Once in a while we succumb to the urge to leave the busy city behind to spend a night beneath the wide open sky. Now’s the time to do it  before summer turns the heat up to triple digits. We Austinites are lucky: we don’t have to travel more than an hour or so in any direction to arrive at a beautiful spot for enjoying spring’s greenery. Choose from secluded fishing camps to well-appointed RV sites with both scenery and Starbucks near at hand. You’ll discover quiet river bends and Hill Country views that will claim their place in your heart. It’s time to fall in love with Texas all over again.

Photo by Matthew Johnson

Pedernales Falls State Park

42 miles west
The falls are spectacular, but there’s plenty more to explore in this vast swath of grassland, oak woods, and cedar-covered rocky hills in Blanco County between Round Mountain and Dripping Springs that was formerly the Circle Bar Ranch. At more than 5,200 acres, it’s one of the largest public areas of wilderness close to the capital city. There are nearly 5 miles of free-flowing Pedernales River and some 20 miles of hike, bike, and equestrian trails. (“Pedernales” is Spanish for flint—which constitutes many of the stones found in the river.) There are 69 multiuse spots, but try the primitive sites on the bluffs above Mescal Creek, some of the best untamed camping in the Hill Country. It’s a 2.5-mile hike from the Wolf Mountain Trail parking area, but once you’re there it’ll feel as though you must be way more than an hour’s drive from the big city. The park teems with deer and turkey and other animals, including raccoons and javelinas, which, by the way, will absolutely rummage through anything you leave outside. A dip in the river is obligatory, though Mama don’t allow no swimming in the area by the falls, due to the ever-present danger of flash flooding. Seek out the charming semi-secret swimming holes along Bee Creek. Mountain bikers should conquer Wolf Mountain Trail, and bird-watchers and nature lovers will want to ford Trammell’s Crossing and wander the tranquil 5.5-mile Loop Trail on the eastern side of the river. Multiuse sites, primitive camping

Pro tip: Learn from outdoorsy Oregonians—buy a trailer to cart your gear.

Park Info

2585 Park Road 6026, Johnson City; tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/pedernales-falls

Reservations
texas.reserveworld.com or (512) 389-8900

Entrance fee
Adult, $6 daily; Child (12 and under), free

Camping
From $10 nightly

Lockhart State Park

37 miles south
Basically a public golf course (9-hole, par 35) set under a pretty wooded rise, Lockhart State Park was built in the 1930s around Clear Fork Creek by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It’s dotted with examples of the laborers’ stonework, notably the Recreation Hall hidden on a hilltop and the swimming pool. Golf is an enticement to some: The luxurious RVs camped on the Fairway View loop are surrounded by carts and clubs. But the real attraction is the park’s proximity to the best of Central Texas barbecue. Smitty’s Market and Kreuz Market are close by in Lockhart, and the great City Market is 15 miles away in Luling. Make sure to wander the downtown blocks there after you’ve eaten. Luling’s Davis Street is picturesque with its matching palm trees and live oaks, and you should check out the Oil Museum, one of several inviting storefronts. At HollyDee Quilts you actually can get all sorts of s**t, in the form of seasonings from the Special S**t company. Lockhart has the air of a place moving up: new around the square are Spellerberg Projects, hosting exhibitions and art projects, and the Caracara Brewing Company. Find excellent coffee and Wi-Fi at Chaparral Coffee. Multiuse sites

Pro tips: Ten multiuse sites in the narrow creek bottom offer shade and space and easy access to the thoughtfully laid-out hiking trails. Site 13 is roomy and sits next to a short trail to a small dam, which you can cross to get to the trails. Pool is open Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Park Info

2012 State Park Road, Lockhart; tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lockhart

Reservations
texas.reserveworld.com or (512) 389-8900

Entrance fee
Adult, $3 daily; Child (12 and under), free

Camping
From $20 nightly

Photo by Charlie Llewellin

​Fox Bottom Primitive Camping Area, Granger Lake

45 miles northeast
The San Gabriel River breaks up the flat blackland prairie north of Taylor, and the view from FM 1331 north over the treetops in the valley is one of the loveliest vistas near Austin. The river stays hidden in the woods as it meanders east into Granger Lake. Intended mainly for fishermen, the camp is on the south bank, one lazy curve upstream from the western reaches of the reservoir. Tall trees shade a peaceful grassy grove. It’s at its most gorgeous in the spring, and that’s also when the crappie fishing is at its best. The fish spawn among the flooded willows that stick out of the shallow water at the upper end of the lake. But whether or not you fish, Fox Bottom makes a delightful base from which to poke around the sylvan river and the expansive lake in your kayak or canoe. Primitive camping

Pro tip: Access to the camp (from Taylor Park) is either by water or on foot via the Comanche Bluff Trail beginning at the Hoxie Bridge (pictured here) from the parking area at the end of CR 496 (a 3-mile hike).

