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On the north side of San Antonio lies a 12,000-acre wilderness that protects the city’s drinking water. You’ll find your own “Recharge Zone” in this vast urban refuge.
Government Canyon State Natural Area offers more than 40 miles of trails. You can also camp, attend a program or guided hike, geocache, picnic, take nature photos and look for birds and other wildlife. Your kids will connect with “natural fun” at our playscape and Discovery Trail.
$18 / night
These sites are on a river terrace above the Guadalupe River in the Wagon Ford walk-in tent area. Water is located near the restroom walkway. You must carry all camping items in and out (up to 100 yards). No generators are allowed. Picnic table, Tent pad, Water nearby, Restrooms nearby, Fire ring with grill
$15 / night
This recreation area is part of Canyon Lake
North Park is only open Friday at 3pm until Sunday at 2pm April 1 - Sept 30. The Park is a primitive campground and each site comes with a picnic table, grill, fire ring, and access to the lake.
Canyon Lake has become well known for boating, swimming, scuba diving, and so much more.
North Park is perched on top of a limestone bluff overlooking the beautiful blue waters of Canyon Lake.
For facility specific information, please call (830) 964-3341.
The reservation system sets all change and cancellation fees.
$20 / night
$120 - $160 / night
Camp sites are in a large cow pasture across the street from Bankersmith Dance Hall and Saloon. Please don't come expecting Yosemite or the Ritz Carlton. This is as primitive as it gets. Conveniently located in Fredericksburg, Texas off the famous and beautiful Old Highway 9. A short 7 miles from downtown Fredericksburg, these primitive RV and primitive campsites are close to Luckenbach, the Old Bat Tunnel and Alamo Springs Burger. In fact the campsite is directly across the street and a short walking distance to the historic Bankersmith Dance Hall and Saloon. Guests can enjoy this Texas Original with concerts, festivals most weekends or even just by stopping by for live music(played daily) and a cold drink. The Saloon is open 7 days a week! Campers are of course allowed to bring in food or drink on the campgrounds but it may be easier to enjoy the food from Bankersmith’s Restaurant and Full Bar literally across the street! Hamburgers, Chicken Wings, BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches and a whole lot more(even Fried Bull Testicles)! This Bankersmith Texas Campground is primitive on site but guests are welcome to use both the restrooms and water sources across the street, in the Saloon, when open. The camping grounds are on a open field close to the entrance of the parking. Campers are not to go through the second gate due to live stock.
$30 / night
SON'S ISLAND WILL BE CLOSED FOR 2023 SEASON
The Shanty River Center has provided camping near the Guadalupe River for over 15 years.
Camping in the Hill Country and tubing on the Guadalupe River. What more could you ask for?
Shanty 2 is the location of our campgrounds and is located near the beginning of the Horseshoe bridge. This location has tube, raft, and kayak rentals, public restrooms, showers, and plenty of parking.
Our main location Shanty Tubes also has a Tiki Bar, as well as the Shanty Salsa Kitchen to add to your camping experience. So after a fabulous day of tubing, come to the Shanty Tiki Bar for some good times, music and some good food.
$35 - $55 / 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.
Scout
Modern and clean, tent sites level and new electric and water connections. However the layout for tent campers is problematical. The tent sites are directly on the street, so it’s like camping in someone’s front yard, without a fence. The whole situation made me very uneasy, so I brought things into our tent that normally I would have left in our SUV.
We are early risers, so usually I walk my wife to the facilities just to be safe. For some reason I let her walk alone to the ‘rec room’ since I saw another couple in there. She drinks coffee and I don’t so it seemed she could grab some while I started to break down the campsite. However when she got there, the couple was gone and she found herself alone with someone who didn’t belong there (anyone can just walk in off the street). He started by asking if she was traveling alone. Just then another camper came in and my wife felt better, the trespassing individual left. However he waited for my wife at the corner of the building (it was still barely light). He then threatened and insulted her. Fortunately, she was carrying a bright camping lantern and she turned it on and shined it in his face, which took him aback, and then she ran back to our tent. After taking a deep breath, we went looking for him, and of course he was gone. (He came back later in the morning to terrorize someone who worked in the office, we found out later).
