Best Places To Camp In Central Texas

No wonder Palo Duro State Park often makes it to the list of the most popular destinations for biking and climbing in the USA. Biking, hiking, and horse riding are popular around here. If you feel like burning up some calories, walk the 90 miles of trails, while gazing at the gorgeous panorama of the infamous Staked Plains topography.

Nature lovers will appreciate the nearby Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refugee. Then, enjoy the on-site swimming pool, fitness center, or the 4-hole chip and putt. Alongside this spring-fed swimming spot, the Civilian Conservation Corps also constructed the adjacent San Solomon Springs Court. This historic structure offers modern motel-style lodging for those not interested in camping. Twenty miles north of the city of Fredericksburg in Texas Hill Country, Enchanted Rock offers a special place to camp.

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She is based out of Central Texas dividing her time between writing and restoring a 95-year-old house. As a constant level lake, this park is ideal for boating. Find a boat ramp along with a fishing pier and fish cleaning station.

So, why not spend some time learning about the prehistoric creatures that inhabited the Big Bend National Park many years ago. Ride through 1500 acres of trails that are only for horse riding. The worst time to visit the park is in the winter because the temperatures are chilly!

#5 Palo Duro Canyon State Park

This show is super fun with dancing, singing, fireworks and even some Texas humor which will have you rolling on the floor in laughter! However, during the summer, it can be rainy which leads to the trails being closed. You can also explore it on a bike or horse (you’ll have to bring your own). On their campsite, there are toilets, showers, water and even picnic tables. When you want to cool down, you can also enjoy a swim along with other water activities. Splash in the Pedernales River or bring a tube for a float down the river.

Sitting in roughly 7,000 acres (28 km²) of forested land and narrow rivers, Village Creek State Park offers an immersive nature-experience like nowhere else. In addition to the 33 miles of multi-use trails, the park also has 10 cabins, two lakes, outdoor and indoor theaters, and more. The restroom offers showers and sites include a picnic table and a fire ring. Lockhart offers campsites with picnic tables and a fire ring and doesn’t feature more permanent structures, like shelters or cabins. Find campsites with full RV hook-ups or sites with electricity only.

Located on the border of Louisiana, this canoe trail greets visitors with massive Cypress Trees draped in Spanish Moss along a lengthy bayou. Canoe aficionadas frequent this area, as it offers a serene, peaceful landscape among iconic southern flora. Don’t worry about needing to get your own on the way out there—the park rents canoes and kayaks to visitors. Enter at Saw Mill Pond and paddlers have the opportunity to explore up to 50 miles or go any length they desire.

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A sister park to Bastrop State Park, it’s connected by a park road, popular with cyclists. On the beach at Dellanera, you’ll find a pavilion with showers, laundry facilities, and a gift shop. There are picnic sites along the beach, and you’ll also enjoy free Wi-Fi, weather permitting. Perhaps the highlight of this location is spectacular Gorman Falls, where water cascades down 65 feet into a fern-shrouded grotto. On hot summer days, you can cool off in one of the many pretty swimming holes here. We’ll run you through the best camping in Texas and hone in on our top 10.

The hike out to the primitive camping area was moderate and fairly flat. You do cross a creek bed so be prepared to get wet if the flow is good. Plenty of flat spaces for tents and plenty of space away from your neighbors. There are four designated campgrounds in the park, with a total of 187 sites available, so finding a homebase for your adventures is typically easy.

As the park is usually busy between the months of March and November. Make sure to bring your own tents if you don’t have a RV or truck camper. Located northeast of Austin, Granger Lake is a quiet lake with fewer visitors. Army Corps of Engineers Parks located north of Austin in Georgetown. There are RV camping sites suitable for rigs up to 26 feet, as well as tent, and primitive campsites too.

Best Texas State Parks For Camping

This clear, natural pool and its amphitheater-esque curved walls invokes wonder. This Texas adventure spot is a perfect place to escape the hot Texan sun with opportunity to swim in the pool and feel the mist of the 50-foot waterfall nearby. Visitors hike a short distance from the parking lot through a wooded forest.

You can also explore the Rio Grande River by canoeing through it. Last but not least, there are also camping spots at this park! Bring your tent along and camp under the beautiful stars. Inks Lake offers lots of basic cabins, many with views of the lake. Each cabin ($55) features two sets of single bunk beds along with a ceiling fan and air-conditioning. All cooking is done outside and cabins don’t offer a kitchenette.

There are over 50 sites, with many offering full hookups. Depending on your sleeping preferences, there are multiple campsite options. There are several RV friendly spots with electricity and water. Additionally, those with big rigs can find room on the Hackberry campsite. Located within Austin’s city limits, McKinney Falls State Park on the shores of Onion Creek will leave you feeling like you have left big-city life far behind. The resort features full hook-up sites with 30/50 amp service, gravel pads, and a concrete patio area with a picnic table.

Other Camping Options

The majority of campgrounds we selected in this blog allow pets. Staying at an RV Park for a long period of time will vary on the campground & RV Park you choose. The top 10 campgrounds we selected all show daily, weekly and monthly rates for you. Along the shores of the Colorado River that bisects the Hill Country and Austin, the Lower Colorado River Authority operates several campgrounds. Or fish on Clear Fork Creek with free loaner equipment and State Parks don’t require a fishing license. Brian has been an avid hiker and backpacker since he was a small kid, often being taken out into the wilderness on trips with his father.

Or, camp in its basic campsites that are located two miles away from the center of the park. Encompassing area over 1,500 acres (6 km²), the park offers plenty of outdoor activities such as biking and hiking. However, we encourage you to make a call first to make sure that there’s still a spot left, should you plan to camp here. You’ll have plenty of opportunities for fun, with a swimming pool, horseshoe pit, pool table, fishing spots, and much more! The local area can offer exciting adventures as well, with places such as Chandler Gardens, Lake Mineral Wells State Park, Bat World Sanctuary, and National Vietnam War Museum. Campsites for RVs with electricity and water are available.

These include the Chihuahuan Desert, the Tamaulipan Mezquita ecoregion, and the Edwards Plateau. If you plan your visit during the weekend, we recommend you purchase their entry tickets prior to your arrival. Campfires are great, but if the weather is hot it might be best to let the kids play with flashlights instead of cooking s’mores by the fire. Make sure you and your children drink lots of water to stay hydrated. You can also relax and cool off in the pools along your hike. You can take a driving tour with one of the park’s rangers.

With such diversity and natural beauty, it’s no wonder this park is one of the most popular destinations in central Texas. The other 28 sites are walk-in and 2 are primitive for visitors that want more solitude and have views of the river. For those hikers willing to work for more peace and quiet, hikers can trek a mile to Backcountry Windmill area where there are designated backcountry sites. This picturesque grotto and preserve is located just 45 minutes from Austin, and is perfect for a family swimming adventure.

Spend your day hiking, bird-watching, or mountain biking, and when the sun goes down, there are various stargazing tours that are popular. For a unique experience, go birdwatching at the “best little bird blind in Texas” where you’ll find an enclosed viewing area and feeding station. Located some kilometers away from west of Fort Worth, the park is a quiet paradise nestled on a forested plain. We love the park’s beautiful scenery as much as we love the outdoor amenities – multiple fishing points, a 640-acre (2.5 km²) lake, and dozens of equestrian campsites. Another thing visitors love about the park – it provides a perfect and safe camping ground. Some campgrounds are primitive, others camp sites with electricity and water hook-ups along with restrooms with showers.