Park Info

Taylor Park, 4801 FM 1331, Taylor

Reservations
(512) 859-2668

Camping
$28 per night per site (includes entrance fee)

Blanco State Park

50 miles west
Halfway along RR 165, south of U.S. 290, the road dives down into the Blanco River Valley. There the view opens up over the oak forest all the way to the Twin Sisters (a pair of prominent hills) and into Kendall County. Blanco is hidden in this greenery, a worldview away from the mushrooming subdivisions of Dripping Springs. It’s Austin’s nearest slice of echt small-town Hill Country, and the city’s mix of attractions and lack of attitude add up to a nicely low-key weekend getaway. The state park is by the river in the center of town, and you could stay put there to fish or kayak the day away. But the elegant courthouse and the homegrown shops on the town square merit an afternoon of unhurried exploration. From the camping area, cross the river and walk under U.S. 281 to the eastern end of the park, where an almost-hidden gate lets you into Bindseil City Park and downtown Blanco beyond. Join the lunch crowd at the Redbud Cafe, and then browse the bric-a-brac in Cranberry’s antique store. Marvel at the quilts in the Uptown Blanco Textile Studio before a visit to the consistently very good Old 300 BBQ. There’s usually music at the Redbud on weekend nights, and sometimes at Twin Sisters Dance Hall, a short drive south on 281. The Real Ale Brewery, a few blocks north of the square, offers tours on weekend afternoons, and its taproom is open Wednesday through Sunday. Or ask a designated driver to take you north toward Johnson City to visit the newly opened Andalusia Distillery, where you can enjoy whiskey tastings and cocktails. Multiuse sites

Pro tips: The sites in the western loop are a little quieter, being farther from the main road. Best are 20, 22, 24, and 28, set against a wooded slope. For breakfast visit Hacienda el Charro, close to the main park entrance, where the migas are perfection on a plate. Then hike the Pumphouse Trail to the limestone flats and dam at the park’s western end. Rent kayaks, canoes, and tubes at the main office.

Park Info

101 Park Road 23, Blanco; tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/blanco

Reservations
texas.reserveworld.com or (512) 389-8900

Entrance fee
Adult, $5 daily; Children (12 and under), free

Camping
From $20 nightly

Cedar Breaks Park, Lake Georgetown

32 miles north
Lake Georgetown on the North San Gabriel River is almost like Georgetown’s version of Barton Creek. With so much development popping up along State Highway 29 and Ronald Reagan Boulevard, it’s become a place for city folk to experience the countryside without suffering withdrawal, since there are two Starbucks and an H-E-B just minutes away. The park is one of several campgrounds around this huge reservoir. On the opposite bank, Jim Hogg has more multiuse sites, while Tejas Camp, Russell Park, and Sawyer Park offer a few primitive tent sites. To nonboaters, the area’s attraction is the superb hiking along the rugged shoreline, and of these local facilities we choose Cedar Breaks not only because the sites are mostly shaded, but also because of the trail that begins here, one of the best in the Austin area. Revel in far-reaching lake views as you make your way through the juniper woods to Crockett Garden Falls, where a pretty fern-covered grotto and old ranch buildings await. This trail is part of the 27-mile Good Water loop that circles the reservoir, passing tall bluffs, ancient middens, and natural springs. From Overlook Park by the dam you can walk down a steep path to Booty’s Road Park and on into downtown Georgetown, a route that is also perfect for an all-terrain bicycle. Multiuse sites (Photo by Charlie Llewellin)

Pro tips: Avoid the sites by the lake shore (15-33), as they are unshaded. The area just outside the park is blessed with several excellent mom-and-pop Mexican restaurants. Try the tacos al pastor at the Texaco at 1015 Leander Road.

