Camping in Austin, Texas

A complete guide to camping in Austin

Sunset over the Texas Hill Country near Austin campsites

Photo Credit: C Carzoli

Overview

Austin sits at 784 feet on the Colorado River in the Texas Hill Country, where spring-fed creeks, limestone bluffs, and live-oak woodlands create a greener landscape than most of Texas. The city draws camping traffic from both residents escaping to nearby state parks and travelers using Austin as a base for the surrounding hill country.

Austin Lone Star and Austin East KOA Holiday provide the most established campground options within the metro area. Oak Forest RV Resort and Austin RV Park serve the RV crowd with full hookups. Riverbend RV Park on Lake Austin adds waterfront access. Evergreen RV Park rounds out the in-city options.

The real camping draws sit within 30 to 45 minutes of downtown. McKinney Falls State Park on the south side of Austin puts tent and RV campers on Onion Creek with swimming holes, waterfalls, and hiking trails accessible from camp. Pace Bend Park on Lake Travis west of town provides lakefront camping on a limestone peninsula popular for cliff jumping, swimming, and boating. Pedernales Falls State Park near Johnson City (45 minutes west) has the most dramatic terrain, with a stepped river cascade through layered limestone. The Hill Country surrounding Austin supports a different camping character than the Gulf Coast or West Texas desert, with live-oak shade, reliable swimming water, and proximity to small towns like Dripping Springs and Wimberley.

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Weather & Best Seasons

Best months: March through May and October through November

Spring is the prime camping window with wildflower season peaking in April along Hill Country back roads. Summer is hot, with July and August exceeding 100 degrees regularly. Fall brings relief by October with comfortable 70s and 80s. Winter is mild with January highs in the 60s and occasional cold fronts dropping temperatures for a few days. Rain is distributed year-round with spring and fall seeing slightly more.

Season

Things to Do in Austin

Swim at Barton Springs Pool, a spring-fed swimming hole in downtown Austin maintained at 68 degrees year-round. A 3-acre pool in Zilker Park open for laps and lounging.
Watch the Congress Avenue Bridge bat emergence at sunset from March through October. Over 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats stream out at dusk, visible from the bridge and kayaks below.
Hike or mountain bike the Barton Creek Greenbelt, a 13-mile corridor of limestone trails, creek crossings, and swimming holes running through south Austin.
Kayak or paddleboard Lady Bird Lake through downtown Austin. Rental outfitters operate along the shore. No motorized boats allowed, keeping the water calm.
Drive the Willow City Loop north of Fredericksburg (90 minutes west) during April wildflower season. Bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, and prickly pear bloom along a winding ranch road.
Swim at the natural pool below Pedernales Falls, where the river drops through tiered limestone shelves. The falls area closes during high water events.
Explore the live music scene on Sixth Street and South Congress Avenue. Austin's identity as the Live Music Capital supports dozens of venues within a compact area.

Camping Tips for Austin

McKinney Falls State Park campground books out months ahead for spring weekends (wildflower season) and fall. Reserve through the Texas Parks and Wildlife system as soon as the five-month window opens.
Austin's summer heat is dangerous for camping. June through August regularly exceeds 100 degrees. If camping in summer, choose sites with water access (Lake Travis, McKinney Falls swimming holes) and plan activities for early morning.
Pace Bend Park on Lake Travis allows lakefront primitive camping on a limestone peninsula. Popular for cliff jumping. The park gets crowded on summer weekends. Arrive early for shoreline spots.
Wildflower season along Hill Country roads (Highway 290, Willow City Loop) peaks in April. Combine wildflower driving with camping at Pedernales Falls or Enchanted Rock (1.5 hours northwest).
Fire ants build mounds in sandy soil throughout the Austin area. Inspect any ground-level campsite before setting up. Look for loose soil mounds and steer clear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which state park is best near Austin?

McKinney Falls for a quick overnight within Austin city limits, with swimming holes on Onion Creek and short hiking trails. Pedernales Falls for more dramatic terrain with a stepped river cascade (45 minutes west). Pace Bend for lakefront camping on Lake Travis with cliff jumping and boating (40 minutes west). Each serves a different experience.

When is wildflower season around Austin?

Bluebonnets and other wildflowers peak from late March through mid-April. The Hill Country west of Austin (Highway 290, Willow City Loop near Fredericksburg, Muleshoe Bend) provides the best displays. Timing varies by a week or two depending on winter rainfall. Check the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center reports.

Is it too hot to camp in Austin in summer?

June through August regularly exceeds 100 degrees. Camping is possible but requires heat awareness. Choose sites with water access for cooling (McKinney Falls swimming holes, Lake Travis, Barton Springs nearby). Camp under tree cover when possible. Start all activities before 10 AM. Drink aggressively.

Which campground is best for RVs in Austin?

Oak Forest RV Resort and Austin RV Park offer full-hookup sites within the metro. Austin East KOA Holiday has pull-through sites with resort amenities. Riverbend RV Park on Lake Austin adds waterfront location. McKinney Falls State Park accommodates RVs with electric hookups at some sites.

Can I camp on Lake Travis?

Pace Bend Park on a peninsula in Lake Travis allows primitive lakefront camping. No hookups but direct lake access with swimming, cliff jumping, and boat launching. The park gets crowded on summer weekends. Several other Travis County parks along the lake provide additional camping access.

Spring	Mar-May	74°F	62°F	Spring is the prime camping window with wildflower season peaking in April along Hill Country back roads.
Summer	Jun-Aug	89°F	77°F	Summer is hot, with July and August exceeding 100 degrees regularly.
Fall	Sep-Nov	74°F	62°F	Fall brings relief by October with comfortable 70s and 80s.
Winter	Dec-Feb	58°F	46°F	Winter is mild with January highs in the 60s and occasional cold fronts dropping temperatures for a few days.

Camping in Austin, Texas

Overview

Weather & Best Seasons

Featured Parks in Austin

Austin Lone Star

Oak Forest RV Resort

Riverbend RV Park / Lake Austin

Austin East KOA Holiday