Guadalupe River State Park and its surrounding areas offer diverse camping experiences for visitors to Boerne, Texas. Located in the Texas Hill Country at elevations between 1,000-1,500 feet, the region has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and mild winters. Canyon Lake, just 30 miles from Boerne, provides water recreation options when seasonal rainfall fills the reservoir.
What to do
Dinosaur track hunting: At Government Canyon State Natural Area, visitors can explore unique paleontological features. "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.
River swimming: The Guadalupe River provides cooling relief during hot Texas summers. "Great swimming. Shaded campsites. Walking distance into Blanco," shares Mylie A. about Blanco State Park Campground, which features a swimming hole with year-round access.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings and evenings offer prime wildlife spotting opportunities. "We did get to experience some wildlife in the campground and on the trail. There were armadillo wandering the campground in the early evening looking for food. Then near the river early morning we saw first one group of deer near the overlook and then a large herd of close to 15," reports Shelly S.
What campers like
Clean, modern facilities: Several glamping options near Boerne, Texas include high-end bathroom amenities. Alexandra notes about Cedar Sage Camping Area: "I cannot express how impressed we were with these restrooms. Seriously cleanest and newest restrooms we've seen at a SP in Texas."
Private, spacious sites: Campgrounds in the Hill Country often feature well-designed layouts. "Very nice multi use campsites with tent pads and picnic tables and large flat parking pads. Sites were spaced apart and felt very private," Mark G. shares about Turkey Sink Camping Area.
Convenient town access: Blanco State Park offers an unusual combination of natural setting with town convenience. "Being in town, there are plenty of good and services near by. While your there, visit the Redbud Cafe. Their Blanco Burger is one of the best burgers you will eat," suggests Gary F.
What you should know
Seasonal water levels: River conditions fluctuate significantly based on rainfall. "When I walked down to the river it was still not up to its usual level... When the river is 'working' there are kayak/tube opportunities, unfortunately no way of knowing ahead when you book what your going to get so plan accordingly and bring lots of water just in case," advises Shelly S.
Limited dog access: Some parks restrict where pets can explore. "We got to the visitor center to see the map of the trails offered (about 5-6 different ones) and we found that there were only 2 trails that were dog friendly. Lytle's Loop and Savannah are the only two trails for dogs and they need to be on leash at all times," explains Salina G. about Government Canyon State Natural Area.
Weather closures: Trail access can change quickly with weather. "Because this is a State Natural Area, you may not connect anything to the trees in the park... If there is too much rain, the park will close down all the trails as they don't want to ruin the area with people walking in mud," warns Brian V.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife encounters: Prepare for curious local animals. "Had some very unafraid raccoons run up to our site. Yelling and tossing rocks near their feet did not deter at all. Had to interrupt our dinner and put our food away to get them to leave us alone," shares Alexandra.
Ranger programs: Educational activities enhance family camping near Boerne. "The guided hikes are informative," notes Emily M., while Troy W. adds, "They often have ranger hikes leading from the center."
Swimming options: Kerrville-Schreiner Park offers alternative water recreation when river levels are low. "Guadalupe River access for swimming, fishing, and kayaking. Wifi also works well and a great base camp for exploring the Texas hill country," reports Terri L.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: When glamping in Boerne's RV parks, location within the campground matters. "Ask if a space farther away from the highway is available when you check in," advises James T. about Alamo Fiesta RV Resort.
Access considerations: Construction and road conditions can impact arrival. "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, but easy enough once you come in once, just follow the signs," shares Beverly T.
Accessibility awareness: Some glamping sites offer better accessibility options. "For Handicapped Accessability: Do not accept a pad in the 100 row as they are not as wheelchair accessable as the 200 row of pads. I don't know about the 300 to 800 rows of pads," notes Jeff S. about Blazing Star Luxury RV Resort.
