Riverside camping dominates the New Braunfels landscape, with multiple established campgrounds offering direct access to the Guadalupe River. The region includes over a dozen developed campgrounds like Camp Huaco Springs, KL Ranch Camp Cliffside, and Lazy L & L Campground, all situated along riverfront property within 20 miles of downtown. Accommodation options range from basic tent sites to full-service RV hookups, with several properties including cabin rentals and glamping alternatives. Most campgrounds provide electricity, water hookups, and sanitary dumps for recreational vehicles, while also maintaining designated tent camping areas with picnic tables and fire rings.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact availability throughout the area, particularly during summer months when river activities draw crowds. Reservations become essential during warm weather weekends, with many campgrounds reaching capacity quickly. The river-centric nature of camping means water levels can affect the camping experience depending on upstream dam releases and recent rainfall. Facilities vary widely among properties, with some offering complete amenities including showers, restrooms and camp stores, while others provide more basic services. Road access generally requires no special vehicles, with most campgrounds easily accessible from main thoroughfares. According to one visitor, "The real reason to visit this campground is the quick and easy access to both the town and the river. You can walk or drive to restaurants, grocery stores, banks, etc."
Waterfront sites receive consistently high ratings from campers seeking direct river access for tubing, swimming and fishing. Many campgrounds offer tube rentals and shuttle services that transport guests upstream to float back to their campsites. Shaded camping areas are highly sought after, especially during hot summer months, with several reviews mentioning the importance of site selection for shade coverage. Noise levels can vary significantly, with riverside campgrounds along River Road experiencing motorcycle and weekend traffic. One camper noted, "If you want quiet look elsewhere, right on river road and motorcycles ride up and down!" Most campgrounds maintain moderate to good bathroom and shower facilities, though some reviews indicate facilities at certain locations could use updating. Proximity to New Braunfels provides convenient access to grocery stores, restaurants, and attractions like Schlitterbahn Waterpark.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
$26 - $35 / night
"This campground feels super secluded away from the bustle of town, but is an easy 30-40 mins drive into New Braunfels/San Antonio. I’d recommend picking up food at the H‑E‑B on they way in."
"Very Spacious and away from neighbors. AT&T and T-Mobile coverage. Picnic Table was the best design. It had a tin roof for shading. Lots of deer to watch in the morning and evenings. "
$40 - $50 / night
"I would give this place 5 stars except due to the location next to the river, the country road runs right next to the camp grounds. Lots of noisy motorcycle traffic all night."
"There are power outlets at these walk in camp sites. When I say walk in, I mean that you park and then walk about 10 yards to your site. So those are both convenient."
"Great location close to the river"
"Took a walk through the campgrounds and wow!!!! Clean, organized, super maintained!!!"
"The staff was extremely helpful l, even notice them assisting the RV next to us with their AC issues. Very well maintained and we had an amazing view of the Guadalupe River."
"Beautiful views of the Guadalupe River, clean and safe property, direct access to the river, and an easy drive to historic Downtown Greune."
"A great location near, Canyon Lake.and tubing on the river The first bar licensed in1933 , after prohibition, RYLIE’s is close by with big name musicians."
"These sites are close to the game/ pool area.
Some construction on the grounds, looks like they are adding more cabins and teepee sites."
$57 - $373 / night
"This is a well maintained Jellystone park located in New Braunfels, TX. We have gone twice and had a blast each time. "
"Walking distance to river and other activities. Short walk to restrooms and showers. Water and power available on both sites."
$45 - $50 / night
"They also have rules about flags so you really can get away from the pace of the world. Between the trees and the small fall crowd, it was soooo quiet. Everyone seemed to sleep in just a little."
"The river access is Overlooking a canyon wall, with ducks and deer roaming and a huge yard of grass all the way down to the waters edge. White lights illuminate it at night."
$28 / night
"All of them are walking distance from the river where there are good places to get in as well as trails all around to see the beautiful Texas Hills Country."
"There is no better late spring to early summer activity than getting good float down one of the rivers of Texas. "
"Near the town of New Braunfels there are a number of RV parks and campgrounds that can accommodate just about any need."
