Primitive camping near Buda, Texas centers around Lake Georgetown, with dispersed sites accessible via the San Gabriel River Trail. This 26.2-mile loop trail traverses diverse Central Texas terrain including limestone outcroppings and juniper woodlands. Water access points vary seasonally, with late summer bringing lower lake levels that can extend the distance between campsites and filterable water sources.
What to do
Shoreline camping flexibility: At Sawyer Park Primitive Campsites, campers have found alternative spots. "We ended up not following our AllTrails after a fork in the road heading towards the campsite, and were pretty pooped so decided to camp there off Sawyer Campsite Rd. People had clearly used the shore as a campsite before as there was a makeshift fire pit and some cleared areas for tents," reports Alexandra.
Multi-day backpacking: The complete loop trail offers extended hiking opportunities with multiple primitive camping locations. The trail terrain varies considerably, requiring proper footwear and trekking poles for some sections, particularly after rainfall when limestone surfaces become slippery.
Water transportation: Some visitors access the primitive sites via watercraft. At Walnut Springs Primitive Campground, Guillermo L. observed "a group of people who canoed in" during his stay, demonstrating alternative access methods beyond hiking.
What campers like
Midweek solitude: Weekday camping offers significantly fewer encounters with other groups. "During the weekdays you may not see a single person," notes Troy W., contrasting with weekend usage when scout troops and other groups are common.
Multiple access points: The San Gabriel River Trail features various entry points, allowing campers to plan trips of different lengths. This creates flexibility for weekend warriors with limited time or those planning longer excursions.
Natural camping zones: Unlike designated sites with numbered spaces, San Gabriel River Trail offers more freedom. "There are a few areas with tent pads or clear areas where you may camp. But there are also zones where you may simply camp wherever you can setup a tent or hammock," explains Troy W., highlighting the less restrictive primitive camping experience.
What you should know
Variable weather resilience: Central Texas weather can change rapidly, requiring proper preparation. "Rain started pretty heavily (and being close to the water probably didn't help with humidity inside the tent) and our rain fly was unwilling to cooperate so we got a bit wet," reports Alexandra from her experience at Sawyer Park, emphasizing the importance of weatherproof gear.
Trail conditions: Terrain varies widely throughout the system. "The home back in the rain was fine. A couple slippery spots but very doable," notes Alexandra, indicating that even in less-than-ideal conditions, the trails remain passable with proper caution.
Alternative access methods: Different approaches exist depending on your starting point. Guillermo L. explains that Walnut Springs "can be biked in from camp Tejas four miles away or can hiking from Russell Park 2 mi away," providing options for different fitness levels or equipment availability.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection priorities: Choose campsites with natural features that accommodate family needs. Guillermo L. describes Walnut Springs as having a "Large open area; for fire pits for lamp hangers for picnic tables trees closer the trail and grass sea areas closer to the water," offering various setup options for different family preferences.
Weather shelter considerations: When camping with children, look for natural protection from elements. During a thunderstorm at Walnut Springs Primitive Campground, Guillermo L. mentions they "Enjoyed our stay during a thunderstorm under the big trees," highlighting the value of overhead coverage.
Traffic patterns: Understanding site popularity helps families find appropriate spacing from other groups. Guillermo notes, "This is possibly the easiest campgrounds on the good water trail to get to which may result in there being more people at this site than others," suggesting families seeking more privacy might choose alternative locations.
Tips from RVers
No vehicle access: These primitive sites cannot accommodate recreational vehicles of any kind. All camping requires hiking or boating in with portable equipment. The primitive nature of these sites makes them unsuitable for typical RV camping, requiring backpacking or boat-in approaches exclusively.
