8 Fabulously Gay-Friendly & Gay Resorts In Texas To Try On Your Next Gaycation!

Whether you go on holiday for the suntan, new experiences, blow off steam, or just to escape the daily grind, we’re willing to bet that you want to feel relaxed and free to be yourself. Thankfully the gay resorts in Texas allow you to do just that – to be 110% yourself, without a single double-take, all in the company of other open-minded folks.

The Lonestar State may not quickly come to mind as a great gay travel destination – it has, in fact, quite a reputation as being a conservative bastion of so-called “traditional” values. While one may not think of Texas as a gay friendly state, it does in fact, recognize same-sex marriage (which became the law of the land in the United States in 2015).

And while anti discrimation laws have yet to catch up with the progress that has been made in other parts of the nation, local governments in many parts of the state have taken measures to provide benefits and protections for LGBT people. And in our experience, the majority of Texans are in favor of supporting LGBT rights…

The point is that it would be such a shame for gay travelers to miss out on everything Texas has to offer because of a reputation that isn’t wholly deserved. America’s second-largest state is home to a wealth of great reasons for anyone to visit. 

All of the resorts listed below are gay-friendly, and several are even owned and operated by gays. And, of course, this is our mission: to give you a starting point in your search for a warm and friendly place to stay during your time in Texas. We’ll send you in the proper direction, and after you arrive, you’ll be surprised at how quickly you can develop friendships with people at a gay resort — it’s as if everyone there has something in common, there’s no judgment, and you can connect more easily. Even better, no dating sites or gay apps are required to meet folks here…

The Homestead at 3218

This is a member-only resort for gay men in rural Crawford, Texas, which is just west of Waco. Clothing is optional in designated areas of the resort, which also has an RV park and campground on its premises. The Homestead promises good times for open-minded men, is open year-round, and allows for booking a day visit or for multiple nights.

Owners Rob and Mark have an unobstructed policy toward men of all ages, shapes, and sizes, and all gay men looking for a fun, encouraging setting are welcome. Membership is the only requirement. Well, that and a fun-loving attitude and eagerness to put your cares aside. This is the place to showcase your favorite jockstrap or swimsuit, explore your kinks, let loose your inhibitions and just be yourself. The Homestead has recently won a Camper’s Choice Award from ROVERPASS.

The resort boasts a long list of amenities: free Wi-Fi, free parking, a restaurant and bar (The Longwood Tavern), messages by licensed massage therapists, recreational fishing at Rainey Creek, outdoor movies, picnic tables, a fire ring, and a charcoal grill as well as a drinking water dispenser on the campgrounds. There is also a rec center with a billiards table and a community coffee maker and microwave, as well as vending machines, video viewing rooms, communal showers, and restrooms. There is also a black light graphics room and a steam room in the rec center with limited nighttime hours.

The Homestead at 3218 also can host an array of events such as birthdays, anniversaries, retirement parties, engagements, and so on. The beautiful resort makes the perfect setting for any kind of get-together with friends and loved ones. And it can host for a day or a weekend, or even longer.

Accommodations at the Homestead include the Red Rooster Cottage, with its two bedrooms, living room with large sleeper sofa and flat-screen TV and dining room/fully furnished kitchen, private bathroom with walk-in shower. Also, there are the Rainey Creek House Suites, which are fully furnished with queen beds and a queen-size sleeper sofa in most suites, private baths, and full kitchens with stove/oven combo, refrigerator, dishwasher, toaster, and coffee maker. The suites also have a flat-screen TV with DIRECTV, ceiling fans, and adjacent parking for the utmost convenience. Rainey Creek House is a pet-friendly area, though a deposit is required if you wish to bring your pet.

Bunk rooms and hostel-style sleeping cubicles are also available at the resort, along with the campsites.  And then, of course there are the RV spaces which can be had in a variety of utility hookup packages.

Grizzly Pines

Grizzly Pines claims to be the premier clothing-optional gay resort in the state of Texas. It’s a claim that is hard to refute, given how far the resort goes to cater to gay men and ensure that they have a safe, inviting space to have fun. This independently-owned establishment is located in Navasota and set in a pleasant woodsy environment. Grizzly Pines has even been featured on the cover of Outsmart Magazine’s travel issue.

