Searching for the perfect place to pitch your tent near Floresville? With The Dyrt, it's easy to find Floresville campgrounds for you and your tent. Each tent site offers quick access to one or more of Floresville, Texas's most popular destinations.
About the Park
The towering pecan trees, flowing river, and welcoming pavilion at this 98-acre nature park, owned by the San Antonio River Authority, create an ideal destination for outdoor recreation enthusiasts, nature-lovers, and athletes alike. Whether you bring your family to the park for a reunion under the 5,000 square foot pavilion, tackle the trails on your mountain bike, camp with a club or organization, or meet up with friends for a day of soccer and basketball, you’ll find John William Helton Nature Park to be a true natural treasure. The River Authority Parks Staff proudly maintain the miles of trails, campgrounds, and other amenities.
Helton Park Campground Rules - campsites only available from Friday-Sunday
• Camp only in your designated site. Check in: 3pm; Checkout 11am
• 8 people per site maximum. Only up to 2 vehicles per site.
• 10 mph SPEED LIMIT throughout the Park
• Quiet hours from 10pm to 6am. During daylight hours, please be respectful of other campers by keeping noise/music at a low level
• Please take all your personal belongings back with you and pack out your trash. There is a dumpster available for your camp trash. Please help keep this beautiful park clean!
• Do not carve, chop, cut, nail, or otherwise damage trees or vegetation.
• Campfires are allowed in provided fire rings. If a county burn ban in in effect, fires will be prohibited. Unattended campfires are prohibited. Completely extinguish fire using only water before leaving. Please do not use dirt.
• Please no trash in fire rings including glass, cans, bottles or aluminum foil.
• Pets must be kept on a leash not longer than 6- feet at all times. Please clean up after your pet. Please keep your pets quiet and do not leave pets unattended. Please do not leave your pet’s food out- it could attract wild animals.
• Please keep all food, drinks, and trash in an enclose container or in your vehicle. • Vehicles must remain on roads or parking areas. Please do not block the road.
• Discharging a weapon is prohibited including paintballs, bow & arrow, BB guns and air guns.
• Fireworks and explosives are prohibited.
• The campground is in a low-lying area which may be subject to flooding. Please be mindful of flood risks when at the Park. Should you hear the warning siren go off, please evacuate the campground and meet at the pavilion.
• River Authority does not provide emergency service personnel. In the event of an emergency, call 911 immediately. Camping has many hazards and that there are risks that cannot be eliminated, particularly in a wilderness environment. All guests/visitors assume all risks and danger incidental to the activity of camping in a rustic outdoor environment including but not limited to the danger of being injured or killed by insects or other animals, of being injured while participating in recreational activities at the campground and/or being injured as a result of inclement weather conditions, and agrees that the campground and the River Authority and its Board members, agents and employees are not liable for injuries or property damage resulting from such risks and danger. Further River Authority is not responsible for any theft, loss or damage incurred during my stay.
Entrance into the Park constitutes permission for the River Authority to photograph the visitors while on the premises and to use any resulting pictures or video for any lawful purpose without compensation to the visitor.
I understand that I may be asked to leave the Park, without refund, for failure to follow said rules, policies, and applicable law.
Hiking and Biking
With over three miles of trails, Helton Nature Park is a great place to exercise without having to worry about vehicle traffic. The trails are natural surfaces, so proper footwear is suggested. Bicycles with wide tires, like BMX and mountain bikes, are recommended. Road bikes are discouraged due to rough, natural terrain.
Paddling
Historically, Helton Nature Park was the final takeout point on the SASPAMCO paddling trail. Recently, the paddling trail has been extended and now continues south to Floresville River Park with take-out points at County Road 117 (nine miles downstream of Helton Nature Park) and US 97 (eight miles downstream of County Road 117 and 17 miles from Helton Nature Park). This extension makes Helton Nature Park a perfect picnic lunch destination in the middle of a paddling journey or a nice starting point on a paddling journey to Floresville. SASPAMCO Paddling Trail.
Parties and Events
Some of the newest amenities added to the park are up and away from the river, including a basketball court, playground, restroom, and a 5,000 square foot pavilion. The basketball court and pavilion are available for reservations up to one year in advance.
