Camping near Elgin, Texas offers year-round access to the Colorado River watershed with multiple state parks within 30 miles of town. The region experiences mild winters with average lows rarely below 40°F and hot summers where temperatures frequently exceed 95°F from June through September. Most campgrounds in the area feature shaded sites from post oak and loblolly pine trees that provide critical relief during summer camping season.
What to do
Swimming at natural waterfalls: McKinney Falls State Park, located 15 minutes from Austin's airport, features impressive waterfalls formed by volcanic rock from an extinct volcano called Pilot Knob. "There's an extinct volcano nearby called Pilot Knob. That accounts for the flat rock near the main falls... Please be careful swimming. If you can't swim, please refrain or wear a life jacket. There have been several drownings here," notes Emily M. of McKinney Falls State Park Campground.
Historic exploration: Bastrop State Park offers trails through recovering forestland with historic CCC-built structures. "The have some good moderate hiking trails and some interesting historical sites. The have a children's playground and a nice swimming pool. The trees here are being replanted and restored," shares Steve & Ashley G. from Bastrop State Park Campground.
Tubing on the Colorado River: Visitors can enjoy seasonal tubing at River Forest Haven with options for beginners. "The tubing is great for people with children who don't necessarily want to go tubing two to four hours... Very short route but water safety should be practiced as it is very deep in some areas," explains Guillermo L.
What campers like
Large, private sites: McKinney Falls offers spacious camping areas surrounded by natural vegetation. "We spent a couple of nights at this park. We loved the water falls and the sites are far apart with trees and shrubs surrounding them," reports Kingrex49 M.
Firewood delivery service: Staff at River Forest Haven will bring wood directly to your campsite. "The people who staff this park could not work harder to make your stay incredible. We really enjoyed tubing and fishing, but the campfires were the best. The staff will deliver a generous amount of dry fire wood for $15," says Lisa E. from River Forest Haven.
Clean bathrooms: Many campers note the exceptional cleanliness of facilities at Austin East KOA. "The showers were great. Very affordable compared to everything else around and you don't get the light pollution nor noise from town," comments Mason L. of Austin East KOA.
What you should know
Recovery from past fires: Bastrop State Park continues to regenerate after significant wildfires. "It is heartbreaking to see all the damage to the Pines, due to the wildfires, but it is recovering well. There are several miles of hiking trails, that can be done in one or two days," Jennifer J. advises.
Site assignment policies: Some campgrounds don't guarantee specific sites. "Super cool to get tucked into the woods. Some of the spots are secluded and others aren't. Down side is it isn't assigned sites, so if your self contained like my van we went out for the day and came back to someone set up in our spot," notes Ryan G.
Airport proximity: For travelers flying in, several camping options are conveniently located near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. "This Texas State Park is just a short 15 minute drive from downtown Austin. It is only a 5 minute drive from the Austin airport," Troy W. mentions about Sherwood Forest Faire Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options for kids: Multiple parks offer water features appropriate for different swimming levels. "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," explains Steph C. about McKinney Falls.
Junior Ranger programs: Bastrop State Park offers educational activities for children. "Kids got to do the junior ranger program which they loved. There was a fire not long before we visited in 2012, which was sad but interesting to see," shares Kim B.
Off-season visits: Consider winter camping for fewer crowds and mild temperatures. "Stayed for a week in December. Traveling with a 40' Class A RV. Getting in and out of the park was smooth for the most part just watch some overhanging limbs," advises Dan H.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for privacy: Many RV parks offer sites with varying degrees of privacy and shade. "The RV park has laundry facilities and bathrooms as well as full sewer, water, and power hookups. The residents are a collection of hippies, lost souls, and people just having fun in Austin," notes Steve & Ashley G. from Pecan Grove RV Park.
Monthly rates: For longer stays, inquire about monthly pricing at various parks. "Good for long term," notes Joel K. about Austin East KOA, which offers competitive monthly rates for extended-stay campers.
Urban accessibility: Several RV parks provide convenient access to Austin. "Great campground within miles of downtown Austin. Two scenic waterfalls for frolicking in warm weather camping. Many tree ringed rv sites for privacy. Well marked hiking trails and grills for day use," says Steve K.
