Best Tent Camping near Hallettsville, TX

Several tent camping options exist within driving distance of Hallettsville, Texas, with most established sites located 20-30 miles from town. Colorado RiverBend Retreat offers tent-specific campsites with direct river access, while Plum Park on the Colorado provides boat-in and walk-in tent camping opportunities along the Colorado River. Lost Pines Camping, slightly farther north, features walk-in tent sites in a wooded setting near a lake. These primitive tent campgrounds provide varying levels of access and amenities for campers seeking outdoor experiences in the region.

Most tent campsites in the Hallettsville area feature basic amenities with variations between properties. Colorado RiverBend Retreat includes drinking water, electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire pits at its three tent sites, with showers and toilets available nearby. A recent review noted, "There is also a large sink - perfect for washing dishes." Plum Park permits fires and provides picnic tables and toilets, but lacks drinking water or showers. Several campgrounds have specific access requirements, with Plum Park requiring boat-in or walk-in access to reach tent sites, while Lost Pines Camping is exclusively walk-in.

Tent camping experiences near Hallettsville vary by location, with riverside and forest settings predominating. Colorado River access stands out as a primary feature at multiple locations, with Plum Park specifically noted for "excellent river access" according to camper reviews. Lost Pines Camping offers a different environment, described by one camper as a "beautiful forest, very peaceful" with a lake that's "wonderful for swimming or just sitting lakeside." Most tent sites accommodate small family setups, with Colorado RiverBend Retreat spacious enough for "two tents with space to spare." Tent campers often enjoy the natural surroundings, with multiple locations offering fishing opportunities, hammock spots, and water recreation during warmer months. Fire pits are available at several properties, though availability varies seasonally based on local fire conditions.

Best Tent Sites Near Hallettsville, Texas (7)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Hallettsville, TX

136 Reviews of 7 Hallettsville Campgrounds


  • Denise V.
    Nov. 10, 2021

    Colorado Landing RV & Mobile Home Park

    Nice Quiet Park not far from Fairgrounds

    • Water

    • 20/30/50 amp

    • Sewer

    • Extended Cable TV

    • Grill

    • Picnic Table (each one hand-painted with different design)

    • Site Pad: Gravel, level

    👍🏻 Pros:

    • Pull-thru sites closest to the Colorado River

    👎🏻 Cons:• No direct access to get into the river. It drops off too much.

    • The back portion of the site got a lot of afternoon sun

    📝 Park Notes:

    • Dump Station

    • Wifi

    • Propane sold onsite per pound. Site pickup/dropoff

    • Swimming Pool

    • Community Center with Laundry facility(1 washer/ 1 dryer), kitchen, showers/bathroom with kitchen, games, TV, shower

    • Pets on leash, big dog park

    • Each site had it's own trash can

    🐦 Wildlife:

    • Birds

    • Deer

    • Squirrels

    For more info and a video see https://www.denisevajdak.com/2021/10/colorado-landing-rv-park.html

  • Napunani
    Jan. 24, 2022

    Texana Park & Campground

    Watch for Gators!

    Reserved 89 days prior to arriving. 

    PRO 

    Extremely nice park registration staff.

    Registration info was available outside of gatehouse upon arrival.

    Security gate that closes during overnight hours.

    Quiet except for Hwy 111 traffic noise.

    Campsites along lake with wide open view of lake. VERY NICE.

    Nice space between campsites with brush between some sites for privacy

    Clean and well stocked toilet/shower facility.

    Dark sky friendly.

    Brand new Nature Center!

    Campsite with picnic table, lantern pole and fire ring.

    Campsite 125 partially shade

    $35/night camping fee

    CON

    $3.50 transaction fee Former Texas State Park so most campsites are short in length.

    We saw numerous 25ft and bigger rigs struggling to back into sites and then the front of their rig was right on roadway.

    Campsite 125 uneven side-to-side.

    Alligators in lake!

    2 bars AT&T.

    No Park WiFi.

  • N
    Oct. 6, 2020

    Lake Wood Recreation Area

    Quite campground on the Guadalupe River

    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.

  • Dawn D.
    Apr. 11, 2022

    Lake Wood Recreation Area

    First Camping trip With The Kids

    Our first time for the season did a Lil camping trip me and all the kids (8) not all mine lol for a little trial run it was a nice cute little campground there's a river real close by we had a table and fire ring no electric but there are sites that have electric we had a really good time here will definitely return its not to far from out town

  • Troy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 10, 2018

    Palmetto State Park Campground

    Ranger Review: Gregory Backpack at Palmetto SP (River + Lake + Palmettos)

    Campsite 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:

    1. Size: The pack is 30 liters and is useful for day hikes, weekend adventures or carry-on airline travel.
    2. Features: The pack has well thought-out organization with a large main compartment, a mid-sized compartment, a top stash pocket, stretch mesh front and side pockets and a flexible suspension. Also, there are a number of attachment loops for attaching tools, poles, solar chargers or other gear.
    3. Technology: The new 3D hydration bladder is a breeze to fill, empty and clean. It has an tactile grip handle and rubberized fill top which make opening and closing easy. When cleaning or drying out the bladder, the sidewalls of the bladder maintain an open shape which allows easy access and evaporation of any residual water.
    4. Quality: All of the materials are of high quality. I expect that the backpack will last many years. This is important for a day use backpack which will see regular duty under a variety of conditions. It is also important for backpacking, because no one wants a gear failure while in the backcountry.