Discovery Information
Intriguing geologic features, tall shady trees, and peacefully flowing waters make the SASPAMCO Paddling Trail a paddling adventure that is unmatched in the San Antonio area. This trail has a wild feel as it courses a little over 29 miles through parts of Bexar and Wilson Counties, yet it is connected to rural parks to access amenities such as picnic tables, restrooms, and parking. The flow rate can vary, so it is a good idea to check out flow conditions before heading out to the paddling trail. If you time your excursion just right, you might happen upon a community event at John William Helton Nature Park when you conclude your paddling trip.
$10 / night
On the north side of San Antonio lies a 12,000-acre wilderness that protects the city’s drinking water. You’ll find your own “Recharge Zone” in this vast urban refuge.
Government Canyon State Natural Area offers more than 40 miles of trails. You can also camp, attend a program or guided hike, geocache, picnic, take nature photos and look for birds and other wildlife. Your kids will connect with “natural fun” at our playscape and Discovery Trail.
$18 / night
SON'S ISLAND WILL BE CLOSED FOR 2023 SEASON
You will absolutely LOVE our brand-new Birdhouse Cabins! They are uniquely designed to give our guests all the conveniences & comforts of home while enjoying the beauty and peacefulness of nature! The whole back wall actually opens up giving you a perfect indoor/outdoor living experience! Of course, all cabins are insulated and air-conditioned/heated. They stay very cold in the summer if you desire as well as warm in the winter. Each cabin has 2 queen beds and 2 day beds, full size refrigerator, convection microwave, table top cooktop, coffee maker etc. and comes with all silverware, plates, pots and pans etc. as well as linens and towels. There is a full bathroom in each cabin with shower.
$89 - $369 / night
The newest Son’s vacation rental property near San Anto, is a little slice of heaven on the gorgeous, spring-fed Rio Cibolo!
WE RENT RIVERFRONT CABINS, GLAMPING CABINS, CABANAS & MORE
We do all the setup while you have all the fun! All Inclusive Tent Camping includes:
Overnight entry for four people and a tent setup which includes: a 14′ x 10′ tent, two cots with foam queen sized mattresses, an extension cord, a bed side table, two fans and a lantern.
Your All Inclusive Tent setup will also include a charcoal bbq pit, picnic table, electrical outlets, running water and light at your site.
*Note: Sheets, blankets and pillow are not provided, you are responsible for bringing these.
WE NOW HAVE SPACES IF YOU WANT TO BRING YOUR OWN TENT!
$49 - $369 / night
$49 - $369 / night
Legend
This is a very small family operated campground. It offers basic RV and tent camping facilities and services. There are full hookup sites for RVs. There are tent camping sites with water and electrical hookups.
The main feature of this campground is that a number of the sites are right along the banks of the Guadalupe River. There is a little sidewalk and stairs that lead down to the water which makes it easy for families and kids of all ages to access the river.
During the winter, it is easy to reserves sites at this campground. During the summer, it is wise to reserve a site in advance. Any of the RV sites 1 to 30 are right along the river. Any of the tent sites 1 to 9 are along the river.
The campground does allow day access for $7/person.
The campground is located about 15 minutes from the town of New Braunfels where you can find grocery stores, restaurants, banks, hardware stores and other entertainment. If you're looking for Texas BBQ, check out the Rudy's or Cooper's BBQ in New Braunfels. Also located within the town is the Schlitterbahn Waterpark which is I believe the largest waterpark in the US and has an incredible amout of fun rides, slides and pools. It's a bit pricey, but it is a full day of fun for the family.
Traveler
Love this campground for tent camping! Shady and on the river bank, and not all the way down river road!
Scout
Has some great fishing. If you don’t have time to go to the coast but love fishing for reds this is a nice spot to come to. Camping sites allow for both RV hook ups and tent camping.
Guide
I like off the beaten path places, this sure is one of them! The tent sites are very nice, close to the river & oxbow lake (kayaks for rent!). Very peaceful.
Scout
Stayed this past winter on a short trip. Great fishing and river view tent campsites. Restrooms were very clean.
