If you're looking for a place to pitch your tent near San Marcos, look no further. You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Would you prefer a quiet dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities? Either way, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
$49 - $369 / night
The campgrounds are all first come first serve and are located right on the San Marcos River. Don's Fish Camp offers tube rentals, snacks, drinks, sunscreen, and anything you may need to float the river. Their campsite has a rope swing, picnic areas, and live DJ's every weekend (during peak season).
$15 - $32 / night
We do all the setup while you have all the fun! All Inclusive Tent Camping includes:
Overnight entry for four people and a tent setup which includes: a 14′ x 10′ tent, two cots with foam queen sized mattresses, an extension cord, a bed side table, two fans and a lantern.
Your All Inclusive Tent setup will also include a charcoal bbq pit, picnic table, electrical outlets, running water and light at your site.
*Note: Sheets, blankets and pillow are not provided, you are responsible for bringing these.
WE NOW HAVE SPACES IF YOU WANT TO BRING YOUR OWN TENT!
$49 - $369 / night
North Park is only open Friday at 3pm until Sunday at 2pm April 1 - Sept 30. The Park is a primitive campground and each site comes with a picnic table, grill, fire ring, and access to the lake.
Canyon Lake has become well known for boating, swimming, scuba diving, and so much more.
North Park is perched on top of a limestone bluff overlooking the beautiful blue waters of Canyon Lake.
For facility specific information, please call (830) 964-3341.
The reservation system sets all change and cancellation fees.
$20 / night
You will absolutely LOVE our brand-new Birdhouse Cabins! They are uniquely designed to give our guests all the conveniences & comforts of home while enjoying the beauty and peacefulness of nature! The whole back wall actually opens up giving you a perfect indoor/outdoor living experience! Of course, all cabins are insulated and air-conditioned/heated. They stay very cold in the summer if you desire as well as warm in the winter. Each cabin has 2 queen beds and 2 day beds, full size refrigerator, convection microwave, table top cooktop, coffee maker etc. and comes with all silverware, plates, pots and pans etc. as well as linens and towels. There is a full bathroom in each cabin with shower.
$89 - $369 / night
This recreation area is part of Canyon Lake
SON'S ISLAND WILL BE CLOSED FOR 2023 SEASON
The Shanty River Center has provided camping near the Guadalupe River for over 15 years.
Camping in the Hill Country and tubing on the Guadalupe River. What more could you ask for?
Shanty 2 is the location of our campgrounds and is located near the beginning of the Horseshoe bridge. This location has tube, raft, and kayak rentals, public restrooms, showers, and plenty of parking.
Our main location Shanty Tubes also has a Tiki Bar, as well as the Shanty Salsa Kitchen to add to your camping experience. So after a fabulous day of tubing, come to the Shanty Tiki Bar for some good times, music and some good food.
$35 - $55 / night
Camp EZ in SxSouth Austin! Creek-side private picnic/campground hideaway available. Book through Hipcamp or Airbnb:
https://www.hipcamp.com/texas/campez-in-sxsaustintx/campez-in-sxsaustin-tx
https://www.airbnb.com/users/1568741/listings?user_id=1568741&s=50
This a "want to camp" campground. If you "need to camp" due to financial or other reasons, Camp EZ will not be a good fit for you.
Community vibe 'round here; everyone expected to be respectful of one another and clean up after themselves "leave no trace" style. One week maximum stay. Bring a tent and gear to be comfortable. 2 private hot outdoor showers, rustic kitchen and charming compost privy included. Wood fired sauna available. Visitors are expected to clean up after themselves especially in the kitchen, showers, restroom and, of course, your campsite. Trash and recycle containers are around or, better yet, pack it out! Campfires in designated area only with permission(burn ban sometimes). Bring firewood.
I have a 2 acre community on a secret and secluded little street 5 miles due South of the capitol of TX and even closer(2.5) to the very hip SoCo area(Continental Club, Jo's Coffee, Guero's Taco Bar, El Mercado and lots more). I have 3 cats, 11 chickens, 15 ducks, 2 little donkeys and 6 sweet mini goats here at my little and funky'farmette' right on Williamson Creek (flowing sometimes and not really swimmable) and next to a huge wooded greenbelt with a quiet and unused nature trail. This is not a KOA or a state park. This is a home campground. Its kind of rustic and we like it that way. You may see a roach, and you may also see a deer, a fox or a coyote. We are busy and not always able to visit for long. Lots of remodeling and flood related cleanup chaos here but also lots of pretty and secluded nature. Short walk to bus stop and historic Hills Cafe and Austin Bergstrom Airport is 9 easy highway miles away. Rustic outdoor shower/kitchen/privy. BYOTent. No wild or excessive partying here please and please remember: no smoking…(smoking area x the street).
