Dispersed camping in the Buffalo Gap region offers unique experiences along Lake Travis and the Pedernales River, with most campgrounds situated between 900-1,100 feet elevation. The Hill Country terrain creates distinct microclimates across different camping areas, with western sites typically 5-8 degrees cooler than eastern locations during summer months.
What to do
Cliff jumping: Pace Bend Park offers natural cliff jumping spots into Lake Travis. "My favorite part about this campsite is the ability to cliff jump into a lake. I love the water and this campsite was perfect for me," notes Aaron S. The park features multiple jumping heights suitable for different experience levels.
Explore historical homesteads: The region contains several preserved pioneer structures accessible from camping areas. "The ruins of the homestead are definitely worth checking out if the creek is passable," explains Emily M. about McKinney Falls State Park.
Rock climbing access: Several campsites serve as excellent base camps for climbing adventures. "We stay at Pace Bend every time we go rock climbing in Austin. The campsites are private and there are always sites available," shares Katie B.
Off-leash dog areas: For those bringing pets, dedicated exercise zones provide safe spaces. "The dog trails though are off leash and awesome!" notes Chelsea O. about Emma Long Metropolitan Park.
What campers like
Waterfall swimming: The region's natural pools and falls create unique swimming experiences. "There's an extinct volcano nearby called Pilot Knob. That accounts for the flat rock near the main falls," explains Emily M. about McKinney Falls.
Strategic location: Many campgrounds provide excellent proximity to urban conveniences. "This rv resort is in an ideal location for exploring Austin. It's located along the freeway, so there is some road noise. However, at night it was pretty quiet," reports Marnie G. about Austin Lone Star RV Community.
Butterfly gardens: Some properties maintain special areas for wildlife observation. "Beautiful Butterfly garden great for yoga, reading or enjoying the mind of a gardener," describes Lisa B. at Krause Springs.
River exploration: Many campgrounds offer access points to waterways. "You can walk upriver from the falls, bouldering for quite a long way. Classic hill country terrain," says Emily M. about Pedernales Falls.
What you should know
Flash flooding awareness: Local waterways can rise rapidly during storms. "Made me aware of how serious flash flooding is here. Respect weather warnings!" cautions Faith S. about Pedernales Falls State Park.
Cash-only policies: Some campgrounds maintain traditional payment systems. "It is CASH ONLY. Family owned," notes Lisa B. about Krause Springs, which doesn't accept cards.
Water safety considerations: Swimming areas require appropriate caution. "Please be careful swimming. If you can't swim, please refrain or wear a life jacket. There have been several drownings here," warns Emily M. about McKinney Falls.
Road conditions: Some parks have challenging access roads. "GPS will take you on the motorcycle routes but keep going straight past the Emma Long Sign for better roads for RV driving," advises Rylan Heath B.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water features: Many campgrounds offer graduated swimming areas. "The water was warm, and it was perfect for new swimmers with floaties and advanced swimmers. There's a place where you can jump off the rocks into the water," shares Steph C. about McKinney Falls.
Playground access: Several campgrounds include dedicated play areas. "We have enjoyed the hiking trails down by the water and the playground for our kids," notes Lauren Z. about Arkansas Bend.
Year-round accessibility: The region's climate allows for multi-season family camping. "Stayed here on Monday, December 21 (winter solstice) 2020. There were only four other campsites taken. It was very quiet. We went mountain biking in shorts the first day and a backpack training hike the next," shares Rick at Pace Bend Park.
Site spacing for families: Many campgrounds provide ample room between sites. "The sites are far apart with trees and shrubs surrounding them," notes Kingrex49 M. about Emma Long Metropolitan Park.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling considerations: The terrain affects setup requirements. "We were very surprised at how level our gravel campsite was. It made setup a breeze. The loop makes backing into your spot easy," shares Lauren Z. about Arkansas Bend.
Low clearance warnings: Some campgrounds present overhead obstacles. "My only warning is low hanging trees everywhere. I couldn't imagine trying to navigate the campground in a 5th wheel or class A. You could do some rooftop damage," cautions Brandi W. about Krause Springs.
Campground layout navigation: Property configurations can impact access. "Right off the highway, safe (gated entry), well kept, pretty. The spots are gravel (a little unlevel due to the slight hills) but perfectly spaced with full hook up," explains Joana A. about Austin Lone Star RV Community.
Electric service variations: Different sites offer various hookup options. "The RV spots do have water and electric. Be aware that some are 30 amp and some are 20 amp," advises Kenneth H. about Emma Long Metropolitan Park.
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