Imagine Austin’s lush greenery as the backdrop for your outdoor family excursion and finding the perfect spot for a weekend getaway with the kids. Here’s our comprehensive guide to the Best Camping Spots around Austin to help you plan some time in the great outdoors, making memories with your family under the big Texas sky. Or in a cabin (options listed below). Or in an air-conditioned RV. Cause we’re not here to judge.
Before you go: Always check each park’s current website alerts about water levels and swimming status, trail closures, etc.
Best Camping Spots Around Austin
10 miles away – McKinney Falls State Park
5808 McKinney Falls Parkway
McKinney Falls State Park has 83 campsites as well as six renovated cabins. Their campsites have water and electricity (30 amp) for $20 per night and a 50 amp hookup for $24 per night. There’s a daily entry fee of $6, but kids 12 and under are free. At McKinney Falls State Park you can hike, road bike, mountain bike, picnic, fish, swim, and observe wildlife. Check here to map the park, and read about our last visit to McKinney Falls.
13 miles away – Emma Long Metropolitan Park
1600 City Park Rd.
Emma Long Metropolitan Park is the perfect place to get away for a quick weekend trip. Enjoy the swimming areas and showers during your stay, as well as three sand volleyball courts, and a half-court basketball area. Don’t forget to pack a volleyball and a basketball! Campsites range from $10 for primitive to $25 for premium waterfront. Read about how we love to spend a “beach day” at Emma Long.
32 miles away – Cedar Breaks Park
2100 Cedar Breaks Rd, Georgetown
Cedar Breaks Park has 59 campsites with water, electricity, covered picnic tables, grills, and fire pits. This is a great spot to enjoy a nice view of Lake Georgetown and access to their boat ramp makes it easy to boat and fish. Campsites are $30 a night, and campers must arrive by 10 pm since the park is gated. Read about our experience on the waterfall hike at this park.
32 miles away – Lockhart State Park
2012 State Park Rd, Lockhart
Lockhart State Park has the only staff-operated golf course in the Texas State Park System. This park has 20 campsites available: 10 have water and electricity for $20 a night, and 10 are full hookup sites with water, electricity, and sewer for $24 a night. This park has educational activities, hiking, camping, swimming, fishing, and golf.
34 miles away – Pace Bend Park
2805 Pace Bend Rd N, Spicewood
Pace Bend Park is huge and has several options available for camping on its 1,368 acres. There are more than 400 primitive campsites and 20 improved campsites with water, electrical hookups, and showers. Many of the campsites have picnic tables, fire rings, and barbecue grills, and can be reached by car. The interior of the park is managed as a wildlife preserve and can only be reached by foot, bicycle, or horseback. There are several trails and they provide some of the best views of Lake Travis and overlook a beach for swimming. Primitive camping is $15 per vehicle, improved camping is $20, day use is $10 per vehicle, and improved RV/travel trailer camping is $30. Please note: this location is cash or check only. Get more info here.
35 miles away – Tejas Camp
Co Rd 258, Liberty Hill
Tejas Camp on Lake Georgetown has 12 primitive campsites that are tent-only. These sites have a picnic table, a tent pad, and a ground-fire ring. There is water available at a central location and toilets at the park entrance. Overnight non-electric shelter is $16, and tent-only non-electric is $10.
35 miles away – Bastrop State Park
100 Park Road 1A, Bastrop
Bastrop State Park has lots of options for camping, including historic cabins. Campsites with water are $15; sites with electricity and water are $20; and sites with sewer, electricity, and water are $25 nightly. A cool feature is the historic cabins that you can reserve by calling 512-389-8900. Twelve cabins are available ranging from $110 and up and can sleep up to eight people. Bastrop State Park offers backpacking, camping, picnicking, canoeing (available for rent), swimming pool, golfing, hiking, biking, and more. $5 entry fee, free for 12 and under.
36 miles away – Jim Hogg Park
500 Jim Hogg Rd, Georgetown
Jim Hogg Park is another spot on Lake Georgetown with 148 sites with water and electric hookups. Each site has an approximate 55′ back-in parking pad, covered table, fire ring, and grill. Single sites accommodate up to eight people, with two pieces of camping equipment. Double sites accommodate up to 16 people. Campers are limited to two vehicles per single and four vehicles per double campsite pad. A dump station is provided for the disposal of wastewater and the restrooms have hot showers and flush toilets. The gates close at 10 pm and do not reopen until 6 am. Sites range from $26 – $48.
37 miles away – Lake Bastrop South Shore Park
375 S Shore Rd, Bastrop
At Lake Bastrop South Shore Park, you can hike, bike, fish, swim, and rent canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards to take out on the lake. You can also enjoy games of mini golf, horseshoes and washers, and volleyball. This park offers tent camping, RV options, and cabins, which you can book and get more info on here.