    I hope and expect that this backpack will become my go to backpack for a variety of adventures.

  • Steve & Ashley  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 16, 2019

    Buescher State Park Campground

    Nice Fishing Spot

    Buescher State Park is about 40 miles outside of Austin and a short drive from Bastrop Texas. The park is great for campers who like to fish. The 25 acre park lake offers some great shoreline and kayak or canoe fishing. You can rent a canoe or bring your own. You can use the boat launch or enter the lake from the Lakeview Campsite. The campsite have flat concrete pads for campers and RVs. The sites have good tree cover and a nice level of privacy which can be rare at state sites. They have all the facilities you need from group recreation facilities to new cabins on the lake. The campground was less than half full in June. They have a tackle loaner site and a small camp store.

  • Richard G.
    Jun. 21, 2020

    Vernon L Richards Riverbend Park

    Overnight camping

    We arrived around 11:30 pm to the park and was stopped by a very helpful officer that explained to us the park was closed, but helped us get a spot anyways and directions. Got to the spot and it was more than I expected for a camp site (electricity, fire ring pit, table, Barbque pit, and trash cans with bags). We set up tent quickly, made a fire, and had a great time with the kids!

  • M
    Jun. 9, 2018

    Palmetto State Park Campground

    Nice basic state park

    The 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.

  • lunan E.
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Buescher State Park Campground

    Nightmare camping!!!

    Do NOT camp here if you want peace and quiet!! after 3 diffrent attempts to enjoy quiet peaceful camping trips here I can confirm quiet hours are NOT inforced and even worse all three times I've stayed here I've had someone intrude onto my campsite to either try and peak into my tent, or use my picnic table or grill when there are plenty of others unused???? 

    doesn't help that front staff are rude every time ive been too. never had these problems at other state parks. guess Beaushner is the party park!


Guide to Hallettsville

Tent camping options near Hallettsville, Texas offer diverse natural settings within the southeastern Texas coastal plains region. Most established camping areas sit between 300-400 feet above sea level in a landscape characterized by rolling hills, river bottoms, and scattered oak forests. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, making spring and fall the preferred camping seasons for most visitors.

What to do

River recreation: Colorado RiverBend Retreat provides direct river access for fishing, swimming and paddling. Craig S. from Lost Pines Camping notes, "The lake is wonderful for swimming or just sitting lakeside," offering an alternative water experience.

Fishing opportunities: Fish for bass, catfish and sunfish along the Colorado River at multiple sites. Plum Park on the Colorado features "excellent river access" according to Ed H., making it ideal for shore fishing without needing a boat.

Nature observation: The region hosts diverse wildlife including white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and numerous bird species. Camping areas typically require quiet hours from 10pm-7am, creating better conditions for wildlife spotting during early mornings.

What campers like

River proximity: Many campers appreciate the direct waterfront access. Laura D. at Colorado RiverBend Retreat mentions being "right by the river - easy to fish or spend time in the multiple hammocks," highlighting the convenience of riverside activities.

Peaceful environment: The natural settings offer a quiet escape from urban areas. A review describes Lost Pines Camping as a "beautiful forest, very peaceful. Great place to sleep," emphasizing the tranquil atmosphere campers value.

Shade coverage: Oak trees at several campgrounds provide natural shade during hot Texas days. Sites near water typically have better tree coverage than those in more open areas, offering protection from intense summer sun.

Site spaciousness: Several campgrounds offer generous spacing between sites. Laura D. notes, "You can park at the site - we set up two tents with space to spare," indicating room for multiple tents and vehicle parking at Colorado RiverBend Retreat.

What you should know

Access limitations: Several campgrounds require specific access methods. Boy Scout Island requires boat access, while Plum Park offers both boat-in and walk-in options. This limits the amount of gear you can bring.

Seasonal considerations: Summer camping requires heat preparation with temperatures regularly exceeding 95°F. Mosquitoes are prevalent near water from April through October, particularly at dusk. Bring proper insect protection.

Bathroom facilities: Facility quality varies significantly between sites. Laura D. mentions Colorado RiverBend Retreat has a "bathroom/shower is so close" and "a large sink - perfect for washing dishes," while other sites offer minimal facilities.

Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds require advance booking, especially during spring wildflower season (March-April) and holiday weekends. Reserve 2-4 weeks ahead during peak periods.

Tips for camping with families

Best family sites: Desert Dove Hacienda offers family-friendly amenities with more developed facilities than primitive sites. Colorado RiverBend Retreat's hosts are described as "friendly and helpful" by Laura D., making it welcoming for families needing occasional assistance.

Water safety: The Colorado River has variable currents and depth changes. Bring personal flotation devices for children, even strong swimmers, when camping at riverside locations.

Wildlife awareness: Teach children about local wildlife including identifying poison ivy (common near water) and keeping proper food storage to avoid attracting raccoons and opossums, which are common throughout the region.

Weather preparedness: Pack both sun protection and rain gear as Texas weather can change quickly. Summer thunderstorms often develop in late afternoons, particularly during June-August.

Tips from RVers

Access challenges: Most tent-focused sites near Hallettsville have limited or no RV accommodations. RV campers should contact properties directly about road conditions, as several access roads remain unpaved and can become problematic after rain.

Generator policies: Check site regulations as generator use is prohibited at most primitive tent campgrounds in the area. This affects RV camping options significantly when hookups aren't available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Hallettsville, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Hallettsville, TX is Plum Park on the Colorado with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Hallettsville, TX?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 tent camping locations near Hallettsville, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.