Looking for the best tent campgrounds near Gonzales? The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. Whether you're looking for a quiet, dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
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
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
Discover our exceptional collection of vacation destinations! Son’s Island is just the beginning – explore all 6 of our unique, fun-filled properties located in the scenic New Braunfels area. Whether you're eager to reserve a cozy cabana, experience the charm of glamping overnight, or dive into exhilarating water activities this summer, we have something special for everyone. Dive deeper into our exclusive offerings and start planning your unforgettable getaway today.
We have glamping and cabins!
We are a very private campground Situated On The Colorado River Off Hwy 71 Just a stones throw from downtown Smithville, A Few Minutes To Lagrange, Bastrop, Roundtop, etc.
We Have A Total Of 3 Campsites To Keep A Most Private & Serene Camp! Each site is equipped with 20Amp Power, A Picnic Table, A Fire Pit With Cooking Grate, And A Garbage Bin!! There is a Community bathhouse Central To The Camp Making It Just Feet Away No Matter which site you camp! The bathhouse is complete with 2 Hot Shower's, 2 Sink's, & 1 Potty!! It's Stocked With Most Of What You Would need!
Come Enjoy... Camping, Fishing, Kayaking, Bird Watching (Eagle's Nest Across The Way) Horshoes, CornHole, Or Just Relaxing & Soaking Up Natures Truly Magical Ambience.
$55 - $65 / night
The campgrounds are all first come first serve and are located right on the San Marcos River. Don's Fish Camp offers tube rentals, snacks, drinks, sunscreen, and anything you may need to float the river. Their campsite has a rope swing, picnic areas, and live DJ's every weekend (during peak season).
$15 - $32 / night
Private, peaceful and secluded. We purchased the 5.3 acres as a forest back in 2007. We cut down a little bit of the forest to build our house.
Native Americans once lived here. Sometimes you can find arrowheads.
Some of the forest burned down in the great Bastrop wildfire in 2011, but it has grown back.
Learn more about this land:
Lost Pines Camping is located on a gravel dead-end road. We are in a pine forest with some oaks and have a two-acre lake on the property that is good for swimming. Bastrop and Buescher State Parks are nearby and easy to access through back roads. Blackberries can be picked for a month or so in springtime. The land is a bit hilly. Downtown Bastrop and Downtown Smithville are both a ten-minute drive away. There is one tent site a one minute hike downhill into the forest. The bathroom is on the other side of the property near our house, a 2 minute walk from the tent site.
The tent site has a water spigot and electricity. There is no tenting next to the parking spot.
$29 / 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
This 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!
Traveler
Love this campground for tent camping! Shady and on the river bank, and not all the way down river road!
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.
Traveler
This is a very nice, small, State park. There is a lot to do and it didn't feel crowded at all. The tent camping spots were great! We stayed at a walk in site (water only) and had a great time! Good fishing, hiking, etc.
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.
Scout
This was the perfect getaway for a last minute weekend trip. We arrived after dark, but Reza was so helpful in making sure we had everything we needed as we set up at the tent site. We really appreciated the little extras: reclining chairs at the tent site and also at the fire pit, the flush toilet and the outdoor shower, a picnic table and firewood was also available. Both Dot and Reza were so pleasant and very accommodating to our needs. They were readily accessible without being intrusive. We definitely had our privacy but knew they were just a phone call away. We cannot wait to come back and reconnect with nature. The stars are abundant and the vibe is so amazing, we felt completely recharged. We're so happy we found this gem!!
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.
Guide
Cabin staff are available as well as tent campgrounds. Trails are pretty. Beware of snakes, the poisonous kind we saw almost everyday.
Guide
Tent camped 21JUL 1 night.
Super clean park, good trails and great water features. The whole thing is kind of built around a couple swimming holes, which are the main attractions, and pretty amazing.
Sites were big and well treed. Super secluded and plenty of shade to be had.
Trails aren’t close to the sites, so you’ve got to drive once you are setup, which might not be an issue for most, but I like to dig in then hit the trails.
This was one night camp 6/10 for me in my campmaster project and it was fantastic.
Hot but no rain.
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.
ScoutWe could not have found a better place. From the moment we arrived we were treated like we knew them forever. We had a welcome bucket at the site. It had first aid kit, water, citronella candle, bug spray etc. The RV sites and tent sites are exceptionally clean. The view is breath taking, the stars at night are romance and enticing. We saw deer, wild turkey, longhorns, humming birds. We got a tour of the property and it was so perfect. You are positioned perfectly to visit San Marcos, New Braunfles, Drippings Springs, Wimberly, Blanco, Canyon Lake and Krause. Gruene. It was perfect
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.
Traveler
We spent 2 nights here in the tent sites a couple weeks ago. We loved it.
There are 8 tent-only sites at the north end of the park - there is a short trail by the restrooms that lead to them. Upsides are that they are removed from most of the park's bustle, so it's easier to relax and enjoy your time "in the woods". The restrooms and shower facility are a ~200-300 ft walk, depending on which site you choose. Each site has a grill, picnic table and fire ring. The sites are not particularly level, but we were able to get two tents on the site with minimal issues. The tent area also has a community grill and fire pit that would make it a great candidate for a group camping event.
