Tent camping opportunities near Lockhart, Texas span a variety of settings, from riverside locations to wooded retreats. The San Marcos River provides a popular camping corridor with water temperatures that remain near 72 degrees year-round due to spring-fed origins. Most campgrounds are situated at elevations between 400-600 feet above sea level, creating relatively flat terrain suitable for tent setups.
What to do
River activities: Son's River Ranch offers tubing and kayaking trips that take about 2 hours by tube and 1 hour by kayak. Guests can purchase wristbands for unlimited river activities with shuttle service back to the campground. "We tubed and kayaked. They have a wristband you can buy for the day that is good for unlimited kayaking and tubing, we did both!" notes reviewer Karin R.
Lakeside swimming: The lake at Lost Pines Camping provides a calm alternative to river recreation. "The lake is wonderful for swimming or just sitting lakeside," according to camper Craig S. Water quality is typically best from March through October, with swimming areas marked by roped boundaries.
Island exploration: Visitors to Son's Island can experience unique tropical-style camping with private docks. Each location includes water access with swimming areas averaging 3-4 feet in depth. "Each cabana comes with its own private dock, lots of comfortable seating, electricity, water, BBQ pit, picnic table and hammock," reports one visitor.
What campers like
Privacy options: Many campgrounds offer secluded tent sites away from RV areas. At Son's Geronimo, the property provides significant creek frontage with multiple recreation options. "The property itself pretty large and has a lot of creek frontage. We kayaked, paddle boarded, swam, fished and more!" explains one camper.
Glamping alternatives: For campers seeking comfort without setup hassle, several locations offer prepared accommodations. "The glamping tent was perfect for us. It had 2 queen beds with foam mattresses, 1 twin bed, bedside table with fans and the best part: AC!" notes a visitor to Son's Guadalupe.
Unique atmosphere: CampEZ in SxSouth Austin provides an unconventional camping experience with distinctive character. "The campground is difficult to locate because there's only one gate that has the name of it on there... When you go in the gate, there are old campers that have been renovated and the greenery that spreads throughout this campground is beautiful. They have donkeys and goats," describes Lisa F.
What you should know
Reservation structures: Some properties use a two-part reservation system with separate day and night charges. At Son's Guadalupe, overnight stays typically run from 7pm-10am, with additional fees required for daytime access. "They rent everything a-la-carte, so if you plan to stay the night you need to rent a cabana or covered picnic table during the day," advises Byron R.
Availability patterns: Weekday visits generally offer lower occupancy rates and quieter conditions. Many campgrounds fill quickly on summer weekends, especially those with river access during peak tubing season (May-September).
Bathroom facilities: Bathroom quality varies significantly between properties. Son's Guadalupe provides "5 individual bathrooms up top with showers" while other locations may offer more basic facilities with limited shower options.
Tips for camping with families
AC options: For families with small children, consider AC-equipped accommodations during summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F. Several campgrounds offer air conditioned glamping tents with bedding setups. "It had 2 queen beds and 2 twin beds. The setup was perfect for our family of 6," reports one visitor.
Multi-activity properties: Look for campgrounds offering diverse recreation options within walking distance. Properties with pools, game rooms, and water access provide activities for different age groups. "They also have lots of amenities: 2 pools, 2 hot tubs, volleyball court, basketball court, game room, horseshoe pits and more," notes a camper.
Budget considerations: Plan for per-person pricing at many river campgrounds. Don's Fish Camp charges "$20 a Night per person. Children 12 and under are free," according to Nicole N. This pricing structure can significantly impact costs for larger families compared to flat-rate campgrounds.
Tips from RVers
Limited full-hookup options: Most tent-focused campgrounds near Lockhart offer limited RV amenities. When electric hookups are available, they're typically 30-amp service rather than 50-amp, requiring power management for larger rigs.
Site surface variability: RV pads at campgrounds in the region range from grass to gravel, with minimal leveling at many locations. During rainy periods (typically April-May and October), some sites may experience drainage issues that particularly affect RV camping.
Proximity considerations: North Park at Canyon Lake provides tent and RV camping with water hookups approximately 45 minutes from Lockhart. The location offers "small but clean, friendly, core of engineers campground! So no sewage but you can dump black water when you leave!" according to jody S.
