Top 11 Camping Parks for Central Texas Adventure

Plan a Central Texas camping trip at one of 11 parks located near Austin, San Antonio or the Texas Hill Country.

A Central Texas camping weekend in the Texas Hill Country will rejuvenate you. You can explore the natural landscape and escape the everyday just a few hours away from Austin or San Antonio. After a long day of hiking, retreat to your campsite for a barbecue over the campfire and enjoy the stars. You can choose from camping options that suit your level of comfort, such as a glamping experience in a tipi or tiny house to a primitive walk-in campsite.

If you are an RV enthusiast looking for the perfect motorhomes to explore Central Texas’ beautiful parks, then trust GrechRV. The company is located in the middle of Texas and offers a variety of high-quality RVs for camping trips. There are endless outdoor destinations, from the rolling hills and clear streams of Inks Lake State Park to the majestic oak trees and tranquil fish ponds at Guadalupe River State Park. GrechRV offers the most comfortable and convenient motorhomes available in the industry.

Texas State Park Campgrounds Around Austin

When you think about Central Texas camping, Texas State Parks immediately come to mind. State parks are large areas of land that can be explored. Some even have water features, like a river or lake. Texas State Parks is a favorite among day-trippers and campers. The most popular campgrounds fill up months before popular weekends like Spring Break, Easter Weekend and the whole month of October. Plan ahead for your school break since Texas State Parks are free for children 12 and younger. Pack everything you will need for a relaxing camping trip. Check out our suggestions for the top coolers for roadtrips and get ideas for which one best suits your needs.

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Camping is a great time to use custom lanyards.

Blanco State Park

A mile-long stretch of the Blanco River, west of Austin offers a natural swimming spot with dams man-made for splashing. Rent a canoe or kayak at the visitor center. Park rangers will even lend out fishing gear; Texas State Parks do not require a fishing licence.

Blanco State Park is home to structures constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a Great Depression-era work program for men. In the 1930s, many national and state parks were built by the CCC. You can see their work by walking through the CCC’s historic pavilion.

Swimming holes are available at the man-made dams in Blanco State Park. Photo by Catherine Parker

There are RV sites at Blanco State Park with full hookups and sites with only electricity. You can also find screened shelters that have ceiling fans. Showers are available in the restrooms. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. The playground is also available for children.

The address is 101 Park Road 23. Admission for adults is $5 per day, and children 12 and younger are admitted free. Camping is an extra charge.

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Bastrop State Park

A forest fire nearly 10 years ago ravaged the Lost Pines of Bastrop State Park east of Austin. In some areas, the forest is still standing tall. Other parts are in recovery. The Refectory is a large group building built by the CCC near the park’s entrance. It is a focal point of the park. The buildings are rustic in style and use local materials such as wood and stone.

Consider booking a historical wood cabin in the midst of towering pine trees for a weekend getaway. Each cabin has air conditioning and heating as well as a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom and fireplace. The smallest cabin can accommodate two people for $110 per night. The largest cabin can accommodate six people for $150 per night.

The Civilian Conservation Corps built the Bastrop State Park Cabins, which are very popular among campers. Photo by Catherine Parker

There are restrooms and fire rings in the campground. You can choose from RV hook-ups with electricity or water, tent sites, or walk-in campsites.

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Bastrop State Park has a seasonal pool that is open for an additional fee. You can also fish in Lake Mina, a.5-acre lake. Fishing equipment is available for rent at the park, making it a perfect opportunity to learn a new activity.

The Bastrop State Park is located at 100 Park Road 1A, Bastrop. Adults pay $5 for a day’s admission, while children 12 and younger are admitted free. Check out Wander to learn more about Bastrop, and what to do in the area if you only have a few days.

Buescher State Park

The park is linked to Bastrop State Park by a popular park road. You can also paddle on a 30-acre-long lake. Buescher has hiking trails, just like in nearly all state parks.

You can find a campground that offers a screen shelter with premium features ($45 per night), a screen shelter with regular features ($25 per night) and cabins for $85 a day. The campground offers showers, restrooms, and tent or RV sites that have electricity and water.