$25 / night
Legend
This is a very small family operated campground. It offers basic RV and tent camping facilities and services. There are full hookup sites for RVs. There are tent camping sites with water and electrical hookups.
The main feature of this campground is that a number of the sites are right along the banks of the Guadalupe River. There is a little sidewalk and stairs that lead down to the water which makes it easy for families and kids of all ages to access the river.
During the winter, it is easy to reserves sites at this campground. During the summer, it is wise to reserve a site in advance. Any of the RV sites 1 to 30 are right along the river. Any of the tent sites 1 to 9 are along the river.
The campground does allow day access for $7/person.
The campground is located about 15 minutes from the town of New Braunfels where you can find grocery stores, restaurants, banks, hardware stores and other entertainment. If you're looking for Texas BBQ, check out the Rudy's or Cooper's BBQ in New Braunfels. Also located within the town is the Schlitterbahn Waterpark which is I believe the largest waterpark in the US and has an incredible amout of fun rides, slides and pools. It's a bit pricey, but it is a full day of fun for the family.
Guide
Tent camped 14JUL20, 1 night.
First, it was 108 the day I camped, in a tent, with no AC! (I did have a fan though.)
I 👏🏽 love 👏🏽 this 👏🏽 park👏🏽!! Hiked about 12 miles of trails and every one had a payoff. I could have spent a week hiking that park if I had time.
The sites are HUGE and have cool features like retaining walls. Not a lot of trees though but I barely noticed until I remembered I suffer from cedar fever, (went to school at UT.) Thought I had the COVID as I left until I remembered I camped under a cedar tree, haha.
BE WARNED, there is zero cell coverage once you get into the park. Might not be an issue for some but I had to drive up to the ranger station a couple times to let my wife know i was okay.
The water was low when I was there but it was clear and cool and absolutely beautiful.
This park exemplifies the Texas Hill Country!
I’ll be back soon.
Scout
We could not have found a better place. From the moment we arrived we were treated like we knew them forever. We had a welcome bucket at the site. It had first aid kit, water, citronella candle, bug spray etc. The RV sites and tent sites are exceptionally clean. The view is breath taking, the stars at night are romance and enticing. We saw deer, wild turkey, longhorns, humming birds. We got a tour of the property and it was so perfect. You are positioned perfectly to visit San Marcos, New Braunfles, Drippings Springs, Wimberly, Blanco, Canyon Lake and Krause. Gruene. It was perfect
Traveler
Love this campground for tent camping! Shady and on the river bank, and not all the way down river road!
Ranger
This little spot is a super discreet location. Has a few tent camping spots. We loved it super quite and very nice at night.
Scout
This was my first time tent camping alone without my dad. And it wasn’t tooo terribly bad. I say beginner spot because you can buy pretty much all you need there other than a tent. But they have air pumps encase you left yours
Traveler
It was a cute place. A lot of the RV spots are taken up by people who live there. The glamping tents are super cute. The regular tent camping is nice and grassy. Dogs have to be on leash 24/7 that was the only bummer.
Scout
Stayed this past winter on a short trip. Great fishing and river view tent campsites. Restrooms were very clean.
Guide
I like off the beaten path places, this sure is one of them! The tent sites are very nice, close to the river & oxbow lake (kayaks for rent!). Very peaceful.
Scout
Arrived on a Thursday plenty of tent sites available. Some are small others are nice and spacious. The tent pads are caliche. Having a hammer is a must. Pet friendly. River to swim in. Restrooms were clean. Staff friendly. Lots of hiking
GuideSpots are great! Walking for tent camping is close about 50 ft but get here early as it’s very crowded. Lots of people fishing too so be careful of hooks in the water. We did a little hiking but not a ton of that to do here.
Traveler
This is a very nice, small, State park. There is a lot to do and it didn't feel crowded at all. The tent camping spots were great! We stayed at a walk in site (water only) and had a great time! Good fishing, hiking, etc.
ScoutThis was the perfect getaway for a last minute weekend trip. We arrived after dark, but Reza was so helpful in making sure we had everything we needed as we set up at the tent site. We really appreciated the little extras: reclining chairs at the tent site and also at the fire pit, the flush toilet and the outdoor shower, a picnic table and firewood was also available. Both Dot and Reza were so pleasant and very accommodating to our needs. They were readily accessible without being intrusive. We definitely had our privacy but knew they were just a phone call away. We cannot wait to come back and reconnect with nature. The stars are abundant and the vibe is so amazing, we felt completely recharged. We're so happy we found this gem!!
