Campers looking for outdoor recreation near Burnet, Texas can explore a mix of limestone terrain and lakefront locations with elevations ranging from 800 to 1,400 feet above sea level. The Texas Hill Country's semi-arid climate brings hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 95°F between June and September. Winter camping offers milder conditions with daytime temperatures averaging 60-70°F from November through February.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: Gorman Falls at Colorado Bend State Park offers a unique Hill Country hiking experience with a 70-foot waterfall cascading over travertine formations. "Love going to this place, camping, the hiking is good, lots of boulders and rocks, the river to get in, and a beautiful waterfall," writes Jill R. about South Area — Colorado Bend State Park Campground.
Cave tours: Colorado Bend provides both guided cave tours and self-exploration opportunities in specific caves. "Between the swimming hole and Gorman Falls you have some great views and amazing hiking! Saw some deer and hogs while out hiking on this property," notes Price T., adding that "armadillo are all over the place as well."
Lake activities: Buchanan Lake provides opportunities for swimming, boating, and fishing throughout most of the year. "Grab a kayak and paddle up and down Inks Lake. Set up your tent near hiking trails and lake access. Take a jump off the cliffs at Devil's Waterhole. Don't forget your fishing poles, as there are also lots of great fishing areas," recommends Jennifer J. about Inks Lake State Park Campground.
Off-roading: Multiple difficulty levels of trails accommodate various vehicle types and driver experience. "HFAP is an off roader's enthusiast's oasis. With over 2200 acres of full size offroad trails there is surely something there for every vehicle and skill level. From mild stock level all the way to extreme rock crawling you can find it at HFAP," explains Chad L. about his experience at Hidden Falls Adventure Park.
What campers like
Stargazing opportunities: The Eagle Eye Observatory at Canyon of the Eagles provides night sky viewing with professional equipment. "We were able to enjoy the dark sky at their observatory and then from our tent!" shares Nathan S. about Canyon of the Eagles Lodge & Nature Park.
Multiple water access points: Many campgrounds offer direct water entry for swimming during hot weather. "We stayed in site 345, in the tent only sites. It was a great site that backed right up on the lake. We had a natural split level site with a clearing towards the lake," says Chris H. about his family's camping experience at Inks Lake State Park.
Privacy between sites: Campgrounds often provide adequate spacing between sites, especially in primitive camping areas. "The campsite provides level and spacious sites, which is important for RVs to ensure stability and ease of setup," notes Alley R. about Cedar Bend RV Park.
Natural swimming holes: Spring-fed swimming areas maintain cooler temperatures even during summer heat. "The creek extending from the swimming area eventually leads to Lake Travis. There's a trail that goes along the creek for awhile, past the second waterfall and some nifty formations on the cliffs," describes Emily M. about Krause Springs.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have spotty or nonexistent mobile coverage. "Do be aware the cell service is pretty much nonexistent down at the campsites," warns Price T. about Colorado Bend State Park.
Flash flood awareness: Low-lying areas can flood quickly during rain events. "Respect weather warnings!" emphasizes Faith S. about Pedernales Falls State Park Campground, adding that camping there "made me aware of how serious flash flooding is here."
Summer heat preparation: Temperatures frequently exceed 95°F during peak summer months. "When temperatures rise during summer months, early morning or evening walks offer cooler conditions," according to experienced campers.
Limited availability: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during spring and fall. "This is a very popular park, especially on warm weekends, and the office is rather small. So get there as early in the day as you can to avoid crowds," recommends Larry D. about Colorado Bend.
Tips for camping with families
Observatory programs: Canyon of the Eagles offers specialized astronomy programs for children. "They have a professional observatory with two telescopes and an astronomer giving lessons. We are now considering trying to plan a stargazing sleepover," shares Stephanie B. about her Girl Scout troop's experience at Pace Bend Park - Lake Travis.
Nature programs: Many parks offer ranger-led activities focused on local wildlife and plants. "The naturalist on staff gave fishing lessons to the kids, had a craft for them to do and talked about the native flowers," notes Stephanie B., adding that watching staff handle reptiles "was a fun way to learn which ones were safe and which ones to avoid."
Easy access swimming: Look for campsites with short walks to swimming areas. "The campsite is also a 2 minute walk to facilities. On a horseshoe loop with privacy from other sites," reports Ernest G. about his stay at Inks Lake site #81.
Kid-friendly hiking: Several parks feature trails under 2 miles suitable for younger children. "The hiking is ok. Most of it is pretty flat, but walking along the lake or along the river offers some nice views. Along the river are a few waterfalls which are pretty," explains Brian V. about trails at Inks Lake.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for shade: Consider seasonal sun exposure when selecting sites. "We stayed in site 13 on the RV Loop. Access to the lake from the site (short walk), wooded area that blocks the wind but you get sun during the day," recommends Erin A. about Big Chief RV Resort.
Tree hazards: Some campgrounds have low-hanging branches that can damage taller vehicles. "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.
Reservations essential: Dog friendly campgrounds near Burnet often book quickly, especially those with full hookups. "Big Chief was the very first camping trip with our new trailer. We are camping rookies. Big Chief was the perfect stop. Clean, all the hookups you need, amazing sunsets," reports TexasGirlOnTheRoad about their experience.
Site levelness: Many campsites require leveling blocks due to natural terrain. "All of the sites have at least water, a picnic table, and a fire ring. Some of the campsites can be a little rocky or have odd elevation," notes Brian V. about Inks Lake.
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