals and hours.
Mayborn Museum
On the Baylor University campus, the Mayborn Museum has a two-floor Discovery Center full of hands-on activities, natural history exhibits about prehistoric Central Texas, and a historic village with restored buildings from the 1890s. It is a great pick for a rainy or very hot afternoon.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
Kids love seeing real Columbian mammoth fossils lying where they were found. A dig shelter covers the bones, and the National Park Service runs the site. Our guide to things to do near our Waco RV park has more nearby ideas.
Dr Pepper Museum
Dr Pepper was created in Waco in 1885, and the museum tells that story in a 1906 bottling building. The soda fountain is a favorite stop for families.
Waco Surf
This inland surf park has a wave pool that can make gentle waves for beginners, and the resort has also offered a lazy river. Check their website for current hours, age rules and pricing before you go.
Cameron Park and downtown
Cameron Park covers 416 acres along the Brazos and Bosque rivers, with playgrounds, picnic areas and more than 20 miles of trails. Downtown, Magnolia Market at the Silos has a big lawn and a food truck park, and older kids may enjoy walking across the historic Waco Suspension Bridge.
Family life at Magnolia RV Resort
We keep things simple and friendly. Here is what families can count on at our park:
- Spacious, level, well-maintained sites with room for RVs of all sizes.
- A family- and pet-friendly atmosphere. Call the office to confirm pet details before you arrive.
- Complimentary waffles, coffee and juice every Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 to 11:00 AM.
- Seasonal events for guests. Our Halloween party has included a costume contest for kids, adults and pets, a trick-or-treat parade, snacks and karaoke.
- Propane filling on site.
Want the full picture before you book? Read what to expect at Magnolia RV Resort.
Camping with kids: activities and games
The best family trips leave room for unplanned time. These ideas need little gear and work at almost any campsite:
- Campsite scavenger hunt: make a list of things to spot, like a bird, a smooth rock, an RV from another state or a leaf shaped like a heart.
- License plate game: keep a running list of the states you see on the road and in the park.
- Card and board games: pack a few favorites for evenings or rainy afternoons.
- Nature journal: give each child a notebook to sketch animals and write one thing they liked each day.
- Cook together: let kids help with an easy dinner or dessert.
- Stargazing: on a clear night, step outside after dark and look for the Big Dipper.
Remember that RV parks are shared spaces. Keep noise down in the early morning and late evening, watch younger kids near roads and other sites, and keep pets leashed and picked up after.
Family RV packing checklist
| Category | What to bring |
|---|---|
| Comfort | Kids’ own pillows and blankets, a favorite stuffed animal, night lights |
| Outdoor | Sunscreen, hats, bug spray, refillable water bottles, light rain jackets |
| Fun | Card games, coloring supplies, a ball, books, a small speaker |
| Kitchen | Easy breakfasts, kid-friendly snacks, reusable plates and cups |
| Health | First-aid kit, any medications, a thermometer |
| Pets | Leash, food and water bowls, waste bags, vaccination records |
First RV trip as a family? Our RV camping for beginners guide covers hookups, leveling and setup.
Can an RV park feel like home?
It can, especially if you stay longer than a night or two. Give each child a small bin for their things, keep a simple bedtime routine, and plan at least one lazy day at camp. A weekly stay lets you settle in, and our rates start at $55 per night, $275 per week and $525 per month. Call for current pricing and availability.
A sample three-day family plan
- Day one: arrive, set up and relax. Take an evening walk and let the kids explore the park.
- Day two: Cameron Park Zoo in the morning, a picnic in Cameron Park, then the Dr Pepper Museum.
- Day three: the Waco Mammoth National Monument in the morning and the Mayborn Museum or Waco Surf in the afternoon. If it is a weekend, start with waffles at the park.
Frequently asked questions
Is Magnolia RV Resort pet-friendly?
Yes, we are family- and pet-friendly. Call the office to confirm any pet details before you arrive.
How far is Cameron Park Zoo from the park?
It is about a 15-minute drive.
What can kids do in Waco on a rainy day?
The Mayborn Museum and the Dr Pepper Museum are both indoors, and the fossils at the Waco Mammoth National Monument sit under a dig shelter.
Do you have activities for families at the park?
We serve complimentary waffles, coffee and juice on Saturday and Sunday mornings and host seasonal events for guests, like our Halloween party. Call the office to ask what is coming up during your dates.
Plan your family getaway
We would love to host your family in Waco. Call us at 254-799-3105 or send us a message, and we will reply within one day.
