Posted by Realty Austin on Monday, September 20th, 2021 7:11pm.
If you’re looking for a place to camp out or park an RV near Austin, you have come to the right place. Austin and the surrounding region are full of nature left wild and one of the biggest cities in America that leaves hiking trails alone in the middle of town.
You could be walking through downtown one minute and on a peaceful trail by Lady Bird Lake the next—and that’s what makes Austin so beautiful. But if you want to get out of town and enjoy a few nights in the great outdoors, there are so many natural spaces for doing just that.
These are some of the best campsites for tent camping, cabin camping, or RV and van camping near Austin. Whether you’re looking for a more rustic experience, or prefer to go camping in style, there are plenty of areas in and around Austin that will cater to your needs.
McKinney Falls State Park
One of the biggest state parks inside Austin city limits is McKinney Falls, a gorgeous natural space where you can camp, hike, mountain or road bike, geocache, go bouldering, picnic, and swim. There are 81 campsites placed strategically throughout McKinney Falls, so you can easily find the perfect spot. You don’t need a fishing license to cast a line from the shore out here, so make sure to pack your poles. Explore what remains of a preserved early Texas homestead and watch the rushing falls when you go camping at McKinney.
Windy Point Park
This campsite off Lake Travis is perfect for a peaceful outdoor experience. With wide-open green spaces close to the water, Windy Point Park welcomes campers to grill out and relax on picnic tables. There are plenty of open docks for launching the boat you’ve towed behind your camper, plus changing facilities and rinse-off showers after a long day out on the lake. Best part? Windy Point Park offers free Wi-Fi, so you can stream that lake day playlist you’ve built up without a worry.
Jim Hogg Park
Up in Georgetown, a northern suburb of Austin, Jim Hogg Park makes for a great place to camp out. Complete with a boat ramp, campsites, and a hiking and biking trail, this suburban oasis is a nice little respite from busy city life. You can go hunting and fishing here, so remember to pack all of your equipment. For a more rogue camping experience, experts suggest setting up your gear at nearby Sawyer Park.
If you’re traveling through Austin with a big van, you will want to know a few places off-hand where you can park an RV.
Austin East KOA Holiday
East Austin’s Kampgrounds of America site is a literal dream come true. Access premiere campground pleasures like patio furniture, a gas grill, and a fire ring when you choose to book the Deluxe Patio at this RV campsite. This KOA is built like a community, so remember to respect your neighbors and keep things quiet between 10 pm and 7 am. This RV site is close to Decker Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, perfect for boating and fishing.
Pecan Grove
Located almost smack-dab in the middle of Austin, this RV camping spot is great for parking the van if you’re headed out to hike the Barton Creek Greenbelt or paddle Lady Bird Lake. Pecan Grove makes it easy to access downtown or the Zilker neighborhood of Austin. Local reviews claim Pecan Grove is quite roomy with plenty of natural space to hang out near the RV.
Lake Travis RV Parks
There are so many camping van parks near Lake Travis that it should be no trouble at all booking a place to park an RV. Big Oaks RV Park and Panoramic Hills RV Park are on the northeast side of the lake, each boasting secluded RV parking, and camping. There’s Armadillo RV Park if you’re into a no-frills location or La Hacienda RV Resort if you want a more upscale stay on the lake. Waterfront RV Park will get you right on the water if you own a boat. Open Air Resorts on the west side is also a great option, offering a seamless booking process and plenty of amenities on site.