The Boerne area sits at approximately 1,400 feet elevation in the Edwards Plateau of central Texas, where limestone hills create diverse terrain for outdoor enthusiasts. Camping options near Boerne, Texas range from primitive tent sites along the Guadalupe River to full-service RV parks with modern amenities. Seasonal temperatures fluctuate significantly, with summer highs regularly exceeding 95°F and winter lows occasionally dipping below freezing.
What to do
Explore underground caves: Cave Without a Name, located just minutes from Boerne, offers unique camping combined with cave exploration. "Cave was neat it's definitely a must see. They have camping available electric and water only.. you can't drink the water!!" reports Courtney, who visited the site.
Track dinosaurs: Government Canyon State Natural Area preserves ancient dinosaur tracks visible in the creek bed during certain seasons. "There are some dino tracks in the creekbed to check out in the backcountry along with an old stone house. Supposedly there are some hidden caves off trail but I haven't found them," notes Emily M., emphasizing the site's paleontological significance.
Winter swimming: Even during cooler months, some campsites maintain water accessibility. Patrick H. from Guadalupe River State Park shares, "Mid November and swimming was still fun. The next morning was 10 degrees so a whole different experience."
Feed wildlife: Several campgrounds near Boerne provide opportunities for controlled wildlife interaction. "The owners are extremely kind and helpful, even providing corn to feed the deer," mentions Arthur H. about Boulderdash Cabin & RV Park, highlighting the location's unique wildlife experiences.
What campers like
Uncrowded river access: Campers appreciate secluded water access points at several campgrounds near Boerne. "It's the best, right by the river and completely private, the land is huge so there's plenty of space between campers. The water is so clear it beautiful," says Justine A. about her experience at Guadalupe River State Park.
Diverse wildlife viewing: The Hill Country ecosystem supports abundant wildlife viewable from campsites. "We saw a deer, squirrels, and even a herd of blackbuck antelope," reports Jackie R. from Kerrville-Schreiner Park, describing the diverse animal populations.
Site privacy: Many campers value the separation between sites at certain campgrounds. "Grassy space between each RV space with room to enjoy without being to close to neighbors RV," notes Jennifer G. about Al's Hideaway Cabin and RV Rentals, highlighting the spacious layout.
Winter camping: The mild winter climate makes off-season camping viable at most Boerne area campgrounds. "One of the first camping trips I had with my son was Guadalupe River State Park. We tent camped and had one of the primitive sites. We had so much fun swimming in the river and hiking," shares Patrick H., describing a successful November camping trip.
What you should know
Gate codes required: Several campgrounds implement security systems requiring codes for after-hours access. "Remember to check in at the Ranger station over on the river side because you will need a gate code to access the hill side of the park," advises David L. about Kerrville-Schreiner Park.
Limited weekend availability: Seasonal constraints affect campground availability in the Boerne region. "I was pleasantly surprised to find tent sites available within 3 days of my visit (October 23-25, 2020)," mentions rrincon78 about Kerrville-Schreiner Park, indicating the unusual nature of last-minute availability.
Water potability issues: Not all campsite water sources provide potable water. At Cave Without a Name, Mike L. notes, "Sites have 50 and 30 amp electricity but non-potable water so make sure your fresh water tank is full. No dump station on site."
Seasonal river levels: Water levels in rivers fluctuate dramatically throughout the year. "When I arrived the lake was almost to the top of the camp border retainer wall, unlike other photos which I had seen when there was little to no water to explore," reports Crystal C. about Boulderdash Cabin & RV Park, highlighting how timing affects water activities.
Tips for camping with families
Ranger programs: Children can participate in educational programs at certain parks. "We worked with the park Ranger program and my son was awarded a Ranger Badge," explains Patrick H. about his Guadalupe River State Park experience.
Non-swimming activities: When water levels are low, alternative activities keep children engaged. "Fishing, hiking, and geocaching was great. We will be back," shares Jake S. about Bergheim Campground, listing family-friendly options.
Wildlife awareness: Families should prepare for after-dark wildlife activity. "Beware of the animal activity, specially at night. Armadillos and raccoons are everywhere and they get a little bit noisy at night," warns Ruben J. from Guadalupe River State Park.
Pool alternatives: During hot months, campgrounds with pools provide relief from heat. "Pool looks extremely clean," notes Kelly B. about Alamo Fiesta RV Resort, while Jennifer G. simply describes Al's Hideaway as having a "Great pool."
Tips from RVers
Construction navigation: Road construction may affect campsite access for larger vehicles. "Note! The highway in front of the campground is under construction, so where it would normally be and easy off easy on, it's a little tricky getting in and out with the bigger rigs," advises Beverly T. about Alamo Fiesta RV Resort.
Site selection for shade: Specific site numbers offer better shade coverage. "This time I camped in the site number 88. And it didn't have enough natural shade, however if you were to spend a couple days camping I would recommend site 89 or 86 for a good natural shade," suggests Ruben J. about Guadalupe River State Park.
Limited big rig access: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. "We stayed at one of their tent sites (#66) and pitched 2 tents for two families," explains rrincon78 about Kerrville-Schreiner Park, adding "The first row is all pull through sites with full hookups, although we do have a shorter trailer (24') and I'm not sure how much luck you would have with a truly big one."
Cell service variability: Mobile connectivity varies significantly between camping locations. "I don't know why it would not let me edit the phone service. But if you have T-Mobile you should know that this campground has 5G. And 4G in certain areas. I was able to use the internet text message and make and receive calls," reports Red S. about Guadalupe River State Park.
