Comments on: Camping near Austin, TX

Question: Camping near Austin, TX

Espoo2 — Fri, 23 May 2008 15:00:47 -0800

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.

By: bigmusic

bigmusic — Fri, 23 May 2008 15:19:35 -0800

I just got back from Bastrop State Park - it was nice - make sure you bring enough water if you go on that long hike.

By: chrisamiller

chrisamiller — Fri, 23 May 2008 15:29:56 -0800

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).

By: Nattie

Nattie — Fri, 23 May 2008 16:15:00 -0800

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.

By: ncc1701d

ncc1701d — Fri, 23 May 2008 16:31:11 -0800

i love pace bend. it's cheap, on the water, and alcohol is ok. county parks in general are pretty great.

By: crapmatic

crapmatic — Fri, 23 May 2008 17:38:06 -0800

@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.

By: fructose

fructose — Fri, 23 May 2008 19:48:12 -0800

Nthing Pace Bend. If you're willing to drive a little less than 3 hrs, Lost Maples is really nice.

By: GPF

GPF — Sat, 24 May 2008 07:12:30 -0800

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.

By: carterk

carterk — Sat, 24 May 2008 07:29:03 -0800

Never camped there, but Enchanted Rock is very cool.