Dispersed camping options near West Lake Hills, Texas offer alternatives to developed campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. The Edwards Plateau geography provides hilly terrain with elevations ranging from 850 to 1,100 feet. Summer humidity levels typically reach 60-70% even during the hottest days, creating moisture considerations for tent campers regardless of temperature.
What to do
Water recreation at multiple lakes: Lake Travis at Pace Bend Park offers swimming areas with cliff jumping spots. "Wonderful summer time spot, plenty of drive-up tent sites, great cliff jumping and deep-water soloing opportunities for the seeking. Also great swimming/fishing holes," notes reviewer Kadyn D.
Scuba diving opportunities: Windy Point Park provides specialized facilities for divers. "One of the interesting attractions of this park is that they offer deep water access for SCUBA diving. This park is located on Lake Travis and at a location where the shelf drops off steeply into deep water. Just offshore there are some wrecks, sculptures and other objects that may be explored by Scuba divers," explains Troy W.
Hiking through volcanic formations: The rock formations at McKinney Falls State Park Campground have geological significance. "There's an extinct volcano nearby called Pilot Knob. That accounts for the flat rock near the main falls. They are working on restoring the visitor center from after the floods. Bluebonnets are amazing here in Spring," says Emily M.
What campers like
Spacious sites with privacy: Campers appreciate site isolation at many locations. "We spent a couple of nights at this park. We loved the water falls and the sites are far apart with trees and shrubs surrounding them," writes Kingrex49 M. about McKinney Falls State Park.
Urban access with natural settings: Austin Lone Star RV Community balances city convenience with natural surroundings. "This is the third campground we've stayed at, and it's conveniently located just 15 minutes from the city, with grocery stores and other essential shops nearby. If your site is close to the interstate, you may hear some road noise, but it didn't bother us," explains Tijana & Andrew C.
Historical features: Several campgrounds contain remnants of earlier settlements. "The ruins of the homestead are definitely worth checking out if the creek is passable," notes Emily M. about exploring McKinney Falls State Park.
What you should know
Flash flood risk: Weather monitoring becomes critical during rainy periods. "Made me aware of how serious flash flooding is here. Respect weather warnings!" warns Faith S. about Pedernales Falls State Park Campground.
Limited availability at urban sites: City-adjacent campgrounds often maintain waiting lists. "You can't beat the price for the location and dive setup this close to Austin," mentions Steve & Ashley G. regarding Windy Point Park.
Swimming safety concerns: Water conditions require caution at natural swimming areas. "Please be careful swimming. If you can't swim, please refrain or wear a life jacket. There have been several drownings here," cautions Emily M. about McKinney Falls.
Tips for camping with families
Check swimming conditions: Water levels fluctuate seasonally, affecting swimming safety. "Sites were plenty big with electric and running water. The great part is the swimming. The water was warm, and it was perfect for new swimmers with floaties and advanced swimmers," shares Steph C. about McKinney Falls.
Plan for gear transport limitations: Some parks restrict vehicle access to campsites. "The big downside for me is that you are not allowed to drive your vehicle to your campsite. Instead, they provide a large caraige for you to load all your camping gear on and push or pull to your site," notes Jeremy K. about Windy Point Park.
Dog-friendly facilities: Emma Long Metropolitan Park offers canine recreation areas. "The dog trails though are off leash and awesome!" mentions Chelsea O.
Tips from RVers
Campsite leveling challenges: Terrain variations require leveling equipment. "The spots are gravel (a little unlevel due to the slight hills) but perfectly spaced with full hook up," reports Joana A. about Austin Lone Star RV Community.
Tree clearance considerations: Watch for overhead branches when navigating to sites. "Plenty of space between sites. Park, sites, and road all well maintained. Lots of fun hiking/running/biking options around the park. Easy access to Austin and plenty of local options just a few minutes from the park," advises Dan H. about staying at McKinney Falls with a 40' Class A RV.
Water access sites fill quickly: The best places to camp near West Lake Hills with RV lake access require early booking. "Great campground within miles of downtown Austin. Two scenic waterfalls for frolicking in warm weather camping. Many tree ringed rv sites for privacy," notes Steve K. about McKinney Falls.