"A quaint RV resort right off of Walnut street near the heart of New Braunfels, TX with lots of amenities on-site. The pool is open year-round & heated to 90 degrees in the winter time."
$30 - $650 / night
"We loved the quiet and peace of this RV Resort nestled in Texas Hill Country. The Park: they have a large pool area with cafe and snacks."
"River access is down a series of steps. Water is beautifully shallow and slow moving. Office store staff are sweet and friendly. Buy camp necessities, souvenirs, rent tubes for the river."
RangerWasn't impressed with this campground after pulling in my thirty two foot.R v there's nowhere to park with my f two fifty super duty. I went to take a shower.There was only one shower the other one was broken and it didn't have any hot water.He wanted to shower.Yeah take a freezing cold one.
ScoutStork RV Park is very quiet, clean, and well maintained. The on-site property managers are efficient, friendly, and helpful.
TravelerFirefly Fly Resort is under new management and has made tremendous improvements to the property. The new Phase 3 has opened and has a new clubhouse and a new adult pool (Memorial to Labor Day adults only-the rest of the year open to all), large hot soaking tub, there’s also a second pool at the original clubhouse that has a shallow family section and adult section, new pickleball courts and a new 9-hole putting course, and a new walking path. We stayed at site#361 which we booked on Airbnb directly with the owner, and enjoyed the covered pergola with hill country views! The site had a huge outdoor TV, propane fireplace, comfortable cushioned chairs, a granite prep/serving counter, gas grill and dining table. We watched the sunrise from the site every morning! A perfect stay! The new official website is - www.fireflyhillcountry.com or call 830-999-2694 or email reservations@staytexas.com Or to book site 361 directly with the owner on Airbnb https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1689166622240134560?unique_share_id=af8278b9-b966-4e0f-aa22-45578fec4799&viralityEntryPoint=1&s=76
ScoutI've camped there twice in the spring of 2026 and enjoyed my stay. Both times camped in the primitive sites which are located in the back along a single lane dirt road / trail. You can get a car to each site, but it can be narrow at spots. The sites only have a fire ring and a kinda level spot to pitch a tent. No water or electric and the Wi-Fi does not reach to this part of the property. AT&T cell coverage is also very weak in this area. Everything works great if you walk up to the community area. The kitchen area is great, the 4 shower rooms are clean with hot water and is your private bath when you use it. I tent camped off my motorcycle and the other time was rainy so I car camped out of my 4Runner. A short walk to the front of the property got me Wi-Fi, cellular, kitchen, bathroom, and chairs to hang out in. The sites at the front are much more expensive, so I enjoyed the lower priced primitive sites.
ScoutI have been here for seven months. Hookups and gravel site was good. Could use more weed and ant control. The amenities are great. Pool, hot tub, community area were all new and well maintained. Showers were awesome. Large private showers with plenty of hooks and place to sit. Sink and plenty of counter space. Always clean stocked. Thank you Elaine. Entire staff was attentive and engaging. Corrie, Daniel and everyone were great. Thank you. The hot tub was often used by inconsiderate families that turned it into a kiddie pool. It needs to be better managed.
LegendWe choose this due to proximity to the airport where my wife needed to fly out (5 minute drive). Great spots that are well spaced. Loved the bike trails and hiking.
TravelerNice site at back of lot near walking path. Unfortunately lots of traffic noise even at back of lot due to an interstate nearby (not road in front). Did laundry- good facilities- need quarters. Decided to sit in lounge next door and read. Well a family came in with several children who were loud and running around- then they left the children there by themselves!!! (5, 6 years old) I finally had to use my teacher voice and tell them to quiet down and stop running around. This lounge should be labeled for adults- there are plenty of other spaces for children. My biggest disappointment was there was no hot water in the shower. KOA's are expensive ($100)- how can you not have hot water for the shower!!!! (and yes, I let it run for a long time).They also had nowhere that you could park your RV to take the bus into town (We were leaving that afternoon but with checkout so early we would not get back in time) so we had to drive the RV to the Alamo. There was absolutely NO RV parking downtown.
ScoutFull hookups, welcoming, helpful and friendly staff. Plenty of grassy dog walking areas. Easy access poop bags and trash. Close to hiking.
