Glamping near Schulenburg, Texas offers campers a unique Central Texas experience with sites positioned between 300-400 feet of elevation in the Colorado River basin. The region experiences hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 95°F and mild winters, making it accessible for year-round camping. Several campgrounds in the area have recovered from previous wildfire and flood damage, maintaining ecological diversity with oak thickets, pine forests, and riverside vegetation.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Bastrop North Shore Park offers multiple fishing piers and waterfront access. "Nice lake with good access. Clean park," notes visitor Jill C., while another camper explains, "There are a good number of sites for large rigs in the interior and three camp sites facing the lake right next to each other."
Golfing options: Lockhart State Park Campground features a 9-hole golf course unique among state parks. "You can golf here and swim in the public pool. The trails are surprisingly nice, even though the park itself is on the small side," explains reviewer Emily M. Another visitor adds, "We golfed 18 one of the days, fun layout, not in the best shape right now but the price was right. With the Texas pass you also get a discount on golf."
Hiking trail systems: Several parks offer interconnected hiking options. "We did the lakeshore hike which takes a while since it's 6 miles," notes Nicole R. about Lake Bastrop. At Bastrop State Park Campground, "There are several miles of hiking trails, that can be done in one or two days. It just depends on how many miles you want to hike," Jennifer J. reports.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: "The area is beautiful, lot of animals and plants," says Maria about Thousand Trails Colorado River. A different visitor notes, "This is a very quiet and peaceful camp... Right on the Colorado river plus two ponds to fish in." The recovering ecosystem draws diverse wildlife.
Spacious camping areas: Many visitors appreciate the room to spread out. At Lake Somerville State Park Birch Creek Unit Campground, "Well spaced spots. Fairly level pads with table, fire ring, 30/50 amp electrical, water," explains Jeff. Another camper adds, "We stayed at site 77 and I really liked the privacy of most campsites."
Clean facilities: The region's campgrounds maintain good standards. "The toilet block was the cleanest I have ever seen on a campsite," reports Gerald K. about Splashway Campground. Another visitor comments, "Bathrooms are nicely maintained" at Lake Somerville State Park.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Summer heat requires preparation. "Visited during the middle of summer, so it was very hot, sunny, and dry. Bring sun screen and plenty of water!" advises Danielle R. about Bastrop State Park.
Reservation systems vary: Some parks have streamlined booking while others require phone calls. One camper notes, "The reservation system, or lack of an onsite office, is a bit baffling" at Vernon L. Richards Riverbend Park.
Campsite proximity: Site spacing differs significantly between parks. "The 'A' section had a few sites that were spaced out but most were very close together!" mentions Karissa D. about Splashway Campground, while another camper states, "Campsites are a little close together, but well equipped otherwise."
Tips for camping with families
Multi-activity destinations: Choose campgrounds with diverse offerings for children. "The campground had a lot of activities for the kiddos. They had a haunted house for the little ones and one for the older ones," shares Ricky B. about Splashway Campground.
Consider weekday visits: Weekends get busy with day-trippers from nearby cities. "In July 2020, there were very few folks in the park, partly, I'm sure due to Covid-19 and well, its July in Texas!" notes a Lake Somerville visitor.
Prepare for insects: Gnats and mosquitoes are common, especially near water. "Typically, and as expected, gnats were really bad at night, but mosquitos were tolerable. Just be prepared and you'll be fine," advises Jeff at Lake Somerville State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven sites. "The sites are also not super level and our site #2 sloped back," reports Karl W. about Lockhart State Park.
Full hookup availability: Amenities vary between and within parks. "We were close to the river. Was a bit disappointed as when booking through TT website, it said full hook ups when we arrived, only Water and Electric were available," shares Robert M. about Thousand Trails Colorado River.
Rig size considerations: Check site dimensions before booking. "Semi circle drive thru that fit my 44 ft motorhome and towed Jeep," notes James R. about Stephen F. Austin State Park, while another RVer recommends, "The campsites up the hill are pretty protected from the wind, so regardless of the wind they have options."
