Campsites near Lakeway sit in the Hill Country terrain of central Texas, characterized by limestone cliffs, juniper trees, and elevations ranging from 800-1,200 feet. Summer temperatures frequently reach triple digits while winter nights can drop below freezing. The region experiences flash flooding risks during spring and fall storm systems, creating rapidly changing water conditions at camping areas along Lake Travis.
What to do
Water activities at Pace Bend Park: Visitors access multiple swimming spots and cliff jumping opportunities around the 9-mile shoreline. "The lake is clean, cool and deep! Tons of primitive camping and most sites have a table and a grill...and PRIVACY!" notes Jenny R., who appreciates the proximity to Austin.
Explore historical sites: McKinney Falls State Park contains ruins of an early Texas homestead accessible via hiking trails when water levels permit. "The ruins of the homestead are definitely worth checking out if the creek is passable," advises Emily M., who also mentions the park's volcanic rock formations.
Off-leash dog trails: Emma Long Metropolitan Park offers designated off-leash areas for pets to explore. "The dog trails though are off leash and awesome!" reports Chelsea O., making this an excellent option for active dogs needing exercise beyond regular campsite walks.
Butterfly garden visit: Krause Springs features a tranquil butterfly garden perfect for relaxation. "Beautiful Butterfly garden great for yoga, reading or enjoying the mind of a gardener," shares Lisa B., who appreciates this unique feature among the property's 30 acres.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Arkansas Bend offers exceptionally level camping pads. "We were very surprised at how level our gravel campsite was. It made setup a breeze. The loop makes backing into your spot easy," explains Lauren Z., who enjoyed the park's hiking trails and playground.
Privacy between campsites: Pedernales Falls State Park Campground provides well-separated sites with natural buffers. "The camp ground is wonderful. Very spread out and wooded for privacy between the campsites. Hook ups for both water and electricity, if needed," says Kaitlyn M., who found the dog-friendly atmosphere particularly welcoming.
Swimming holes: Natural water features attract campers during hot months. "There's an extinct volcano nearby called Pilot Knob. That accounts for the flat rock near the main falls," explains Emily M. about McKinney Falls, adding "Please be careful swimming. If you can't swim, please refrain or wear a life jacket."
Urban access with nature benefits: Pecan Grove RV Park combines city convenience with shade trees. "This is a cool urban RV park in the heart of Austin Texas. The park is located along Barton Springs road in the coolest part of town. It's next to a brewery, food trucks, and great pubs," Steve & Ashley G. explain about this centrally-located option.
What you should know
Flash flood risk: Pedernales Falls requires weather vigilance. "Made me aware of how serious flash flooding is here. Respect weather warnings!" warns Faith S., based on personal experience at this otherwise popular destination.
Road conditions: Some parks have challenging access roads. "GPS will take you on the motorcycle routes but keep going straight past the Emma Long Sign for better roads for RV driving," advises Rylan Heath B. about navigating to Emma Long Metropolitan Park.
Shower facilities vary widely: McKinney Falls State Park Campground offers full shower buildings while Emma Long provides only cold, open-air facilities. "If you are relying on the showers, be aware that they are cold water and open air," cautions Kenneth H. about Emma Long's primitive shower setup.
Reservation requirements: Most Lakeway area parks require advance booking during peak seasons (March-October). "We stayed at Pace Bend every time we go rock climbing in Austin. The campsites are private and there are always sites available," notes Katie B., though availability changes seasonally.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Arkansas Bend features renovated play equipment suitable for various ages. "Great playground fir the kids and several miles of hiking trails," notes Jacob C., highlighting the family-friendly amenities following recent renovations.
Swimming safety: Natural water features require supervision. "The swimming is great, there plenty of spots to fish, and it isn't very hard to get to at all," Sam D. says about Arkansas Bend, though parents should note that natural swimming areas lack lifeguards.
Educational opportunities: Austin Lone Star RV Community provides convenient access to Austin's museums and learning centers. "This rv resort plays up the RESORT aspect. It's near perfect. There are bath houses, a pool, and even a playground for kids," writes Joana A., emphasizing amenities that support family camping.
Wildlife viewing with precautions: Primitive sites often feature wildlife encounters. "Beware of cayotes and curious deer," cautions Jimmy R. about Pedernales Falls' backcountry sites, reminding families to secure food properly during overnight stays.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for heat management: Choose shaded sites during summer months to reduce air conditioning needs. "Sites are gravel (a little unlevel due to the slight hills) but perfectly spaced with full hook up," notes Joana A. about Austin Lone Star RV Resort's layout.
Low clearance awareness: Some campgrounds have tree canopy challenges. "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," warns Brandi W. about Krause Springs' access roads.
Water pressure considerations: La Hacienda RV Resort provides consistent utility connections. "The site was clean, beautiful, and working perfectly. Staff and amenities were wonderful," reports Benjamin B., though he recommends earplugs for weekend stays due to nearby music venues.
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