There is a small floating dock where you can fish or launch a kayak (remember, you can't park close so you'll have to carry the boat in...good for kayaks, bad for canoes). There is ample room at the park's main launch to put in larger canoes or kayaks without carrying them as far.
The park amenities are fine - swimming area, fishing pier, and fairly clean showers/restrooms. Also, there is a Bucee's 5-10 minutes away for those last-minute needs/forgotten supplies!
All in all, a good weekend, and a good spot to camp!
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!
Legend
I came across this campground while searching on thedyrt. I had not previously heard about this park, so I decided to check it out. The park is operated by the City of Smithville. There is not a park office on the grounds to accept reservations or fees for camping. To reserve a campsite, call the City Recreation Center at 512-237-3282x7 Mon-Fri, 8:00am - 4:30pm.
There are a number or recreational facilities at the park such as a playground, baseball field and frisbee golf course. The Colorado River runs along one side of the park and offers opportunities for paddling and fishing. One of the most unique features is that there are rodeo facilities on the grounds. The rodeo events only occur during certain times of the year, so check the park's website and calendar.
The campground area is at the very back of the grounds down a gravel road. The park is primarily designed to host RVs, but they do allow tent camping. Each site has a parking pad, water and electric hookup, picnic table and grill. There are bathroom facilities in the center of the campground.
Compared to some of the other parks in the area such as Bastrop State Park, Buescher State Park and Lake Bastop South Shore Park, this city park is a little bit rough around the edges. The reservation system, or lack of an onsite office, is a bit baffling. But if you're looking to witness a rodeo, this might just be your only option.
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.
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:
LegendThis 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!!
LegendCampsite Review:
Palmetto State Park is a tranquil campground located in Central Texas. It offers campers the chance to hike, bike, swim, paddle, fish or just lay in a hammock under the shade of trees. The park is located a few minutes drive from the towns of Gonzales and Luling. The park's most unique feature are the dwarf palmetto plants which grow throughout the forest.
When entering the park you are welcomed by a canopy of overhanging trees. At the entrance there is an office where you can pay your admission fee and shop for some basic camping necessities. There are also after-hour pay stations nearby.
At each campsite there is a parking space with water and electrical hookups, a picnic table, barbecue grill and fire pit. Most of the sites will fit small to medium sized RVs. There are plenty of shade trees around the campsites which are welcome during the summers in Texas. The restrooms are near the campsites and all of the restrooms, although somewhat dated, have sinks, flush toilets and showers.
Some of the attractions of this park include a small artesian spring, lake and the San Marcus River. There is a nice hike and bike trail which runs along the bank of the river which is flat and easy to walk or bike. There are some amazing sights and sounds while walking through the forest - from birds to insects to small mammals to plants. As previously mentioned, one of the unique features of this park are the dwarf palmetto plants that grow on the forest floor. These palmettos make you feel as if you've been transported to a tropical paradise. Paddle boat, kayak and canoe rentals are available at a concession office near the lake.
There are a number of activities to enjoy at this park, but some of the facilities could use an update. I would think that is a nice park for families with kids because of the variety of activities that can be pursued. There are no extreme features like mountains or cliffs, just a number of peaceful nooks in nature.
Before or after your stay at Palmetto State Park be sure to pass by the little town of Luling, Texas where you can eat at the City Market Café which has some of the best barbecue in Texas.
Product Review:
As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I am offered the opportunity to test products. At this campground, I tested the Gregory Inertia 30 Hydration Backpack.
Top reasons I loved the Gregory Inertia 30 Hydration Backpack:
I hope and expect that this backpack will become my go to backpack for a variety of adventures.
Scout
This is a great campground with lots to do. It is awesome like geometry dash lite. We camped: the camp pitch was fairly level with electric hookup, water supply close to the tent and a fire pit for each pitch. There are also RV hookups as well. My kids totally enjoyed the laser tag, there is also a boating pond, fishing and live music on a Saturday night. The toilet block was the cleanest I have ever seen on a campsite- it was as clean as many hotels I have stayed in. One good advice for anyone staying in a campsite in Texas: compared to campsites in more temperate climes, Texas campsites are dusty and have as much dirt as grass on the pitches(and this site is no exception). Bring a tarp to put under your tent- it will be a lot easier to clean than the bottom of a sewn-in groundsheet when you get home.
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.
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.
GuideThe only reason I gave it 4stars is because of a lot of street noise outside the park. The park itself is beautiful and quiet. Great bathroom fac; very new and clean. All of the tent sides have sand tent pads, but if you’re a hammock camper be sure the trees fit your kit.
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.
Tent camping near Gonzales, Texas offers a variety of experiences, from serene riverside spots to well-equipped facilities, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking to escape into nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Gonzales, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Gonzales, TX is Son’s Blue River Camp with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
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TheDyrt.com has all 15 tent camping locations near Gonzales, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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