Park Info

2100 Cedar Breaks Road, Georgetown

Reservations
recreation.gov or (877) 444-6777

Camping
$26 per site nightly (includes entrance fee)

Government Canyon State Natural Area

94 miles southwest
The sites here have been set up to make tent camping super easy. Each consists of a raised, gravel-covered bed so neatly tucked away in the cedar that you might imagine yourself in Japan or Northern California. Yet you’re only a few steps from convenient parking. Each site has a fire pit, picnic bench, and javelina-proof food storage. There are water spigots and warm restrooms, and a shower building is under construction. The camping area is in the flat “Frontcountry,” as the park has named it, and there are trailheads at the site for both the level Frontcountry paths and the extensive Backcountry system, which loops around wild and rugged canyons to reveal stunning views of the park and, in the distance, the city of San Antonio. You can hike or bike or run for more than 40 miles within the park. There’s much to discover: tall bluffs and green springs, dinosaur tracks, and fascinating relics dating from both Native American and rancher occupations. Because this is a state-designated natural area, preservation of the ecosystem is paramount. The land was initially set aside to secure the water supply for San Antonio. The savannah at the foot of the limestone hills is important to the ecological well-being of the Hill Country, because it’s along this line that water seeps down to recharge the Edwards Aquifer. Play your part by keeping the area pristine while you enjoy this spectacular park. Tent camping only

Pro tips: Open Friday through Monday only. Camping sites book quickly, especially in spring and fall, when the park is popular with church and scout groups. Pets (on lease) are only allowed in the Frontcountry. Trails are often closed after wet weather.

Park Info

12861 Galm Road, San Antonio; tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/government-canyon

Reservations
texas.reserveworld.com or (512) 389-8900

Entrance fee
Adult, $6 daily; Child (12 and under), free

Camping
From $18 nightly

Krause Springs

36 miles northwest
A trip to this beautiful, private 115-acre spot in Spicewood (less than an hour from downtown Austin) has been a Hill Country tradition for decades. There’s a smallish man-made pool and, below it, a delightful natural grotto with waterfalls and beaches. The grounds are always perfectly maintained. There’s a butterfly garden that resonates with peaceful sounds from huge wind chimes. The downside? The swimming area isn’t big and can fill up quickly, so having a campsite to retreat to is a smart way to enjoy the place without stressing. There are 24 RV sites and plenty of shaded (non-reservable) tent camping spots with the benefit of convenient parking. Opening time is 9 a.m., so before then campers get the pools to themselves. Bring tubes and a book, and don’t forget to get some barbecue from Opie’s in Spicewood on your way back home. Reservable RV sites with water and electricity, walk-in tent camping

Pro tips: No pets or credit card accepted. The annual Fourth of July fireworks show is a great alternative to the crowds at Auditorium Shores.

Park Info

404 Krause Spring Road, Spicewood; krausesprings.net

Reservations
(830) 693-4181

Entrance fee
Adult, $8 daily; Children 4-11 years, $5; Under 4, free

Camping
Adult, $15 nightly; Child, $10 nightly; RV sites, $15 nightly

Inks Lake State Park

67 miles northwest
Lovely little Inks Lake snuggles up to its big neighbor Lake Buchanan like a chihuahua nestling into the arms of a rancher driving his F-250, the dog’s pretty pink bow just-so. The rose-colored rock that rings the lake is gneiss, and it’s millions of years old. The exquisiteness of the park is best appreciated from the water, since the lake is the perfect size for family excursions in kayaks or canoes. The wooded shorelines and waterfowl-filled coves are easily reached from the put-in by the park store. Paddle across to Devil’s Waterhole, where Spring Creek flows into the lake. Low cliffs of veiny pink and gray line the narrow inlet, and the slopes above are dark green with oak and cedar. To jump from the high ledges into the cold water is a Central Texas rite of passage. Enjoy the pools and little waterfalls along the creek. Then leave the canoes and hike the trail to the heights for views all the way to the dam. The green and orange lichen growing on the rocks add flourish to the color palette that distinguishes this part of Texas from the rest. Despite its fairly remote location, Inks Lake almost always hums with activity. Expect to be surrounded by children and dogs other than your own, as well as the sound of music and the smell of grilling. Escape to the trails on the eastern side of Park Road 4, or to burgers and beers at Reverend Jim’s Dam Pub on State Highway 29. Multiuse sites, cabins, and primitive camping

Pro tips: Inks Lake often fills up. Weekends and cabins should be reserved several months in advance. Try to bag site 251 or 253, which feature what is practically a private headland close to Devil’s Waterhole. Canoe, kayak, and paddleboat rentals are available at the park store.

