Camping near Austin, TX

May 23, 2008 3:00 PM

What are some of the best places to camp around Austin, TX?

I'm trying to plan a camping trip with a few friends for the end of June. I would prefer somewhere where we can camp right next to a river.

My favorite place to camp, Little Arkansas in Wimberley, has apparently been shut down for several years now.

I would prefer something small and family owned, but am o.k. with a state park as long as it doesn't feel too crowded.

Any suggestions? My camping hey-days were spent at the university campgrounds for my old college and Little Arkansas, and I feel a bit out of the loop now.

I'm willing to drive an hour or so if need be.

posted by Espoo2 to sports, hobbies, & recreation (8 comments total)

I just got back from Bastrop State Park - it was nice - make sure you bring enough water if you go on that long hike.
posted by bigmusic at 3:19 PM on May 23, 2008

Pedernales Falls State Park

It is fairly crowded on weekends, but there are remote sites that you can hike into (about 2 mies from the car).
posted by chrisamiller at 3:29 PM on May 23, 2008

I don't have any suggestions, but I do have an anti-suggestion. For the love of god, stay far far away from Mother Neff. It's probably the dankiest, ugliest place I've ever seen -- most of the trees are rotting -- and it was completely overrun with these huge spiders. Bugs are a given when camping, but I mean there were a couple of these in every square feet. It was pretty surreal, like watching a scene of a campsite in a horror movie.
posted by Nattie at 4:15 PM on May 23, 2008

i love pace bend. it's cheap, on the water, and alcohol is ok. county parks in general are pretty great.
posted by ncc1701d at 4:31 PM on May 23, 2008

@Nattie: Due to flood damage, Mother Neff State Park is currently open for day use only. No overnight use is allowed at this time and it will likely remain this way through 2008. Contact the park for the latest information.
posted by crapmatic at 5:38 PM on May 23, 2008

Nthing Pace Bend. If you're willing to drive a little less than 3 hrs, Lost Maples is really nice.
posted by fructose at 7:48 PM on May 23, 2008

Texas is rife with state parks, some are pretty fantastic. I can recommend Palmetto State park. Though small, there's fishing and doesn't see a lot of traffic.

Too, its easy to find a VERY secluded camping spot in the Sam Houston National Forest. No river access, but Lake Conroe is close.
posted by GPF at 7:12 AM on May 24, 2008

Never camped there, but Enchanted Rock is very cool.
posted by carterk at 7:29 AM on May 24, 2008