Tent camping near Manor, Texas provides access to diverse landscapes within central Texas, from oak-dotted hills to riverside settings. With summer temperatures frequently exceeding 95°F between June and September, choosing shaded sites becomes crucial for comfort. Winter camping from November through February offers more moderate temperatures, with lows sometimes dropping into the 30s.
What to do
Swimming access: 20-minute drive from campsite: Lost Pines Camping offers direct water access, with campers noting "The lake is wonderful for swimming or just sitting lakeside" during warmer months.
Horseback riding: Available at select parks: Shaffer Bend Recreation Area accommodates equestrians with dedicated facilities. According to one camper, "The camps are clean. Most are equipped with a picnic table and fire ring. In the large camp area, some have BBQ pits with a couple big communal grill/smoker. The same area has a horse pen as well if you're an equestrian enthusiast."
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk opportunities: Several campgrounds near Manor provide excellent wildlife spotting. As one visitor to Grelle - Lake Travis noted, "There were lots of deer, really neat to look at. The deer didn't even seem bothered by us."
What campers like
Secluded tent sites away from RVs: While many parks accommodate both RVs and tent campers, several offer tent-only areas. One camper highlighted Turkey Bend's layout: "Around the corner, I think the sites were 25-29, they were better spaced very wooded."
Natural swimming holes: Colorado RiverBend Retreat provides direct river access. A visitor reported, "Right by the river - easy to fish or spend time in the multiple hammocks. The hosts are so friendly and helpful."
Stargazing opportunities on clear nights: The relative distance from urban light pollution allows for impressive night skies. One camper at Turkey Bend shared, "It was delightful to sit in the water of lake Travis and watch the stars on a warm texas summer night."
What you should know
Water level fluctuations affect swimming access: Lake levels can change significantly throughout the year. A Shaffer Bend camper advised, "Be mindful that Lake Travis is not a constant level lake and this is a narrow and shallow part of the lake. There is a chance of low water levels."
Wildlife encounters are common: Turkey Bend Recreation Area and other sites host various wildlife. As one camper experienced, "We saw about a 5 ft rattlesnake. Overall a great place!"
Noise levels vary by proximity to popular sites: Some campgrounds experience weekend noise. A Turkey Bend camper noted, "We could hear folks down the hill being loud all night since it was kind of echo-y, but was able to mostly ignore it."
Tips for camping with families
Look for sites with adequate shade: Texas heat makes tree cover essential. A camper at Russell Park noted, "Not every site works for hammock camping, as some lack trees the required distance apart."
Choose campgrounds with beach access: Sandy shorelines provide safer water entry for children. One visitor to Shaffer Bend shared, "The site we had was walking distance to the sandy beach of lake Travis. Great fishing and the sand carrier up so it's a soft bedding for the evening."
Plan for bathroom access: Facilities vary significantly between campgrounds. A Russell Park visitor reported, "Men's restroom was decently clean, shower worked well. If you want a spotless bathroom, hike over to the underused day use area."
Tips from RVers
Reserve spots early for weekends: Particularly at CampEZ in SxSouth Austin, which fills quickly due to its proximity to the city. A camper described it as "difficult to locate because there's only one gate that has the name of it on there so keep that in mind. When you go in the gate, there are old campers that have been renovated and the greenery that spreads throughout this campground is beautiful."
Check for generator restrictions: Some campgrounds near Manor restrict generator use during certain hours or entirely. A frequent visitor at Covenant Canyon noted its appeal is partly because "It's not a party park. We like it quite and clean."
Consider site spacing for comfort: Some parks offer more privacy than others. As one CampEZ visitor noted, "The campground is sparsely populated during the week and can be found completely empty regularly. Expect the campground to be filled up during the weekends though."
