Camping options near Spring Branch, Texas encompass several developed parks within a 30-minute drive radius. The Hill Country terrain features limestone outcroppings, juniper forests, and occasional water access through rivers and lakes. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 100°F while winter camping can experience overnight lows below freezing, requiring appropriate seasonal gear.
What to Do
Swimming spots: Krause Springs offers multiple swimming opportunities with its natural swimming areas. As one camper noted, "This place was wonderful. Spent hours just floating in the springs and natural spring pool. Kids can jump off the small Cliffside or fly on the rope swing."
Mountain biking trails: Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area provides approximately 10 miles of trails primarily used for mountain biking. A visitor mentioned, "With 10 miles of hacking/biking trails that are mostly under tree cover, the park offers a nice amount of day hiking."
River activities: Canyon Lake provides options for various water-based recreation. One camper reported, "We took jet skis and had a blast. The spot we had overlooked a small beach area where you could swim and launch boats."
What Campers Like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds near Spring Branch provide well-spaced camping areas. At Kerrville-Schreiner Park, campers appreciate that "the campsites were pretty well spaced apart" and that "sites are not overcrowded together."
Wildlife viewing: The region offers frequent encounters with native Texas wildlife. At Kerrville-Schreiner Park, visitors report seeing "a deer, squirrels, and even a herd of blackbuck antelope."
Water access: Pace Bend Park provides numerous camping locations with water views. A visitor commented, "The campsites along the cliffs are beautiful at night" and another noted it has "great cliff jumping and deep-water soloing opportunities."
What You Should Know
Seasonal considerations: Summer heat requires preparation while spring offers wildflower viewing. At Pedernales Falls State Park, one camper advised, "Respect weather warnings!" noting how serious flash flooding can be in the area.
Reservation requirements: Most parks require advance booking during peak seasons. One camper noted, "Pay to enter and for camping sites. You can backpack in to some of the primitive sites or stay in the HUGE camping spots."
Trail conditions: The limestone terrain creates distinctive hiking conditions. A visitor described, "Great hike down to the Pedernales Falls and cool little caves to explore. On the other end of the park, there are longer trails with scenic overlooks of the Pedernales River."
Tips for Camping with Families
Child-friendly swimming: Krause Springs offers engaging water features for children. A visitor noted, "Kids can jump off the small Cliffside or fly on the rope swing. If you like nature this is a dream spot."
Playground facilities: Some parks offer dedicated play areas. At Arkansas Bend, a camper mentioned, "Great playground for the kids and several miles of hiking trails."
Educational opportunities: Several parks provide nature learning experiences. A Pedernales Falls visitor shared, "Weve camped with scouts, camped as a family and camped with friends. A camping staple for us."
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: Arkansas Bend features well-prepared RV sites. A camper reported, "We were very surprised at how level our gravel campsite was. It made setup a breeze. The loop makes backing into your spot easy."
Hookup availability: Different campgrounds offer varying levels of services. At Kerrville-Schreiner Park, the "first row is all pull through sites with full hookups, although we do have a shorter trailer (24') and I'm not sure how much luck you would have with a truly big one."
Low clearance challenges: Some horse campgrounds near Spring Branch, Texas require careful navigation. At Krause Springs, one RVer cautioned, "My only warning is low hanging trees everywhere. I couldn't imagine trying to navigate the campground in a 5th wheel or class A. You could do some rooftop damage."
