Please note that this article was written prior to the pandemic. For any updates regarding safety procedures currently in place, please click here to read the latest news on their website.
Last summer we were excited to share the details about our experience having Lakeside Fun at Son’s Island, enjoying cabana rentals and water activities. The same folks who created Son’s Island opened another property for the ultimate tropical relaxation vibes! Son’s Blue River Camp, located along the banks of the scenic San Marcos River, has many of the amenities that made Son’s Island so buzzworthy, but this newer property offers two-story cabanas for a tree house “wow” factor and provides a completely different water experience for cooling off on a warm day. Our Do512 Family team took the kiddos out for a Sunday fun-day at Son’s Blue River Camp.
While the kids have returned to school and Fall is technically soon upon us, the Texas heat is here to stay for awhile. This means, we’re still on the hunt for any place to splash, swim and enjoy fresh air, sunshine and cool waters. Son’s Blue River Camp offers a great family retreat within a one-hour drive from Austin to Fentress, TX.
At Son’s Blue River Camp, you’ll find custom-built single and two-story cabanas that give you the feeling that you’re far from home. Each comes with its own picnic table, grill, hammock, lots of seating, running water and electricity. The cabana rental fee includes entry for up to 8 people (though it’s pretty spacious, and you can have up to 15 people at an additional cost per person). The cabana provides a great home base for your group as you go off to swim, fish, and play, providing a place for shade, rest, and a meeting spot to eat together with your family and friends. Our kiddos loved taking the spiral staircase up to the top of the double-level cabana for a fun treetop, look-out viewpoint.
On your visit, you can relax in a hammock, play a few round of volleyball or cornhole, fire up the grill and cool down in the water, of course. Unlike the lake at Son’s Island, the water at Blue River Camp is much more shallow. It’s on a small stretch of the San Marcos River, where you can simply sit in the water and hang out with friends. There’s lots of seating and tents set up for shade right at the water’s edge.
The stretch of water on the shores of this property actually has a really fun, steady current for floating. This is much like a lazy river experience at a water park, but only you will need to jump out half way, and walk to the start to go “ride” again. We strongly suggest having the kids wear water shoes so that after they make their way down the river, they can walk back on the hot rocky surface without hurting their feet (or crying for you to pick them up). Our kids wanted to ride the current time after time after time. Honestly, it was really fun!
If you’re looking for more to do on the water, you can rent kayaks or tubes to go explore other areas of the river. There are options for 1-3 hour floats, and while the tubes don’t come with your day-use rental, you can add tube rentals and a shuttle service to your booking. (It is best to set this up in advance so that the shuttles are ready for your group at your desired time.) Read more about these rental options in the website FAQs.
To max out your experience, you can even stay overnight. Their “glamping” option offers use of a tent (that’s already set up for you) so you can turn the daycation into more of a weekend staycation. The glamping option includes overnight entry for 4 people, use of your reserved cabana during after hours and a 14′ x 9′ tent setup which includes two cots with foam queen sized mattresses, an extension cord, a bedside table, two fans and two lanterns. Bring your own marshmallows and end the night with s’mores and stargazing.
Know Before You Go:
- Make your reservation in advance.
- Be sure to pack plenty of food, water and beverages to last you through the day, as food is not sold onsite. (And once you smell other’s grills going, you’re going to want to barbecue!)
- Take note that there are porta-potties on the property instead of full bathrooms, so bring whatever sanitizer you desire. (There are changing rooms and an outdoor shower.)
- Keep in mind that the water closest to the property is more of a shallow “chill zone” than a deep swimming hole. For those with little kiddos or grownups just hoping to sit and cool off in the water, it’s a perfect spot. If you wish to go tubing, you’ll need to coordinate that with the staff (booking your shuttle service) before you go.
- Don’t forget: water shoes, sunscreen, beach towels, charcoal, BBQ utensils, ice, cooler, bug spray (for overnight), and a relaxed attitude (naturally).
Visit Son’s Blue River Camp website for booking info, special promotions, and more details. Follow on Facebook to see all the fun that families are having at this San Marcos River retreat. You can also visit Best Texas Travel for more info about their sister property Son’s Island or their other fun options for glamping in the Texas Hill Country.
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