Best Tent Camping near Stockdale, TX

Tent camping near Stockdale, Texas provides access to several riverside campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. Helton Nature Park offers 43 tent campsites with basic amenities in a natural setting about 15 miles southwest of Stockdale. North Park at Canyon Lake, operating seasonally from March through October, provides tent-only camping with water access and natural surroundings. Don's Fish Camp features walk-in tent sites along the San Marcos River with boat-in access options for more secluded camping experiences.

Most tent campgrounds in the Stockdale area feature drive-in access with designated tent pads, though Don's Fish Camp also offers walk-in tent sites for those seeking more primitive tent camping. Campgrounds typically provide drinking water, toilets, and fire rings, with shower facilities available at select locations. Helton Nature Park includes picnic tables and trash disposal for tent campers. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, making spring and fall the preferred seasons for tent camping in this region. Fire restrictions may apply during dry periods, particularly in late summer. Reservations are recommended at most established campgrounds, especially during weekends and holiday periods.

The tent camping experience near Stockdale centers around river access and water recreation. Campsites along the Guadalupe and San Marcos Rivers offer opportunities for swimming, fishing, and tubing directly from tent campsites. Don's Fish Camp provides a more natural landscape setting for tent campers at $20 per night per person, with campers noting it's "very peaceful during the week" with basic bathroom and shower facilities. Helton Nature Park receives positive reviews for its "calming experience" with tent sites suitable for relaxation. Backcountry tent camping options are limited in this region, with most sites being established campgrounds rather than primitive backcountry areas. Tent campers should be prepared for occasional crowds at river-access campgrounds during summer weekends and holiday periods.

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Best Tent Sites Near Stockdale, Texas (14)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Stockdale, TX

296 Reviews of 14 Stockdale Campgrounds


  • Denise V.
    May. 14, 2021

    Texas 281 RV Park

    Home Among the Trees (for the Weekend)

    We really enjoyed this park and lovely old Live Oaks. It was close to Anhalt Halle. 

    Type of Park: Private-owned 

    Check In: 11a Check Out: 11a 

    Cost per night$44 

    Discounts: Good Sam$4/night 

    Site#10- Pull-Thru 

    Water 20/30/50 amp Sewer Picnic Table Site Pad: Asphalt

    👍🏻 Pros: Shade from Live Oaks Close to showers, restrooms, laundry There’s a little room in the same building with coffee, table, books(Botanical Room)

    👎🏻 Cons: The front area is a little close to Hwy 281 so there’s a little road noise but not bad No fire ring No grill at the sites

    📝 Park Notes: Lot of people live here full time Good Live Oak shade trees, but watch them above and on the side of your rig 

    Wifi

    Propane sold onsite

    Laundry facilities

    Club house for larger gatherings- built of native stone

    Dog Park

    Basketball court

    Chapel, church services on Sunday

    Nature Trail

    Headquarters has limited supply of RV parts(or there's a Walmart and Tractor Supply nearby)\

    Billiards, Ping Pong, Horseshoes, Shuffleboard

    RV Storage area

    Mini storage buildings

    Rental Guest Suites available

    Frog/Koi pond/fountain

    Quiet hours 9pm to 7 am

    🐦 Wildlife: Birds: Lots of happy singing ones, hummingbirds Squirrels

    More info at https://www.denisevajdak.com/2021/04/anhalt-western-roundup.html

  • Laura F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 5, 2020

    Potters Creek Park sites map

    Spacious sites along Canyon Lake

    Nice large sites with covered picnic tables, a fire ring, and a grill. The sites along the lake front do not have trees for shade but the ones in the back row have nice trees. No hiking in the park but the area has nice roads for biking

  • Napunani
    Jan. 24, 2022

    Lockhart State Park Campground

    Camping at a Golf Course

    Pros 

    Reserved on-line 123 days prior to arrival without incurring any reservation fee. 

    Total cost was$18 each night. 

    Campsite and entrance fee discount with Texas State Park Pass. 

    Very quiet in December. No highway or train noise.

    Great night sky viewing from park golf course.

    NO STREET LIGHTS in campground., but toilet facilities had exterior lighting.

    Campsite had cooking grill on metal fire ring and barrel BBQ smoker.

    Campsite had metal cover over picnic table.

    Level site #7.

    Grass mowed throughout campsites.

    Ample supply of TP, soap and hand towels in toilet facility.

    Nice view of Golf Course from FHU campground.

    Cons

    FHU sites in wagon wheel configuration. Absolutely no privacy from other sites. Campsite fire rings placed weirdly which created confusion between campers as to which fire ring belong to which campsite.