Guide
We camped here for several days to get some rock climbing in at nearby spots. It was a great open campground for tent camping. It was quiet but slightly dusty. The bathrooms were clean and staff was nice. If you like hiking trails this is good area for it.
GuideNice campground with lots of River Access. Beautiful little area with small rapids called Devil’s playgroup is fantastic. Lots of RV and tent sites on the water. Small store for snacks and water. Bathrooms are fine - you need tokens to shower.
Traveler
Great spot to get away and camp. $25 for tent camping with water and electricity. Also has hookups for RVs. The dam failed a few years back so the lake is no longer there but the river is great for fishing and some swimming. Lots of shade from old pecan trees and soft grass for comfortable tent placement. All sites have a fire ring and picnic tables.
GuideWonderful summer time spot, plenty of drive-up tent sites (don’t settle for the first you see unless it’s a busy weekend) great cliff jumping and deep-water soloing opportunities for the seeking. Also great swimming/fishing holes. Hiking is short but nice.
Guide
Cabin staff are available as well as tent campgrounds. Trails are pretty. Beware of snakes, the poisonous kind we saw almost everyday.
Legend
This is an LCRA park on Lake Travis with primitive sites. Mainly tent camping. There's a trail system that weaves around in a big circle mainly used by mountain bikes but perfectly good for hiking too. Others have commented about the bluebonnets, but really, now that the lake is up, the area where the flowers were is now covered by water. Fish on!
GuideFantastic short stay in Pace Bend on Lake Travis. We paid for the improved tent camping site but ended up switching to a site North Gracy Cove which had way better views of the river and more privacy. We still went back to use the showers and running water at the improved site though.
Gracy Cove was a great spot for a swim to cool off on a hot day. No boats allowed.
GuideOne of the first camping trips I had with my son was Guadalupe River State Park. We tent camped and had one of the primitive sites. We had so much fun swimming in the river and hiking. We worked with the park Ranger program and my son was awarded a Ranger Badge. The bluffs above the river are gorgeous. Mid November and swimming was still fun. The next morning was 10 degrees so a whole different experience. One of my favorite places to visit.
Guide
Natural springs w/tent & RV camping (NO PETS), fishing, kayaking, lake access, hammock areas and day use picnic w/grills. CASH ONLY FACILITIES!! Family owned. Beautiful Butterfly garden great for yoga, reading or enjoying the mind of a gardener. Several RV w/H20 & electric hookups (reservations required). Tent sites are not #, random locations (30 acres), plentiful and 1st come 1st serve. Toilets/showers near RV sites, portable toilets farther out. Pack it in/out, dumpster at office area. Love this place and grateful the owners share their haven with the public!
Guide
Saw this park on an episode of Grand Adventure with Marc Guido. We were able to reserve the site from the episode and Marc’s review was spot on. A great small park on beautiful Canyon Lake in legendary Texas Hill Country.
The park is perfectly situated to explore the Hill Country. Austin, San Marcos, Gruene Hall, Luckenbach and much more all within a short drive.
Guide
Tent camped 21JUL 1 night.
Super clean park, good trails and great water features. The whole thing is kind of built around a couple swimming holes, which are the main attractions, and pretty amazing.
Sites were big and well treed. Super secluded and plenty of shade to be had.
Trails aren’t close to the sites, so you’ve got to drive once you are setup, which might not be an issue for most, but I like to dig in then hit the trails.
This was one night camp 6/10 for me in my campmaster project and it was fantastic.
Hot but no rain.
GuideThis is a park that we have been to multiple times. It is beautiful. The RV sites are Water and Electric only. There are primitive sites as well as water only for tent camping. The sites are large and there is wildlife everywhere. In my pictures you will see we had a deer walk right into our site several times. There are tons of trails and geocaches around the park. Make sure you hike down to the falls and wander up and down the river. There are tons of small alcoves that are private and make for beautiful pictures.
GuideBeen going here for a few years never really packed . Good for kayaking. There’s a lake and flowing river. Believe San Marcos river. One cabin available for rent
Guide
I like this place because its on the San Marcos river. They help you back in if you need it, great little store, quiet, clean, reasonably priced. Love this place!
Tent camping near San Marcos, Texas, offers a blend of scenic beauty and outdoor adventure, making it a perfect getaway for nature enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near San Marcos, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near San Marcos, TX is Son’s Guadalupe with a 3.7-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near San Marcos, TX?
TheDyrt.com has all 26 tent camping locations near San Marcos, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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