Within 30 miles of Taylor, Texas, camping options sit along Lake Travis and its surrounding bodies of water. These campgrounds typically experience hot summer months with temperatures often exceeding 90°F, and mild winters with occasional cold fronts. The terrain consists mostly of limestone-based hills and valleys with juniper and oak trees providing natural shade at many sites.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Grelle - Lake Travis, visitors can fish from the shoreline. "The deer didn't even seem bothered by us. Convenient dumpster, restrooms, fire pits, and grills! Great view of the sunrise/sunset," reports Melissa P.
Mountain biking trails: Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area offers a trail system for mountain biking enthusiasts. "There are a few miles of hike and bike trails, but I HIGHLY suggest coming out here during Bluebonnet season. It is Absolutely beautiful!" notes Jennifer J. The trails form a loop that weaves around the entire park.
Water activities: At Pace Bend Park, visitors can enjoy cliff jumping into Lake Travis. "Was absolutely stunning, it's on a cliff top so your 'backyard' is a small trail to a gorgeous overlook of the lake and adjacent cliffs," states Juliet S. The park offers swimming areas with deep water access points.
What campers like
Spacious sites: At Live Oak Ridge, campers appreciate the well-designed camping areas. "Live Oak Ridge COE Campground is excellently maintain and is a very low-key, restful place to land. Large sites with ample vehicle parking that offer substantial distance from the neighboring sites," describes Cheryl D.
Natural springs: While equestrian camping near Taylor, Texas remains limited, some campers travel to Krause Springs for its natural water features. "I have tent camped here but they also have RV camping. There are two waterfalls. The main falls starts by flowing into a topside traditional pool down to a natural pool below," explains Emily M.
Lake access: Several campers highlight the direct access to Lake Travis at many sites. "We were in spot 11 which was waterfront, but no water access, however was shaded and spacious," notes Lisa H. about her stay at Live Oak Ridge.
What you should know
Limited equestrian facilities: Horse-friendly camping options near Taylor are scarce. While some parks like Shaffer Bend Recreation Area have horse pens, they lack dedicated equestrian camping infrastructure. "The camps are clean. Most are equipped with a picnic table and fire ring. In the large camp area, some have BBQ pits with a couple big communal grill/smoker. The same area has a horse pen as well if you're an equestrian enthusiast," mentions Erik F.
Porta-potty availability: Many campgrounds use portable toilets rather than permanent facilities. "The large camp area has a couple port-a-poties. At the gate entrance there are men's and women's rooms with running water. That's about 3 miles from the camp sites," explains Erik F. about Shaffer Bend.
Water level fluctuations: Lake levels can change significantly based on rainfall and drought conditions. "The drought caused the lake to be pretty dried up so our water front view didn't have much water!" reports Taylor about Grelle Recreation Area.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds available: Several parks offer designated play areas for children. "There is a playground in the center of the park in a field of beautiful yellow flowers," notes Olivia about Willis Creek at Granger Lake.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Kids often enjoy watching local wildlife at various parks. "The camp host was exceptionally kind and really takes care of the park! There were lots of deer, really neat to look at. The deer didn't even seem bothered by us," says Taylor about Grelle Recreation Area.
Consider swimming access: When camping with children, check which campgrounds offer safe water entry points. "The lake ramp is perfect for paddle boat or any large boat (platoons, etc)," mentions Kelly T. about Willis Creek, though families should note that not all waterfront sites have direct swim access.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling considerations: Arkansas Bend gets high marks from RV campers for level sites. "We were very surprised at how level our gravel campsite was. It made setup a breeze. The loop makes backing into your spot easy," explains Lauren Z.
Tree clearance issues: Some campgrounds have low-hanging branches that can damage taller RVs. "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," warns Brandi W. about Krause Springs.
Hookup availability: Check which utilities are available at each site. "It had water/electric with a dump station. It had a picnic table and fire pit," notes Nomadic L. about Live Oak Ridge, which provides essential information for RV planning.
Ranger