37 Miles Away – Windy Point Park
6506 Bob Wentz Park Rd.
Windy Point Park is a gorgeous park and destination campground where you can enjoy water activities like scuba diving on Lake Travis. Their campsites are primitive, but the lawn is groomed and there’s lots of shade. They also have changing areas, portable bathrooms, and outdoor heated showers. Camping fees range from $25 per person to $35 per person and you can get all the details here.
38 miles away – Arkansas Bend Park
16900 Cherry Ln, Lago Vista
Arkansas Bend Park is a 323-acre park on the north shore of Lake Travis with newly renovated campsites, a playground, and two boat ramps. Its two miles of shoreline are great for hiking, fishing, camping, and picnicking, and you have lake access via a boat ramp. There are shaded camping areas along a bluff above the waterfront with picnic tables and grills available. Improved tent camping is $20 per night per vehicle, improved RV/travel trailer camping is $30 per night and day use is $10 per vehicle.
39 miles away – Lake Bastrop North Shore Park
603 FM1441, Bastrop
This park offers watercraft rentals, picnic areas, hike and bike trails, and a camp store for snacks and souvenirs on its 182 acres. At Lake Bastrop North Shore Park, you can choose to camp in a tent or opt for “glamping” in one of their five Airstream campers which include heat, A/C, showers, restrooms, and kitchens. They also have GLAT safari tents for rent, and the price varies on the season and day of the week. The Airstreams are $247.50 per night and tent camping is $35 per night, and both include two adult entry fees. After the first two, entry fees are $5 per person, but kids 12 and under are free. Read about our glamping experience at North Shore Park.
39 miles away – Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area
2820 Co Rd 414, Spicewood
At Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area’s 654 acres, there are nearly 10 miles of trails where you can mountain bike and hike to your heart’s desire. Here you can also enjoy fishing, horseback riding, picnicking, and boating, with access to their various boat ramps around the property. The park rents out kayaks and paddle boards for you to use on the lake as well. Camping starts at $27.50 per night, and the campsites include picnic tables and grills.
42 miles away – Pedernales Falls State Park
2585 Park Rd 6026, Johnson City
This park has 5,212 acres where you can roam free. It features great swimming spots and views of the Texas Hill Country and is perfect for family hikes. You can also tube, picnic, wade, mountain bike, fish, and more. Primitive sites are $10 a night, and sites with water and a 30 amp hookup are $20, plus the daily entrance fee of $6 for adults, but 12 and under are free. Read about our family hike at Pedernales Falls.
46 miles away – Turkey Bend Recreation Area
4000 Shaw Dr, Marble Falls
Turkey Ben Recreation Area is a 1,146-acre park located along the north Lake Travis shoreline where you can canoe, kayak, fish, and swim. Camping at one of their 29 campsites will include picnic tables and grills and cost $27.50 per night. This is a quieter camping spot if you’re looking for some serene R&R.
51 miles away – Blanco State Park
101 Park Rd 23, Blanco
Blanco State Park has an amazing swimming hole, picnicking, hiking, nature studies, boating, and fishing. You can also rent tubes, canoes, and kayaks to take down the Blanco River. What’s great about this park is that it’s a 10-minute walk to the historic downtown where you can find restaurants and shopping. Camping is $20 – $25 and all sites include water and electricity. Screen shelters are also available for $30 a night, and can sleep up to eight people. Entry fees must be paid as well, but it’s only $5 for adults and free for 12 and under. Read about our visit to Blanco State Park.
55 miles away – Palmetto State Park
78 Park Rd 11, Gonzales
At Palmetto State Park you can camp, picnic, hike, fish, swim, tube, and rent pedal boats or canoes to take out on the San Marcos River. Campsites with water are $12, sites with water and electricity are $18 and sites with water, electricity, and sewer are $20. There is also an air-conditioned cabin for $65 per night. Reservations are recommended.
67 miles away – Inks Lake State Park
3630 Park Rd 4 W, Burnet
This park is located on the scenic Inks Lake, which is unaffected by droughts and stays at a constant level. Here you can backpack, hike, camp, swim, boat, water ski, fish, and scuba dive. The park rents paddle boats, canoes, 1 – 2 person kayaks, life vests, and paddles. Entrance fees are $7 with a $5 overnight charge, and ages 12 and under are free. They have 200 primitive campsites ranging from $11-23 depending on amenities. They also have 22 cabins, two of which are ADA accessible, at $55 per night. Read about our visit to Inks Lake.
70 miles away – Black Rock Park
3400 TX-261, Buchanan Dam
Black Rock Park offers a wide array of activities on its 25-acre lakeside camping grounds, including mini golf, horseshoes and washers, sand volleyball, fishing, and swimming. They also rent out kayaks, fishing kayaks, and paddleboards. Not only do they offer an exciting mix of activities, but they are also an ideal spot for group activities and events, as they have large picnic areas and rental facilities. They also have 18 cabins on site that sleep up to 5 people for $71.50-$82.50 per night. Tent camping is $27.50 per night and includes two adult entry fees. After the first two, entry fees are $5 per person.