There is a range of accommodation styles at Grizzly Pines, including tent spaces, cabins, and rooms at the Bearracks Bunkhouse. And for dining guests first choice is Randy’s Big Gay Taco, which serves up homestyle cooking in addition to standard fare like chicken tenders, sandwiches, grilled cheese, breakfast burritos, and the like.

Cabin rooms are creatively named, with options like The Lookout Lodge, The Bear Cove, 69 & 96, The Cabin in the Woods, The Stonewall, Little Bear Lodge, and so on. Unique names aren’t all these accommodations have, though. While amenities vary, they include, depending on room styles, air conditioning, Wi-Fi access, some even have full kitchens and bathrooms, and some have king and queen beds. The largest cabins can sleep up to six people.

The property has bathrooms and showers for guests to use, and there are charcoal pits scattered around the property. There is also bagged ice, charcoal, and firewood for sale, and the resort even has two licensed massage therapists on-site should you need a relaxing massage while you are here. Wi-Fi is available at the resort, and golf carts can be rented for easier mobility. Owners stress that all areas of the resort are nonsmoking.

Gay men looking for a safe, fun space to be themselves in the presence of others who are also all about enjoying the good vibes in a rustic setting will find no better place than Grizzly Pines. It’s no wonder guys come from all over the Lone Star State and beyond to soak up the fun atmosphere this resort has on offer.

Live Oak Resort

Live Oak Resort bills itself as “a premier adult clothing optional experience.” It is located in Washington, Texas. “Stay and Play,” is its motto, and the establishment promises that there is something for everyone.

Its expansive list of amenities are as follows: swimming pool and oversized hot tub, dry sauna, couples only playhouse, fitness center, night club, clubhouse with big screen TV and a fireplace, a restaurant that is open on weekends, bathhouses, outdoor pavilion with fire pit, and sports facilities with shuffleboard, volleyball, darts, and table tennis. There is also a laundry room on the premises should you need to wash your Papi underwear or other gay clothing while you are here. Overnight accommodations are also available, such as tent camping, RV sites, and cabin rentals.

The dance club has a professional DJ and a dance floor, and there are big-screen TVs. It also has lounge seating and a dance cage and pole for the really wild ones out there. There is a mixer bar. The newly remodeled Full Moon Café & restaurant is the resorts’ on-site eatery. The Social Hall is where you’ll find the fitness center, as well as a ping pong table, cards and dominoes, a library nook, and an outdoor volleyball shower. The Bare Essentials General Store has snacks, soft drinks, toiletries, sunscreen, novelties, and other items.

For accommodation types, cabins include two queen beds, a large shower, table and chairs, mini-fridge, hairdryer, coffee maker, a/c and heat, satellite TV, and ceiling fan. Cabins are not pet-friendly. RV sites are 50 and 30 amp and include water and septic hookups. The tent camping sites feature showers, restrooms, electricity, and picnic tables.

But the resort’s greatest amenity is its inclusive attitude and an environment where guys are free to be who they really are. A great time is practically guaranteed when you come here.

Circle J Guest Ranch

The Circle J Guest Ranch provides a 100-acre retreat in rural east Texas for adults of all walks of life and sexual orientations. The property boasts beautiful wilderness areas, open pastureland, natural springs, a spring-fed pond that is big enough for swimming, paddle boating, and canoeing. Swimming is also available in the main house’s swimming pool. The property also offers horseback riding.

Besides the guesthouse itself, the resort has a campground and RV park. There is a unisex shower house with two individual toilet stalls, two individual shower stalls, and a shower suite. There is also a spacious vanity area. The property also has a garden shower (don’t worry, it has a privacy wall if you happen to be the shy type). Hiking trails abound and wind every which way across the expansive ranch, which is home to a plethora of bird species, including waterfowl, as well as deer, raccoons, beavers, and more. There are facilities for both individual and community campfires.

