Searching for glamping near Giddings? Camping has always been a favorite form of travel for many, but Giddings, TX glamping is a new and unique way to do it. You're sure to find glamping for your Texas camping excursion.
Listen to Onion Creek flowing over limestone ledges and splashing into pools. Follow trails winding through the Hill Country woods. Explore the remains of an early Texas homestead and a very old rock shelter. All of this lies within Austin’s city limits at McKinney Falls State Park - what are you waiting for?
Think of the park as Austin’s backyard; we’re just 13 miles from the state capitol. Here you can camp, hike, mountain or road bike, geocache, go bouldering, and picnic. You can also fish and swim in Onion Creek.
Onion Creek can flood after rainfall. Beware of the creek’s flow; contact the park for current creek conditions. Read through our swimming safety tips before you visit.
Stay at one of 81 campsites (all with water and electric hookups). Or rent one of our six newly remodeled cabins. We also have a primitive youth camping area, for use by nonprofit-sponsored youth groups
$20 - $24 / night
At Lake Bastrop North Shore Park, visitors can choose from a variety of overnight accommodations, ranging from classic campgrounds to Airstreams to safari tents. Don’t miss out, order Base Camp Deli’s curated picnic bundle right to your campsite! Recreation amenities include watercraft rentals, hike and bike trails, picnic areas and a fishing pier.
This recreation area is part of Somerville Lake
This Houston RV campground and preserve lies among green fields and pecan groves along the shores of the Colorado River, midway between Houston and San Antonio. Abundant wildlife, including deer and armadillo, can be seen throughout Colorado River RV Camping. Hiking, canoeing and fishing are popular activities at our Houston RV campground from Thousand Trails. Colorado River RV Camping guests can easily relax in our peaceful riverside RV campground in Texas. With easy access to the freeway, a trip to the big cities that lie east or west offers a fun day out, before returning to the sanctuary of this RV preserve. New Cabins/Cottages Have Arrived! Stay among riverside pecan groves at a Houston RV campground Whether you're planning a retreat for the whole family, a group of friends or a getaway for two, there's no shortage of unique activities to explore at Colorado River RV Campground. Plan activities upon arrival or visit this page before your departure to plan ahead. Looking for more? Our friendly staff can fill you in on all of the great ways to make your stay a memorable experience.
Cash or check only
$15 - $20 / night
$20 - $25 / night
This recreation area is part of Somerville Lake
Wilson H. Fox Park attracts a variety of campers looking for a fun-filled escape. In springtime, the campground is a colorful place covered in a blanket of wildflowers. In the hot summer months, there's no place like a lakeside campsite with a swimming beach, fishing dock and two ramps to set sail or paddle out on the lake.
Whether it's sailing, swimming or water skiing, visitors have many options for fun out on the water. Fish for catfish, white bass or crappie. Just beyond the park, archery hunting for feral hogs is allowed year-round.
The campground is on the shores of Granger Lake, with the gently rolling hills of the Texas Blackland Prairie as a backdrop. Granger Lake is fed by the San Gabriel River and Willis Creek, and was formed in 1980 upon completion of the 16,000 foot long dam.
The Pecan Grove Wildlife Area is just east of Wilson H. Fox and sits below the dam. It provides plenty of opportunities for wildlife spotting, as well as a view above the dam. San Gabriel and Sore Finger Wildlife Areas are also worth a visit.
$26 - $60 / night
Legend
This state park is a little outside of Austin near the airport. The park stays busy and it’s easy to see why– it’s really nice with waterfalls you can check out in the park and it isn’t far from the airport. We had a great stay here and will definitely check it out again if in the area. Although– watch the branches if you are in a bigger rig– we watched a guy hit one and mess up his roof. Also, if you will be camping in Texas State Parks a bit be sure to get the annual Texas State Parks pass– it will end up saving you a lot of money! Also, we went to a nearby market to buy what we thought was salsa(see pictures)– it definitely wasn’t and it was sooo spicy!!
Legend
I actually would rate this campground 3.5 stars, because it is better than average and getting better every year.
In 2011 a forest fire swept through this park and devastated over 90% of the piney woods. The park is still recovering.
However, something that has never changed about this location is that Bastrop State Park offers multiple camping options and great opportunities for family fun.
