Update 2/25: Our winner for the giveaway stay has been chosen and random and notified by email. Thank you to all who entered!
Every once in a while, the family sure could use some time together to unplug from the hustle and bustle of busy life. Go fishing, hiking, make campfire s’mores, and enjoy the big Texas nights sky! There’s no time like the present for a nice weekend getaway. For a quick and easy break just a short drive from Austin, check out the fun glamping and camping options at LCRA Parks’ Lake Bastrop North Shore Park. While you can choose to simply pack your own tent for a traditional camp out, the park system also offers glamping accommodations that features five top-of-the-line Airstreams as well as luxury safari tents and cabins that you and your kids will be thrilled to stay in!
Photo by Heidi Okla
–Safari Tent Glamping: The newest glamping accommodations in Lake Bastrop North Shore Park come from GLAT USA, which includes an full-service cabin, a bell tent and several safari-style tents. Each tent is decorated to the style of its namesake, such as France, Montana, Colorado, etc. Each come with plush bedding and comfy furnishings and plenty of outdoor furniture so you can enjoy the lakeside view with loved ones. Except for the 6-person cabin, the safari tents offers shared restroom facilities that are just a short walk away. Some tents have an additional couch or twin bed for sleeping arrangements to fit the whole family.
Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks
— Airstreams: Each of the 25-foot Flying Cloud Airstreams comes with its adjacent patio area with a picnic table, large fire pit, Adirondack chairs and an outdoor gas grill. Perfect for a cozy night out by the fire with the kiddos! Each unit has one queen bed and two twins, sleeping up to four guests. Other “on board” Airstream amenities include a private restroom with a shower, linens, towels, two TVs, DVD player, fridge, microwave, stove top, cookware, dinnerware and coffee maker. Everything you need to feed and entertain the family is right at your fingertips without hauling the camping gear. Each of LCRA’s Airstream campers have dual AC units to keep guests cool and comfy on even the hottest day a Texas summer can dish up.
Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks
Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks
— Things to Do in the Park: Lake Bastrop North Shore Park is a 182-acre park that offers opportunities for tent and RV camping, hiking, mountain biking, picnicking, fishing, barbecuing and kayaking. Be sure to check the park’s calendar of events for such special activities as night hikes, star parties and reptile encounters led by a park naturalist. Park entrance fees are: $5 for adults; $2 for seniors; free for children 12 & under.
Photo by Heidi Okla
— Reservations: GLAT tent accommodations are booked through the GlampingHub website are all listed on the LCRA website here. Pricing varies by unit and time of year. Airstream rentals are $225 per night and require a two night minimum stay. You can also opt to book a standard campsite and bring your own tent, etc. for only $22 per night. Click here to make your reservation for airstream or other camping.
For more info and photos, you can visit the Lake Bastrop North Shore Park Facebook page. Visit the LCRA Parks website for info on exploring more than 11,000 acres of parks along the lower Colorado River.
Our Family’s Glamping Experience:
We were fortunate to have the opportunity to try the glamping lifestyle with our kids, which was definitely a first for our family. Not big campers, to be honest, we really loved the idea of just showing up with food and some clean clothes without the hassle of lugging all the gear. It made the getaway so easy, breezy and convenient.
We were mostly impressed with how clean and comfortable the Airstreams are. We stayed in “the Willie” and it was very well-appointed with almost anything you could ever need (and more — ahem, T.V. & microwave). We were so happy to have use of the mini kitchen that came stocked with glassware, plates, utensils, even dish towels and oven mitts. The outdoor gas grill was super awesome for cooking up burgers without the need to bring along charcoal. The patio area was a really fun place to chill out, and it even comes with use of a Yeti cooler and complimentary ice. The fire pit was ideal for making s’mores, which was a “must do” for the family.
We really enjoyed being in such close proximity to the water for fishing and kayaking (you can bring your own or rent SUPs, canoes, etc. on site). It was also nice to have access to a few trails on the property for some short hikes with the kids.
Overall, the kids thought it was super cool to be out sleeping in a luxury Airstream. We were grateful for comfortable bedding (the kitchen area transforms into a bed!). And it was so nice to have a private bathroom and shower (that even came with toiletries). The experience was much like staying in a nice hotel — but with so much more character. We’d love to be able to do it again!
MORE TO EXPLORE:
