Campsites near The Hills, Texas provide access to the Texas Hill Country's limestone terrain with elevations ranging from 600 to 1,300 feet. The region experiences mild winters and hot summers, with temperatures regularly exceeding 95°F from June through September. Most campgrounds in the area remain open year-round with spring and fall offering the most comfortable camping conditions.
What to do
Mountain biking and hiking trails: McKinney Falls State Park Campground offers excellent trail systems for mountain bikers and hikers. "There are lots of forest trails to hike as well as some interesting rock formations around the creek and water holes. The most noted feature of the park is definitely the Upper and Lower Falls," notes Troy W. The park's trail system stays mostly shaded, providing relief during summer heat.
Cliff jumping and swimming: Pace Bend Park - Lake Travis features dramatic limestone cliffs perfect for water activities. "My favorite part about this campsite is the ability to cliff jump into a lake. I love the water and this campsite was perfect for me," shares Aaron S. The park offers multiple swimming access points along its shoreline.
Bluebonnet viewing: Visit Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area during spring for wildflower displays. "I HIGHLY suggest coming out here during Bluebonnet season. It is Absolutely beautiful!!!" advises Jennifer J. The bluebonnets typically peak in April, transforming the landscape into fields of blue.
Rock formations and caves: Pedernales Falls State Park Campground offers unique geological features to explore. "You can walk upriver from the falls, bouldering for quite a long way. Classic hill country terrain," recommends Emily M. The park's river system has carved interesting formations through limestone over thousands of years.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Arkansas Bend campsites offer excellent separation between neighbors. "RV and tents sites on very well manicured gravel pads. Facilities are super clean and very nice," reports Jacob C. The park's renovation created level platforms that make setup straightforward for both tents and RVs.
Natural swimming holes: Krause Springs provides refreshing spring-fed swimming opportunities. "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," shares Brandi W. The spring maintains a consistent 68°F temperature year-round.
Wildlife viewing: Emma Long Metropolitan Park offers opportunities to observe native wildlife. "There have been several deer, probably the name sake of this place," notes Whitney L. Early mornings and evenings provide the best viewing times for deer, armadillos, and various bird species.
Waterfront camping: Pace Bend Park offers direct lake access from many sites. "The campsites along the cliffs are beautiful at night," states Katie B. Sites on the western side of the park provide sunset views over Lake Travis.
What you should know
Flash flood warnings: Weather alerts should be taken seriously in this region. "Made me aware of how serious flash flooding is here. Respect weather warnings!" cautions Faith S. about Pedernales Falls State Park Campground. Water levels can rise rapidly during storms, particularly in river and creek camping areas.
Heat management: Summer temperatures regularly exceed 95°F, requiring proper preparation. "July is hot. The trails to the back country camping are just service roads, a big disappointment. No fires, but this should be expected," warns R W. Many campgrounds prohibit ground fires during drought conditions.
Varied shower facilities: Comfort stations differ significantly between parks. "The showers and bathrooms are private and very clean. There are plenty, so there always seems to be at least one available no matter what time of day," notes Carlyne F. about Austin Lone Star RV Community.
Reservation requirements: Most popular campgrounds require advance booking. "We have a pull behind. We were very surprised at how level our gravel campsite was. It made setup a breeze," reports Lauren Z. about Arkansas Bend. Weekend sites often fill 2-3 months in advance during peak seasons.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly swimming: McKinney Falls State Park Campground offers safe water play areas. "The water was warm, and it was perfect for new swimmers with floaties and advanced swimmers. There's a place where you can jump off the rocks into the water," recommends Steph C. The park's Lower Falls area provides gentler water flow for younger children.
Playground access: Several campgrounds include dedicated play areas. "The park ranger are awesome! Going in the summer is a must, the water is the right tempter for swimming or boating," shares Ruth P. about Pace Bend Park. Arkansas Bend also features a modern playground near camping areas.
Bur hazards: Some areas contain plant hazards for children and pets. "There were stickers/burs everywhere so our dogs were very uncomfortable," cautions Grant about Muleshoe Bend. Bringing a small brush to remove these from clothing and fur is recommended.
Educational opportunities: Historical features provide learning experiences. "The ruins of the homestead are definitely worth checking out if the creek is passable," suggests Emily M. regarding McKinney Falls State Park. Several parks offer junior ranger programs during summer months.
Tips from RVers
Tree clearance: Some campgrounds have low-hanging branches. "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," cautions Brandi W. about Krause Springs. Call ahead to confirm routes through campgrounds for larger rigs.
Site leveling: Many Hill Country campgrounds feature varied terrain. "We have a pull behind. We were very surprised at how level our gravel campsite was. It made setup a breeze," notes Lauren Z. about Arkansas Bend. Bringing additional leveling blocks is still recommended.
Urban access options: For exploring Austin while camping, several RV parks provide convenient locations. "This RV park is in an ideal location for exploring Austin. It's located along the freeway, so there is some road noise," explains Marnie G. about Austin Lone Star RV Community. Urban RV parks typically offer full hookups but less privacy between sites.
Dog-friendly campgrounds near The Hills: Most campgrounds welcome pets with standard restrictions. "Extremely dog friendly! Has a good little spot with a picnic table for eating at camp," states Kaitlyn M. about Pedernales Falls State Park Campground. Pet-friendly campgrounds typically require 6-foot leashes and prohibit pets on certain trails or swim areas.
Scout