We have lived for more than sixty years in the heart of NYC and my wife has never, ever, felt as endangered as she did in our overnight in this campground. If you are a woman tent camping alone or a couple with a woman, I would never camp here unless they get the tent sites behind some kind of perimeter and figure out how to keep intruders from entering.
Scout
I stayed 3 days here Tent camping nice and quite in the back area lot # 62 fawn hideaway
Traveler
Love this campground for tent camping! Shady and on the river bank, and not all the way down river road!
Ranger
This little spot is a super discreet location. Has a few tent camping spots. We loved it super quite and very nice at night.
Traveler
It was a cute place. A lot of the RV spots are taken up by people who live there. The glamping tents are super cute. The regular tent camping is nice and grassy. Dogs have to be on leash 24/7 that was the only bummer.
Scout
Has some great fishing. If you don’t have time to go to the coast but love fishing for reds this is a nice spot to come to. Camping sites allow for both RV hook ups and tent camping.
Traveler
The main focus of the resort is the cabins, so the tent camping area is nice and quiet. Clean bathrooms, a nice pool area and hot showers were available to the tent areas. Now if the drought could fill the two ponds, this would be a really great getaway.
Guide
We arrived after hours and without reservations on a Thursday evening in early October. We were able to secure a spot through the bartender at Wild Ass Hey Barn, which is on site and the location of the bathroom/showers. We were the only tent campers and were told to just set up on the grass by the river. Locals staying in RVs in the main area helped us find our way. It was a fantastic setting right next to the river. The regular tent sites are lined up along the river and had water. They were pretty close to each other, but right on the water in a tent only area. RV sites are farther inland and separate from the tent sites. Bathroom was basic, but clean.
Scout
Arrived on a Thursday plenty of tent sites available. Some are small others are nice and spacious. The tent pads are caliche. Having a hammer is a must. Pet friendly. River to swim in. Restrooms were clean. Staff friendly. Lots of hiking
Scout
Stayed this past winter on a short trip. Great fishing and river view tent campsites. Restrooms were very clean.
GuideSpots are great! Walking for tent camping is close about 50 ft but get here early as it’s very crowded. Lots of people fishing too so be careful of hooks in the water. We did a little hiking but not a ton of that to do here.
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.
TravelerThe tent sites are huge and spread apart. Picnic tables and fire rings at each site. Flush toilets and showers. A highway run through the camp so there is some noise from that, mainly during the day. Town is 2 miles away.
Traveler
I was planning on staying there, but it is basically an equestrian state park. You can camp there, but there's not electrical and water hook ups. It's mostly tent camping. The staff was very friendly. I went to visit there just to see what it was about. If you're a hiker, there's hiking trails, so you'll enjoy that.
TravelerI tent camped for several days here. The staff are helpful, bathrooms are super clean with soap, decent water pressure and everything is so well kept. I was thoroughly impressed and will be back to try the other sites. I stayed at turtle falls. It was so peaceful listening to the water all night.
ScoutI was pleasantly surprised to find tent sites available within 3 days of my visit (October 23-25, 2020). We stayed at one of their tent sites (#66) and pitched 2 tents for two families. Site had a hose bib, fire ring, and a new wooden picnic bench. Plenty of trees and other cover located at the site. Our site was across the street from the restroom/showers. The restroom and showers were older but kept clean. The trails at this park offer easy paths for families to enjoy along with mountain bikers. The camp host Lita was very nice and was available to purchase bundles of fire wood for $5 if needed. Overall, I was very pleased with this city park. The reasons for not giving it a full five stars is the outdated restrooms, an occasional Cessna flying over about 2-3 times a day, and the (what seemed frequent) emergency vehicles blaring their sirens. Note: although we only saw one armadillo, there was evidence of other wildlife in the park.
GuideOne of the first camping trips I had with my son was Guadalupe River State Park. We tent camped and had one of the primitive sites. We had so much fun swimming in the river and hiking. We worked with the park Ranger program and my son was awarded a Ranger Badge. The bluffs above the river are gorgeous. Mid November and swimming was still fun. The next morning was 10 degrees so a whole different experience. One of my favorite places to visit.
