Best RV Parks & Resorts near Smithville, TX

I like this park because it's close to home. It's got a good space between sites and is broken into 3 or 4 areas so you're not just piled in like sardines. You can being 4-wheeled vehicles that have a steering wheel. No sewer hookups, but there is a dump station. Unfortunately, subsequent major floods have caused them to lose much of the tree cover. It's great when camping in groups though, which we do quite often. All sites have views of the lake. They have a really good fireworks display on 4th of July. 

Type of Park: Private-owned 

Check In: 4p Check Out: 3p 

Site#79- Back-In

$35 per night($105 total) 

Water 20/30/50 amp 

Picnic Table with concrete pad 

Grass site. No rock or concrete base

👍🏻 Pros: No trees to avoid 

On the end of the line so no one is on the"front" side of the camper 

Good area for camping in groups 

Close to good swimming areas and store 

Close to boat ramp

👎🏻 Cons: Split-level site- table is down a slight hill from parking area. No shade 

Across from the cabins on stilts, lake view is a little blocked 

Cabins are being refurbished and the equipment and materials are stacked near the site(and some construction noise) 

No grill or fire ring at this site

📝 Park Notes: Gates closed and locked from midnight to 6 am on weekends. 

Closed at 10 pm on week days. 

Can bring golf carts, ATV's(machines with steering wheels, not handle bars) 

Dump Station- a little hard to get to for big rigs. Also hard to leave the park from there. You may have to go back into the park to turn around. 

Park Store- has fishing bait and supplies, too 

Cabins are under re-construction There is a Places Munzee here

Boat Ramp

🐦 Wildlife: Birds: Cormorants(Water Turkeys), barn swallows, scissor-tail

For more info, see https://www.denisevajdak.com/2021/04/camping-on-easter-weekend.html

• Water

• 20/30/50 amp

• Sewer

• Extended Cable TV

• Grill

• Picnic Table (each one hand-painted with different design)

• Site Pad: Gravel, level

👍🏻 Pros:

• Pull-thru sites closest to the Colorado River

👎🏻 Cons:• No direct access to get into the river. It drops off too much.

• The back portion of the site got a lot of afternoon sun

📝 Park Notes:

• Dump Station

• Wifi

• Propane sold onsite per pound. Site pickup/dropoff

• Swimming Pool

• Community Center with Laundry facility(1 washer/ 1 dryer), kitchen, showers/bathroom with kitchen, games, TV, shower

• Pets on leash, big dog park

• Each site had it's own trash can

🐦 Wildlife:

• Birds

• Deer

• Squirrels

For more info and a video see https://www.denisevajdak.com/2021/10/colorado-landing-rv-park.html

• Water

• 20/30 amp(had 50 amp outlet, but only 20& 30 breakers)

• Grill

• Fire Ring with adjustable height grate

• Picnic Table

• Site Pad: asphalt. Site was just long enough for my 24' camper and my truck and not much room between.

👍🏻 Pros:

• Near the water with a trail to get there

• Green space between the site and neighbors

• Good kayaking area

👎🏻 Cons:

• The spot is tight getting in. My 10' high camper had low hanging branches on it(but they were soft, not stiff). Lots of vines/shrubs across from the site, so no extra room there. 

📝 Park Notes:

• Park does not have a gate, so it doesn't close

• Dump Station for each camping loop

• Restrooms/ Bath House

• Boat ramp

• Fishing jetty (pier is closed)

• This campground is better for winter camping. Great buffer from wind and neighbors. Only a handful of sites have direct access to the water.

• Lots of trails

• There are Munzees and Geocaches here

• Group pavilion/kitchen available

• 2 group shelters available

🐦 Wildlife:• Birds: Shore birds, egrets, herons, cardinals, mockingbirds

• Deer

• Raccoons(I saw their tracks, but not the critters)

More info an video at https://www.denisevajdak.com/2021/08/my-birthday-weekend-2021.html

Site 23 was better (stayed in this one twice). Wider, nice view of lake. Not very long, but easier to get into.

Type of Park: COE 

Check In: 3p Check Out: 2p 

Site#144- Back-In

💲28 per night

• Water

• 20/30/50 amp- pedestal looks pretty new

• Grill- good condition

• Fire Ring with flip over grate

• Metal mesh picnic table with cover, far enough away so awnings came out fully

• Site Pad: Level, crushed granite. Slopes up at the roadside.

👍🏻 Pros:

• On the shore of the lake facing west

• Trees for some shade• Covered picnic table

• Close to restrooms/showers

• Plenty of room between sites

• This site is aligned perfectly. Sit at the picnic table and watch the sun go down between the trees

• Extra parking area across from site(mostly unused and starting to grow up)

👎🏻 Cons:

• No sewer hookups

• Site slopes off steep on edge of site. Watch small children

• Some of the trees around the site have been cut down. They still show on Google maps though.

• Watch for ants

📝 Park Notes:

• Gates closed and locked from 10p to 6p- can get out, but not back in

• 2 Dump Stations- the one closest to the entry gate has you facing into the park

• Restrooms/ Showers

• Playground

• 3 miles of Nature Trails

• Boat ramp is closed- under reconstruction

• Group shelter for rent

• Lots of dumpsters throughout the park

• Sites on the east side of this loop are closer together

• 60s-90s loop was pretty full

• There are Munzees and a Geocache here

🐦 Wildlife:

• Birds: Cardinals, Mockingbirds, Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets

• Quite a few deer

This park is a great option for nature camping very close to all the attractions of Austin. The sites are spacious and they all have electricity and water hookups (some sites have 50 amps, most have 30 amps). All are reservable and very affordable at $24/$20 respectively, with greater discount if you’re a Texas State Parks Pass holder. We are out-of-staters and found great value in the parks pass! Second nights at campgrounds are 50% off and free admission to all state parks.

The sites are very private and spacious and have nearby hiking trails accessible from the sites. There are several camping loops in the park, most of which have easy access to the Onion Creek hike & bike trail. Booking online is straightforward and check-in is virtually contactless.

We spent time hiking the Homestead and Flint Rock trails and really enjoyed the peace and solitude, knowing we were so close to the metropolitan area. A perfect spot for enjoying the city during the day while staying surrounded by nature at night!

Type of Park: State Park 

Check In: 2 pm Check Out: 12 pm

🚻 Restrooms

🚿 Showers

💩 Dump Station

🔎 Munzees and Geocaches in the Park

🚶🏻‍♀️ Trails for walking and biking🚲

🌊 Onion Creek was very low at this time

🏚 Cabins

🚧 Gates are closed and locked from 10 pm(code given at check in)

👩🏻‍💼 Staff was friendly

📋 Site#80, Big Cedar Camping Area

🔙 Back In

🅿 Site Pad: asphalt, long enough for trailer and tow vehicle

💧 Water- high enough for filter to hang down

⚡ Max amp: 30

🔥 Fire Ring w/Grate(but a burn ban was on) 

Picnic Table: metal with wood tops, concrete base 

Wooded on the back end of the site. You can see the neighbors on either side through the trees.

🌳 Good shade on most of the site

👎🏻 Cons: 

No sewer(but most State Park sites don’t have it) 

Regular cost per night$20+$6 daily fee+$10 for extra vehicle 

Discounts: Texas State Parks Pass. Daily fees waived, half off second night 

My Total Cost💲52 

In the Area: 

The campground is in south Austin, but it doesn’t feel like it’s in an urban area. City close with the feel of being out in nature. LOTS to do very close. Dining, dancing, bars, water sports, bats, shopping, State Capitol and more.

More info at https://www.denisevajdak.com/2022/06/mckinney-falls-and-dancing.html