Camping near Kerrville, Texas offers sites along the Guadalupe River with elevations ranging from 1,600 to 2,000 feet in the Texas Hill Country. Summer temperatures often exceed 95°F while winter nights can drop below freezing, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Local terrain features limestone outcroppings, cypress trees, and occasional wildlife including deer, armadillos, and various bird species.
What to do
River activities: Kerrville-Schreiner Park offers direct Guadalupe River access for swimming, fishing, and kayaking. "The Guadalupe River access for swimming, fishing, and kayaking" makes this park popular, according to Terri L., who adds that it's "a great base camp for exploring the Texas hill country."
Hiking trails: Multiple trails ranging from easy to moderate difficulty wind through local parks. At Kerrville-Schreiner Park, Kevin H. notes they have "great in-town trails" with amenities like "nice warm showers in the restrooms" for post-hike comfort.
Wildlife observation: Watch for blackbuck antelope, deer, and various birds at local parks. Jackie R. reports seeing "a deer, squirrels, and even a herd of blackbuck antelope" during her stay at Kerrville-Schreiner Park.
Disc golf: HTR TX Hill Country (formerly By the River RV Park) includes areas for disc golf among its recreational options. The park's layout allows for "plenty of space to walk the dogs" and features "lots of hiking areas for dogs along the Guadalupe River," according to Deirdre R.
What campers like
Peaceful river settings: Campsites with water views provide tranquil environments. Shirley S. from HTR TX Hill Country explains, "Our site had lovely cottonwood trees and right on the small branch of the river. Walk across small rapids and crystal clear water to another side of the park with access to the main river."
Clean facilities: Buckhorn Lake Resort maintains high standards for bathrooms and common areas. Rachel H. notes, "Two pools, one is adults only" and "Super large dog park, if you have dogs," making it appealing for various campers.
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer well-separated sites with room to relax. Jackie R. appreciated that at Kerrville-Schreiner Park, the "sites not overcrowded together," while Bret N. noted that Buckhorn Lake Resort has "top notch" sites that are "all concrete from what we could see."
Wildlife viewing: Watching turtles, birds, and deer adds to the camping experience. Marnie G. from HTR TX Hill Country loved "watching all the turtles on the branches in the water just below us" and enjoyed "the sound of the birds" which "made it almost idyllic."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Summer temperatures can reach above 95°F while winter nights may drop below 40°F. A tent camper at Texas Hill Country Resort (formerly Medina Highpoint Resort) noted that "the tent camping area is nice and quiet" with "clean bathrooms, a nice pool area and hot showers" available to tent areas.
Cell service: Reception varies significantly between campgrounds. James P. at Buckhorn Lake Resort mentioned it has "easy on/off interstate" access, "fast check in," and "level sites," but didn't note cell coverage.
Reservation requirements: Most sites fill quickly during peak seasons (March-May and September-November). Mark M. found sites at Kerrville-Schreiner Park "mostly level" with "LOTS of trees, birds," and noted the sites were "quiet."
Noise factors: Proximity to highways, airports, or entertainment areas can affect site selection. Brad E. at Kerrville-Schreiner Park advised, "We stay down by the river. The road was real close to the site that we stayed in... we will go back and stay on the upper hillside" where it's "much quieter."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ Guadalupe River offers a water park with slides, splash pads, and pools. Matt S. describes, "There is so much to do, from the water park (which is awesome), to the Guadalupe River, to the karaoke at the bar, the booze cruise around the park, the play grounds, candy bar bingo, movie night, etc."
Seasonal events: Halloween and summer activities include organized games and themed weekends. Nicole G. found Jellystone Park "great in Texas in October" with "water slides still operate on saturdays" and "with all the structured activities crowds stay small."
Playgrounds: Multiple play areas keep children entertained between outdoor adventures. Alissa D. mentions Jellystone Park has "a small arcade, a mini golf area, two bounce areas, sports areas (basketball, volleyball, horseshoes, and tetherball), two playgrounds (one with a cute little treehouse)."
Wildlife education: Look for parks with nature trails designed for children. MinnieWinnie A. recommends, "Try the rec room activities, it's a fun way to cool down when the kids have had too much sun" at Jellystone Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Kerrville KOA offers both pull-through and back-in sites with varying levels of shade. Mary T. notes, "Pull through and back in sites. Some with shade some not. It was 98 when we stopped today, but got in the shade after 5 so it helped."
Hookup availability: Full hookups available at most parks, often including 50-amp service. Norrie W. mentions that Rio Robles has "limited sites but all have full hookups and they are all pull through."
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some RV parks more than others. Mary T. observed that Kerrville KOA is "about 2 miles off the highway so pretty quiet. They have a little gas station there too."
On-site amenities: Laundry facilities, stores, and recreational options vary widely. James R. from Buckhorn Lake Resort appreciated their "huge rally room with kitchen," "clean laundry room and library," and "beautifully maintained grounds."