The on-site eatery is the Circle J Café, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner every weekend. It offers a complimentary evening snack when you arrive on Fridays, with a plate of whatever the special for the day is, be it a taco plate, chili, sloppy joe sandwiches, or something along those lines. The café has a menu as lengthy as it is impressive, with such breakfast favorites as the three-egg omelet made to order, or eggs benedict, of the 9” belt-buster Belgian waffle. Or for lunch, standards like cheeseburgers and deli meat sandwiches, or for dinner options how about homestyle cooking with a three-course plate with an example being, say, pork tenderloin as the main with roasted potatoes and corn on the cob and other sides. And maybe some cake or pie afterward for dessert.

Accommodations at the Circle J include overnight primitive camping, tent sites outfitted with electric service, a garden view suite, 30- and 50-amp RV sites, and last and most convenient, The Tracker – a vintage fifth-wheel trailer furnished with TV, refrigerator, microwave, radio, air conditioning, and running water. This is glamping at its finest.

Rainbow Ranch Campground

The Rainbow Ranch is an LGBTQ+ campground located right smack in the middle of the Lone Star State, near Groesbeck. The resort sits adjacent to Lake Limestone. The Rainbow Ranch has been the recipient of the Dallas Voice’s Readers Voice Award for Best Weekend Getaway an incredible five times since 2009. It is the largest LGBT campground in the state at almost 700 acres and prides itself on being a place where everyone can feel free to be themselves in comfort and relaxation.

 There is a range of accommodation styles, with something to suit everyone. The primitive campsites are, of course the most affordable options; these do not have water or electricity. RV sites water and 20/30/50-amp electrical service.

There are also large cabin rentals, which include two queen beds, air conditioning and heat, a private bathroom, and a kitchen with a single burner stove, microwave, small fridge, coffee pot, and dining table. Bedding, cookware, and utensils/kitchen supplies are not included. Pets are welcome for a fee, and the guest is liable for any damages incurred. Small cabins have one queen bed, are also air-conditioned, and have a refrigerator and microwave. The stunning mountain views come complimentary.

Apartments offer all the comforts of home and sleep up to five guests with king and queen beds, private bathroom, full kitchen, sofa and love seat, desk, and dining table. As with the cabins, you will need to bring bedding, cookware, and kitchen utensils. And finally, there is the rentable house, with 2800 square feet of space and the capacity to sleep up to 14 people with 4 bedrooms outfitted with one king (primary bedroom), one queen (bedrooms 1 & 2), and two twin beds and two pullout sofas (bedroom 4) respectively. The house’s other amenities include central heat and air conditioning, washer and dryer, wraparound porch, kitchen, and charcoal grill.

 The resort also hosts many events throughout the year, including a Luau Weekend, a Fall Women’s Fest, a Memorial Day Pride Pool Party, a Men’s Summer Splash event, and many, many more. Just an example of the fun and carefree atmosphere guests will encounter when they stay at the Rainbow Ranch campground. It is the perfect kind of place to bring someone out of their shell – and to showcase your sexiest men’s underwear…

It’s also a great place to enjoy the great outdoors, with hiking, biking, and walking trails galore. And there is a pond – not to mention a pier on Lake Limestone – to do some fishing if you are so inclined. The resort also has a swimming pool overlooking the lake. All in all, the Rainbow Ranch is the biggest LGBT campground in Texas, not just in terms of acreage, but it’s also the biggest when it comes to how far it goes to make everyone comfortable and welcomed when they come here. It really is a can’t-lose choice for gay and lesbian campers looking for a nice getaway in mid-Texas.

Park Lane Guest House

The Park Lane Guest House calls itself “the greenest little house in Austin.” It is conveniently located in the heart of the city but provides an urban eco-oasis with the downtown area within walking distance.

This lesbian-owned establishment is an excellent choice for LGBT visitors to the Austin area, though it is friendly to all. Owners Devkirn and Shakti, who started out as a carpenter and a midwife, came to Austin to realize their dream of one day running a B & B when they discovered this “diamond in the rough.” and began the process of refurbishing the property. They live on the site along with their two dogs, Layla Olevia. Among their aspirations for the property, they hope to help change the world in a small way by providing a friendly face in a strange place for guests.

