Camping in the Manor area features diverse terrain from open grasslands to patches of wooded areas along the Colorado River. The region sits at approximately 500 feet above sea level and experiences high humidity during summer months, which can intensify the heat. Campers often find morning and evening activities more comfortable from June through September when daytime temperatures cool off after sunset.
What to do
Hiking through recovering forests: Bastrop State Park Campground offers unique hiking opportunities through forests recovering from wildfire damage. "The trails and views are not the greatest and some of the sites are near a highway. They have some good moderate hiking trails and some interesting historical sites," notes Steve & Ashley G., highlighting the recovery process still underway.
Water recreation at McKinney Falls: Located 15 minutes from downtown Austin, McKinney Falls provides swimming spots with varying difficulty levels. "There's a place where you can jump off the rocks into the water," explains Steph C., while another reviewer cautions about water safety: "Please be careful swimming. If you can't swim, please refrain or wear a life jacket. There have been several drownings here."
Tubing on the Colorado River: River Forest Haven offers easy tubing access right from the campground. "The tubing is great for people with children who don't necessarily want to go tubing two to four hours... Very short route but water safety should be practiced as it is very deep in some areas," according to Guillermo L.
Fishing from multiple piers: Lake Bastrop North Shore Park provides excellent fishing infrastructure. "We enjoy the fishing off of the many piers they have. The park is nice and quiet," mentions Jonathan K., making it ideal for those seeking a peaceful angling experience.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Oak Forest RV Park receives praise for its site layout. "Beautiful and peaceful RV Park with plenty of space between sites," notes Sam M., who appreciates the "multiple dog parks, hammock areas, common areas with fire pits and grills, gardens for the community."
Urban convenience with nature access: Pecan Grove RV Park's location allows campers to explore Austin while staying in nature. "Great location with access to everything we wanted. We were able to ride our bikes to Congress bridge to vote the bats, to the trails of baton creek beltway, the Barton springs pool and lots more," shares Stefanie I.
Clean, private facilities: Austin East KOA maintains excellent hygiene standards. "Bathrooms and showers were clean. The staff was so friendly and helpful and made us feel very welcome," reports a reviewer, emphasizing the attention to cleanliness that makes longer stays comfortable.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: McKinney Falls State Park offers wildlife observation possibilities. "You might see deer, raccoons, armadillos and occasionally snakes. All of the wildlife should be left undisturbed," advises Troy W., who notes the park's proximity to urban areas doesn't diminish its natural characteristics.
What you should know
Seasonal changes affect water levels: Water features vary significantly between seasons in the region. After floods at Bastrop State Park, "They are working on restoring the visitor center from after the floods," notes Emily M., indicating infrastructure improvements continue.
Road noise at some locations: Austin Lone Star RV Community sits conveniently near highways but includes some tradeoffs. "It's located along the freeway, so there is some road noise. However, at night it was pretty quiet," reports Marnie G., suggesting noise-sensitive campers should request interior sites.
Reservation requirements vary: While some campgrounds allow last-minute bookings, popular sites fill quickly. "If you can get a reservation this would be the ultimate urban RV experience in Austin. Although many of the sites are taken by long term residents," advises Steve & Ashley G. about Pecan Grove.
Summer heat demands planning: Temperature management becomes crucial during peak summer. "During our outing the temperatures reached 105F, but we were having so much fun that it really didn't matter," shares Troy W. about Lake Bastrop, emphasizing the importance of shade and water access.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming spots for different skill levels: McKinney Falls State Park Campground offers graduated swimming areas. "The water was warm, and it was perfect for new swimmers with floaties and advanced swimmers," explains Steph C., making it suitable for multi-age families.
Historical exploration opportunities: Several parks feature historical sites suitable for educational family activities. "The ruins of the homestead are definitely worth checking out if the creek is passable," recommends Emily M. about McKinney Falls State Park.
Child-friendly tubing options: Shorter tubing routes work well for families with young children. River Forest Haven provides manageable water recreation as "The tubing is great for people with children who don't necessarily want to go tubing two to four hours," according to Guillermo L.
Playgrounds and recreational facilities: Multiple campgrounds include dedicated children's areas. Bastrop State Park features "a children's playground and a nice swimming pool," notes Steve & Ashley G., providing entertainment options beyond hiking and water activities.
Tips from RVers
Varying site levelness: Colinas RV Park provides spacious sites though some preparation may be needed. "Colinas RV Park is a pretty simple place, nothing fancy, but it's clean and quiet and the sites are very large," mentions rspillers84, noting the large sites accommodate bigger rigs comfortably.
Tree coverage considerations: Oak Forest RV Park offers shade but requires careful navigation. "Landscape company works here once weekly. High volume of guests really require more than once per week trash removal," notes Tammee P., suggesting weekday arrivals might access cleaner facilities.
Utility reliability varies: During extreme weather, infrastructure may be affected. "We experienced the Austin winter storm 2021 and although we were without water hookup for 1 week we never lost power," shares an Oak Forest RV Park visitor, highlighting the importance of emergency preparation.
Arrival timing matters: Some parks have specific check-in procedures. "If you arrive late, there is a self paying station that's available 24 hours 7 days a week," advises Troy W. about Lake Bastrop North Shore Park, ensuring late arrivals can still access facilities.
