Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Austin, TX
McKinney Falls State Park Campground and Austin Lone Star RV Community provide full pet accommodation across tent sites, RV spaces, cabins, and glamping options. Both parks maintain standard leash policies requiring dogs to be secured at all times when outside vehicles or camping units. Oak Forest RV Park features multiple dog park areas with separate enclosures for small and large breeds, while Pace Bend Park allows pets at both developed campgrounds and primitive sites along Lake Travis shoreline. The campgrounds typically include pet waste stations near common areas and trail access points. Most properties limit pets to two per site, though some permit three with additional fees. Showers and bathroom facilities at Pecan Grove RV Park are somewhat shabby according to visitors, but the pet-friendly policies remain consistent across all accommodation types.
Pedernales Falls State Park's extensive trail system allows leashed dogs throughout most hiking areas, providing excellent exercise opportunities for pets while camping. Several campgrounds connect directly to the Barton Creek Greenbelt trail system where visitors frequently walk dogs in the mornings and evenings. Austin East KOA maintains a fully-fenced exercise area with agility equipment specifically for camping dogs. During summer months, special attention to paw protection becomes necessary as ground temperatures on exposed campsites can exceed 120°F by midday. The centrally-located Emma Long Metropolitan Park offers waterfront camping with direct lake access where dogs can swim in designated areas. Several campgrounds recommend bringing portable pet fencing as some sites have limited natural boundaries between neighbors. All campgrounds strictly enforce quiet hours with special attention to barking dogs.