With the first cold front, it’s time to grab those marshmallows and your favorite flannel. With more than 18 parks across the Austin area and the Texas Hill Country, fall camping is one of the best seasons to camp. There are campgrounds in Texas State Parks, Lower Colorado River Authority Parks, Army Corps of Engineers Parks and even private parks with all the glamping options. You have a lot of options when planning a camping trip in Texas. With boating, swimming, hiking, mountain biking and more, there is plenty to do. Here are the Best Camping Spots in Central Texas for fall.
Best Camping Spots in Central Texas for Fall
Bastrop State Park in Bastrop
Buescher State Park in Smithville
Blanco State Park in Blanco
Lockhart State Park in Lockhart
McKinney Falls State Park in Austin
Pedernales Falls State Park in Johnson City
Colorado Bend State Park in Bend
Inks Lake State Park in Burnet
Enchanted Road State Natural Area near Fredericksburg
Lake Bastrop North Shore Park
Lake Bastrop South Shore Park
Grelle Recreation Area
Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area
Georgetown Lake
Granger Lake
Pace Bend Park in Spicewood
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Bastrop State Park in Bastrop
Ravaged by a forest fire nearly 10 years ago, the Lost Pines of Bastrop still stand tall. The Bastrop State Park features a large cluster around the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)-built cabins. The cabins use local materials and mirror the National Park Service’s rustic architecture style.
Bastrop State Park features a pool, open seasonally with additional admission. You can also fish in the .5-acre Lake Mina. The park lends out equipment, and a fishing license isn’t necessary, so it’s a great opportunity to try a new sport.
Find historic cabins set among the towering pine trees. Each cabin offers a/c and heating along with an outfitted kitchen, full bathroom and fireplace. The smallest cabin provides accommodations for two people for $110 a night. The largest cabin offers accommodations for six people for $150.
The campground is shaded with restrooms along with fire rings. Choose from RV sites with hook-ups, tent sites with water or electricity, and walk-in sites. The
Located at 100 Park Road 1A, Bastrop, TX 78602. Day-use adult admission is $5.
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Buescher State Park in Smithville
Two parks sit side-by-side in Central Texas: Bastrop and Buescher State Park. The parks are connected by a park road, popular with cyclists. This is one of the Best Camping Spots in Central Texas.
Buescher features a 30-acre lake. Find a shaded campground with premium screen shelters ($45 a night), regular screen shelters ($25) along with cabins ($85). The campground offers restrooms with showers, tent sites with water, RV sites with electricity and water along primitive walk-in sites.
Located at 100 Park Road 1E, Smithville, TX 78957. Day-use adult admission is $5.
Blanco State Park in Blanco
Splash in the one-mile stretch of Blanco River with its natural swimming area. The park rangers loan out fishing equipment, too. Or head to the visitors center to rent a kayak or canoe.
This park also features structures built by the CCC during the Great Depression, like the long table. You can reserve the historic pavilion with an attached kitchen. There is also a playground in the area.
The campground at Blanco State Park features RV sites with full hook-ups and sites with electricity only. There are also screened shelters with ceiling fans. The restrooms include showers, and each site offers a picnic table and fire ring.
Located at 101 Park Road 23, Blanco, TX 78606. Day-use adult admission is $5.
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Lockhart State Park in Lockhart
Built by the CCC during the Great Depression, this park features a 9-hole golf course and hiking opportunities.
Or fish on Clear Fork Creek with free loaner equipment, and State Parks don’t require a fishing license.
Lockhart offers campsites with picnic tables and a fire ring but doesn’t feature more permanent structures, like shelters or cabins. You can find campsites with full RV hookups or sites with electricity only. The campground includes a restroom with showers.
Located at 2012 State Park Rd. Lockhart, TX 78644. Day-use adult admission is $3.
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McKinney Falls State Park in Austin
The 641-acre McKinney Falls State Park features camping, hiking, mountain biking and swimming in a natural setting, minutes from Austin’s main airport. Find 1.7 miles of Onion Creek flowing through the park, offering both swimming and fishing opportunities. This is one of the Best Camping Spots in Central Texas.
