Canyon Lake and the San Marcos River define the camping landscape near San Marcos, Texas. The area sits in the Texas Hill Country at elevations ranging from 600-700 feet, creating diverse camping conditions with limestone outcroppings and natural springs. Temperatures vary dramatically between seasons, with summer highs regularly exceeding 95°F while winter nights can drop below freezing.
What to do
River tubing access points: At Pecan Park Riverside RV Park, you'll find direct river access for tubing the San Marcos River. "One great part is that the pads alternate directions, so you can camp with your friends (or with new friends) instead of with their sewer connections," notes a reviewer who appreciated the layout at Rio Guadalupe Resort & RV Park.
Hiking trails: Canyon Lake area offers numerous trails suitable for all skill levels. "The short trails are nice and scenic with a lot of running creeks and streams throughout the park," mentions one visitor about Lockhart State Park, which provides hiking options within 30 minutes of San Marcos.
Fishing opportunities: At Cranes Mill Park, fishing is popular along Canyon Lake. "Plenty of room on each campsite close to stores clean bathhouse," notes a camper who enjoyed the lakeside location. The San Marcos River also offers fishing spots where campers report catching bass and catfish.
What campers like
River views: The natural limestone cliffs create stunning backdrops for camping. "The riverfront is great for lounging in the shade, and the cliff side of the river is gorgeous for staring off into space," writes a camper about their experience at Rio Guadalupe Resort.
Swimming options: McKinney Falls State Park features natural swimming holes within a short drive of San Marcos. "The water was warm, and it was perfect for new swimmers with floaties and advanced swimmers. There's a place where you can jump off the rocks into the water," reports a visitor.
Privacy between sites: At Mystic Quarry, campers appreciate the thoughtful layout. "The sites are a good size and has all hookups. The park has wifi so my wife was able to work there," mentions a reviewer who enjoyed the balance of connectivity and natural setting.
What you should know
Seasonal crowds: Summer weekends see heavy traffic at most campgrounds, particularly those with river access. "We were here for 4 days and none of us could get the WiFi to connect. The WiFi is my biggest gripe with the campground," reports a Mystic Quarry visitor, noting connectivity challenges during busy periods.
River conditions: Water levels fluctuate seasonally. "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," shares a Cranes Mill Park camper, highlighting the importance of checking conditions.
Site types vary significantly: San Marcos River Resort offers diverse camping options. "The sites are very very close to each other. The staff was very helpful. They helped us back in the trailer. The roads are very rough, but that keeps the speeders under control," notes a camper.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several dog friendly campgrounds near San Marcos include dedicated play areas. "We brought our 7 year old daughter and she really enjoyed playing at the playground. Our site was conveniently located in front of the playground and next to the shower/bathroom/laundry facility," shares a San Marcos River Resort visitor.
Kid-friendly water features: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Canyon Lake offers extensive water recreation. "The splash pad and water slides open at 1200 and my 6 year old had a lot of fun on them during the summer. The bounce pad is very nice," reports a family who visited with children.
Nature exploration opportunities: McKinney Falls provides educational opportunities about local geology. "There's an extinct volcano nearby called Pilot Knob. That accounts for the flat rock near the main falls," explains a camper who enjoyed teaching their children about the park's unique features.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds require adjustments for RVs. "The sites are also not super level and our site #2 sloped back," notes a camper at Lockhart State Park, suggesting bringing additional leveling blocks.
Hookup configurations: At pet-friendly campgrounds near San Marcos, hookup layouts can be challenging. "The sites were confusing as stated back in but connections were on opposite side of our pop up camper making stretching hoses a hassle," reports a Rio Guadalupe Resort visitor.
Road conditions within parks: Several campgrounds have narrow access roads. "Getting in and out of the park was smooth for the most part just watch some overhanging limbs," advises an RVer who stayed at McKinney Falls State Park with their 40-foot Class A motorhome.
