Best Campgrounds near Spicewood, TX
The Texas Hill Country surrounding Spicewood offers diverse camping experiences approximately 30 miles northwest of Austin. Krause Springs provides historic camping with swimming opportunities in natural springs, while nearby Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area features more primitive sites along Lake Travis shorelines. Pedernales Falls State Park, located within a 30-minute drive, offers both developed campgrounds with water and electric hookups as well as primitive sites with scenic hill country views. Lake Travis dominates the camping landscape with multiple access points including Pace Bend Park, which combines cliff-side camping with swimming areas. Hidden Falls Adventure Park caters to off-road enthusiasts with camping options ranging from tent sites to cabins.
Reservations are essential during peak seasons, particularly for waterfront sites at popular parks like Inks Lake State Park. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 95°F, making spring and fall the preferred camping seasons for most visitors. The Texas State Parks Pass provides significant value for frequent campers, offering discounted rates and free park entry. According to one camper at Pedernales Falls, "We found a really nice spot on the cliffside with an incredible view of the hill country. We saw deer in the morning in the grassy area next to our tent." Many campgrounds require advance booking, with popular sites filling months ahead during weekends and holidays. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with better coverage at developed campgrounds closer to Spicewood.
Water access represents a defining feature of camping in the Spicewood area. Campers frequently mention swimming holes, springs, and lake access as highlights of their stays. At Inks Lake State Park, the Devil's Waterhole provides popular swimming and cliff jumping opportunities during hot summer months. Primitive sites along Colorado Bend's Spicewood Springs trail offer proximity to "little waterfalls and clear water," as one reviewer noted. Wildlife sightings, particularly deer and armadillos, are common at dawn and dusk throughout the region's campgrounds. Facilities range from basic pit toilets at primitive sites to full hookups with 50-amp service at RV parks. Several campgrounds maintain cash-only policies for firewood and ice purchases, requiring advance planning for overnight stays.