The park has car camping, walk-in camping, RV camping and even cabin camping/glamping. One of my favorite activities when visiting this park is to drive the scenic and winding tree lined road between Bastrop State Park and nearby Buescher State Park.
There are recreational activities for kids such as a playground, swimming pool, fishing, geocaching and hiking trails. Many of the facilities underwent a remodel and now offer restrooms with modern sinks, showers and toilet stalls.
There are sections of the park where one can see the devastation cause by the forest fire. It is a humbling experience for both children and adults to see the burnt but recovering forrest. There are also sections of the park where one can still stand under some of the old growth majestic pine trees. The walk-in sites are surrounded by forrest. The RV site has some of the tallest trees still standing. One caveat about the RV site is that you can hear the auto traffic from the nearby highway.
The park office has a small store and sells camping necessities and souvenirs. The town of Bastrop is nearby where you can find supermarkets, stores and restaurants so you're never too far from supplies.
Based on my recent visit to this park, I think that it still offers a variety of camping options, family fun and possibly an eco lesson for all of us.
Scout
Starlink is pretty quick here and T-Mobile is smoking fast.
Management is kind, courteous, and quick to fix any issues. It’s a hidden gem of Texas to be sure.
Guide
It's a bit ridiculous that you have to pay both a daily entrance fee, plus your nightly site fee at Texas state parks.
The camping itself was ok. A bit confusing trying to find where you needed to go. Boat launch area looks like camping area.
RIght by the lake, good for recreation.
GuideThis campground is a must see if you live in Texas. In addition to the awesome camp sites, there are two swimming areas that are to die for. Highly recommend!!!
GuideBastrop State Park, even recovering from the 2011 Bastrop complex fire, is a jewel in the state. Wonderful Depression-era buildings and history, hiking, biking, and camping, including very good cabins and facilities for events, reunions, weddings, etc. Connects to Buecher State Park near Smithville. A great stop between Central Texas and the Piney Woods.
GuideBastrop state park is awesome! So cool how this patch of pine trees are in central Texas and can give you the feel of being in the mountains. A lot of the park is still damaged from the fire but seeing the new pine trees grow is very encouraging and beautiful in its own way. There's also a playground which was great for our little ones.
RangerThis place is incredible! The waterfalls are perfect to cool off in on a hot Texas day. This place has a cool history and it’s fun to look for stuff on the trails. I would go with out kids first.
TravelerThis is one of my top 3 campgrounds in Texas. Most of the spaces are secluded and there are lots of trees and shade. The two swimming areas are amazing and the highlight of the park. I only wish they allowed my dog to swim!
GuideWe we’re traveling and needed a spot near Austin, Texas and love Lake Bastrop. There’s two Campgrounds one South and one North. The right one for us was South since we didn’t want anything too primitive. Thankfully there is plenty of trees for shade. And the view of Lake Bastrop is phenomenal. We did the lakeshore hike which takes a while since it’s 6 miles. W rented a canoe from the office one day and really enjoyed that.
Guide
Well spaced spots. Fairly level pads with table, fire ring, 30/50 amp electrical, water. We didn't see any covered tables, but all usable spots had concrete pads for tables. Like a lot of east-Texas camping areas, LSSP was also devastated by Hurricane Harvey and is still recovering, but don't let that stop you, but instead level-set your expectations. Sites are well dispersed, but some appear to be no longer in use. In July 2020, there were very few folks in the park, partly, I'm sure due to Covid-19 and well, its July in Texas! Typically, and as expected, gnats were really bad at night, but mosquitos were tolerable. Just be prepared and you'll be fine. Great kayaking and very little motorized boat traffic, but likely due to current situation. Trails are numerous, but not well marked. We didn't see a lot of hog damage on the trails, so maybe the staff has been working on that. Good amount of wildlife Equestrian area looked like it was restored and back-in-business. Will be returning. While the Birch Creek and Nails Creek sections are visible across the lake from each other, there is a long drive (15 minutes in a vehicle around the lake) to get between them, so plan your time accordingly.
LegendGood facilities at this site. The restrooms and showers are first rate. We stayed here just one night. The front office and check in process is excellent. The campsites have water and ample shade. Not much to see in this camp but good as a stopover or local weekend camping. It’s close to Austin Texas about 25 minutes. 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. The views are not the greatest and some of the sites are near a highway.
