The Hill Country region surrounding Mountain Home, Texas sits at elevations between 1,700 and 2,100 feet, creating milder summer temperatures compared to other parts of Texas. Camping options span from riverside locations along the Guadalupe River to oak-shaded sites that provide natural cooling. Most campgrounds maintain year-round operation, though fall and spring offer the most comfortable weather conditions.
What to do
River activities: Enjoy the crystal-clear waters at HTR TX Hill Country where campers can access multiple water features. The property features both the main river for canoeing and kayaking plus smaller water areas. "We arrived after hours and without reservations on a Thursday evening in early October. We were able to secure a spot through the bartender at Wild Ass Hey Barn, which is on site and the location of the bathroom/showers. We were the only tent campers and were told to just set up on the grass by the river," reports camper Leesa.
Bird watching: Visit the bird blinds at South Llano River State Park Campground to observe seasonal migrants and local species. The park maintains stocked feeders to attract diverse bird species. "The park maintains several of the most luxurious bird blinds with stocked feeders so that you can enjoy many different species all in one place. We added a few new birds to our list," notes reviewer Shari G.
Hiking options: Explore well-maintained trails suitable for various skill levels. Lost Maples State Natural Area offers both difficult and easier routes. "There are basically two loops - an East Trail and a West Trail and each covers about 4-5 miles. It is completely possible to hike all the trails (about 12 miles) in a single day, but I prefer to hike and appreciate the natural features that can be found throughout the park," explains Troy W.
What campers like
Waterfront access: Campsites directly adjacent to water provide both recreational opportunities and pleasant ambient sounds. "I tent camped for several days here. The staff are helpful, bathrooms are super clean with soap, decent water pressure and everything is so well kept. I was thoroughly impressed and will be back to try the other sites. I stayed at turtle falls. It was so peaceful listening to the water all night," shares Julia W. about her experience at HTR TX Hill Country.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple species can be spotted within campground boundaries. South Llano River State Park is particularly known for its diverse wildlife population. "We saw a deer, squirrels, and even a herd of blackbuck antelope. Our particular site was number 121 and it had a feral cat shelter, which we saw several of the cats and one caretaker stop by," reports Jackie R. about Kerrville-Schreiner Park.
Dark skies: The area offers excellent stargazing opportunities away from major light pollution. South Llano River State Park provides particularly good conditions for astronomy. "We spent two nights here. Lots of great hiking trails. We were in space 57 which was at the very end of the loop of the park and there were several Axis deer that ran by our campsite in the evenings. Also saw a gray fox... Did get bit by no see ums. Poor Verizon coverage," reports Lisa M.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Fall brings color changes but requires advance planning. Lost Maples State Natural Area becomes extremely busy during autumn leaf season. "Lost Maples is a great place to see the colors of Fall. In order to get a fall reservation, I booked nearly a year in advance," advises Skip C., highlighting the need for early reservations.
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds have limited or no connectivity. "The only drawback, is that its in a complete deadzone for cellular. I had absolutely zero service on my cellphone, antenna TV, or wifi/4g. Be prepared for emergencies if you hike the trails," cautions Matt S. about Lost Maples State Natural Area Campground.
Site leveling issues: Some RV sites require significant adjustment. "Gated campground, lots of wildlife, awesome. Site was very small and very unlevel to the point no way to use levelers. Very close to other RVs. Nice owner, very pleased with that," reports Victoria G. about her stay at Cowboys and Angels RV Park and Cabins.
Tips for camping with families
Water park options: Consider Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ Guadalupe River for dedicated children's activities and water features. The park offers structured programming specifically designed for younger campers. "For water attractions there is a small water park with big slides, a fun water zone for the smaller kids, and a couple of regular pools, plus one indoor pool. There's also a small arcade, a mini golf area, two bounce areas, sports areas (basketball, volleyball, horseshoes, and tetherball), two playgrounds," details Alissa D.
Animal interaction opportunities: Choose campgrounds with farm animals for added entertainment. Some properties feature mini livestock that children can observe or feed. "There are goats and mini horses you can feed so our kids loved that. Fun playground for kids, too! We'll definitely be going back," shares Opal C. about Johnson Creek RV Resort & Park.
Tent-only sections: Request designated tent camping areas for separation from RV traffic. At some locations, tent campers have dedicated waterfront access. "The regular tent sites are lined up along the river and had water. They were pretty close to each other, but right on the water in a tent only area. RV sites are farther inland and separate from the tent sites," explains Leesa about HTR TX Hill Country.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose back-in sites at certain campgrounds for additional outdoor space. Johnson Creek RV Resort offers particular benefits for certain site configurations. "If you have pets getting a back-in site may give you more room to let them move around if tethered to your camper during some outside time," advises Opal C.
Premium site benefits: Consider investing in premium sites for improved views and access. HTR TX Hill Country offers upgraded options that many find worthwhile. "My husband and I stayed here over labour day weekend and we really enjoyed the place. Our site was a premium waterfront (worth every penny), the view was lovely, we had coffee and watched the ducks every morning," shares Carol-anne E.
Site surface considerations: Note campgrounds with concrete pads for easier setup. Buckhorn Lake Resort offers particularly well-constructed sites. "We stopped here for an overnight and wished we had stayed longer. The sites are top notch and are all concrete from what we could see. This park is highly maintained and everything we saw or touched showed that the owners took pride in their business," reports Bret N.
