Lake Belton and nearby Lake Georgetown create a water-rich camping environment about 60 miles north of Austin. The area features limestone terrain with juniper and oak woodlands at elevations ranging 600-800 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures often exceed 95°F while winter nights can drop below freezing, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons.
What to do
Fishing from your campsite: Cedar Ridge Park provides waterfront sites where fishing is accessible without leaving your spot. "Found this camp at the last minute for an overnight stay. Seems to be on the river channel. Fishing is great. Campers next to us cleaned fish the evening we arrived and the next morning," notes Jim P.
Biking through varied terrain: Lake Georgetown offers cycling opportunities on the Goodwater Loop trail. "Nice park. Spots are fairly close together with tent and RV spots near each other. Clean bathrooms and nice lakefront view," reports Amy H. The trail is challenging but rewarding for mountain bikers looking for technical rides.
Wildlife photography: Wildlife viewing is excellent, particularly during mornings and evenings. "We saw lots of deer and birds. We will definitely return!" shares Stephanie A. Bring a telephoto lens to capture deer, turkey, and various bird species without disturbing them.
What campers like
Private boat ramps: Live Oak Ridge offers dedicated launch facilities for registered campers. "Live Oak is a nice Corps of Engineers park on Belton Lake. The campsites are well maintained with asphalt parking, a covered picnic table, and nice gravel area. We stayed in Site 3 which was waterfront," explains Lisa H.
Covered picnic areas: Most sites include substantial shelters. "Each site has a picnic table and grill. There is a designated swimming area within the campground," reports Troy W. The covered areas provide much-needed shade during hot summer months.
Trails with diverse ecosystems: The Georgetown area offers varied hiking experiences. "This park is pretty large and your experience here will vary depending on where you setup camp. We opted for spot 58 which is on a small bluff overlooking the lake. We had a trail from our spot to the lake which we took advantage of," says Mark S.
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Some parks have limited operating seasons. "I haven't stayed here yet but I wanted to make a review about their open season. They have it listed on their website, but they are only open from March 2nd to September 30th for the year of 2022," warns Joel K. about Dana Peak.
Limited shade at some parks: Not all campgrounds offer equal tree cover. "Not many actual camp sites and every site is sunny," reports Deb about Dana Peak. This can be challenging during hot Texas summers when temperatures regularly exceed 95°F.
Uneven terrain: Some campgrounds feature sloping sites. "Our rear bumper in site 34 is 9.5 inch higher than the hitch. Some rigs might have trouble getting level," notes Robert E.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Wilson H Fox offers family-friendly facilities. "We come here every year. Quite, calm. Fishing, swimming, animal watching it has it all," says Elizabeth M. The playground provides entertainment for children between water activities.
Swimming areas: Designated swimming zones offer safer water access. "Great swimming area. 30/50 amps, and water hook ups. No sewer. Playground area," notes Mary S. Always supervise children near water, especially during weekends when areas become more crowded.
Biking opportunities: Several parks offer safe cycling areas for children. "Very family friendly park. We road bicycles, played on the playground. Hiked around and fished," shares Cathy C.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for shade: At Cedar Breaks Park, specific sites offer better conditions. "The sites along the outside of the loop have lake views and are level. The sites along the inside are scary unlevel! Some of the big rigs were backed in and jacked up 4 feet or so in front," warns Karen H.
Dump station planning: Most parks offer dump stations rather than sewer hookups. "Has 30 & 50 amp hookups with water does not have sewer hookups at sites but does have dump station close by," reports Cody D.
Rig positioning strategy: Strategic parking can maximize comfort. "Awesome campground. If you study the park map it is very easy to find a spot with lots of shade. Spots are spacious, some large. We stayed in site 24. Next closest neighbor was 75 feet or better away," shares Roscoe's R.
While traditional camping options dominate the Temple area, yurt camping near Temple, Texas is limited. Those seeking yurt camping around Temple, Texas should contact parks directly as seasonal yurt offerings may not be advertised online. The closest semi-permanent canvas structures or glamping yurts to the Temple, Texas region are typically found at private campgrounds rather than public lands.