GuideThis is such a wonderful state park! Great hiking trails, two swimming holes, well spaced out camping sites with electricity and water. We stayed here because it was close to the airport and had a flight to catch. It was only a 9 min drive. It's about 20 minutes from downtown Austin but still offers a peaceful nature retreat and a wonderful spot to cool down in hot Texas summers.
LegendWe needed a place not too far out of town to test out our setups in prep for summer.
This was easy to get to and we had plenty of space to shake things down.
Loved having great cell service right at our site (AT&T), as we work remotely and needed to get a couple of things done.
Have also hiked here on previous occasions and love the secluded trails and Texas history here!
GuideBastrop State Park has excellent facilities including hot showers, indoor sinks and toilets in modern, clean, and well maintained facilities, managed trails, and a pool! It can be a little noisy around the campground, and there is road noise as well from the highway. It's not really a "Nature Experience" but it is easy, clean, and fun. If you are a hardened backpacker you might want to go to a county park, but if you want to introduce your kids or partner to camping, this is the spot.
You can reserve a campsite online, but plan ahead! They sell out. Also, if you are going during the summer months, beware! Texas heat in the summer can be dangerous. Best months are spring and fall.
LegendThe State Park is located within the city limits of Austin Texas. It has two waterfalls and a number of cool hiking trails. They have great camping options with sites for everyone including tents and camper vans. They have 7 designated hiking trails which range from easy to moderate. Onion Creek provides great fishing and swimming. The campsites offer some cover and privacy. You need a reservation during the busy times of year in the Spring and Fall. They have some boulder features for rock climbing and a bald cypress tree that is 500 years old. This is a good option for new campers or families that wanted to get out for the weekend. They have ample facilities from restrooms to visitors areas. I have it 3 stars because of overcrowding. Otherwise a nice place for the Travis County Area.
LegendThis park is a great option for nature camping very close to all the attractions of Austin. The sites are spacious and they all have electricity and water hookups (some sites have 50 amps, most have 30 amps). All are reservable and very affordable at $24/$20 respectively, with greater discount if you’re a Texas State Parks Pass holder. We are out-of-staters and found great value in the parks pass! Second nights at campgrounds are 50% off and free admission to all state parks.
The sites are very private and spacious and have nearby hiking trails accessible from the sites. There are several camping loops in the park, most of which have easy access to the Onion Creek hike & bike trail. Booking online is straightforward and check-in is virtually contactless.
We spent time hiking the Homestead and Flint Rock trails and really enjoyed the peace and solitude, knowing we were so close to the metropolitan area. A perfect spot for enjoying the city during the day while staying surrounded by nature at night!
LegendBastrop would be a great place for youth groups or family reunions. It has a little for everyone and is conveniently located about thirty minutes from Lockhart where you can get, in my opinion, some of the best BBQ in Texas. This state park has tent, group, RV, group cabin w/ barracks, cabins (some are wheelchair accessible), and a dining hall (also wheelchair accessible).
There is a swimming pool that is run by the local YMCA that is open during the summer, plus a huge playground that has disability swing set, which makes this park a 5 STAR for me. Some of the building were burned down in a fire six years ago and have since been replaced, so the bathroom and other facilities are brand spankin new!
There are some great fishing spots along with some of my favorite hiking trails. My favorite trail is the scenic overlook trail which starts at the top of the lookout and travels 2 miles down through wildflowers and over streams. It is a shorter trail, but it is a more challenging one. Some of the longer trails have been closed since the fire and flood, but you can connect a few of the others to make for one good one. Everything is so colorful here.
The walk-in tent sites are some of my favorites. The have a wonderful look and feel to them. Very scenic and off on their own away from noise from other campers. Also don’t forget to take the 12 mile scenic drive over to Buesher State park, it is well worth it!
RangerThe weather and the calendar aligned and there happened to be an open spot, so I took it, loaded up and headed out.