GuideNice campground with lots of River Access. Beautiful little area with small rapids called Devil’s playgroup is fantastic. Lots of RV and tent sites on the water. Small store for snacks and water. Bathrooms are fine - you need tokens to shower.
Traveler
Great spot to get away and camp. $25 for tent camping with water and electricity. Also has hookups for RVs. The dam failed a few years back so the lake is no longer there but the river is great for fishing and some swimming. Lots of shade from old pecan trees and soft grass for comfortable tent placement. All sites have a fire ring and picnic tables.
GuideWe recently took a vacation to Lazy L & L and from the tent site to the dance at night and the store with everything you could need right there was everything we could ask for and some. The night we ate at the dancehall the food was amazing and the live band was great. They had horseshoe and bean bag toss set up with a volleyball net and jenga as well. We were right on the water close to the bathroom and showers, and everything was kept clean. We definitely enjoyed our stay and will be back again for another camping weekend.
Ranger
RV and tent camping areas. We dispersed-camped due to after sunset arrival. Park is clean and well used during the day, but the whole place got quiet at 7 pm. A cop patrolled the perimeter twice, once right at sunset then again 2 hours later. There were wildlife sounds all night long, i.e. coyotes yipping and owls hooting. The bathrooms are simple, but clean with flush toilets. The showers are currently shut off. Plenty of picnic tables and trash cans. In the morning expect joggers and dog walkers right at sunrise. There’s plenty to see and do if you stay for a while, the river is alongside the park and there are hilly walking trails.
ScoutThe tent camping spots in this somewhat small state were spacious. They had both a grill and a fire pit, picnic table, water spigot, and a "lantern hook" (a giant pipe thing like for a basketball hoop, but with a little hook sticking out of it. Each site is supposed to accommodate 2 cars, but about half of them only had parking for 1. Fortunately we got there early and were able to switch. Try to be nice to the camp hosts, they're volunteers and when I got grumpy at the one who told us we couldn't park with our wheels hanging off the pad, I thought she might cry.
The website doesn't get updated easily, so ignore any reports of tubing. There are no tube rentals there and no convenient, nearby tubing put-ins/take-outs. Don't try to tube the Zedler Mill Paddling Trail. The water is super slow and full of logs and if you suck at tubing it could take you 10 hours.
Scout
We called ahead and got a good idea of what we needed and what to expect. Upon arrival, we were beyond impressed. Wendy was so helpful and accommodating. She didn't rush us or seem bothered even though we came just after closing. (We didn't know!) We were able to take advantage of their active duty special. The store had everything we needed that we didn't grab beforehand. (Fire wood and energy drinks, plus cow candy for the little one!) She not only got us our map she was kind enough to actually take us to our site and show us where the facilities were. Since we came during the week, no one else was using the primitive tent sites with us which made for a private and exclusive experience. During the night, we could still hear trains and airplane but none of that could've ruined our amazing night. We were provided with a fire ring and couldn't have asked for more. She made sure to give us a 24 hour phone number in case there were ANY problems. Definitely will be back any time we are in town. Thank you again.
Legend
I went on search of this campground for options near Salado. When visiting here I noticed that it’s proximity seemed relatively close to be able to enter the city limits with ease while not paying quite as much potentially for campsites as some of the neighboring communities. I also hoped that this would offer a tent camping option as many of the options I have checked before do not offer this feature.
Boy oh boy was I surprised! After following GPS for about 15 minutes and winding through what looked like a rural area, my coordinates noted that I had arrived. But where? Where was the park? All that I could see was a field with cows.
I then googled the RV park no results found not even previous results saying they had been closed. I continued on the road hoping that potentially the GPS marker had been dropped incorrectly and about half a mile up the road there was an RV storage area by a similar name. No active sites no campground host not even an open gate.
Normally I wouldn’t post a review of a site which isn’t really a site however I feel as though if you are in this area you do need to be aware that this site is not a real campsite though it was marked and I feel as though at one point it might have been a campsite at the RV storage facility this option is no longer available at these GPS location coordinates.
