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Best Campgrounds near Smithville, TX

503 Reviews

Smithville, Texas provides access to multiple developed campgrounds with options for tent camping, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. The area includes Buescher State Park Campground, located within the Lost Pines region, which offers year-round camping with concrete pads and facilities including water and electric hookups. Nearby Vernon L Richards Riverbend Park along the Colorado River accommodates both RV and tent campers with electrical connections and picnic areas. Several other established camping areas within a 20-mile radius include Lake Bastrop North Shore Park, Rocky Hill Ranch, and Colorado RiverBend Retreat, providing varied accommodation types from basic tent sites to full-service RV connections.

Most campgrounds in the region require reservations, especially during spring and summer months when the pleasant Texas Hill Country weather attracts visitors. Buescher State Park features concrete pads for RVs with water and electric hookups, while tent sites offer varying levels of shade and privacy. The park maintains shower facilities, restrooms, and a dump station for RVs. Several campgrounds have fire restrictions during dry periods, and campers should verify current regulations before arrival. Cell service varies throughout the area, with more remote sites having limited connectivity. According to one visitor: "This park 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!"

The Colorado River creates opportunities for fishing, paddling, and riverside camping at several locations around Smithville. Buescher State Park features a 25-acre lake with shoreline fishing access and boat rentals, though swimming is not permitted. Campers report particularly enjoying the shaded sites throughout the region, with tree cover providing essential relief during hot Texas summers. Vernon L Richards Riverbend Park received positive reviews for its combination of riverside location and amenities. One camper noted: "Each site has a parking pad, water and electric hookup, picnic table and grill. There are bathroom facilities in the center of the campground." Wildlife viewing, hiking trails, and cycling opportunities enhance the camping experience across multiple parks in the area, with Buescher State Park offering a scenic 12-mile connecting road to Bastrop State Park popular with cyclists.

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Best Camping Sites Near Smithville, Texas (145)

    1. Bastrop State Park Campground

    33 Reviews
    Bastrop, TX
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (512) 321-2101

    $15 - $850 / night

    "Connects to Buecher State Park near Smithville. A great stop between Central Texas and the Piney Woods."

    "It has a little for everyone and is conveniently located about thirty minutes from Lockhart where you can get, in my opinion, some of the best BBQ in Texas."

    2. Buescher State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    Smithville, TX
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (512) 237-2241

    $15 - $85 / night

    "I live about 25 minutes away from this park and have taken my dad fishing here as well as hiked here several times."

    "Buescher State Park, Texas is a wonderful and beautiful place to spend some time relaxing and RV camping! We had the pleasure of spending a day and night at Buescher State Park, Texas in May of 2017."

    3. Lake Bastrop North Shore Park

    19 Reviews
    Bastrop, TX
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (512) 578-4816

    "This campground is located a short distance away from the city of Austin, Texas. The park is managed by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA)."

    "We we’re traveling and needed a spot near Austin, Texas and love Lake Bastrop. There’s two Campgrounds one South and one North."

    4. Sherwood Forest Faire Campground

    13 Reviews
    Bastrop, TX
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (512) 222-6680

    $11 - $19 / night

    "I remember trying to book a campsite once, promised a breathtaking lake view. Ended up staring at a concrete wall while balancing on uneven ground."

    5. Colorado RiverBend Retreat

    2 Reviews
    Smithville, TX
    4 miles
    +1 (512) 575-5611

    $55 - $65 / night

    "peaceful and beautiful surroundings. Picnic table, fire pit, hammocks and the bathroom/shower is so close! There is also a large sink - perfect for washing dishes."

    6. South Shore Park

    5 Reviews
    Bastrop, TX
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (512) 321-5048

    "Pros: Quick check-in

    • 176-acre park with 40 campsites on the south shore of Lake Bastrop.

    • Level site concrete pad surrounded by crushed granite."

    "Some sites are on the lake with a little trail to access the water. There's so much do like hiking, biking, fishing, putt putt golf, kayak, paddle board rentals, etc."

    7. Vernon L Richards Riverbend Park

    2 Reviews
    Smithville, TX
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (512) 237-3282

    $20 - $25 / night

    "We arrived around 11:30 pm to the park and was stopped by a very helpful officer that explained to us the park was closed, but helped us get a spot anyways and directions."

    8. Lost Pines Camping

    1 Review
    Smithville, TX
    6 miles

    $29 / night

    "The lake is wonderful for swimming or just sitting lakeside."

    9. Rocky Hill Ranch

    1 Review
    Smithville, TX
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (361) 548-5728

    $15 - $30 / night

    "This is a ranch that has a trail through it. A little over than a 1/4 mile in (the walking trail), there is a place where they let you camp if you want."

    10. McKinney Falls State Park Campground

    81 Reviews
    Sunset Valley, TX
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (512) 243-1643

    $20 - $86 / night

    "This state park is a little outside of Austin near the airport."

    "This park is a great option for nature camping very close to all the attractions of Austin."

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Recent Camping Photos near Smithville, TX

82 Photos of 145 Smithville Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Smithville, TX

503 Reviews of 145 Smithville Campgrounds

  • Sheila L.
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Colinas RV Park

    Cheap rent and Great location!

    Great spot! Cheap rent, safe since it’s gated, and in a perfect location. We’re staying here with our fifth wheel and love the shaded area  it keeps things cool and comfortable. I totally recommend this place!