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Buescher State Park is located at 100 Park Road 1E, Smithville. Admission for adults is $5 per day, and children 12 and younger are admitted free.

Inks lake State Park

Inks lake State Park has a level, constant lake that is west of Austin. This makes it ideal for boating. You can also find nearby a boat launch, a fishing pier, and a fish cleaning station if you have your own. Inks Lake State Park, like most Texas state park, lends out fishing gear.

Explore the trails and hike to an overlook to see Inks Lake. Two playgrounds are available for the children.

Inks Lake State Park is a great place to camp in Central Texas. Photo by Kanokwalee Pussitanun via iStock. Getty Images

Inks Lake has basic cabins with many offering views of the lake. Each cabin ($55 per night) has two bunks of single beds, a ceiling fan, and air conditioning. The cabins do not have a kitchenette and all cooking takes place outside.

All RV campgrounds have electricity and water. Tent campers may reserve only sites with electricity. Inks lake state park campground is divided up into loops. Each loop has restrooms and showers.

Ink Lake State Park, located at 3630 Park Road 4 West, Burnet offers day-use admission to adults for only $6. Read more about how to cool off with a visit to Burnet in Texas on Wander.

Colorado Bend State Park

Colorado Bend State Park is located in the Texas Hill Country, west of Austin. It hugs the Colorado River shore with its 70-foot high Gorman Falls. Hike through limestone terrain with small caves, karsts and the Hill Country. Colorado Bend State Park is home to native deer that roam freely. Wildflowers are also abundant in the spring.

Gorman Falls is at its most spectacular right after a thunderstorm. Reserve a place on the guided cave tour to experience an underground adventure.

Visit picturesque Gorman Falls in Colorado Bend State Park. Photo by Richard McMillin, iStock. Getty Images

Colorado Bend campsites lack electricity and water. There are some campsites that can accommodate a 30 foot RV but without hookups. This park has composting toilets that do not flush and open-air showers with no hot water.

Colorado Bend State Park can be found at 2236 Park Hill Dr. Adults pay $5 for a day-use admission, and children 12 and younger are admitted free. Camping is an extra.

Lockhart State Park

Lockhart State Park was built by the CCC in the Great Depression and is located just east of San Antonio. Locals and families love the course, which offers rental clubs and carts and reasonable greens fees.

The park also offers many hiking trails. Visitors can enjoy fishing in Clear Fork Creek or stroll along the numerous hiking trails. Lockhart State Park has campsites that include picnic tables, a fire ring and a fire pit. However, it does not have any shelters or cabins. You can choose between sites with RV hookups and those with only electricity. There are showers and restrooms in the campground.

Lockhart State Park is located at 2012 State Park Rd, Lockhart. You can purchase a day pass for adults at $3. Kids 12 and younger are admitted free.

Clear Fork Creek at Lockhart State Park. Photo by Catherine Parker

Pedernales Falls State Park

The Pedernales River is located west of Austin. Bring a tube to float in. Pedernales State Park has easy to advanced hiking trails. It is also open for bicycling.

Pedernales State Park is the place to go for water tubing or just relaxing. Photo by Fredlyfish4 through Creative Commons

The park offers 10 miles of trails for horseback riders. Reserving the equestrian camping with horse pens will allow you to enjoy a weekend with your animals.

Each site has a picnic table, a fire pit and electricity. Showers are available in the restroom. For those who want a more rustic experience, you can also find primitive campsites.

Pedernales State Park can be found at 2585 Park Road, 6026 in Johnson City. Admission for adults is $6 per day, and children 12 and younger are admitted free.

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Best private campgrounds in Central Texas

Glampers can enjoy glamping weekend in Central Texas or the Texas Hill Country. I have listed my top recommendations for private campgrounds for an amazing glamping experience.

Camp Fimfo

Camp Fimfo is located near Canyon Dam and New Braunfels. The property has a lot of wildlife, including deer. Camp Fimfo is situated next to Whitewater Amphitheater. Guests can enjoy live performances from their campsites.

