Georgetown camping offers several options with access to Lake Georgetown, a 1,310-acre reservoir along the North Fork of the San Gabriel River. Camping sites near Georgetown, Texas range from developed campgrounds with water and electric hookups to primitive sites along the 26.2-mile Goodwater Loop trail. Most Georgetown area campgrounds maintain moderate temperatures in spring and fall, with summer highs regularly exceeding 95°F in July and August.
What to do
Swimming at waterfalls: At McKinney Falls State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy natural limestone formations. "The great part is the swimming. 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," notes Steph C.
Hiking diverse terrain: Tejas Park offers access to the Goodwater Loop trail system. "Tejas Park sits on the south side of Georgetown Lake in the Hill Country of Texas. The park offers good opportunities for hiking, camping and backpacking, fishing, wading or floating and features plenty of large, grassy open areas for enjoying the scenic countryside," explains Troy W.
Lake activities: Jim Hogg - Lake Georgetown provides boat access and fishing. "The boat traffic on the lake was pretty low so it's a good place to take a kayak or canoe," says Laura F. Some campsites have direct water access while others require a short walk to reach the lake.
What campers like
Spacious sites with shade: Cedar Breaks Park offers well-separated camping areas. "The campsites are of more than adequate size for comfort. The lakefront spots have a very nice view and the others are tucked nicely in amongst the trees. They have very nice shelters with concrete foundations at each site," writes Kenneth H.
Covered picnic areas: Many Georgetown campsites include sheltered eating spaces. At Jim Hogg Park, "Each site has a shelter with a concrete base. The sites have water and electric," notes Kenneth H. These structures provide needed protection from both summer sun and occasional rain.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Berry Springs Park & Preserve offers natural habitat exploration. "The former ranch has a lot of history dating back to the Texas Pioneer days. The park is located next to clear spring fed river for swimming and fishing," notes Steve & Ashley G. The preserve maintains donkeys on property that campers can observe.
What you should know
Seasonal water levels: Lake Georgetown water depth varies throughout the year. "Depending on the rain will determine if there will be any water in that part of the creek," explains George M. about Tejas Park. During drought periods, some swimming areas and boat launches become unusable.
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds require advance booking. "At this point, you must have a reservation to camp here," advises David about Russell Park. Reservations for Corps of Engineers parks can be made through recreation.gov.
Bathroom availability: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. "Restrooms are very basic with no hot water. They were clean but a little creepy for showers," says Karen H. about Cedar Breaks Park. Some parks lock facilities overnight, as one camper noted: "They state due to Covid. Not sure why that would make a difference during the night and not during the day."
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly options: Sawyer Park Primitive Campsites provides an introduction to backcountry camping. "We ended up not following our AllTrails after a fork in the road heading towards the campsite, and were pretty pooped so decided to camp there off Sawyer Campsite Rd. People had clearly used the shore as a campsite before," relates Alexandra.
Safety considerations: Swimming areas require supervision. At McKinney Falls, Emily M. advises, "Please be careful swimming. If you can't swim, please refrain or wear a life jacket. There have been several drownings here."
Wildlife awareness: Venomous snakes inhabit the area. "Watch out for RATTLESNAKES. We saw 2," warns Mark S. about Cedar Breaks Park. Keep children and pets on established trails and teach them to avoid tall grass areas.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Pace Bend Park - Lake Travis, choose locations carefully. "There are lots of sites and some space between them. Nice swimming, hiking, and biking, so there is a lot to do," notes J E. The park offers both developed and primitive camping areas depending on your vehicle's capabilities.
Leveling requirements: Cedar Breaks Park requires preparation for RV placement. "The sites along the outside of the loop have lake views and are level. The sites along the inside are scary unlevel! Some of the big rigs were backed in and jacked up 4 feet or so in front," warns Karen H.
Dump station logistics: Several campgrounds provide waste disposal, but timing matters. At Jim Hogg Park, "Dump station is at entrance of park and park is fairly large to haul a portable dump tank," according to Mocsaw $.