Legend
The Mountain Breeze Campground offers a little something for everyone. There are RV campsites, Cabins and Tent camping. There are also sport activity spaces like a volleyball court and some open fields. They offer raft and tube rentals and shuttle services that will drop you upriver. Access to the river is only a short walk away. One can swim, float or fish in the Guadalupe River. There is a restaurant on the facilities, but I believe that it is only open during the summer months. The rates vary by the season with the summer season being the most busy time and the winter being the least busy time to visit. During the summer expect crowds at both the campground and using the facilities for day use.
This campground might be good for large group events because there are a variety of accommodations and amenities available. For tent campers do not expect wide open spaces and peace and quiet. The campsites are all rather tightly packed together. If you're with a large group this might be fun. If you're just trying to find a little space, this might not be for you. There are restroom facilities located centrally. The office also has a little store for basic camping supplies.
While I like that the campground offers a variety of amenities, I kind of feel that the grounds are set up like a cattle ranch - designed to herd campers through the facilities. So this campground gets high marks for facilities, but looses a point on my scale for a lack of privacy and peace and quiet.
The campground is located about 15 minutes from the town of New Braunfels where you can find grocery stores, restaurants, banks, hardware stores and other entertainment. If you're looking for Texas BBQ, check out the Rudy's or Cooper's BBQ in New Braunfels. Also located within the town is the Schlitterbahn Waterpark which is I believe the largest waterpark in the US and has an incredible amout of fun rides, slides and pools. It's a bit pricey, but it is a full day of fun for the family.
Guide
We really enjoyed Son’s Guadalupe! It’s a beautiful setting, cabanas and glamping tents on a small hill overlooking the Guadalupe River with it’s huge cypress trees and giant limestone bluffs. The glamping tent was perfect for us. It had 2 queen beds with foam mattresses, 1 twin bed, bedside table with fans and the best part: AC! It’s a very family friendly location compared to others on River Road. We tubed Whol we stayed there as well. It’s a nice setup as they take you up river to float back down to your glamping tent and/or cabana.
TravelerI absolutely love this place it has every type of camping ! Rv , tent no electric, tent with electric, cabins. All by the Guadalupe river. Floating, canoeing, Fishing. They even have a natural spring ! People who work here are professional and very nice. I will be coming back year after year.
Guide
Son’s Island is awesome! What a great experience we had. We stayed in one of their glamping tents. It had 2 queen beds and a twin bed but the best part is it had air-conditioning and it stayed very comfortable. You get to use the cabanas for free at night from 7:30 PM - 10:00 am when you rent a tent but you must also rent a cabana for the day if you plan to stay. It is well worth the money. Each cabana comes with its own private dock, lots of comfortable seating, electricity, water, BBQ pit, picnic table and hammock. We heard lots of people rave about this place. It definitely surpassed our expectations!
Legend
Very nice, isolated area. All kinds of water birds. 5$ admission plus your fee for camping. The tent area has no shower, but the RV shower house isn't to far away. The just tent area is right on the small 75 acre lake which has gobs of birds! Kayaking would be a blast, but the boat ramp isn't really "operational" due to the water being low. Several short trails that you can link all together.On the RV side it's pretty spacious and there are several pavilion areas too. Only issue I had was the day use crowd drives through the camp ground.
ScoutThere's a new racket on the Guadeloupe River y'all. We made reservations for a Glamping tent for Father's day weekend. The price was high@$199.48 a night but we thought ok so we don't have to setup a tent plus it has A/C. I made the reservation for 3 nights with 20% off total was$560.24. I was not told at the time of making this reservation that I would also need a day reservation and that would cost extra. I would not have made the reservation if I knew it was going to cost a minimum of$380 for 1 day!$199 was bad enough. So someone else can rent the cabana right next to our tent during the day and could possibly go into our tent and help themselves to all our stuff! No sir! So in order to have access to our tent and make sure no one else rents the cabana next to us it will cost$478! WOW!!! for 24 hrs This also means that I can't leave our cooler, chairs or tubes at our tent. So every morning we have to load all our stuff up like we are checking out and leaving. Load all your stuff and put it in the truck while we are out floating the river then come back at 7pm unload and settle in all 3 days. What kind of crocodile snot is this?) I got my email confirmation and thought I was set. I called today and found out that the$199.48 is only for the hours of 7pm to 10am. What in the blue blazes is that? I have a reservation for 3 days! I can only be on the property from 7pm to 10am. I was informed that I needed day use and to rent a table or cabana to be on the property from 10am to 7pm below are the prices and breakdown of cost. I was told that this is the only property that is owned by the Sons company that makes you leave at 10 am and requires an additional rental for the other half of the day. I enjoy floating the river but I can tell you with absolute 100% certainty that I will not be floating from 10am to 7pm so this property requires you to pay extra to be there at any time between 10 and 7. Site# A Reservation date April 24$199.48@ night@ 3=$560.24 with 20% discount Pinic table cost$181.40 Saturday$81. 40 Sunday Cabana cost$279. Saturday$181.55 Sunday Cost FRIDAY$199.48 Hours 7PM to 10AM Total 15 hrs SATURDAY$199.48 W/CABANA$279.=$478.48 24 hrs=$19.93@hour W/TABLE$181.4=$380.88 for 24 hrs. Sunday$199.48 W/table$81=$280.48 for 24 hours
Ranger
This place is so much fun and so beautiful. We camped in tents in what were some amazing spots. The campground was clean and well kept. Staff were especially kind.
