Cabin rentals near Lago Vista occupy the northwestern shores of Lake Travis, approximately 35 miles from downtown Austin. The area sits at an elevation between 750-950 feet in Texas Hill Country terrain characterized by limestone cliffs and juniper woodlands. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 95°F while winter lows can drop to the 30s, making cabin accommodations particularly valuable during temperature extremes.
What to do
Cliff jumping at Pace Bend Park: Located on a peninsula extending into Lake Travis, the park offers dedicated cliff jumping spots with lake depths suitable for safe landing. "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 a visitor to Pace Bend Park - Lake Travis.
Explore limestone caves: The area features several limestone cave systems within short driving distance from cabin accommodations. "We went mountain biking in shorts the first day and a backpack training hike the next. Nice trails. Flush toilets and shower are locked and you get the access number when you register," reports a winter visitor to Pace Bend Park.
Night fishing: Several lakeside cabins provide access to night fishing opportunities with lighted docks. "There are lots of sites and some space between them. Nice swimming, hiking, and biking, so there is a lot to do," mentions a camper at McKinney Falls State Park Campground.
Rock scrambling and river exploration: The limestone terrain creates natural climbing and exploration opportunities along waterways. "Lots of hiking trails here. Good swimming. The falls are pretty. You can walk upriver from the falls, bouldering for quite a long way. Classic hill country terrain," describes a visitor at Pedernales Falls State Park Campground.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many cabin rentals near Lago Vista offer good separation from neighboring sites. "The camp ground is wonderful. Very spread out and wooded for privacy between the campsites. Hook ups for both water and electricity, if needed. Extremely dog friendly!" notes a visitor at Inks Lake State Park Campground.
Reliable cell service: Unlike more remote areas, most cabin accommodations maintain reasonable cellular connectivity. "This is a beautiful park with tons of activities and things to do. People are extremely friendly, sites were well maintained though site number 82 was a little narrow," reports a recent Inks Lake camper.
Early morning wildlife viewing: Dawn offers opportunities to spot deer, armadillos, and diverse bird species around cabin sites. "The lake is clean, cool and deep! Tons of primitive camping and most sites have a table and a grill...and PRIVACY! I've been going there practically all my adult life," shares a regular visitor to Pace Bend Park.
Accessible water features: Many cabins provide direct access to swimming areas suitable for various skill levels. "Great time! Big camping sites, great for large groups! The park ranger are awesome! Going in the summer is a must, the water is the right tempter for swimming or boating," explains a visitor at Pace Bend Park.
What you should know
Flash flood awareness: The limestone terrain channels water quickly during storms, creating rapid rise situations in camping areas near water. "This park has always been a favorite central texas spot to go to. Made me aware of how serious flash flooding is here. Respect weather warnings!" cautions a visitor at Pedernales Falls State Park.
Reservation timing requirements: Cabin accommodations typically require booking 2-6 months in advance, particularly for weekend stays from March through October. "Stayed for a week in December. Traveling with a 40' Class A RV. Getting in and out of the park was smooth for the most part just watch some overhanging limbs," notes a winter visitor to McKinney Falls State Park.
Water access challenges: Not all cabin rentals advertised as "lakefront" offer direct water access due to fluctuating lake levels and steep terrain. "We were graciously greeted by a neighbor who shared a few local favorites for biking, water access & historic gems. Shouldn't the office make that available?" questions a visitor at Hill Country Lakes RV Campground.
Noise considerations: Several cabin rental areas experience amplified sound from nearby venues, particularly on weekends. "Bring earplugs if you are a light sleeper. We stayed Friday and Saturday nights and the music venue across the road had a band playing outside from 8-11p," advises a visitor to La Hacienda RV Resort & Cottages.
Tips for camping with families
Water safety precautions: Many swimming areas feature natural rock formations that become slippery when wet. "The main falls starts by flowing into a topside traditional pool down to a natural pool below. There's a small cave behind it. I recommend using a headlamp to check it out. There have been snake sightings," notes a visitor at Krause Springs.
Early arrival timing: Family cabin sites fill quickly during peak periods, making early arrival (1-3pm) advantageous for securing preferred spots. "The sites are far apart with trees and shrubs surrounding them," observes a McKinney Falls visitor.
Off-peak booking advantages: Consider cabin camping during weekdays or September-February for significantly reduced crowds. "Stayed here on Monday, December 21 (winter solstice) 2020. There were only four other campsites taken. It was very quiet," reports a Pace Bend Park visitor.
Access to flush toilets: Families with young children often prefer cabin locations with access to modern restroom facilities. "The park has some of the nicest restroom/showers and everything is always clean," mentions a visitor to Pedernales Falls State Park.
Tips from RVers
Low clearance awareness: Several cabin and RV areas have overhanging branches that may contact taller vehicles. "Getting in and out of the park was smooth for the most part just watch some overhanging limbs," advises a McKinney Falls camper with a 40' Class A RV.
Site leveling challenges: Many cabin and RV sites in the Hill Country feature natural slopes requiring leveling equipment. "SITES ARE CLEAN BUT A BIT CHALLENGING TO BACK INTO, INCLINE AND COULD BE BIGGER. NO PULL THROUGHS," notes an RV camper at Inks Lake State Park.
Water pressure variations: RVers connecting to cabin area utilities often report significant pressure fluctuations. "The facilities are modern, clean and offer many amenities. And the people that I talked to that were staying at the park seemed to be friendly and happy with their choice of facilities," observes a visitor to La Hacienda RV Resort.
Small campground road navigation: Roads between cabin sites may require careful navigation for larger vehicles. "We stayed overnight to shakedown our new to us popup camper. Cozy place, awesome community fire pit and super friendly owners/staff. Nice clean amenities," reports a visitor at Hill Country Lakes RV Campground.
