May is the time to go when no one else is there for tent camping! Pretty views and trails to explore. Even a cave up the hill a little ways to explore. I don’t have a problem with primitive camping when places like this offers gorgeous views and a peaceful place to sleep.
I was on my way to Austin TX from California to visit my daughter and this was a destination I had on the map along my car camping route. Apparently I was late (said they close at 5 but apparently they close sooner) to get into the gate for first come but a gentle sole of an angle ranger Caesar let me in as I promised to pay in the morning when the gift shop was open to take payment at 8 am. Long story short, he made my day and I would love to go back and visit again given the opportunity. Loved this setup of a hidden gem from city lights and noise.
My friend and I camped our way from CA to Austin and was heading back home. We chose Lubbock area to stop for the night. Buffalo Springs campground was the only nearby place I found to camp. I called them and was told that I had to register online. I was surprised to pay a total of $60 for a camp site. It cost $25 for a tent site plus $5 fee plus $15/adult just to get into the gate. What a rip off! It was split between the two of us so it didn't seem too terrible but…when we drove to our site, there wasn't a shade structure or picnic table in our assigned site. We were told to go online for any changes. I couldn't figure out how to do that and since we were the only campers there, we moved to another site. Fire rings, shade structures, picnic tables and little pieces of trash were randomly spread out everywhere! This was the most unorganized, run down place to tent camp I have ever seen! My dog kept finding bones tossed about on the ground. There were cigarette butts everywhere. We even found a vintage beer pull tab amongst other trashy little things. This was the only tent camping place that I was not happy with the whole 3,600 mile drive!