As temperatures rise, RVers who live and work in Austin and San Antonio will soon be looking for midweek or weekend escapes.
The good news is there are plenty of great places to escape the summer heat and enjoy the beauties of nature in the neighboring Texas Hill Country, which provides a blend of rolling oak covered countryside with refreshing rivers and natural springs and quaint, historic Texas towns.
Here’s a sampling of fun things to do and places to camp in the hills between Austin and San Antonio.
Lake Travis Area
— Go Ziplining at Lake Travis or Enjoy the Floating Waterpark at Waterloo Adventures or simply spend the day enjoying the lake.
— Cool off at Krause Springs: Founded in 1955, Krause Springs is a 115-acre property owned by the Krause family that has 32 springs, several of which feed the manmade pool and the natural pool that flows into Lake Travis. Krause Springs is a popular swimming location in summer. A butterfly garden is also located on the grounds, which include 24 sites for RV camping as well as primitive campsites.
Other nearby campgrounds include Sun Outdoors Lake Travis, which offers RV sites and park model rentals. Amenities include a swimming pool, a playground and a chip and putt course.
Greater Fredericksburg Area
— Go Hiking at Enchanted Rock: The Enchanted Rock area has 11 miles of hiking trails as well as great opportunities for rock climbing.
— Enjoy Wine Tasting in Fredericksburg: The Texas Hill Country is home to over 100 wineries and vineyards, and more than half of them are located in the greater Fredericksburg area.
— Visit the LBJ Ranch in Stonewall: At this time of this writing, the park had just announced the opening of two new temporary exhibits: "The Texas Oval Office" and "The Cabinet Oak Project." "The Texas Oval Office" enables visitors to feel as though they are stepping inside the home office of President Johnson in the Texas White House. "The Cabinet Oak Project" is an art exhibition using wood from the historic, 300-year-old oak under which the President once held meetings. Self-guided tours are available of the LBJ Ranch property.
Nearby campgrounds include:
— Bending Oaks Ranch RV Resort in Fredericksburg: This park is known for its beautiful, mature oak trees. Amenities include a 50-amp electrical service, cable TV, a swimming pool and a dog park.
— Fredericksburg RV Park in Fredericksburg: Every RV site at this park is a pull-through site with gravel pads and concrete patios with picnic tables. Amenities at this park include a clubhouse and a fitness center.
— Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Fredericksburg: This campground offers organized family activities and themed weekends with Yogi Bear. Park amenities include miniature golf, a jumping pillow, life-size chess, pedal carts, a splash pad, a swimming pool, a water play zone, and a gaga ball pit.
Greater Canyon Lake Area
— Cool Off Underground While Exploring Natural Bridge Caverns: This is the largest cavern by volume in Texas and more caverns continue to be discovered and explored. The caves feature natural formations, including gigantic, towering columns and emerald pools.
— Go Tubing, Kayaking or Canoeing at Guadalupe River State Park: The park has five miles of paddling trails.
— Spend the Day at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in New Braunfels: This park features several rivers, rides, slides, and chutes, which are powered by natural spring water from the Comal River. Several water playgrounds for even the youngest guests are also available in every section of the park.
— Dance the Night Away at Gruene Hall in New Braunfels: Built in 1878, Gruene Hall is the oldest continually operating and most famous dance hall in Texas. The 6,000-square-foot dance hall with a steep tin roof still has the original layout.
Nearby campgrounds include:
— Camp Fimfo in New Braunfels, Texas: This campground offers organized activities, including various types of crafts and workshops. Water amenities include swimming pools, a splash playground with two water slides, two kiddie slides and hydrostorm bucket. Bigger kids and adults can enjoy two exciting tube slides that are 242 feet- and 334-feet-long and two thrill speed slides that are 196 feet long. This park also offers spa tubs and 1,000 feet of frontage along the Guadalupe River, which is popular with tubing enthusiasts.
— Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Canyon Lake: This campground offers organized activities and themed weekends with Yogi Bear as well as numerous onsite amenities, including miniature golf, pedal carts, gaga ball, and laser tag. Water attractions include swimming pools and a waterzone with waterslides, water cannons, blasters and a hydrostorm. A shuttle service is also available for guests who would like to float down the Guadalupe River.
— Sun Retreats Texas Hill Country in New Branfels: This park features RV sites and park model rentals. Amenities include lawn games, corn hole, volleyball, a playground, miniature golf, and an indoor pool.