Length of Stay: 2 Nights
Type of Park: State
Check In: 2p Check Out: 12p
💲 Cost per night$25+$5 entry fee per person per day
Discounts: Texas Parks Pass Total Cost$25
📝 Site#24 Notes:
Pull Thru
Water
Max amp: 50
Sewer
Grill
Fire Ring w/Grate
Hook for hanging lantern or other items
Picnic Table: concrete Site Pad: level, asphalt, long enough for truck and trailer and extra space
👍🏻 Pros:
• Full hookups
• Overlooking hillside
• No one was camping on one side of me
• A little shade in the afternoon
• A couple tall Loblolly Pines still stand at this site
👎🏻 Cons:
• Because so many of the trees are missing, you hear more of the road noise from Highway 21 and 95
• No privacy between spots
• Spot is barely off main road
📝 Park Notes:
• Restrooms
• Showers
• Dump Station
• Munzees and Geocaches in the Park
• Trails- some are pretty challenging, steep
• Pool
• Pavilion
• Cabins
• Structures built by CCC(Civilian Conservation Corps)
• When you enter Bastrop or Buescher, You can drive or bike between the parks(11 miles@ 30 mph max), but I would not tow/drive an RV.
🐦 Wildlife:
• Birds: Woodpeckers, Cardinals, Bluejays, Mockingbirds, Misc small birds
💜 Highlights of this trip:
• Drove around this park and to Buescher State Park
• Made a run through Buc-ee's
•🍕 Neighbors Kitchen& Yard- I definitely recommend the Pepperoni Rolls and the Prickly Pear Margarita! Great view overlooking the Colorado River. Live music sometimes.
• Camping alone
• Glad I went when I did. The very next day, a "controlled" burn got out of control and burned over 800 acres!
More info at my blog: https://www.denisevajdak.com/2022/01/mlk-weekend-camping.html
RangerType of Park: State Park
Check In: 2 pm Check Out: 12 pm
🚻 Restrooms
🚿 Showers
💩 Dump Station
🔎 Munzees and Geocaches in the Park
🚶🏻♀️ Trails for walking and biking🚲
🌊 Onion Creek was very low at this time
🏚 Cabins
🚧 Gates are closed and locked from 10 pm(code given at check in)
👩🏻💼 Staff was friendly
📋 Site#80, Big Cedar Camping Area
🔙 Back In
🅿 Site Pad: asphalt, long enough for trailer and tow vehicle
💧 Water- high enough for filter to hang down
⚡ Max amp: 30
🔥 Fire Ring w/Grate(but a burn ban was on)
Picnic Table: metal with wood tops, concrete base
Wooded on the back end of the site. You can see the neighbors on either side through the trees.
🌳 Good shade on most of the site
👎🏻 Cons:
No sewer(but most State Park sites don’t have it)
Regular cost per night$20+$6 daily fee+$10 for extra vehicle
Discounts: Texas State Parks Pass. Daily fees waived, half off second night
My Total Cost💲52
In the Area:
The campground is in south Austin, but it doesn’t feel like it’s in an urban area. City close with the feel of being out in nature. LOTS to do very close. Dining, dancing, bars, water sports, bats, shopping, State Capitol and more.
More info at https://www.denisevajdak.com/2022/06/mckinney-falls-and-dancing.html
LegendMcKinney Falls State Park is located a short distance about 10 miles or 15 minutes from the city center of Austin, Texas.
For this reason, the park receives quite a bit of people traffic during weekdays and especially on the weekends. If you are just visiting for the day, it is easy to gain access. However, if you are planning to camp overnight, it is wise to book at least a month or two in advance. Your reservation holds a campsite for you, but does not guarantee a specific location. When you arrive you can request or you will be assigned a specific campsite.
All of the campsites are very similar and contain the same basic amenities like water, electricity, picnic table, fire ring and a pad site to place your tent. There are typically restrooms with toilets and sinks spread throughout the park. Bring comfortable walking shoes because the campsites are a bit of a walk to get to the falls/swimming holes. You may also drive.
The main attraction of the park are the hiking/biking trails and the two water falls/swimming holes. There is an upper falls with a dramatic overhang which is perfect for cliff jumping or just chilling underneath. Depending on the supply of water, swimming may or may not be allowed due to the bacteria count. Check in advance or ask at the information desk before entering the park if you are planning to swim.
If the swimming holes are not open, there are a number of nice hiking/biking trails to explore within the park.