The guesthouse enjoys a splendid location with public transportation just a short walk away, or guests can even rent a bicycle from the guest house, which is only 2 miles from Zilker Park and Barton Springs Pool. And speaking of pools, the property has its own, which features glass tile mosaics, and there is also an outdoor shower. The property also boasts organic gardens. Message therapy is available.

A choice of solar-powered cottages is on offer, and stays include complimentary free-trade coffee, tea, and filtered water. Parking and electric vehicle charging are also available – and complimentary. Guests can indulge in a freshly prepared organic vegan or vegetarian breakfast – fresh eggs from the property’s free-range hens, fruit and vegetables from the organic garden, locally sourced ingredients – served by the pool, in the main house’s dining room, or even on your private deck.

Cottages include the Vicky House – a custom-made Victorian structure built from reclaimed period materials, with antique wood interior walls and stained-glass windows. The bathroom features an antique pedestal tub and shower. The Garden Cottage has antique pine floors and Persian carpets, and a bathroom with a double shower with a deco style tiled bath. The Carriage House is a poolside private cottage that is ideal for a romantic-style getaway with your significant other. Its highlights are a handmade king-size wrought iron bed and a well-stocked kitchenette. It also has a loft that can accommodate a third guest.

And finally, the SoCo is located in the main house and features a private keyed entry hall and a queen bedroom, as well as a private en-suite bathroom with a tiled shower.

Daisy Polk Inn

This small B&B style inn is located in the Oaklawn neighborhood of Dallas, which puts guests right in the heart of the city’s gayborhood, and all the best gay nightlife that Dallas has to offer. This small hotel is a gay-owned establishment, so you can count on the best hospitality and atmosphere for gay guests. The hotel consists of two turn-of-the-century bungalow-style buildings – one a craftsman-style house and the other a cottage. Should you wish to explore further, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and Dallas Museum of Art is only 2 miles away and should not be missed.

There are six rooms available in all, and the list of room amenities includes free Wi-Fi, TVs with DVD players, air conditioning, and private bathrooms. The rooms can be best described and polished and refined, done in period décor with wood furnishings and, in some rooms, fireplaces. Continental breakfast comes complimentary with a room, and gourmet breakfast is available at a fee.

For those with an expanding queer family, Daisy Polk Inn is a kid-friendly hotel, though pets are not permitted. The property does not have a swimming pool or a fitness center (it is a small inn, after all). What it does have is a great location in the gay part of Dallas (that also happens to be upscale) with an emphasis on catering to LGBT clientele (though people of all sexual orientations are also welcome). Visitors to Dallas looking for a cozy and intimate lodging experience with a gay-oriented setting need look no further than the Daisy Polk.

Upper Deck Hotel

 We close out our list of the best gay resorts in Texas with this adults-only establishment on fabulous south padre island. The hotel is a mere 2-minute walk from the closest beach. In fact, everything guests need is within walking distance. The property boasts a hot tub and sun deck with loungers, in addition to the pool. Pool parties are held every week through the warm weather seasons.

The Upper Deck has a fine on-site eatery in the Poolside bar & grill, which takes pride in its menu of specialty sandwiches. It also serves up fare such as half-pound burgers, wings, and never-fried onion rings and french fries. It also claims to have the best gyro sandwiches on the island. It also has a good selection of drinks and beverages. There is also a sidebar, so guests will have little trouble quenching their thirst.

The hotel has 19 guestrooms available. These tend to be unfussy, but they provide plenty of comforts, and they feature TV’s and free Wi-Fi in addition to air conditioning, refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker. The Upper Deck is a smoke-free property. It is, however, pet-friendly and also wheelchair accessible. The hotel offers free parking for its guests. The sights, sounds, and fun of Gravity Park adventure and amusement park are only about a 15-minute walk away from the hotel.

The hotel really prides itself on its hospitality and friendly staff. And it definitely has that fun weekend-away kind of vibe going for it. It is also a friendly establishment toward the LGBT community, and all are welcome and free to be themselves here.