RangerWe tent camped here circa spring break 2012. We arrived around midnight and I think the host welcomed us. Regardless we got a good site on the east side of the highway and easily set up the tent with the car lights. We enjoyed the park hiking the forest on the west side. I braved the cold water of the river, swimming across and back with onlookers and my wife admiring my courage (or foolishness) from the bank. I laid on the rocks in the sun to dry off and warm up. We tested a Methodist church in our dirty camping clothes and received a warm welcome.
Ranger
We have family in the fredicksburg Texas area and the hotels in town are VERY expensive. We had seen this park before as it is next to the airport and golf course, so we decided to try to get a reservation for thanksgiving weekend. I booked through reservation.gov indicating I wanted a tent spot. I thought the cost was high, but chalked it up to being Fredicksburg. Once we got to the park, the park agent told me we had gotten a RV spot and there was no place to stake a tent, but they had a field used for tent camping which was only $10.00 per night! She was so nice in changing our site. The field for “primitive” camping is one you drive into and pitch a tent which worked great for us. There is a beautiful nature trail by the park. The bathrooms are fine, heated which was nice as it was chilly for Texas. Wifi is included I your stay. We will definitely use this park again.
Guide
this was a great location for spending some time on the medina river and close to medina lake. we camped in the tent camping area above the cabin. it's a bit of a steep walk from the campsite to the river, but not bad. we were able to carry our kayake with no problem. we were also able to use part of the grassy lawn next to the cabin which is closer to the river. only downside was a lot of dogs barking all night long. but if the time of year is right you will see fireflies and lots of deer. overall we enjoyed it a lot.
Ranger
RV and tent camping areas. We dispersed-camped due to after sunset arrival. Park is clean and well used during the day, but the whole place got quiet at 7 pm. A cop patrolled the perimeter twice, once right at sunset then again 2 hours later. There were wildlife sounds all night long, i.e. coyotes yipping and owls hooting. The bathrooms are simple, but clean with flush toilets. The showers are currently shut off. Plenty of picnic tables and trash cans. In the morning expect joggers and dog walkers right at sunrise. There’s plenty to see and do if you stay for a while, the river is alongside the park and there are hilly walking trails.
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
Guide
Tent camped 5JUL20, 1 night.
This is a great park, right on the banks of the Blanco and right on the edge of downtown Blanco, Tx.
Site 6 had decent trees but we were right in between 2 giant motor coaches, so quiet and rustic it was not, but it was beautiful and we made ample use of the river and swimming areas. Enjoyed the roof over the picnic table.
Restrooms were clean but a little older. No real hiking to speak of but we enjoyed every minute of it. Afterwards we went to town and had some great BBQ.
Not too much to say about this park except that we loved it and will definitely be back, oh and MURDER HORNETS! (Maybe, but prolly not)
ScoutDon't be fooled, this city park originated as a State park and has all the amenities!
We stayed in the Fox Run Loop towards the back of the park away from the highway and it was nice and quiet. The showers and restrooms were decent, again reflecting other Texas SP facilities.
The trails varied in terrain and were well maintained as were the rest of the grounds. We didn't check out the river side of the park, however this June we are returning to and will be on the river side and will provide an update afterwards.
UPDATE:
Just got back from a weekend trip on the river side. Like the other reviews stated, it was a bit louder being so close to the highway. Additionally, there are street lamps by the ranger station that illuminate the tent sites which were annoying. It was nice however to be within short walking distance of the river, but if I were to go again, I'd stay on the other side of the park like my first time.
Tent camping near Helotes, Texas offers a variety of scenic spots where nature lovers can unwind and enjoy the great outdoors. With amenities ranging from picnic tables to access to beautiful trails, these campgrounds cater to all types of campers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Helotes, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Helotes, TX is Government Canyon State Natural Area with a 4.4-star rating from 15 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Helotes, TX?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 tent camping locations near Helotes, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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