GuideThis anomaly of an RV park is right in the heart of Austin. Walking to downtown is just over a mile and the views on the bridge across the river is beautiful day and night. Don’t expect your average campground. It definitely has its own charm. Staff were very kind and accommodating! Bathrooms are decent enough, hot showers and a place to do laundry. The campground is also a gated community and we felt very safe. Only stayed 2 nights, but look forward to coming back as there is so much to do in Austin — we hit 2nd street, 6th street and South congress. Plus, there are restaurants, coffee shops, and a cute lil convenience store close by too.
Happy Exploring! 😊
Along the banks of the Guadalupe and Comal Rivers, camping in New Braunfels offers year-round opportunities in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b, where winter temperatures rarely drop below 20°F. Within 20 miles of downtown, campers can access both riverfront tent camping and full-service RV sites at various elevations ranging from 600-900 feet. Canyon Lake's clear waters and limestone cliffs create distinct camping experiences compared to the more developed riverfront properties closer to town.
Paddle sports access: Canyon Lake offers calm water recreation with easy launches for kayaks and paddleboards. At Rio Guadalupe Resort & RV Park, "We paddle boarded upstream about a mile. We had the river almost to ourselves in mid September," notes Becky B., who appreciated the "large boulders down near the river area. Perfect spot to sit with my coffee in the morning."
Natural swimming holes: The Guadalupe River features unique swimming spots beyond the main float sections. At Guadalupe River RV Park and Campgrounds, "Mid November and swimming was still fun. The next morning was 10 degrees so a whole different experience," shares Patrick H., highlighting the year-round swimming possibilities.
Live music venues: Many riverside campgrounds host regular performances. At Mystic Quarry, "The Friday night concert was wonderful. The owners were on the property, present and involved," according to Deirdre R., while Lazy L & L Campground features "live music and dance on the weekends after Memorial Day," according to Erik H.
Multi-generational activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Canyon Lake offers numerous family-friendly options. "They have so many activities such as paintball, laser tag and a pond and much more. The pond is stocked full with bass and bluegill and you can catch 10 fish in 10 minutes," explains Tripler S. Another camper adds, "Great family camping. Like all jelly stones they have all the ammonites. It's very clean lots of traffic."
Well-maintained dog facilities: Pet owners appreciate designated areas at several campgrounds. At Mystic Quarry, "We used the dog park quite a bit and it was very clean. Water close by and fenced off nicely with two areas," mentions Karen B. Similarly, Summit Vacation Resort offers a "Good sized shady fenced in dog park in the back with a picnic table," according to Levi B.
Diverse accommodation options: Beyond standard camping, many properties offer unique lodging. Cranes Mill Park earns consistent praise for site quality. "All hookups. A very nice experience!" reports Len L., while Mia D. adds, "The sites are well maintained. They aren't all level but compared to other campgrounds they are pretty even. Loved the extra parking spot for our truck."
Water level considerations: River depth varies significantly by season and dam releases. "The water level of Canyon Lake was down so access to the water wasn't real easy. once in the water it was great floating in a tube," notes Barb M. at Guadalupe River State Park. At Rio Guadalupe Resort, Kelly T. mentions there's "no safe river access. You must hike down to river but soo worth it when u make it down."
Traffic and noise variations: Landa RV Park & Campground has "Train tracks run right past park so be prepared for train noise at all hours," according to John H. At Rio Guadalupe Resort, Becky B. explains, "It was beautiful! The river access is Overlooking a canyon wall, with ducks and deer roaming and a huge yard of grass all the way down to the waters edge. White lights illuminate it at night."
Access challenges for larger vehicles: Several campgrounds have navigation difficulties. At Mystic Quarry, Karen B. notes, "Some construction on the grounds, looks like they are adding more cabins and teepee sites." For Rio Guadalupe Resort, Kelly T. warns, "If you have a huge camper I would use caution. The roads getting in and out of the place have restrictions and the trees hang very low on the narrow roads. Not meant for more than double axle."
Water safety preparation: Ensure children have proper flotation devices for river activities. At Camp Huaco Springs, Michael J. advises, "Beautiful scenery and easy access to the river. Roads are very rough though so make sure you have a high clearance vehicle." Consider water shoes for rocky river bottoms and shorelines.
