Best Texas Hill Country Camping

Across the rolling hills of the Texas Hill Country, find picturesque campgrounds in Texas State Parks. Each offers hiking trails, springtime wildflowers and some even sport cool waters to wade in. Though make plans early some of the Best Texas Hill Country Camping spots fill early.

Garner State Park in Concan

As the most popular state park in Texas, Garner State Park has been the park of choice for several generations. Camping on popular weekends fills up a year in advance.

Garner State Park offers 1,774 acres with activities like miniature golf, hiking up Old Baldy or floating along the Frio River in a paddleboat or kayak. The fun centers around the original park concession building that offers a souvenir store along with a grill in an Airstream trailer. Under the shade of bald cypress trees, couples dance the night away on weekends with the help of a DJ.

Find 335 campsites, 37 screened shelters and 17 historic stone cabins for camping. Garner also features a playground, a butterfly garden with native plants and an interpretive center.

Located 10 miles north of Concan, Texas, at 234 RR 1050, Garner provides 2.9 miles of Frio River access. Admission is $8 for adults and kids under 12 get in free. Reservations required.

Lost Maples State Natural Area in Vanderpool

Lost Maples State Natural Area opened to the public in 1979. It’s a smaller state park with just over 2,100 acres, located on the pristine waters of the Sabinal River. The limestone outcroppings and lush forest make it a year-round destination though it’s one of the top spots for fall color in Texas.

The Uvalde bigtooth maple trees display the best colors, though sycamores, bald cypresses and several varieties of oak add to the show. With the trees reflecting in the Sabinal River against the contrast of the limestone rocks, Lost Maples State Natural Area provides a stunning background for photos.

Find 10 miles of hiking, including the popular the Maple Trail, a .8-mile round trip hike. Lost Maples State Natural Area offers a monthly dark sky program where visitors can explore the night sky through telescopes, guided by the San Antonio Sidewalk Astronomers.

Lost Maples State Natural Area offers 30 campsites with electricity and water and six primitive sites. The campground has showers and flushing toilets. Camping is $20 a night plus daily adult admission fees.

Lost Maples State Natural Area is 86 miles northwest of San Antonio, Texas, or 5 miles north of Vanderpool, at 37221 F.M. 187. Adult admission is $6 (12+) and kids 12 and under are free. Reservations required.

Pedernales Falls State Park in Johnson City

Splash in the Pedernales River or bring a tube for a float down the river. After a swim 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 69 sites with electricity and primitive hike-insites. 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 (12+) is $6.

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 back in the Great Depression, like the long table. Or reserve the historic pavilion with an attached kitchen. The area features a playground too.

The campground at Blanco State Park features RV sites with full hook-ups and sites with electricity only. Find screened shelters with ceiling fans as well. 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.

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 banks 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.

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.

Hike to a scenic overlook at Inks Lake and find lots of trails to explore. There’s also two playgrounds for kids.

Campsites for RVs with electricity and water are available and tent sites with electricity only. Inks Lake State Park offers a large campground divided into loops with services in each.

Inks Lake features basic cabins, many with views of the lake. Each cabin ($55) offers two sets of single bunk beds along with a ceiling fan and air-conditioning. All cooking is done outside and cabins don’t offer a kitchenette. Find restrooms with showers nearby.

Located at 3630 Park Road 4 West, Burnet, TX 78611. Day-use adult admission is $6.

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area in Fredericksburg

The centerpiece of this park is the 425-foot pink granite monolith, that stands out from the limestone hills surrounding it. To get to the top of Enchanted Rock, follow the signs from the summit. At the top, sometimes you can find pools at the summit with tiny, fairy shrimp.

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area offers 35 walk-in sites with electricity only with restrooms and showers along with a nearby playground. There’s also 20 primitive hike-in sites.

Located at 16710 Ranch Rd. 965 in Fredericksburg. Adult admission (12+) is $7 and kids 12 and under are free. Reservations recommended.

Read More about Top Things to do in Fredericksburg

Guadalupe River State Park in Spring Branch

Enjoy four miles of Guadalupe River in the state park and it is next to the Honey Creek State Natural Area. The park includes the Guadalupe River State Park Paddling Trail, designated by the Texas Parks and Wildflife for its natural beauty.

Find 13 miles of hiking including the 2.86-mile Painted Bunting trail. Most of the trails are multi-use for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.

Find 85 campsite with electricity, a picnic table and a fire ring. Showers are located nearby.

Located at 3350 Park Rd 31 in Spring Branch. Adult admission (12+) is $7 and kids 12 and under are free. Camping available.

Hill Country State Natural Area in Bandera

Explore the 5,000-acre Hill Country State Natural Area that once was a private ranch. Hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding area the best ways to discover this rugged landscape with lots of trails to choose. The Heritage Loop is a popular trail and travels past a former ranch.

Find 20 primitive sites in several areas outfitted with a fire ring and picnic table. No water availabe though portable toilets are in the area.

Located at 10600 Bandera Creek Road in Bandera. Adult admission (12+) is $6 and kids 12 and under are free. Camping available.

Best Texas Hill Country Camping