The only downside to this park is that it does get a fairly large number of visitors throughout the year. Luckily the majority of the people are friendly and just there to have a fun chill time. And based on the flow of water, the swimming hole may or may not be open. So call and book in advance.
LegendThis campground is located a short distance away from the city of Austin, Texas. The park is managed by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA). At the entrance there is an office where you can pay your admission fee and it has a small store where you can pick up supplies. If you arrive late, there is an after hour station to pay your fee which accepts cash or a credit card.
This park has car and RV campsites. There are no primitive sites. There is a campground called the Lake Bastrop North Shore Park located 15 minutes away with primitive sites.
The campsites are all very similar. There is an area to park your car and it will fit a small or midsize RV. There are water and electrical hook-ups which make it very convenient. There are typically plenty of trees for shade. Each site has a picnic table for dining, a grill for outdoor cooking, a pole to hang food or trash and there is a fire ring for a campfire. Of course they also have pad sites where you can place a tent. The pad sites will fit anywhere from a two man tent up to an eight man tent. In addition to the campsites there are a number of small cabins which can hold up to four people. The cabins have some basic amenities and the restrooms are nearby. Most of the campsites and cabins are only a short walk to the lake shore where you can catch a sweet view of Lake Bastrop.
There is limited hiking with one trail that runs along the lakeshore for about 6 miles. The main attraction of this park is living the lake life. Near the campsites one can launch a canoe or kayak. But there is also a boat ramp and boat dock where you can launch larger sized watercraft. If you don’t have your own watercraft you can rent a canoe or kayak from the office and pick it up near the boat dock. It is possible to fish from a boat or the shore. There are a number of community spaces which are great for picnicking. There is a sand volleyball court. And there’s a special area of the lake that has been roped-off and is designated for swimming.
I think that the only possible downside about this park might be that there are always lots of families and energetic kids running around. If you’re seeking peace and quiet this might not be your place. If you are seeking some fun activities, this place is great.
I think that the Lake Bastrop South Shore Park is a 5 star campground for all of the facilities, amenities and considering that the staff are friendly.
LegendCampground Review
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. The close vicinity to the city does mean that this park has a constant flow of visitors. In the summer it is extremely busy with day visitors, weekend campers and long-term campers. In the winter it is moderately busy. The park has lots of forest trails to hike as well as some interesting rock formations around the creek and water holes. The most noted feature of the park is definitely the Upper and Lower Falls.
This park has a variety of facilities including cabins, RV sites, tent sites and group sites.
There are water, electricity and restrooms with flush toilets and sinks near all the campsites. At the premium campsites there are all of these amenities plus showers. This park is great for swimming, fishing, hiking and bicycling.
You might see deer, raccoons, armadillos and occasionally snakes. All of the wildlife should be left undisturbed. Except for the fish. Fishing is allowed in the park and one will not need a state fishing license when fishing within the park.
This is a very family friendly and well-managed park with the only downside being that the park is often very busy with visitors.
Product Review
As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time - today I am testing the RoM Outdoors Backpack.
The RoM Pack (pronounced "Roam") is a backpack, blanket and poncho all in one piece of gear. It is made of heavy duty 600D fabric which is water-resistant and appears to be very durable. The total volume of the pack is about 3000 cu. in. Their slogan is, "Let Adventure Unfold". The unique feature of this pack is that the backpack unfolds into a blanket. In addition, it can be unfolded into a poncho.
While I tend to use ultralight gear when I'm hiking or backpacking, I found this pack useful for fly fishing. I was able to carry my boots, waders, hammock, rod, reel, net and fishing tackle nicely. Once I reached my destination, I unfolded it to use as blanket. See the demonstration video. While I had good sunny weather, I could foresee using this piece of gear as a poncho if a thunderstorm were to roll in and I wanted to wait out the storm.
The Pros:
Unique multiuse design
Heavy duty water-resistant material
The blanket material is soft
When used as a poncho, it is also insulating.
Multiple pockets (2 removable pockets) with Molly straps
Designed and Made in the USA
The Cons:
Heavy in comparison to other backpacks
Straps and pockets somewhat obstruct use while using it as a poncho
Water bottle pockets could be larger to accommodate various sizes
For more info:
LegendIt's HOT in Texas during the summer. During our outing the temperatures reached 105F, but we were having so much fun that it really didn't matter. We decided to spend National Hammock Day near some water and shade at Lake Bastrop South Shore Park.