Camp Fimfo offers a wide range of camping activities to its guests. From spring to fall, the waterpark and resort-style pool is a favorite. In the General Store, you can enjoy a variety of activities, including gemstone panning and a mini-golf 18-hole course. Camp Fimfo offers workshops and craft sessions over the weekend.

The Coyote Cabins offer three bedrooms with bunk beds in one. The Camp Fimfo Coyote Cabins feature a fully equipped kitchen, a bathroom and shower.

Camp Fimfo also offers the Bluebonnet Cabin, which can accommodate eight people. Along the Guadalupe River are two-person A frame cabins equipped with electricity and mini-fridge. The cabins come with linens, towels and outdoor grills or fire pits. Some cabins allow pets.

Camp Fimfo has 80 full-service RV hookups with concrete pads, a picnic table and grill. Bathhouses are also available in the vicinity. Camp Fimfo is located at 520 Whitewater Way, New Braunfels. It’s along the Guadalupe River.

Mystic Quarry

Mystic Quarry glamping resort is also located in Canyon Lake. You can find cozy tiny homes with accommodation for up to six people. They are fully equipped with cooking facilities. Some tiny houses even allow small pets.

The tiny homes are a hit with kids at Mystic Quarrel Glamping Resort. Photo by Catherine Parker

Mystic Quarry offers safari lodges that include kitchenettes, full bathrooms and showers. Reserve a tipi with your kids or grandkids for an unforgettable weekend. The tipis have bunk beds and a propane fireplace inside. Mystic Quarry offers dog-friendly cabins for those traveling with pets. The RV and traditional campsites are in a separate area.

Central Texas Camping options that are pet-friendly

The resort has a shuttle service to Whitewater Amphitheater. It also offers a pool and an on-site shop, as well as BBQs, sport courts, and a Pavilion. Don’t forget to visit the waterfall located on the property. Mystic quarry Glamping resort is located at 13190 FM 306 Canyon Lake.

Lower Colorado River Authority Parks in Austin

The Colorado River runs through Austin and Central Texas, where it is also known as Lady Bird Lake Downtown. Lower Colorado River Authority operates several campgrounds. Some of them offer glamping.

North Shore Park at Lake Bastrop

The North Shore Park, located east of Austin on the 900-acre Lake Bastrop, offers airstream trailers to camp in Central Texas. Airstreams come with cooking utensils, plenty of outdoor space and a fire-ring surrounded by Adirondack chair. Propane grills come in a variety of sizes.

North Shore Park has a boat ramp, pier for fishing and swimming. Watercraft can be rented by the day or hour for a relaxing weekend on the waters.

Find RV and tent camping sites. There are showers and restrooms in the campground. You can find a dump and an ice maker. Camping fees start at $35. North Shore Park can be found at 603 RM1441 in Bastrop. Admission for adults to the park is $5. Children 12 years and younger are admitted free.

South Shore Park at Lake Bastrop

The South Shore Park is another park located on Lake Bastrop that offers RV and tent camping sites. The cabins have electricity, bunk beds and no kitchenette. There is also a bathroom with showers at the campground.

Rent mini-golfs, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards as well as corcl boat by the hour or the day. You’ll also find a boat ramp, a fishing pier and swimming. Near the entrance, you’ll find a dump and an ice maker. South Shore Park is located on 375 S. South Rd. Bastrop. Adults pay $5 for a day-use ticket, while children 12 and younger are admitted free.

Reserve an Airstream at LCRA Lake Bastrop park for a weekend. It’s easier than buying one. Photo by Catherine Parker

Central Texas Camping Getaway: Rejuvenate and Relax. Reconnect.

Central Texas camping is a wonderful way to reconnect with family and friends. Camping is a very popular activity in spring and autumn, with mild temperatures and sunny skies. Many families organize multi-generational trips. Make your trip unforgettable by choosing one of the many parks in Central Texas. Let Wander plan your camping adventures or outdoor adventure so you can share them with friends and family for many years to come. Check out our other great content on what to do in Texas .