Park Info

3630 Park Road 4 West, Burnet; tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/inks-lake

Reservations
texas.reserveworld.com or (512) 389-8900

Entrance fee
Adults, $6 daily; Children (12 and under), free

Camping
From $11 nightly

Shaffer Bend Recreation Area

55 miles northwest
So you want wilderness? You want freedom? You want dominion? Try the Lower Colorado River Authority parks, little lost kingdoms that exude mystery and promise, where gravel tracks disappear into forgotten acres. In the ’90s there were all-night raves at these places, and at one party where Gibby Haynes was the DJ, I swear I witnessed a couple, dressed as King Arthur and Lady Guinevere, materialize out of the early morning river mist in a canoe and drift silently downstream. Shaffer Bend is one of these strange fiefdoms, more than 500 acres of cedar, cactus, and clumpy grassland at the end of CR 343-A, a road that is itself a sort of end of dreams. The track into the park winds past yucca and prickly pear and scraggly hackberry on its descent from the limestone hills to the untidy flats, where there are some 20 bare-bones sites scattered along the steep bank that drops to the sandy shoreline. The Colorado River is a hop, skip, and a jump away. Sleeping slabs of gray rock lie in the green water. The park is a wildlife preserve, and birds are everywhere: Watch cardinals and cedar waxwings flit from branch to branch. There are larger animals, too, like whitetail deer and feral hogs. For the convenience of riders, the LCRA has placed four equine pens at the group campsites (25 and 26)—the 8 miles of trails that traverse the park are open to horses and hikers. Multiuse sites (but no electricity or water)

Pro tips: Sites 12, 13, and 14 are slightly separate from the rest, with nice views of the river. Bring a fishing pole and your canoe. Entrance fee is cash only if you don’t have a reservation.

Park Info

706 County Road 343A, Marble Falls; lcra.org/parks/Pages/shaffer-bend.aspx

Reservations
lcraparks.reserveamerica.com or (855) 392-7638

Entrance fee
$5 daily

Camping
$10 nightly

Photo by Kenny Braun

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

95 miles west
Do you want starry skies to fill your starry eyes? Do you yearn to leave the world behind, but don’t want to spend eight hours driving to Big Bend? Camp at Enchanted Rock. A couple of nights spent next to the famous granite dome can more than satisfy the need for space around and above you. The park is on the International Dark-Sky Association’s list of places to best experience the night sky, and when the sun goes down the Milky Way sets the surrounding Hill Country aglow. The best seats for the show are at the Moss Lake or Walnut Springs primitive campgrounds, so eschew the unprepossessing drive-up camping area upfront and cart your gear around the Loop Trail to the western side of the mountain. The show begins at dusk, when the air begins to throb with the sound of cicadas and frogs. Shortly after the coyote band will sing to the rising moon, and on summer nights the pink granite rumbles as changing temperatures slowly crack off another layer. During the day, you should definitely trek to the dome’s top, but don’t miss out on the park’s other trails, especially Turkey Pass, which winds past skinny hoodoos (tent rocks) and huge chunks of granite. If you’re a climber, the primitive camps make a great base from which to explore the many routes up the western face of the rock. Tent camping, walk-in primitive sites

Pro tip: No open fires are allowed at the campsites, so remember to bring a portable stove.

Park Info

16710 Ranch Road 965, Fredericksburg; tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/enchanted-rock

Reservations
texas.reserveworld.com or (512) 389-8900

Entrance fee
Adult, $7 daily; Children (12 and under), free

Camping
From $14 nightly

Photo courtesy Texas Parks & Wildlife

Lake Bastrop South Shore Park

38 miles east
Goings-on in Austin (or Washington) don’t seem to matter much at Lake Bastrop, where it feels like LBJ could still be president, as he was when the LCRA built a dam on Spicer Creek to create a cooling pond for a new power plant. Piney thickets (spared by the big fire at the neighboring state park) surround this placid lake. The views are of dense green thickets on reed-lined banks. A low hum from the power plant is the sonic backdrop to the chucking and squabbling of coots and ducks. The lake is popular with local fishermen, as the LCRA keeps it well stocked with Florida bass, catfish, crappie, and perch. Try your luck at a pier, or rent a canoe and drift around the numerous shallow inlets. Of the two parks on Lake Bastrop, South Shore is the larger and has better camping and amenities. There are lakeside cabins, a playground, and a swimming area. The short Heron Trail loop goes from the campground around Lewis Point, and a sandy 4.5-mile track, great for biking as well as hiking, leads through the woods to the North Shore Park. Multiuse sites, cabins

Pro tips: Get a campsite with waterfront access (sites 11-18 or 34-36). Some are very close together—good for multifamily camping—but for privacy, choose No. 12.

Park Info

375 South Shore Road, Bastrop; lcra.org/parks/Pages/lake-bastrop-south-shore-park.aspx

Reservations
lcraparks.reserveamerica.com or (855) 392-7638

Entrance fee
Adults, $5 daily; Children (12 and under), free

Camping
From $22 nightly

11. Tyler State Park

12. Dinosaur Valley State Park

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