The campground made a mistake with my reservation, but ended up correcting it and allowing me and my crew to stay for free. Points right there for great customer service!
I think that we had one of the best campsites in the entire park at campsite #37. Campsites #35 and #36 are also excellent sites. All three of these sites are close to the water, near a restroom and steps away from a trailhead. Our campsite had ample room for 6 people with capacity for up to 8 people. With temperatures reaching 105F+ we were thankful that the site was surrounded by trees for shade. Not only were there an abundance of trees for shade, but there were enough trees for all of us to set up our hammocks. On a hot day, nothing beats hanging out in a hammock while a breeze flows around you. During the hottest part of the day we played games of Kubb and Fricket at the campsite. In the evening we went for a night hike and swim. This park is perfect if you enjoy swimming, canoeing, boating, floating or fishing.
This campground has undergone a number of updates to their facilities so the cabins, bathrooms, picnic area, boat dock and other areas look great.
Ranger Review of Nature's Coffee Kettle
As a Ranger for The Dyrt, from time to time I am provided products to test. For this outing I was provided some coffee by Nature's Coffee Kettle.
I'll be honest, I'm not much of a coffee drinker. However, when organizing a camping trip I've found it helpful to bring coffee for those that do drink it. Nothing can kill the vibe of a great camping trip more than a coffee drinker without their morning coffee fix.
Not being a coffee drinker, I don't even have a traditional coffee kettle in my camping kit. I typically bring instant coffee, boil water in a pot and serve it in a cup. So the all-in-one solution by Nature's Cofffee Kettle was perfect.
Nature's Coffee Kettle kits include a mylar kettle for brewing and your choice of a variety of coffee flavors - Colombian, Guatemalan, Sumatran, Brazilian, French Roast, etc. They even offer tea and hot chocolate. On this occasion we were just car camping, but the kettle is lightweight and portable which might make it useful for backpacking.
The kit functions in the following manner. The kettle is a mylar bag with a steeping section and a containing section. The coffee comes in bags similar to a tea bag. Each coffee bag can prepare 4 cups of coffee. You place the coffee bag inside the top of the included mylar kettle. You then pour a small amount of hot water into the top of the steeping section of the kettle to moisten the coffee bag. Once the coffee bag is moist, you pour the additional hot water into the top of the mylar kettle. The hot water steeps the coffee and flows into the lower containing section of the kettle. You can seal the mylar bag to allow the coffee to brew a bit more. If the first steeping does not create a strong enough coffee for your taste you can pass the coffee through the kettle a second time.
The kit comes with directions printed on the side of the kettle. The directions are easy enough to follow. My first attempt at brewing the coffee was a little awkward. However, my second attempt went much smoother.
Not even being a coffee drinker, I could tell that the taste of the coffee was better than instant coffee. I'm not sure how it might compare to coffee shop coffee. My friend Susan is a daily coffee drinker and has been known to leave a campground for a nearby town in search of good coffee. She tried the coffee and said that it was actually pretty good. So I'll take her word for it. Keep up the good vibes!
We started off the morning with coffee and a nice breakfast. The rest of the day went swimmingly.
Another possible benefit of the kit, that I only thought about after our trip, is that we could have prepared the coffee at our campsite, but carried the kettle and coffee to a scenic overlook to enjoy it. Think of the possibilities!
The pros of this kit include: 1. Portability 2. Lightweight 3. Convenience 4. Flavor
The only cons that I could think of regarding this product are the following: 1. The mylar coffee kettle did not stand up on its own, so I had to hold one corner while pouring in the hot water. 2. The kettle and bags only serve 4 cups. Many people drink 2 cups in the morning, so multiple brews might be required. 3. The refill bags of coffee seemed a bit pricey for this non-coffee drinker. Perhaps a coffee connoisseur might be able to taste and see the value of this fresh brew coffee kit more than I.
Overall, I'm glad that I had the opportunity to try the Nature's Coffee Kettle kit. If you are a serious coffee drinker this kit might work perfect for you.
