Camping near Horseshoe Bay, Texas occurs within the granite and limestone terrain of the Texas Hill Country, with elevations ranging from 800-1,100 feet. The area receives approximately 30 inches of annual rainfall, creating periodic flash flood conditions in low-lying camping areas. Most primitive camping sites feature oak and juniper tree cover, providing intermittent shade during summer months when temperatures regularly reach 100°F.
What to do
Rock climbing and cliff jumping: Access the limestone cliffs at Pace Bend Park for natural climbing routes and designated jumping areas. "My favorite part about this campsite is the ability to cliff jump into a lake. I love the water and this campsite was perfect for me," notes Aaron S. at Pace Bend Park.
Kayaking and canoeing: Rent equipment at Inks Lake State Park or bring your own for protected paddling areas. "Grab a kayak and paddle up and down Inks Lake. Set up your tent near hiking trails and lake access," suggests Jennifer J. at Inks Lake State Park.
Off-road vehicle trails: Hidden Falls Adventure Park maintains over 2,200 acres of trails ranging from beginner to expert difficulty levels. According to Chad L., "With over 2200 acres of full size offroad trails there is surely something there for every vehicle and skill level. From mild stock level all the way to extreme rock crawling."
Swimming in natural springs: Krause Springs offers natural swimming holes fed by underground springs. "Kids can jump off the small Cliffside or fly on the rope swing. If you like nature this is a dream spot," reports Brandi W.
What campers like
Large, private campsites: The spacious sites at Pedernales Falls State Park provide ample room between neighbors. "The camp ground is wonderful. Very spread out and wooded for privacy between the campsites. Hook ups for both water and electricity, if needed," writes Kaitlyn M. at Pedernales Falls State Park.
Waterfront camping access: Several sites at Shaffer Bend Recreation Area sit directly along Lake Travis shoreline. "We set up at site 15 it has an awesome view of the river/lake and it's walking distance down to the waters edge. Great spot to fish for some bass or take a dip in the water," notes Steve L.
Natural swimming areas: The Devil's Waterhole at Inks Lake State Park provides cliff jumping opportunities. Brian V. explains, "The best swimming place is the Devil's Waterhole. There are some rocks on the far side that people climb up on to jump off of."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campsites around Horseshoe Bay regularly host native wildlife. At Colorado Bend State Park, "First 20 minutes at this park we had deer walking through our camp site," according to Andrea P. at Colorado Bend State Park.
What you should know
Limited facilities at primitive sites: Shaffer Bend Recreation Area offers minimal amenities. "It is a primitive campground. The large camp area has a couple port-a-poties. At the gate entrance there are men's and women's rooms with running water. That's about 3 miles from the camp sites," warns Erik F.
Lake levels fluctuate seasonally: Water access can change based on drought conditions. "Be mindful that Lake Travis is not a constant level lake and this is a narrow and shallow part of the lake. There is a chance of low water levels," cautions Candice C.
Wildlife encounters: Venomous snakes are native to the area. "It's Texas and there is wildlife. We saw about a 5 ft rattlesnake," reports Candice C. at Shaffer Bend Recreation Area.
Cell service limitations: Digital connectivity decreases in more remote locations. Larry D. notes, "Forget about cell service. Curiously enough, I had WiFi because my RV spot was closest to the office. But neither my son nor I had cell service for some miles before arriving at the office area."
Tips for camping with families
Fishing opportunities: Multiple parks offer fishing access without boats. Chris H. at Inks Lake State Park shares, "We were on a small loop that allowed our kids (8 and 6) to have some room to roam, and we were just a 50 yard walk from the fishing dock."
Explore cave systems: Colorado Bend State Park offers guided and self-guided cave tours. "They offer a guided cave tour. And they also have one cave that you can explore by yourself," notes Red S.
Consider animal-friendly parks: Some campgrounds welcome family pets while others don't. Kaitlyn M. notes Pedernales Falls is "Extremely dog friendly!" while Michelle M. points out that at Krause Springs, "Dogs are not allowed, but service dogs are. Just call them in advance and let them know."
Pack for flash flooding: Weather changes quickly in the Hill Country. Faith S. at Pedernales Falls State Park warns, "Made me aware of how serious flash flooding is here. Respect weather warnings!"
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many Hill Country campgrounds have uneven terrain. At Big Chief RV Resort, "Sites were level and very clean," reports Tim M. at Big Chief RV Resort, while at Inks Lake, Alice R. notes "SITES ARE CLEAN BUT A BIT CHALLENGING TO BACK INTO, INCLINE AND COULD BE BIGGER. NO PULL THROUGHS."
Tree clearance concerns: Low branches can damage RVs in some campgrounds. Brandi W. cautions, "My only warning is low hanging trees everywhere. I couldn't imagine trying to navigate the campground in a 5th wheel or class A. You could do some rooftop damage."
Buddy sites available: Some parks offer paired sites for group camping. Lawrence P. explains, "We were staying with 2 other couples, who shared a 'buddy site' which was pretty cool! (never seen that before)."
Hookup variations: Electrical capacity differs between parks. TexasGirlOnTheRoad notes, "Clean, all the hookups you need," while other parks may offer limited or no hookups for larger rigs.