    Water pressure fluctuations constantly.

    20 campsites total for this park with 3 park hosts which one is using a numbered site, so only 19 campsites to reserve.

    Never saw any park rangers or park security driving through campground; no interaction with Park Hosts.

    No security gate closed overnight. L

    imited Shade. Seems each FHU site had one tree.

    One toilet facility for 20 campsites PLUS day users, except for pool users. One shower only in each Men’s and Women’s.

    Campsite #7 full of fire ants!

    No campfire wood for sale.

    1 bar AT&T No Park Wifi

  • D
    Mar. 29, 2023

    Dot's Spots

    Kimberly K Says:

    This was the perfect getaway for a last minute weekend trip. We arrived after dark, but Reza was so helpful in making sure we had everything we needed as we set up at the tent site. We really appreciated the little extras: reclining chairs at the tent site and also at the fire pit, the flush toilet and the outdoor shower, a picnic table and firewood was also available. Both Dot and Reza were so pleasant and very accommodating to our needs. They were readily accessible without being intrusive. We definitely had our privacy but knew they were just a phone call away. We cannot wait to come back and reconnect with nature. The stars are abundant and the vibe is so amazing, we felt completely recharged. We're so happy we found this gem!!

  • N
    Oct. 6, 2020

    Lake Wood Recreation Area

    Quite campground on the Guadalupe River

    Great spot to get away and camp. $25 for tent camping with water and electricity. Also has hookups for RVs. The dam failed a few years back so the lake is no longer there but the river is great for fishing and some swimming. Lots of shade from old pecan trees and soft grass for comfortable tent placement. All sites have a fire ring and picnic tables.

  • Troy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2018

    Camp Huaco Springs

    Camp Hueco Spring + River Access + Family Fun

    Camp Hueco Springs is owned by the same operators as the Double Rockin' R Campground. However, this campground has many more amenities. The campground is located near the town of New Braunfels along the River Road.

    The main attraction of this campground is the easy access to the Guadalupe River.

    The office/store has an abundance of supplies from groceries to firewood to fishing supplies. On one side of the campground there are primitive sites with only picnic tables. On the other side of the campground are pad sites for RVs with full water, electric and sewage hookups. There are restroom facilities near the campsites and a few pot-a-potties scattered around the grounds. Tent campers are allowed on the pad sites, but the fees are a little more and you will be surrounded by RVs. Down the road there is a store where you can rent cabins, inner tubes, canoes, kayaks and SUPs. There is something for everyone at this campground.

    The best part about this campground is the easy access to the river. There are some campsites right on the bank of the river and others a short walk away under a grove of trees. Some of the campsites on the river do not have shade, so bring your own sun shade. One downside to this campground is that the campsites lie between the river and the road, so often you can hear road noise - bring some ear plugs. Also, this campground receives lots of visitors during the summer and fall so don't expect much privacy. Sometimes the restroom facilities are left a bit untidy.

    In the winter this campground is often used as access point for fly fishermen seeking to land huge trout. In the summer, the water is sometimes low and slow moving which can limit water recreational activities. However, if you're there for the floating, paddling, fishing or just hanging out by the river this campground offers something for everyone.

  • R
    Dec. 29, 2022

    Cranes Mill Park

    Another fine COE campground

    Disclaimer: I am biased towards COE campgrounds. Cheap, ample grass, trees, water, blue sky and stars at night. Usually a paved pad, reliable utilities, picnic table, fire ring, grill, friendly volunteers. Did I mention cheap? With a National Park Pass you get 50% off so nightly rate is usually $11-15 range. How can you go wrong. Almost always good site spacing, 20-30 feet. Almost always well maintained. Waaayy closer to camping than commercial RV parks. 

    Cranes Mill is 4 of 5 on COE scale, paved pads, pretty level. Good spacing, generally 25-30 feet. Hooded picnic table with usual fire ring, grill. Excellent bath houses. Canyon Lake was low when I was there (Nov,'22) but still fishing and boating activity. Small towns/shops <5miles, major shopping 15 miles. I'm going back in Feb'22 for another stay.

    Good cell coverage - Verizon, 3bars LTE, 10+mb down, ATT 3bars LTE 10+mb down. I work remote so this is important. No issues in my ten day stay.

