Texas' wild capital is also one of its most popular tourist destinations. Austin lives and breathes excitement, but there is also a fondness for the great outdoors, as witnessed by the popularity of nearby Barton Springs. Camping in and around Austin can be a memorable experience that puts you close to the action yet far enough away from the noise of the city.
Austin's climate allows for year-round camping.
Be warned that in the summer, temperatures can easily reach the 100s.
If you strongly dislike heat, you can aim for the winter months. The winter may get a bit too cold for some, but it is tolerable. And depending on whether you are sleeping in a tent or an RV, you may not even notice the cold. In December and January, nighttime lows typically hover just above 40 degrees.
Take your like or dislike of rain into consideration. Precipitation is common throughout the year, with May averaging the most (5.03 inches) and January averaging the least (1.89 inches).
Austin and the surrounding area is filled with many campgrounds. Most RV campgrounds offer electrical and water hook-ups, hot showers, clean bathrooms, and chemical toilet disposal. Many also offer luxuries like wireless Internet access, cable TV hook-ups, laundry facilities, swimming pools and recreational activities.
RV campgrounds usually allow for tent camping as well as RVs. If you are traveling in an RV, this is generally the way to go. RV campgrounds tend to be the most expensive type of camping, but rates may vary with season and demand. Prices tend to range from $40 to $50 per night at places like the Oak Forest RV Park just 10 minutes from downtown Austin. (Costs as of 2009.)
Oak Forest RV Park
8207 Canoga Ave.
Austin, TX 78724
(800) 478-7275
oakforest-rvpark.com
Austin Lone Star RV Resort
7009 S. I 35
Austin, TX 78744
(512) 444-6322
austinlonestarrv.com
Austin is filled with parks, including the Emma Long Metro Park and McKinney Falls State Park, where visitors can camp. Such park campgrounds are often located in a more secluded, natural environment where you can swim in natural lakes, rivers and ponds. You can also barbecue and picnic, hike, mountain bike and observe wildlife all within steps of your tent.
McKinney Falls, for example, has more than 4 miles of hiking trails in addition to the beautiful falls it is named after.
Campgrounds many times can be primitive or have limited extras such as water, electricity and pit toilets, though McKinney Falls does off wireless Internet access at its visitor center.
In general, this type of camping is geared more for tents, but RV parking is many times still available, and often these campgrounds, like Emma Long, work on a first-come, first-serve basis. These campgrounds are often cheaper than the more developed, more formal RV campgrounds, with prices ranging from $5 per person or $6 -$15 per site. (Costs as of 2009.)
Emma Long Metropolitan Park
1600 City Park Road
Austin, TX 78730
(512) 346-1831
ci.austin.tx.us
McKinney Falls State Park
5808 McKinney Falls Parkway
Austin, TX 78744
(512) 243-1643
tpwd.state.tx.us
