Cabin camping near Smithville, Texas offers campers access to diverse habitats within the Lost Pines region, an isolated stand of loblolly pines surrounded by post oak savanna. The area sits at approximately 400 feet elevation with hot summers reaching over 95°F and mild winters with occasional freezing temperatures. Seasonal factors affect cabin availability with most locations seeing full bookings during spring wildflower season and fall color changes.
What to do
Hiking through recovering forests: Bastrop State Park features several miles of hiking trails that showcase the area's gradual recovery from past wildfires. "The hiking trails are nice. Visited during the middle of summer, so it was very hot, sunny, and dry. Bring sun screen and plenty of water!" notes Danielle R. from Bastrop State Park Campground.
Paddling opportunities: At Buescher State Park, campers can fish or kayak on the small lake within the park boundaries. Andrea P. observes, "I live about 25 minutes away from this park and have taken my dad fishing here as well as hiked here several times. There are so many trees that it keeps the Texas sun and heat off you pretty dang well."
Swimming in natural waters: South Shore Park offers swimming access to Lake Bastrop with designated areas for water recreation. "The water is very nice and clean. The bathrooms were spotless and are family style meaning you get your own private restroom/shower!" reports Chris K., highlighting both water quality and convenient facilities.
What campers like
Private, shaded sites: At Buescher State Park Campground, campers appreciate the secluded nature of individual campsites. "The pads for your trailer are made of concrete. The whole park is clean and well maintained. I got to hike a short trail. It was also maintained well," according to Red S.
Family-friendly facilities: South Shore Park receives high marks for its family accommodations and activities. "Nice park with campsites with lots of trees for privacy..good hiking trails," states reviewer AJCOOK, highlighting the balance between privacy and recreation options.
Historical structures: Several parks in the area contain Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) buildings worth exploring. "It's sad what happened here to the trees in the fire and the lake when the dam burst, but this park is resilient. Please support it by visiting. You can now also walk the old closed golf course. There are little log cabins for rent," shares Emily M. about Bastrop State Park.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most cabin accommodations near Smithville require advance planning, especially during peak seasons. At Lake Bastrop North Shore Park, Beverly M. confirms: "Nice, quiet and clean park! We were lucky enough to get a water front site perfect to launch canoe/kayak."
Water conditions: Some parks in the region have variable water quality or access restrictions. According to a review of Palmetto State Park by Napunani, "Water had a sulfur smell. The toilet/shower facility was VERY clean."
Trail closures: Due to natural disasters and recovery efforts, some trails may be temporarily closed. Aaron S. advises, "This campsite was an alright trip. We had good time, nice scenery. Before you go, make sure the trails you want to do are open. A fire affected them a couple years ago."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: McKinney Falls State Park Campground provides family-friendly amenities close to Austin. "The sites were plenty big with electric and running water. The great part is the swimming. The water was warm, and it was perfect for new swimmers with floaties and advanced swimmers," reports Steph C.
Cabin selection: Choose cabins with proximity to bathrooms when camping with children. Kim B. shares about Bastrop State Park: "Right outside Austin with lots of easy trails, historic buildings, nature center, woods, pool. Kids got to do the junior ranger program which they loved."
Swimming safety: Water features at several parks require supervision for children. "The great part is the swimming. 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," mentions Steph C. about McKinney Falls.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Palmetto State Park Campground, RVers should consider specific site locations. Napunani advises: "19 RV sites in the RV camping loop with sites 'inside' the loop fairly close to one another. Outside loop sites had nice distance between sites. Shady campsites are narrow, fairly level asphalt pads with trees near the edges causing creative parking for those with slide-outs."
Hookup variations: Bastrop/Colorado River KOA offers full hookups but with some site limitations. "The sites weren't anywhere near being level. Not a deal breaker or even a surprise, but when paying a high price at a KOA, I would expect them to be a bit more level than they were," notes Noelle H.
Shade considerations: RV campers should evaluate shade coverage when booking summer stays. Michael C. observes about Bastrop/Colorado River KOA: "The park is very pretty however only half of the campsites have shade and ours was unshaded at 90 plus degrees."
