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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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."
What you should know
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."
Tips for camping with families
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."
Tips from RVers
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."
