Cabin options near Castell, Texas span from Lake Buchanan to the Llano River, with sites at elevations ranging from 1,020 to 1,560 feet. Summer temperatures often reach into the 90s, while spring and fall offer milder weather in the 70s-80s. Winter overnight temperatures can drop below freezing, making cabins particularly valuable during cold months.
What to do
River activities at Pedernales Falls State Park: Visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, and paddling at designated areas. "Lots of hiking trails here. Good swimming. The falls are pretty. You can walk upriver from the falls, bouldering for quite a long way," notes one visitor at Pedernales Falls State Park Campground.
Kayaking on Lake Buchanan: Rentals available at several locations with guided tours for beginners. A visitor at Big Chief RV Resort mentioned, "There is a lake for swimming, fishing and boating of all kinds. They have a pool with hot tub. Frisbee golf."
Stargazing at Canyon of the Eagles: The park hosts an observatory with professional equipment. "They have a professional observatory with two telescopes and an astronomer giving lessons. We are now considering trying to plan a stargazing sleepover," shares a camper who visited with their Girl Scout troop.
Wildlife viewing: Opportunities to spot deer, armadillos, and birds throughout the Hill Country. "Tons of deer. We greatly enjoyed their Disc golf course," notes one visitor about their stay near Lake Buchanan.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: Some cabins offer direct water access with designated swimming areas. At Dos Rios RV Park, "We stayed here with our family during the late spring and loved it! Our children had a blast swimming in the river. It's shallow enough for littles on some parts and deep enough on the side next to the wall to jump off into the river."
Well-maintained bathhouses: Many parks offer individual bathroom units rather than communal facilities. "The bathroom was nearby with small, individual rooms each with shower, toilet and sink," notes a visitor at Canyon of the Eagles Lodge & Nature Park.
Campsite amenities: Most cabin sites include outdoor cooking areas and fire pits. "We had a picnic table, fire pit, and even cute string lights in the trees," reports a Dos Rios RV Park guest.
Shade coverage: Oak trees provide natural temperature control during hot months. At Bending Oaks Ranch RV Resort, "Spaces are nice, there room between campers and the huge oaks give lots of shade!"
What you should know
Reservation timing: Summer weekends book 3-6 months in advance, especially at waterfront locations. A visitor at Inks Lake State Park Campground advises, "This park has great hiking trails, campsites, and water activities. Grab a kayak and paddle up and down Inks Lake."
Road access considerations: Some cabins require navigation on unpaved roads. "The road leading to your campsite is gravel and windy. There is not a place to check in, you just drive directly to your campsite," notes a visitor at Dos Rios RV Park.
Seasonal water levels: Lake and river levels fluctuate significantly based on rainfall. "Nice family place with friendly staff and many things to do. The birding is great, and the lake is beautiful unless there has been a significant drought."
Noise factors: Highway proximity affects some locations. At Black Rock Park, reviews mention "Non-stop highway noise, even throughout the night, from Texas 261."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming locations: Choose sites with shallow water entry points for younger children. "It's shallow enough for littles on some parts and deep enough on the side next to the wall to jump off into the river," notes a family who stayed at Dos Rios.
Educational programs: Several parks offer ranger-led activities for children. "The naturalist on staff gave fishing lessons to the kids, had a craft for them to do and talked about the native flowers," shares a visitor who brought their Girl Scout troop to Canyon of the Eagles.
Site spacing: Select larger sites when traveling with multiple children. At Kerrville-Schreiner Park, "This is a great campground. The site had water very close by, a nice fire pit, some shady and sunny areas, and a grill. Far enough from your neighbors so that you don't really hear them, but not too isolated."
Weather planning: Be prepared for temperature swings of 30+ degrees between day and night, especially in spring and fall.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many Hill Country locations require leveling equipment. "Sites level; most are pull through. And many have great shade," reports a visitor to Bending Oaks Ranch RV Resort.
Water pressure considerations: Bring a pressure regulator as some locations have high pressure. "The campsites were level and spaced out well, seemed level and had full hook ups," notes a camper.
Power needs: Most cabin areas offer 30-amp service, with limited 50-amp availability. "Electric-hookups, fifty-amp-hookups, thirty-amp-hookups" are available at several locations, but confirm specific power requirements when booking.
Access roads: Some parks have narrow entry roads challenging for larger rigs. "I'm not sure how well a 30-40 foot camper would fair going down the trail to the best sites by the water."