ScoutPalmetto State Park is another campground that we found while bikepacking thru Texas. During our visit my biggest compliment is their incredibly kind staff. I had taken a tumble on my bike and was pretty scraped up. We checked in after-hours and were going by an outdated map when choosing our site. We pitched our tent in the rv side but when the over seer saw how scraped up I was he allowed us to stay put. Now I happen to love the more "natural" campgrounds. I say that because what I consider beautiful can make it a bit more difficult for large rigs to maneuver around the curves and large trees and our campsite was a bit muddy. We were just off a game trail where a heard of deer passed thru and I had the pleasure of viewing that morning! They have a set up with a knowledgeable staff, perfect imo for school groups or scouts to have a great time while also learning about ecology at the same time. Pa0ddle boat and water trikes for rent, fishing..you name it. (If biking watch out for the suicidal squirrels! LOL ) You almost get the feeling that you're camping in jurassic Park. ;) it's just far enough away while also being convenient to a Buck-eez (did I spell that correctly?) Which I get excited to this day when I find one! The history in this park is fascinating. I wish we'd had time to experience the bbq-ing it's famous for! Definitely worth a visit.
LegendDisclaimer: I am not a fisher woman. The area borders the lake and there are several places to set up your tent, w/shelter and grill. Maintenance, not so much. Spotty mowing. You can RV too but you may want to bring your generator. If you like to fish you may like this one.
ScoutI have camped here both in the Texas winter (Nov) and recently Texas Summers (July). It is a beautiful tucked away area. Nice trails, great tree cover and full of nature and flowing water.
TravelerQuiet and away from the noisy RVs this spot was peaceful and offered great access to the river. A street light made it a little too bright at night for sleeping in a tent. Bathrooms were okay.
ScoutWe dropped in ( no reservations) with our rig set up with RTT (Roof Top Tent) and was given a beautiful spot just on the river. We got our site set-up and enjoyed the area!! Took a walk through the campgrounds and wow!!!! Clean, organized, super maintained!!!
LegendVery basic, close quarters RV area. The tent area is not "primitive" per say, it is near the RV area and close to the river. Park is maintained with a pool. Trails are nice and you can get a good run in. River had a good current while I was there.
GuideWe enjoyed the palmetto palms and boggy area. We couldn’t believe we were in Texas. There is a nice swimming area for children and a few good fishing spots. The best thing was that we had a Bucees about 2 miles away. We bought great BBQ sandwiches and the best fudge available here in Texas.
TravelerWe enjoyed very much our stay at Choke Canyon.
Nature is all around! We camped there and just some meters from our tent we got to see a bunch of deers, bunnies, wild turkeys and plenty of colorful birds!
The campground and all the facilities were clean! And the staff members very helpful.
With no doubt we will repeat the experience! 🙂
Tent camping near Floresville, Texas, offers a variety of scenic spots where nature lovers can unwind and enjoy the great outdoors. With options ranging from well-reviewed facilities to unique amenities, there's something for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Floresville, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Floresville, TX is Helton Nature Park with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
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TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Floresville, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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