  • Dawn D.
    Apr. 11, 2022

    Lake Wood Recreation Area

    First Camping trip With The Kids

    Our first time for the season did a Lil camping trip me and all the kids (8) not all mine lol for a little trial run it was a nice cute little campground there's a river real close by we had a table and fire ring no electric but there are sites that have electric we had a really good time here will definitely return its not to far from out town

  • Troy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 10, 2018

    Palmetto State Park Campground

    Ranger Review: Gregory Backpack at Palmetto SP (River + Lake + Palmettos)

    Campsite Review:

    Palmetto State Park is a tranquil campground located in Central Texas. It offers campers the chance to hike, bike, swim, paddle, fish or just lay in a hammock under the shade of trees. The park is located a few minutes drive from the towns of Gonzales and Luling. The park's most unique feature are the dwarf palmetto plants which grow throughout the forest.

    When entering the park you are welcomed by a canopy of overhanging trees. At the entrance there is an office where you can pay your admission fee and shop for some basic camping necessities. There are also after-hour pay stations nearby.

    At each campsite there is a parking space with water and electrical hookups, a picnic table, barbecue grill and fire pit. Most of the sites will fit small to medium sized RVs. There are plenty of shade trees around the campsites which are welcome during the summers in Texas. The restrooms are near the campsites and all of the restrooms, although somewhat dated, have sinks, flush toilets and showers.

    Some of the attractions of this park include a small artesian spring, lake and the San Marcus River. There is a nice hike and bike trail which runs along the bank of the river which is flat and easy to walk or bike. There are some amazing sights and sounds while walking through the forest - from birds to insects to small mammals to plants. As previously mentioned, one of the unique features of this park are the dwarf palmetto plants that grow on the forest floor. These palmettos make you feel as if you've been transported to a tropical paradise. Paddle boat, kayak and canoe rentals are available at a concession office near the lake.

    There are a number of activities to enjoy at this park, but some of the facilities could use an update. I would think that is a nice park for families with kids because of the variety of activities that can be pursued. There are no extreme features like mountains or cliffs, just a number of peaceful nooks in nature.

    Before or after your stay at Palmetto State Park be sure to pass by the little town of Luling, Texas where you can eat at the City Market Café which has some of the best barbecue in Texas.

    Product Review:

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I am offered the opportunity to test products. At this campground, I tested the Gregory Inertia 30 Hydration Backpack.

    Top reasons I loved the Gregory Inertia 30 Hydration Backpack:

    1. Size: The pack is 30 liters and is useful for day hikes, weekend adventures or carry-on airline travel.
    2. Features: The pack has well thought-out organization with a large main compartment, a mid-sized compartment, a top stash pocket, stretch mesh front and side pockets and a flexible suspension. Also, there are a number of attachment loops for attaching tools, poles, solar chargers or other gear.
    3. Technology: The new 3D hydration bladder is a breeze to fill, empty and clean. It has an tactile grip handle and rubberized fill top which make opening and closing easy. When cleaning or drying out the bladder, the sidewalls of the bladder maintain an open shape which allows easy access and evaporation of any residual water.
    4. Quality: All of the materials are of high quality. I expect that the backpack will last many years. This is important for a day use backpack which will see regular duty under a variety of conditions. It is also important for backpacking, because no one wants a gear failure while in the backcountry.

    I hope and expect that this backpack will become my go to backpack for a variety of adventures.


Guide to Stockdale

Discover the charm of tent camping near Stockdale, Texas, where nature meets adventure in a variety of beautiful settings.

Tips for tent camping near Stockdale

  • Make sure to visit Calaveras Lake Park for electric hookups and picnic tables, perfect for a comfortable camping experience.
  • Pack your essentials for a stay at Helton Nature Park, which offers drinking water and reservable sites for a hassle-free trip.
  • If you're bringing pets along, Son’s Geronimo is a great choice, allowing furry friends to join in on the fun.

Tent campers should check out Son’s Island

  • Enjoy a unique glamping experience at Son’s Island - Temporarily Closed, where you can relax in air-conditioned tents and take advantage of private cabanas.
  • For a family-friendly atmosphere, Son’s River Ranch features amenities like pools and hot tubs, making it a hit with kids and adults alike.
  • Experience the beauty of the San Marcos River while camping at Son’s Blue River Camp, where tubing and kayaking are popular activities.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Kayaking and paddleboarding are must-try activities at Son’s Rio Cibolo, offering a serene environment for water lovers.
  • Explore the scenic Guadalupe River while staying at Son’s Guadalupe, where you can float down the river and enjoy the stunning views.
  • For a peaceful retreat, Don's Fish Camp provides a natural landscape perfect for swimming and BBQing, especially during the week when it's less crowded.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Stockdale, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Stockdale, TX is Helton Nature Park with a 4-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Stockdale, TX?

TheDyrt.com has all 14 tent camping locations near Stockdale, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.