In addition to water sports, try hiking or mountain biking, wildlife spotting and birdwatching. Make it a weekend with 80 campsites, including RV and hike-in sites, screened shelters, group shelters and a group dining hall. Outdoor recreation opportunities include hiking, mountain biking,
Located 10 miles southeast of downtown Austin at 5808 McKinney Falls Parkway. Adult day-use admission (12+) is $6. Open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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Pedernales Falls State Park in Johnson City
Splash in the Pedernales River or bring a tube for a float down the river. Find easy to advanced trails for hiking or biking.
This park features 10 miles of horseback riding trails for experienced riders. Reserve the equestrian camp with horse pens for overnight camping with your animals.
The campground features sites with electricity. Additionally, find primitive sites. The restroom offers showers, and sites include a picnic table and a fire ring.
Located at 2585 Park Road 6026, Johnson City, TX 78636. Day-use adult admission is $6.
Colorado Bend State Park in Bend
Located in the Hill Country west of Austin, Colorado Bend State Park offers a wild cave and waterfall to explore. Along the bank of the Colorado River, this park is a rugged wilderness with wildflowers and roaming deer.
Take a self-guided tour and see Gorman Falls, a 70-foot waterfall. Or reserve a spot on the guided wild cave tour.
Colorado Bend’s campsites are primitive, without water or electricity. Some are big enough for a 30-foot RV. This park offers composting toilets and open-air rinse-off showers.
Located at 2236 Park Hill Dr. Day-use adult admission is $5 per person.
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Inks Lake State Park in Burnet
As a constant-level lake, this park is ideal for boating. Find a boat ramp along with a fishing pier and fish cleaning station. Borrow fishing equipment during your stay. This is one of the Best Camping Spots in Central Texas.
Hike to a scenic overlook at Inks Lake and find many trails to explore. Also, find two playgrounds for kids.
RV campsites with electricity and water are available, as are tent sites with electricity only. Inks Lake State Park offers a large campground divided into loops with services in each loop.
Inks Lake offers many basic cabins, many with views of the lake. Each cabin ($55) features two sets of single bunk beds, a ceiling fan, and air conditioning. All cooking is done outside, and cabins don’t offer a kitchenette. There are restrooms with showers nearby.
Located at 3630 Park Road 4 West, Burnet, TX 78611. Day-use adult admission is $6.
Enchanted Road State Natural Area near Fredericksburg
The 425-foot pink granite monolith is a high point for the area and offers some amazing views of Texas Hill County. It is popular with day visitors with 11 miles of hiking trails, especially in spring for wildflowers and fall for fall color. This is one of the Best Camping Spots in Central Texas.
The campground offers 35 walk-in sites with water and 20 hike-in primitive sites. The campground features a bathhouse with showers.
Located at 16710 Ranch Rd. 965 in Fredericksburg. Adult admission (13+) is $7, and kids 12 and under are free. Camping available. Day-use adult admission is $8 per person.
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Lower Colorado River Authority Parks around Austin
Along the shores of the Colorado River that bisects the Hill Country and Austin, the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) operates several campgrounds.
Lake Bastrop North Shore Park
East of Austin, this park offers many camping options, including RV sites and tent sites, along with Airstreams for rent. You can also find a fishing pier, boat ramp, swimming pool, and watercraft for rent by the hour or day. This is one of the Best Camping Spots in Central Texas.
Campgrounds offer restrooms with showers. Find a dump station and ice maker. Camping fees start at $35.
Located at 603 RM 1441, Bastrop, TX 78602. Day-use admission for adults is $5, kids 12 and under are free.
South Shore Park on Lake Bastrop
Another park on Lake Bastrop, this park offers lots of camping options, including RV sites, tent sites, and cabins for rent. It also offers mini-golf, kayaks, SUPs and coral for rent by the hour or day. You can also find a fishing pier, boat ramp and swimming.
Campgrounds offer restrooms with showers. Find a dump station and ice maker. Camping fees start at $35.
Located at 375 S. South Rd. Bastrop, TX 78602. Day-use admission for adults is $5, kids 12 and under are free.
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Grelle Recreation Area
Along the shores of Lake Travis near Spicewood, Grelle Recreation Area offers hiking, mountain biking and even equestrian trails. The campground is small, with only 18 tent-only sites and a restroom with non-flushing toilets. Campsites start at $27.50 a night.
Located at County Road 412 in Spicewood. Day-use admission for adults is $5, kids 12 and under are free.
Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area
Muleshoe Bend is a beacon for lake lovers on Lake Travis with a boat ramp and boats for rent (kayaks and SUP boards). After a day enjoying the water, spend the night enjoying the night skies.
Muleshoe Bend offers 41 sites with a restroom, flush toilets, and an outdoor shower. Additionally, find an ice machine. Campsites start at $27.50 a night.
Located at 2820 County Road 414 in Spicewood. Day-use admission for adults is $5, kids 12 and under are free.
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Army Corps of Engineers Parks around Austin
Georgetown Lake
Army Corps of Engineers Parks located north of Austin in Georgetown. Find four parks with campgrounds around the lake.
Each park offers its own amenities. Some campgrounds are primitive, others campsites with electricity and water hook-ups along with restrooms with showers. Camping fees start at $6, depending on amenities.
Georgetown Lake parks include Cedar Breaks Park, Jim Hogg Park, Tejas Park, and Russell Park.
Granger Lake
Located northeast of Austin, Granger Lake is a quiet lake with fewer visitors. Find three parks with campgrounds around the lake.
Each park offers different amenities, like swimming beaches, equestrian camping or boat launches. Some campgrounds offer RV campsites with electric, water and sewer hook-ups and restrooms with showers. Other parks offer primitive sites. Camping fees start at $10.
Granger Lake parks include Taylor Park, Wilson H. Fox Park, Willis Creek Park.
County Parks
Pace Bend Park in Spicewood
On the cliffs overlooking Lake Travis, Pace Bend Park hugs the shore and offers protected coves for swimming. Find hiking, biking and equestrian trails. Make it a weekend on the water and find a boat dock if you bring your boat.
The developed campground features 20 sites with grills, tables, water and electrical hookups. The bathhouse features showers.
Located at 2805 Pace Bend Road N. in Spicewood. Day-use admission for adults is $5, kids 12 and under are free.
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Private Campgrounds
Camp Fimfo near Canyon Lake
Located near New Braunfels and Canyon Dam, find an expansive Texas Hill Country property brimming with wildlife, especially deer. Camp Fimfo New Braunfels is next-door neighbors with the Whitewater Amphitheater. So, overnight guests can enjoy live music from their sites during its performances. Camp Fimfo also offers Guadalupe River frontage for splashing in the water. This is one of the Best Camping Spots in Central Texas.
As a camping resort, Camp Fimfo features lots of activities for families. The waterpark and its resort-style pool are favorites from spring until fall (check its calendar). The General Store area features a playground, an 18-hole mini-golf course, gemstone panning, and a water sports area. During the weekend, Camp Fimfo hosts craft sessions and workshops.
I stayed in a Coyote Cabin, which offers room for lots of friends and family (up to 12). Each cabin features three bedrooms, one with two sets of bunk beds (great for cousins or tag-along friends). Additionally, it has an equipped kitchen and a bathroom with a shower.
RVers have an area just for their rigs and a bathhouse. Additionally, find other cabins, like the Riverview Cabins, perfect for two. For groups of 8, the Bluebonnet Cabins feature a sleeping loft.
Located at 520 Whitewater Way in New Braunfels.
Mystic Quarry near Canyon Lake
Near Canyon Lake and outside of New Braunfels, Mystic Quarry Glamping Resort offers RV spots, teepees, tiny houses and glamping lodges. It also offers an extensive list of activities and amenities, such as a resort-style pool, a fitness center and a dog park.
This resort offers an area shuttle, an on-site store, sports courts and a pavilion.
Located at 13190 FM 306 in Canyon Lake.
Krause Springs
Stay at Krause Springs, one of the iconic swimming holes in Central Texas. After a day of swimming in its developed pool and rustic swimming hole with rope swing, head over to its campground, which offers RV sites with hook-ups and tent sites.
Bring the RV or pack a tent if you want to make it a weekend. Krause Springs offers primitive camping and RV sites with electricity and water. Krause Springs features clean and modern bathrooms. I found flush toilets, sinks and showers, though the showers use fresh spring water. And the water isn’t heated.
Camping is charged per person, $15 for adults over 12 and $10 for kids 4 to 11 and no charges for little kids under 3. RV sites are $15.
Located at 424 Krause Springs Road in Krause Springs.