  • Sheila L.
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Colinas RV Park

    Affordable and Secured

    Great spot! Cheap rent, safe since it’s gated, and in a perfect location. We’re staying here with our fifth wheel and love the shaded area, it keeps things cool and comfortable. I totally recommend this place!

  • Charley K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Patriot RV Park

    Electrical issues

    The RV Park worked ok for us and what we did in this location. We did see a fluctuation in the electrical power. We had a fan setup in the living room and would change speeds all by itself from almost nothing running to running full speed. Several times per minute.

  • janet S.
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Colinas RV Park

    BEST MONTHLY RATE FOR RV LOT IN ELGIN

    I don't think anyone can beat their deal.

    $500/mo includes electric, water, sewer, wifi AND FREE LAUNDRY! 

    Gated, security camera, safe. LARGE SPACED OUT SITES.

  • rspillers84
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Colinas RV Park

    CHEAP, ALL UTILS INCLUDED, SUPER BIG SITES

    Colinas RV Park is a pretty simple place, nothing fancy, but it’s clean and quiet and the sites are very large. 

    The owners keep it up well. What I like most is that the sites are big with a lot of shade trees, which makes it comfortable in the summer. They’ve got free Wi-Fi that works surprisingly well and a laundry room on-site, which is convenient. 

    Right now they’re running a special at$500 a month with all bills included, guaranteed for a year, which is hard to beat in this area. It’s not a resort, but it’s a good spot if you’re working around Elgin, Taylor, or even commuting into Austin. Close to HEB and Walmart, and the BBQ nearby is some of the best in Texas.

  • Charley K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Independence City Park

    Not for big rigs

    There were 4 of us 40’ RVs. Two of us lost covers off of roof top units. There are trees every where that need trimmed before motorhome can go in without damage.

  • M
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Sherwood Forest Faire Campground

    good

    Campground reviews? Well, those can be a real mixed bag! Ever tried navigating a website that promises serenity but delivers screaming kids and a questionable outhouse? I remember trying to book a campsite once, promised a breathtaking lake view. Ended up staring at a concrete wall while balancing on uneven ground. It felt like I was playing a real-life Slope Game of campsite roulette.

  • lunan E.
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Buescher State Park Campground

    Nightmare camping!!!

    Do NOT camp here if you want peace and quiet!! after 3 diffrent attempts to enjoy quiet peaceful camping trips here I can confirm quiet hours are NOT inforced and even worse all three times I've stayed here I've had someone intrude onto my campsite to either try and peak into my tent, or use my picnic table or grill when there are plenty of others unused???? 

    doesn't help that front staff are rude every time ive been too. never had these problems at other state parks. guess Beaushner is the party park!

  • P
    Aug. 22, 2025

    Shady River RV Resort

    Excellent Location

    We stayed here for 1 weekend in early August. Great location. Very peaceful.

Guide to Smithville

Camping near Smithville, Texas, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: There are great trails at Buescher State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "Great biking! This park is a great stop if you are on your way from Houston to Austin." The scenic views make it a perfect spot for a hike.
  • Fishing: At Lake Bastrop North Shore Park, fishing is a popular activity. A camper shared, "Nice little place to go fishing at night," highlighting the lake's appeal for anglers.
  • Birdwatching: Many campers enjoy spotting wildlife. One review from McKinney Falls State Park Campground noted, "There were cardinals everywhere which made for a good time of bird watching."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Palmetto State Park Campground said, "Clean restrooms, clean showers," which is a big plus for many.
  • Friendly staff: Many parks have helpful rangers. One camper at Bastrop State Park Campground mentioned, "All the park rangers were super friendly and helpful."
  • Shaded spots: Campers enjoy shaded areas for relaxation. A review from Cedar Breaks Park noted, "The sites are fair sized and most have decent privacy with lots of trees."

What you should know:

  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds, like Jim Hogg - Lake Georgetown, have fewer amenities. A camper mentioned, "I didn’t use the bathrooms there and I didn’t see the showers but I’d go back."
  • Noise levels: Campers at Austin Lone Star RV Resort noted some highway noise, with one saying, "You can hear Highway noise but you're only 5 miles from Austin."
  • Ants and wildlife: Some parks have issues with fire ants. A visitor at Lake Bastrop North Shore Park pointed out, "Huge fire ant mounds everywhere," so be cautious when setting up.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose spacious sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites, like Lockhart State Park Campground. A camper mentioned, "Campsite had a picnic table that could be moved!" which is great for family gatherings.
  • Plan for activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. One family at Pace Bend Park - Lake Travis enjoyed, "Cliff jumping and rock climbing," which kept everyone entertained.
  • Pack snacks and drinks: Having food on hand is essential. A camper at Buescher State Park Campground noted, "Great park with great views and biking!" so snacks can keep the energy up for outdoor fun.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A visitor at Palmetto State Park Campground said, "Spots are really nice, but mostly very short," which is something to consider.
  • Look for hookups: Many RV parks offer electric hookups. One camper at Austin Lone Star RV Resort appreciated the "great individual bathrooms" and amenities.
  • Be prepared for weather: Texas can be hot, so bring shade and water. A camper at Cedar Breaks Park mentioned, "The park is on Lake Georgetown which is beautiful," making it a great spot to cool off.

Camping near Smithville, Texas, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking a peaceful getaway.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Smithville, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Smithville, TX is Bastrop State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 33 reviews.

What parks are near Smithville, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near Smithville, TX that allow camping, notably Somerville Lake and Granger Lake.

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