Government Canyon State Natural Area offers accessible camping options within a 30-minute drive from Helotes. Located in the Texas Hill Country at approximately 1,000 feet elevation, the area features limestone formations and seasonal creek beds. Campsites range from standard walk-in tent sites to more luxurious glamping accommodations throughout the region.
What to do
Dinosaur track exploration: Joe Johnston Route at Government Canyon State Natural Area leads to preserved dinosaur tracks in the creekbed. "There are some dino tracks in the creekbed to check out in the backcountry along with an old stone house. Supposedly there are some hidden caves off trail but I haven't found them," notes visitor Emily M.
Swimming at Canyon Lake: The clear waters at Cranes Mill Park provide swimming options about 45 minutes from Helotes. "The water level of Canyon Lake was down so access to the water wasn't real easy. once in the water it was great floating in a tube," reports Barb M.
Explore historic sites: Visit the 1880s Zizelman House while camping at Government Canyon. "The main attraction of this campground is hiking through the forest, exploring above or below the canyon, seeing the old 1880's period Zizelman House and locating a few of the notable dinosaur tracks," explains Troy W.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campsites at Kerrville-Schreiner Park offer good separation from neighbors. "The campsites were pretty well spaced apart... Overall, the sites are well maintained, and the bathrooms are very clean and well kept," reports David L.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Thousand Trails Medina Lake features abundant wildlife near glamping sites. "Deer walk around the park all day and night. Very much a plus for us. Very quiet and peaceful. Everyone was friendly and the employees were helpful," according to Eric F.
Convenient river access: Glamping near Helotes often includes water features. "Blanco State Park is just beautiful. It sits right on the shores of the Blanco River and we had a gorgeous view of the water," shares Marnie G., who stayed at Blanco State Park Campground.
What you should know
Trail closures during rain: Weather significantly impacts Alamo River RV Ranch Resort & Campground and nearby parks. "Make sure to plan for the weather as all the trails close if they are wet. They do have a casual walking path when the others are wet," advises Bonnie C.
Reservation timing: Weekend access requires planning. "Show up early on the weekend when it's nice out otherwise all of San Antonio will be lined up to get in," suggests Emily M. about Government Canyon.
Storage restrictions: Protect the natural environment when glamping near Helotes. "Because this is a State Natural Area, you may not connect anything to the trees in the park as you could A) damage the trees of B) bring in pests from other parks without knowing it," explains Brian V.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple glamping destinations offer play areas. "The facilities were clean and well-maintained, with everything we needed for a comfortable stay. Amenities included a swimming pool, hot tub, playground, weight room, laundry, arcade, and a general store," shares Jonathan K. about Blazing Star Luxury RV Resort.
Educational opportunities: Ranger-led programs enhance family experiences. "The visitor center is very nice and modern. They often have ranger hikes leading from the center," notes Brian V. about Government Canyon.
Trail difficulty considerations: Some trails may challenge younger hikers. "Rocky and uphill both ways," cautions Jorge R. about Government Canyon trails, while Salina G. adds, "We found that there were only 2 trails that were dog friendly."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Choose locations based on noise considerations. "We We stay down by the river. The road was real close to the site that we stayed in period over all the camp grounds are nice well maintained and not stacked on top of each other. We will go back and stay on the upper hillside," advises Brad E. at Kerrville-Schreiner Park.
Hookup variations: Not all sites offer full connections. "This site had water, 30 amp service, no sewer but dump near by the restrooms," notes Mark M. about Kerrville-Schreiner Park.
Laundry facilities: Several glamping destinations provide clean laundry areas. "The grounds, pool, children's playground, Bocchy Ball lane, and store are immaculate. Two sizes of dog parks for large and small breeds," shares Jeff S., who adds that Blazing Star has "3 large dumpsters for campground trash."
