Tent camping options near San Marcos, Texas center around access to rivers, creeks, and lakes in the region. The area encompasses several waterways including the San Marcos River, Guadalupe River, Geronimo Creek, and Canyon Lake, creating diverse water-based camping experiences. Summer temperatures typically reach 90-100°F during peak season, with milder spring and fall conditions offering more comfortable tent camping weather.
What to do
Float the San Marcos River: At Son's Blue River Camp, visitors can combine tent camping with river activities. "We loved tubing and kayaking the San Marcos River! It's a great getaway!" notes Karin R., highlighting the clear, spring-fed waters that maintain a consistent 72°F year-round.
Enjoy multiple water recreation options: Son's Geronimo provides diverse water activities beyond standard river tubing. A camper mentions, "We kayaked, paddle boarded, swam, fished and more! They also have lots of amenities: 2 pools, 2 hot tubs, volleyball court, basketball court, game room, horseshoe pits."
Access Canyon Lake: Canyon Lake offers different camping and recreation experiences from the river-based options closer to San Marcos. Jesse S. from Jacobs Creek notes it "has awesome day river access," making it ideal for campers seeking lake activities with convenient water entry points.
What campers like
Private dock access: Son's Island distinguishes itself with individual dock access. "Each cabana comes with its own private dock, lots of comfortable seating, electricity, water, BBQ pit, picnic table and hammock," according to a reviewer, offering direct water access without competing for shoreline space.
Combination of comfort and nature: Air-conditioned glamping options provide relief from Texas heat while maintaining the camping experience. A visitor to Son's Geronimo appreciates that their cabins "are super nice and had everything we needed including AC, WiFi, full kitchen, fire pits, hammocks."
Weekday visits: Multiple campgrounds report significant differences between weekend and weekday experiences. Campers note Son's locations are "very family friendly" compared to other riverfront properties, with one mentioning River Ranch was "very peaceful during the week" versus the weekend crowds.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Not all campgrounds operate year-round. North Park on Canyon Lake runs "from Mar 1 to Oct 31" according to their listing, requiring campers to check seasonal availability before planning trips outside summer months.
Reservation structure: Son's Guadalupe and other properties in the region have specific reservation windows. A reviewer explains: "the $199.48 is only for the hours of 7pm to 10am. I can only be on the property from 7pm to 10am. I was informed that I needed day use and to rent a table or cabana to be on the property from 10am to 7pm."
Varying amenity levels: Campgrounds range from primitive to full-service. Jacobs Creek offers picnic tables but no toilets, showers or water, while Son's River Ranch provides full bathroom facilities with showers, making it important to match expectations with facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Consider glamping for easier family stays: Family groups find air-conditioned options reduce stress. A Son's Blue River Camp visitor shared: "We stayed in one of their air-conditioned glamping cabins. It was very nice and clean and the AC stayed very cold. They have private, lockable, full bathrooms right behind the cabins."
Bed configurations for larger groups: For families needing multiple sleeping arrangements, Son's Geronimo received praise: "We have a family of 6 and the setup was perfect: 2 queen beds and 2 twin beds."
Child-friendly pricing: Budget accordingly for family trips with CampEZ in SxSouth Austin, which offers unique amenities like "donkeys and goats" that appeal to children. Other locations like Don's Fish Camp advertise "Children 12 and under are free," reducing costs for family outings.
Tips from RVers
Limited full-hookup availability: Many San Marcos area campgrounds focus primarily on tent camping with limited RV infrastructure. North Park offers water hookups but no sewer connections. As one RVer notes, "no sewage but you can dump black water when you leave!"
Size restrictions: Most riverfront properties cannot accommodate larger RVs. Only select campgrounds like Son's Guadalupe offer RV sites, and these typically handle smaller units only, not "big rigs" according to amenity listings.
Bring water supplies: RVers should note many properties like Jacob's Creek list "NO drinking-water" among amenities, requiring self-sufficiency for drinking and cleaning water.