LegendWith summer rapidly approaching for Texas I wanted to cruise down to Austin before the heat waves made it a bit unbearable. In doing so I elected to check out McKinney Falls Park. I will say that going into my stay I had only seen a couple of videos about the park which were less than descriptive as to what to expect from the park. Typically I would pine over reviews in advance but this time I decided to instead let the park surprise me and report the full initial reaction.
I did not book in advance, something I would not advise you to do unless it is winter season at the park. When I arrived there were only 2 campsites left on a Thursday just after noon. Needless to say this park fills quickly when the weather is pleasant. These two sites were literally only available for a single night as the campground was fully booked for the weekend.
I can see why quickly from pulling into the park why it is so popular, the grounds are well maintained, the wildflowers are in bloom making for a wonderful retreat for some amazing hiking and a scenic area for family photos and being only 15 minutes from downtown Austin easily makes this the best retreat away from the city for those wanting a quick weekend get away.
When selecting a campsite I often times like to find an area near the restroom without being directly across from them, having access to this amenity can be useful however proximity to avoid cross traffic is key when using a large campground. This location has restrooms scattered through the various loops with a centralized shower house. Our site was site 69, it backed up to one of the restrooms on our loop and actually had a small private path to the facility which made it unique from other sites and very convenient.
While the spring has brought in recent rains, the site was a it more overgrown than I would have liked considering this area is noted for a variety of snakes, however the tent pad and picnic area itself was cleared so with hesitation we went ahead and set up our overnight home.
The tent pad was a right pebble base, this made sleeping in just a sleeping bag impossible. We had to pad the base with several layers due to the sharp texture of the rocks below. I noticed later when packing the tent we also ended with a small tear at the lip of the tent because of these rocks. I would advise on this surface potentially laying a tarp barrier before placing your tent fo this reason.
Sites were standardly equipped with a picnic table and fire ring. Our site had both water and electricity, which actually were quite handy considering we were having some charging issues with my in car charger. This particular site was located directly beside the camp host.
We used the site as a basecamp for exploring the city in the evening and the following morning before checking out of the park we took a drive to the showers and explored the park fully. The showers had pretty hard water and lower pressure than some but definitely got the job done for bringing us back to life from the muggy day, nearly 75% humidity.
We visited both the upper and lower falls areas as well as the wildflower field. I can easily see after visiting these just why the park stays so busy! The beauty is astounding, but more so the water offers a retreat for those looking to take a dip in the cool flowing pools. While both were down from normal account, we still saw many people diving in and enjoying the day. Others fished along the banks, hiked the many trails surrounding the waters and enjoyed picnics in the designated areas.
My friend wade into the water to see what it felt like and it was still a bit cool for her liking at this time of April, but give it a couple months and that cool temp would be more than welcomed!
All in All despite the few small areas for improvement I couldn't see this park being anything less than a 5! The quality of experience when we visited with not impaired by the numerous guests and though it could change later in the season, for early April when the wildflowers bloomed wild, the waters flowed cool and the camping was not in intolerable heat it was a win!
Tips:
Book in advance any time other than Winter.
Bring sunscreen there is little shade near the falls so you will want to protect yourself. In the brief time I was out there I got a little burned on my neck and shoulders.
Bring drinks, we stopped in the Check In Station and there were only a handful of drinks and supplies. I would suggest bringing a water filter or bringing a cooler of drinks for your visit.
Beware of snakes and spiders. On our stay we noticed an influx of spiders, while we personally did not see a snake some others were saying they had seen them basking near the banks and on some of the trails. Always be aware!!
Remember do not pull vehicles into the grass, keep all cars in designated drive areas. Each campsite has a parking area for you to use, if you need additional parking there is more parking near restrooms.
Scout
15 per person just to stay the night.
TravelerThis is a mountain biker's dream! Well groomed tent camping around a large pond with showers and toilets just a short walk away. Firewood and ice are complimentary! Great trails for intermediate to advanced mountain bikers. There's also an Air B-N-B on the property for those who don't want to tent camp as well as a sheltered area for cots, etc. Helpful, available staff and I didn't hear a peep of highway traffic or other sounds of civilization for the 3 days we were there!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Giddings, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Giddings, TX is Bastrop State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 33 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Giddings, TX?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 glamping camping locations near Giddings, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
