When the weather condition cools to a mild 90ish degrees, it’s time to blow the dust off your camping equipment, fire up the engine on the recreational vehicle, rile the kids up with talk of s’mores and ghost stories and go! Central Texas is freely dotted with camping choices that range from primitive to premium. Here are our favorite areas, set up by time-to-drive from the center of Austin (presuming no bathroom stops.) As always, make certain to check each camping site’s website for the latest details and what’s presently offered.
McKinney Falls State Park. Thanks To Texas Parks & Wildlife. McKinney Falls State Park-15 Minutes A fast drive from the energy of downtown Austin is McKinney Falls State Park, a 641-acre natural wonderland. This campers ‘mecca boasts 80 camping sites, two big swimming areas, and 9 miles of winding hiking tracks. It’s simple to get to and easy to camp in with a few cabins, group camping and recreational vehicle areas. BYO whatever and don’t forget water shoes because the swimming at both Upper and Lower Falls is beautiful. Invest a weekend here drifting around in the water, fishing for the huge one, treking the trails, seeing birds and living your best life.
COTA RV Park – 20 Minutes
COTA takes whatever to the next level and that consists of outdoor camping. The concert venue/race track brings in some of the most significant names and the splashiest occasions but discovering accommodations nearby can be tricky. Prevent the drive from town and ensure you get the best seat by popping up a camping tent or drawing in your elegant recreational vehicle at the COTA RV Park. They supply showers and laundry on-site to freshen up before the race or the show, quick wifi and cable television, and a gloriously cool pool to take a dip in when things get too hot. Ensure you bring a shade camping tent as there isn’t much on the camping site.
COTA Recreational Vehicle Park. Courtesy of Circuit of The Americas. Emma Long Metropolitan Park -25 Minutes Outside of Zilker, Emma Long Metropolitan Park is Austin’s favorite(and most accessible )park. The piece de resistance is the water, naturally. When the Texas heat begins ramping up, it’s time to discover someplace to splash in. BYO floaties and invest the days relaxing in the fresh water of Lake Austin. The park offers both primitive and utility-enabled outdoor camping, with a slightly more expensive option for waterfront. Grills and picnic tables dot the park and there are lots of well-trod trails, a number of volleyball courts, and lots of open space. It’s definitely dog friendly and most family pets are off-leash so take that into factor to consider before you book.
Lockhart State Park – 35 Minutes
In theory, outdoor camping has to do with relaxing in nature without any agenda however you’ll be difficult pushed not to over-plan your time at Lockhart State Park. In addition to swimming at the pool, fishing in Clear Fork Creek, hiking and biking the Persimmon and Wild Rose loops, trying your hand at geo-caching, the household can indulge in a round or 3 at the historic golf course. Of course, it’s also easily located near the city of Lockhart where you can dig into some of the very best barbecue in the state. Barbecue, nature, and an under par round definitely makes for a 5-star weekend.
Lockhart State Park. Courtesy of
Texas Parks and Wildlife. Bastrop State Park-40 Minutes The Lost Pines location is flat-out stunning and Bastrop State Park makes it actually easy to spend a weekend there. The park includes primitive locations and hook-up sites however they likewise use 14 historical cabins, group barracks and a group hall for your event needs. Bring a friend or the whole family reunion and trek seven miles of routes, grill out, fish in the ponds for bluegill, bass and catfish, or enjoy your time swimming in the on-site pool. There are likewise really good showers and you can lease kayaks and canoes a couple miles down the road.
Grelle Entertainment Area – 45 Minutes
Not as well referred to as a few of the larger parks, Grelle Leisure Location is an isolated spot on the south coast of Lake Travis. This is the area for real nature enthusiasts and the outdoor camping areas are all primitive camping without any water or electrical power. The 15 shaded campsites are equipped with picnic tables and grills and are just actions far from the water. Bring a blanket to lay on the grassy beach, strap on some hiking boots for the 7-miles of woodland trails and bring a blanket to set out under the stars. Grelle is also horse friendly with a hitchin’ post and clearly defined horse tracks simply in case you were considering bringing Seabiscuit with you.
Bastrop State Park. Thanks To Check Out Bastrop. Muleshoe Bend -45 Minutes With 645-acres, you might simply seem like you’re the only visitor at this LCRA-run park in Spicewood. Found right on Lake Travis, it’s the ideal spot to boat, barbecue, picnic and take in the huge skies of Central Texas. If it’s bluebonnet season, make sure to reserve well in advance because visitors multiply greatly. Muleshoe Bend is one of those “is this a stock photo?” locations with substantial fields of the Texas state flower as far as the eye can see in the spring. The tracks are well-marked if you’re a walker or a cyclist and there’s some more technical trails for the more advanced rider, too. Oh and they have a 24-hour ice machine which is outdoor camping (and cooler) critical.
Mystic Quarry Resort – 50 Minutes
As the “resort” moniker indicates, this is absolutely more glamping than outdoor camping. It resembles recreational vehicle park-meets-Instagram dream complete with tiny homes, tipis, wifi, billiards, a pool, ping pong, bocce courts, horseshoe and washer pits and hammocks. Whether you’re renting something on-site or pulling in your recreational vehicle, it’s an area for a party. The Mystic Quarry Resort uses a shuttle to nearby Whitewater Amphitheater shows and wineries and breweries (if you reserve it.) It’s not all expensive fun though– there’s nature for hiking and biking around the location as well so bring your sneakers and packs, too.
Pedernales Falls State Park. Credit Vance Miller, thanks to RootsRated.
Pedernales Falls State Park – 55 Minutes
Load up a bike and a knapsack for your weekend at Pedernales Falls State Park. The park has both primitive and RV spots and the latter come with a fire ring, electrical energy and bathrooms with showers. Otherwise, you’ll be hiking in about 2 miles to the primitive camping sites. This park is popular for its path system, perfect for any level of physical activity– from a. 5 mile nature trail with a beautiful ignore to a 10-mile technical single track for innovative bike riders. You can swim, canoe, tube or kayak here too. Inspect the weather condition though as the park tends to flood in huge rain storms.
The Vineyards of Fredericksburg RV Park – 1.5 Hours
Make your vineyard trip to Fredericksburg an overnighter. Household- and dog-friendly, The Vineyards of Fredericksburg Recreational Vehicle Park has a lots of amenities– wifi, showers and restrooms, soccer fields, a kids playground, an outdoor pavilion for events, a health club, pool and hot tub. Plus they’re located about 5 minutes away from town so you can take a quick nap before shopping, sightseeing, or (more likely) hitting another vineyard. If you don’t have a recreational vehicle, the park also provides covered glamping wagons. It’s old west meets wine.
As the weather condition is cooling down, now is the best time for camping! So we have the list of our 10 preferred camping sites set up by time-to-drive from Austin.