Park ranger programs: Children can earn junior ranger badges through educational activities. "We worked with the park Ranger program and my son was awarded a Ranger Badge," shares Patrick H. about Guadalupe River State Park, adding it was "One of the first camping trips I had with my son."
On-site entertainment options: Many campgrounds provide structured activities. At Jellystone Park, Ashley C. reports, "Each weekend they have planned activities for the kiddos. Most of these activities occur on Saturday. Our weekend was Carnival Games and Halloween. The carnival was cute little games set up for the kids to play with candy as prizes."
Site selection strategy: For larger RVs, research specific sites before booking. At Summit Vacation Resort, visitors note "Sites are relatively level & gravel," while Laura H. adds, "Gravel and mostly level, very few sites were unlevel. You're surrounded by hills so it is nice and quiet."
Power and hookup placement: Bring extra-length hoses and cords. At KL Ranch Camp Cliffside, Javier C. mentions, "We had an amazing view of the Guadalupe River. Wish they had an RV pad because there was a lot of mud around us." At Rio Guadalupe Resort, Kelly T. notes, "The sites were confusing as stated back in but connections were on opposite side of our pop up camper making stretching hoses a hassle."
Off-season advantages: Winter camping offers quieter experiences at the best places to camp near New Braunfels. Cranes Mill Park visitor Jeff H. reports, "The campground feels super secluded away from the bustle of town, but is an easy 30-40 mins drive into New Braunfels/San Antonio." Simon N. adds about Rio Guadalupe Resort, "We love this place! One great part is that the pads alternate directions, so you can camp with your friends instead of with their sewer connections."
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tent camping available in New Braunfels?
Yes, tent camping is readily available in New Braunfels. River Road Camp offers tent sites with water and electrical hookups in a small family-operated setting. Many sites are located right along the riverbank, providing easy water access. Double Rockin' R Campground also accommodates tent campers along the Guadalupe River with basic amenities. Other options include KL Ranch Camp Cliffside (busier on weekends and during summer) and Mountain Breeze Campground, which provides dedicated tent camping areas. For a more natural setting away from town, Cranes Mill Park on Canyon Lake offers tent sites in a secluded environment about 30-40 minutes from New Braunfels.
What amenities are available at Camp Huaco Springs in New Braunfels?
Camp Huaco Springs in New Braunfels offers riverside camping with convenient access to the Guadalupe River for tubing, swimming, and fishing. The campground provides water and electric hookups for both RVs and tent campers. Basic amenities include restrooms with showers, picnic tables, and fire rings at most sites. The grounds feature shaded areas from mature trees, though some sites have more sun exposure. During peak summer season, the campground offers tube rentals and shuttle service for river activities. While not as feature-rich as Lazy L & L Campground or Rio Guadalupe Resort & RV Park, Camp Huaco Springs focuses on providing a straightforward, river-oriented camping experience in a convenient location.
Where are the best campgrounds in New Braunfels, Texas?
New Braunfels offers excellent camping options for all preferences. Mountain Breeze Campground is a popular choice with RV sites, cabins, and tent camping along with river access, volleyball courts, and tube rentals with shuttle service. For families with children, Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Canyon Lake provides well-maintained facilities including splash pads, water slides, a bounce pad, and an indoor pool - perfect for summer fun. Other quality options include Landa RV Park & Campground in town (convenient to grocery stores), River Road Camp with riverside sites, and the peaceful Cranes Mill Park on Canyon Lake, which offers spacious sites and excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.
Are there any free camping options in New Braunfels, TX?
Free camping options are extremely limited in the immediate New Braunfels area. Most campgrounds like KL Ranch Camp Cliffside and Stone Creek RV Park charge admission fees. For budget options, consider Cranes Mill Park on Canyon Lake, which offers more affordable camping compared to private resorts while still providing amenities like picnic tables with shade covers. For truly free camping, you'd need to venture further from New Braunfels to public lands. Some Walmart locations may allow overnight parking for self-contained RVs (always ask permission first). Another approach is to look for camping deals during off-season periods (winter months), when parks like KL Ranch Camp offer reduced rates due to lower visitor numbers.
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