Best Campgrounds near Austin, TX
Austin's camping scene gives Texas outdoor lovers plenty of options close to the city. At Inks Lake State Park Campground, you can fish and swim in a rocky Hill Country landscape. Bastrop State Park Campground lets you hike through recovering pine forests that are slowly returning after major wildfires. Watch for deer and raccoons around camp, and store your food properly to keep wildlife from visiting your site. You'll need to book spots at both parks ahead of time through the Texas Parks website, especially for weekend trips. Always check current fire rules before your trip - burn bans are common in summer and during drought. Like most Texas state parks, you can't stay longer than 14 days at one time. Spring and fall bring the most comfortable weather for camping near Austin. Summer gets seriously hot, so plan water activities and save hiking for mornings. Winter camping works too, but bring extra layers for cold nights. Both parks have clean bathrooms and shaded picnic tables. Inks Lake has a small store where you can grab ice or forgotten items. Bastrop's swimming pool makes hot days more bearable when the mercury climbs. Try to reserve at least a month ahead for spring break, summer weekends, and any holiday period. Learning how Texas Parks handles reservations will save you headaches when planning Austin camping trips.
