Lake Belton and surrounding waterways near Salado, Texas offer camping options across 136 miles of shoreline. The area maintains relatively mild winter temperatures, with daytime highs typically ranging from 50-60°F December through February. Glamping in Salado, Texas provides access to water recreation within Central Texas' post oak savannah ecosystem.
What to do
Hiking the Good Water Loop: Cedar Breaks Park sits along the 26.2-mile San Gabriel River Trail that circles Lake Georgetown. "The trail passes through forests, grasslands, over some small hills and across a few tributaries. I'd say that 40% of the trail has some tree coverage, but 60% is exposed," notes a Cedar Breaks Park visitor.
Fishing for crappie: Granger Lake is known for specific fish species. A visitor to Wilson H Fox states, "You wonder what this lake is best for fishing - it's crappie." Local fishing regulations apply, and Texas fishing licenses are required for anyone 17 and older.
Mountain biking: Some parks maintain dedicated biking trails. A camper at Dana Peak mentions, "This is a nice campground with spacious sites right on the lake with covered picnic tables. The park has many miles of mountain bike and hiking trails."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Live Oak Ridge gets praise for its well-designed camping spaces. One visitor explained, "Large sites with ample vehicle parking that offer substantial distance from the neighboring sites give room to bring multiple vehicles or a boat along with the RV."
Wildlife viewing: Cedar Ridge offers animal watching opportunities. "You will see large groups of deer, turkey etc just wandering around," notes one camper. Another adds, "Lots of deer in camp and we saw a turkey."
Covered picnic areas: Most Corps of Engineers parks in the region feature covered picnic tables. A Wilson H Fox visitor explains, "Each site seems to have its own pavilion, which I have not seen before. especially at $26 per night. Some sites even had a screened-in bunkhouse."
What you should know
Reservation systems: Most parks require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. A Dana Peak reviewer clarifies seasonal operations: "They are only open from March 2nd to September 30th for the year of 2022. This might change for 2023."
Limited shade at some sites: Sun exposure varies between campgrounds. One Live Oak Ridge camper advises, "We were on loop 4, which has the best shade, but some of the sites can be a little crammed in (and it can become loud on the weekends which is to mostly be expected)."
Water levels affect access: Lake conditions can impact camping experiences. A reviewer notes, "It closed October 1, 2020 to all except boaters. Not even day use is allowed." Another camper mentions that "the lake has been low so fishing hasn't been good."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Some parks offer dedicated play areas. A visitor to Live Oak Ridge describes, "A better-than-typical playground is set in a great interior place for all to enjoy."
Swimming areas: Not all parks have designated swimming zones. A Russell Park visitor reports, "There is a designated swimming area within the campground." Water conditions can vary throughout the year.
Safety considerations: Weather conditions require planning. One Berry Springs Park and Preserve visitor shares, "Lots and lots and lots of fields, walking trails. Perfect for dogs who like to run."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have significant terrain variations. One Cedar Breaks Park visitor warns, "The sites along the outside of the loop have lake views and are level. The sites along the inside are scary unlevel! Some of the big rigs were backed in and jacked up 4 feet or so in front."
Cell service quality: Connectivity varies by carrier and location. A Live Oak Ridge camper reports, "I also had good enough service with AT&T to work with my phone's hotspot, but Verizon was pretty poor and even streaming videos was choppy, though you can call and text as usual."
Temperature management: High heat requires adaptation strategies. A visitor observes, "We were a little concerned about camping here with no shade. The breeze off the lake really helped make the 100 degree days better. The water is crystal clear, so we just went down and hopped in the water when it got too hot."
