Camping opportunities within the Texas Hill Country near Castell feature rugged terrain with elevations ranging from 1,000-1,600 feet. The area experiences hot summers with temperatures often exceeding 95°F and mild winters with occasional freezes. Many primitive campsites require advance preparation as water sources are limited throughout the granite-dominated landscape.
What to do
Artifact hunting: Experience the ancient history at Wendelfull Life Ranch where visitors can participate in "hand digging surface hunting personal screening or large screen digs for Indian artifacts such as tools or Arrowheads."
Rock climbing: Scale granite formations in the area's state parks. "Great hiking and descent rock climbing. A few of the climbing spots have bolts and they are maintained," notes Blas D. about the climbing opportunities at Moss Lake.
Kayaking: Explore calm waterways along the Llano River from Dos Rios RV Park where "you can rent kayaks and explore the calm waters or tie up a tube and float," according to a camper who visited in September 2020.
Fishing: Cast a line in the stocked tanks available at several properties. Wendelfull Life Ranch offers a "stock tank for fishing" while multiple waterways throughout the region provide additional angling opportunities during cooler months.
What campers like
Natural wildlife encounters: Fort Mason City Park features abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. "Beautiful little park with both back in & pull through spots, full hookups, and deer everywhere!" writes Chelsea R., highlighting the frequent animal sightings.
Dark sky stargazing: The region offers excellent night sky visibility for astronomy enthusiasts. "I have never seen so many stars! Most beautiful thing I have ever seen!" reports Mendy S. about her experience at Walnut Springs Area of Enchanted Rock.
Balanced affordability: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the reasonable pricing at many locations. Oxford Ranch Campground offers "inexpensive" camping with "primitive camping, but they do have a community bathroom and showers," according to John A., making it accessible for various budgets.
River access points: Multiple dog-friendly campgrounds near Castell provide water recreation opportunities. "The river is warm and somewhat clear. There is a little ledge that your kiddos can jump off into the water," notes Whitney R. about the swimming areas at Dos Rios RV Park.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many popular sites fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. James S. advises about Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, "If you're coming for just a day hike, get there early as it can fill up fast."
Seasonal considerations: Summer temperatures affect camping comfort significantly. Dmitri W. cautions, "Beware the summer nights in Texas. I went camping here in July and it was really too much. It doesn't seem to cool down at all at night. I think the granite holds the heat."
Terrain challenges: Prepare for natural hazards common to the region. John A. warns about Oxford Ranch: "Beware of stickers and ants. They are abundant," highlighting the need for appropriate footwear and site preparation.
Cell service limitations: Communication can be unrestricted in remote areas. Larry D. notes about Colorado Bend State Park: "Forget about cell service. Curiously enough, I had WiFi because my RV spot was closest to the office. But neither my son nor I had cell service for some miles before arriving at the office area."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for children: Plan cooling breaks during summer visits. At Inks Lake State Park Campground, "This park has great hiking trails, campsites, and water activities. Grab a kayak and paddle up and down Inks Lake... Take a jump off the cliffs at Devil's Waterhole," suggests Jennifer J.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Schedule early morning walks for best animal sightings. "We had deer walking through our camp site" within "first 20 minutes at this park," reports Andrea P. about her family's experience at Colorado Bend State Park.
Multiple hiking difficulty levels: Select appropriate trails based on children's ages. Michelle W. advises about Moss Lake, "The energy is serine, the hike up is fairly easy although I would not recommend doing it with very young children."
Playground availability: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near Castell offer recreational structures for children. Amie M. notes that Fort Mason City Park has "a rundown playground in the main park and there is a newer playground in the middle of the baseball fields," providing options for families with young children.
Tips from RVers
Hookup specifications: Riverway RV Park offers complete facilities. "All sites are pull through and have full hookups. The utility pole even has a light so hookup at night is convenient. Sites are super long, fairly level and gravel," reports Debbie J.
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging approach roads. James S. cautions about Colorado Bend State Park: "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. I'm not sure how well a 30-40 foot camper would fair going down the trail to the best sites by the water."
Site dimensions and privacy: Evaluate spacing between campsites when selecting locations. "Sites are super long, fairly level and gravel. Not all sites have picnic tables, but all have a concrete patio as well as grassy area," notes Debbie J. about the RV accommodations at Riverway RV Park.
Dump station locations: Plan ahead for waste management needs. Robert M. describes Riverway RV Park as a "Great stop over park" where "full hookup makes for a fast easy setup," eliminating the need for separate dump station visits during short stays.
