Tent camping near Floresville, Texas offers several options within 25-40 miles of the town. The region experiences hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through September, making spring and fall ideal camping seasons. Most tent campgrounds in the area require reservations, with weekends often booking 2-3 weeks in advance during peak seasons.
What to do
Dinosaur track viewing: At Government Canyon State Natural Area, campers can hike to see prehistoric dinosaur tracks preserved in limestone. "The park is very clean. There's plenty of parking if you don't wanna camp. I went there to hike the trails and see the dinosaur tracks," reports Red S.
River tubing: Son's Guadalupe offers convenient river access for tube rentals. "We rented some tubes and they took us up river a couple of miles to float back down to our cabana which was very convenient. The scenery on the tubing trip is absolutely gorgeous, huge cliffs and cypress trees!" states Byron R.
Trail exploration: Government Canyon features extensive hiking options with varying difficulty levels. "Very clean, well maintained. Lots of trails to choose from!" mentions Dani D. Note that many trails close after rain to protect the natural landscape.
What campers like
Private sites: The tent camping areas at Government Canyon State Natural Area offer secluded spots away from crowds. "Awesome place to camp if you live in Austin or San Antonio. We camped at site 14 and it's nice and shady and away from others," shares Nathan L.
Air-conditioned glamping: For campers seeking comfort in hot weather, Son's Blue River Camp provides climate-controlled options. "We stayed in one of their air-conditioned glamping cabins. It was very nice and clean and the AC stayed very cold. They have private, lockable, full bathrooms right behind the cabins," notes Karin R.
Multiple water recreation options: At Son's River Ranch, visitors appreciate the variety of activities. "We rented a cabana for the day too and it was fun to hang out and relax by the river and BBQ. The next day we tubed and kayaked. They have a wristband you can buy for the day that is good for unlimited kayaking and tubing."
What you should know
Limited dog access: Government Canyon restricts which trails allow pets. "We found that there were only 2 trails that were dog friendly. Lytle's Loop and Savannah are the only two trails for dogs and they need to be on leash at all times," explains Salina G.
Extra costs: Many campgrounds charge additional fees beyond the base camping rate. At Son's Guadalupe, "they rent everything a-la-carte, so if you plan to stay the night you need to rent a cabana or covered picnic table during the day. There website does a good job explaining everything but it's a bit different if you haven't been before."
Reservation timing: Government Canyon has limited camping availability. "It is only open Friday-Monday with camping only Friday and Saturday night," advises Brian V. This means midweek camping is not available.
Tips for camping with families
Choose family-friendly locations: Helton Nature Park provides a calm setting for families. "It was a very calming experience. If you looking for a park to relax and enjoy a day I would recommend," suggests Bernie S.
Pack heat protection: Summer temperatures regularly exceed 95°F in the Floresville region. Bring extra water, sun shelters, and cooling towels for children, especially when tent camping without electricity.
Consider guided programs: Government Canyon offers educational opportunities. "The guided hikes are informative," notes Emily M., making these programs valuable for children to learn about local ecosystems.
Tips from RVers
Water and power availability: Calaveras Lake Park offers water hookups and both 50-amp electric service, though campers report mixed experiences. "We made reservations and after we get there they tell us it's another $7 a day per person for entry fee," warns Bob B., suggesting calling ahead to confirm all fees.
Limited big rig access: Most campgrounds near Floresville have sites best suited for smaller RVs under 30 feet. Call ahead to confirm turning radius and pad length if bringing a larger rig.
Weather monitoring: Sites often close during wet conditions. "If there is too much rain, the park will close down all the trails as they don't want to ruin the area with people walking in mud," advises a camper at Government Canyon.
