The La Grange area sits within Texas's Post Oak Savannah ecoregion, characterized by rolling terrain with elevations ranging from 300-400 feet. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 95°F from June through August, with high humidity making shade coverage essential for campers. The Colorado River runs through multiple camping areas, creating opportunities for water recreation during the region's extended warm season.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Bastrop North Shore Park offers excellent fishing from numerous piers. "Nice clean park and lake, great camping," notes one visitor, highlighting the good-sized lake with convenient access directly from the park.
Trail exploration: Bluff Creek Ranch offers well-maintained trails for outdoor enthusiasts. "This is a mountain biker's dream! Well groomed tent camping around a large pond with showers and toilets just a short walk away. Firewood and ice are complimentary!" shares one camper who appreciated the intermediate to advanced mountain biking trails.
Golf and swimming: Lockhart State Park Campground combines outdoor recreation with unique amenities. "You can golf here and swim in the public pool. The trails are surprisingly nice, even though the park itself is on the small side," mentions one visitor who enjoyed the park's 9-hole course and swimming facilities.
What campers like
Deer watching: Thousand Trails Colorado River offers abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. One camper notes, "We love it here. Right on the Colorado river plus two ponds to fish in. Lots of places to walk or ride your bikes. Management is very friendly and helpful. Their are also deer everywhere. They have off leash area for fur babies."
Secluded sites: Many campers appreciate the privacy at Lake Somerville State Park Birch Creek Unit Campground. "We loved our campsite. We were lucky to get one that already had a shelter over the table. There was plenty of room between campsites, we couldn't even see our neighbors," shared a visitor who enjoyed the secluded nature of their site.
Lakefront yurt camping: La Grange, Texas and surrounding areas offer diverse yurt camping options with water views. "This campground is one of the nicest," notes a visitor who appreciated the water access, shaded sites, and clean facilities at several parks that feature yurt accommodations.
What you should know
Weather impacts: Several parks in the region have experienced flooding and storm damage. At Lake Somerville, a visitor mentioned, "Sommerville has been wrought with flooding and hogs...both running a 'could be' beautiful landscape. Many of the rails were unusable and those available were ruined with hog wallers."
Reservation systems: Vernon L Richards Riverbend Park has a unique reservation process. "There is not a park office on the grounds to accept reservations or fees for camping. To reserve a campsite, call the City Recreation Center at 512-237-3282x7 Mon-Fri, 8:00am - 4:30pm," explains one camper who navigated the system.
Site selection: When booking at Oak Thicket Park, one camper advises, "We stayed in site 6. After walking around and viewing the other sites, we feel this is the best site around. Lots of trees great space plenty of room for multiple families. It's not waterfront but it is extremely close."
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly hiking: Bastrop State Park Campground offers accessible trails for younger hikers. "There are several miles of hiking trails, that can be done in one or two days. It just depends on how many miles you want to hike," notes a visitor who found the park suitable for family exploration.
Playground access: Stephen F. Austin State Park provides recreational facilities for children. One visitor shared, "We had an absolute blast! Since we live in Houston and my sister-in law lives in Corpus Christi, TX we all wanted to get out of the city and just enjoy nature. So glad we chose to camp here."
Bug preparation: Particularly during summer months, insect protection is essential. "Typically, and as expected, gnats were really bad at night, but mosquitos were tolerable. Just be prepared and you'll be fine," advises one Lake Somerville visitor who camped during July.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many RV sites in the region require leveling equipment. At Lockhart State Park, a visitor noted, "The sites are also not super level and our site #2 sloped back. Decent hiking trails and a creek with fish runs through the park."
Hookup options: Stephen F. Austin State Park Campground receives high marks for its utility connections. "Full hookups with 30 amps. Semi circle drive thru that fit my 44 ft motorhome and towed Jeep," reported one RVer who had a positive experience with the accommodations.
Cell connectivity: For those needing to stay connected, cell service varies by location. At Lake Somerville, one visitor reported, "We had great internet service, which is unusual for us in a state park," while others noted spotty coverage in other parks, making it worth checking specific campgrounds for connectivity if working remotely.