81 miles away – Guadalupe River State Park
3350 Park Rd 31
Guadalupe River State Park has been one of the most popular sites to tube the river. It has 4 miles of river frontage and is in the middle of a 9-mile stretch of the Guadalupe River. This site offers canoeing, fishing, swimming, tubing, picnicking, hiking, and camping. There are around 90 campsites at the park to choose from. Walk-in sites are $15, sites with water are $20 and sites with water and electricity are $24. Entrance to the park must be paid as well and is $7 for adults, and free for ages 12 & under. If you camp here, be sure to check out the Honey Creek State Natural Area (by guided tour only) where you can hike a 2-mile tour and take in the beauty of a generally untouched area.
86 miles away – Lake Somerville State Park and Trailway
14222 Park Road 57
Bring your horse to the Lake Somerville State Park and Trailway because there are more than 20 miles of trails you can ride on. The park is great for picnicking, boating, fishing, volleyball, horseshoes, basketball, hiking, and camping. There are 130 campsites at the park, primitive hike-in sites are $10, equestrian campsites with water are $12, and sites with electricity and water are $20. Daily entrance fees apply when camping and it’s $5 for adults and kids 12 and under are free
96 miles away – Enchanted Rock
16710 Ranch Rd. 965 Fredericksburg
Enchanted Rock is a favorite among rock climbers, but the park is also a beautiful place to camp, picnic, and star gaze. Entrance fees are $8 for adults and ages 12 & under are free. There are 20 primitive backpack campsites for $14 and the 35 walk-in sites are $20. There are geological features and historical artifacts that are protected by law so don’t mess with them! You must bring your own firewood, and rock climbers must check in at headquarters. Read about our visit to Enchanted Rock.
99 miles away – Government Canyon State Natural Area
12861 Galm Rd, San Antonio
Goverment Canyon State Natural Area is a highly sensitive ecosystem and you must follow the Leave No Trace principles of outdoor ethics to keep these grounds as uninterrupted as possible. The area has more than 40 miles of hiking and biking trails that range from remote rugged canyon lands to gently rolling grasslands. Here you can picnic, hike, bike, run trails, and geocache, and take part in guided hikes like Haiku Hike, Hike the Canyon, Explore the Canyon, and Family Fun. Camping is only allowed on Fridays, Saturdays, and some holidays, and reservations are recommended. Texas Park Outfitters provides camping equipment rental and set-up at this park, and you can check that service out here. In addition to the $6 per adult entrance fee, tent campsites are $18 a night, and group tent sites are $40 a night.
129 miles away – Hill Country State Natural Area
10600 Bandera Creek Rd, Bandera
There are approximately 40 miles of multi-use trails that vary from grassy valleys to steep limestone hills at the Hill Country State Natural Area. There are three designated swim areas, limited fishing opportunities, and land that is perfect for primitive camping, backpacking, mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding. A primitive day-use facility, Bar O, is mainly set up for horse riding activities, though it is popular with campers too. It has six shaded acres, a water trough, a horse wash area, fire rings, and a chemical toilet. Fires may be built in fire rings only and dead wood can be collected off the ground, but it is scarce, so rangers recommend you bring your own. This park is primitive camping only so you must bring your own water and anything else you think you may need. Entrance fees are $6 for adults with a $3 addition if you intend to camp in the basic sites. There are several types of sites available ranging from $10 – $12, Click here for more info on the sites. There is also a lodge that sleeps up to eight people and runs for $300 per night here.
Pro Tip from family contributor and former Do512 Family editor, Heidi Okla: If you’re trying to make last-minute camping plans, both LCRA Parks and Texas State Parks have an amazingly helpful feature on their website called “Camping This Weekend” that shows only the sites that are available for the upcoming Friday and Saturday. Browse listings on both the Texas State Parks website and the LCRA website.
Here are some additional useful websites to help you plan your camping trip in Texas:
More to Explore:
Lets do this
I would love to camp in or near Austin, Tx. Just trying to talk my husband into it. I want to see the Gone With The Wind exhibit sooooo bad.
I have lived in Houston for the past 4 years but I use to live in Austin prior and camped for many summers. Now that the water is so high summer of 2015 I have no idea where to go because I was use to picking places out when the wildfires and drought wa happening summers of 2010/2011… where should someone go that just wants water high enough to reach the knees and to camp in a tent not to far from the water at night??
Great question! Pace Bend at Lake Travis has plenty of spots by the water!
looks like an amazing campaign spot.
Great post!
Hill Country State Natural Area Incredible spot and inviter! The property is extraordinary offering trails, untamed life, and crude nature that isn’t anything but difficult to go over, particularly just being 40 min far from Austin. Anticipating staying once more!
Thanks for your superb post….
We love the Austin East KOA. They are an up and coming park that is sure to please!
https://koa.com/campgrounds/austin-east/
Great post the state parks are often booked far out take a look at the army coe parks in the area at recreation.gov lots of places that are nice and easy to get in.
I can’t believe River Forest Haven was left off of this list. They are hands down the best campground in the Austin area!
RiverForestHaven.com