Texas Hill Country near Burnet sits at around 1,200 feet above sea level, featuring limestone terrain marked by springs, rivers and small canyons. The area experiences hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 95°F and mild winters that rarely drop below freezing. Water levels in local springs and Lake Travis can fluctuate significantly depending on rainfall patterns, affecting swimming and boating options.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: Pedernales Falls State Park Campground offers outstanding opportunities to explore limestone formations. "You can walk upriver from the falls, bouldering for quite a long way. Classic hill country terrain," says Emily M. The park contains multiple swimming areas with varying water depths.
Cliff jumping: Pace Bend Park - Lake Travis provides thrill-seekers with natural cliff diving spots. "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 cliff heights vary, allowing jumpers of different comfort levels to participate.
Kayaking: Grelle - Lake Travis offers water access for paddlers with rental options nearby. "Hiking, kayaking, tenting, hammocks, mountain biking, horseback riding are all available here," explains Lisa B. The shoreline provides multiple entry points for watercraft.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Pedernales Falls State Park Campground, campers appreciate the spacious layout. "The camp ground is wonderful. Very spread out and wooded for privacy between the campsites," writes Kaitlyn M., who adds it's "extremely dog friendly" with water and electric hookups.
Night sky viewing: The lack of light pollution makes stargazing exceptional at many campgrounds. "The campsites along the cliffs are beautiful at night," Katie B. says about Pace Bend Park. The elevated positions provide unobstructed views of the stars.
Varied terrain: The diversity of landscapes keeps exploration interesting. "There are lots of hiking trails here. Good swimming. The falls are pretty," notes Emily M. about Pedernales Falls State Park. The combination of water features and hiking options provides multiple recreation choices.
What you should know
Weather warnings: Flash floods can occur with little notice in this region. "Made me aware of how serious flash flooding is here. Respect weather warnings!" advises Faith S. about Pedernales Falls State Park Campground.
Uneven parking pads: Black Rock Park requires careful RV leveling. "Good condition asphalt site parking pad was uneven side-to-side as we noticed nearly all sites in that condition with all requiring leveling," reports Napunani.
Water conditions: Swimming areas often have slippery surfaces. "The ladder down is super wonky and the beach area extremely slippery," cautions Faith S. about Krause Springs. Water shoes are recommended for better traction.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection: Choose larger sites that accommodate group activities. "The sites are mostly private and have tent areas as well as pads for campers. You could fit a group of people all one one site with room to spare!" explains Shelly S. about Pedernales Falls State Park Campground.
Swimming safety: Monitor children closely in water areas. "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 State Park.
Activity variety: Look for campgrounds with multiple recreation options. "The park has fishing and swimming spots, and of course camping grounds," says Caleb F. about Pedernales Falls, providing options when children lose interest in one activity.
Tips from RVers
Overhead clearance: Watch for low-hanging branches in some campgrounds. "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.
Electrical connections: Several glamping sites close to Burnet, Texas offer power hookups. "Crushed granite surrounds the site parking pad so no muddy mess after rain," notes Napunani about Black Rock Park's RV sites.
Dump station access: For extended stays, plan for waste management. "Sites were plenty big with electric and running water," reports Steph C. about McKinney Falls State Park Campground, which also offers a sanitary dump station.
