I am looking to go to the Hill country for a small vacation. I have a pop up camper that I will be taking. I would like to find a campground on water (preferably a small river, Guadalupe, Frio, or something similar.) Clean and Clear water is best. I will need electricity, water, and clean showers and restrooms. Nice shaded area would also be good.

I will be taking my wife, dog and 10 month child. I would prefer it to be a somewhat quite location with decent fishing and other attractions not to far away. Scenic drives or caves or something like that would be great.

I used to go to Garner when I was young but I heard that it is just over run with people now. There are tons of campgrounds out there but I don't know where to start.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Jason

Jason,

Try this link:
http://www.texascampgrounds.com/
It lists all TACO (TX Association of Campground Owners) affiliated parks and has good info on each one. Of course, there is also the TPWD web site.

Hossman

South Llano State Park near Junction.

If you want the Marble Falls area, then Inks State Park would be perfect. It is very pretty with some differnet geological features. Longhorn Caverns is about 5 miles away. The fishing isn't to bad and they will have everything you need there to hook up.

I second South Llano State Park. Excellent Campsites, nice shade, electrcity, clean bathrooms with showers. Make reservations because it will fill up on you but even when its full its still good.

Can float the river and fish as well. River trip lasts 2-3 hours so not to bad.

check out Ragtown Recreation Area, on Toledo Bend. Its right down the road from our place. VERY quiet! Let me know, if you need more details. Its in the woods! Has trails! etc...

You might also look at Lake Georgetown, Lake Stillhouse and Lake Belton.

We have a pop camper too and love Georgetown and Belton.

Any kin to any McNair's around Snook?

Cary

Thanks for all the replies. I will look into those areas mentioned. Anymore areas to look at? I am really thinking one of the smaller rivers would be best. If I got on a lake, I would just be upset that I didn't bring my boat along also (one tow vehicle so not possible).

I've also been told to check out the Guadalupe St. Park, and Magers park on the Frio. Anyone have thoughts on these?

Junction looks nice, stayed a night there once, but it is pretty far. The 10 month old doesn't travel that great.

Cary,
Very possible that I have kin there. Most of our McNairs are from the Hearne area but that is pretty close. Any one in particular? I could ask the family.

Jason

On another thought...

Anyone have any land on one of the rivers that they would like to rent out for a few nights.

I may have access to a generator that could run my A/C, so the electricity may not be needed. I could carry in the drinking water.

May have to do that on another trip but would definately like to discuss with someone if they have the land and would like to make a few bucks. I could leave a deposit to make you more comfortable that I wouldn't trash the area.

Jason

Jason,

We have a little "camping group" at work and in that group is my buddy John McNair and his wife, Lisa. They have two boys and they live in Snook.

There is Mother Neff state park on the upper end of Lake Belton, our all time favorite camping spot is Inks Lake.

Good luck and happy camping!

Cary

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/colorado/

Maybe not your best park for this trip due to the baby, but Colorado Bend State Park is a gem. You can ask 10 people at work and they probably have not heard of it. It is 281 north to lampassas, then west to the one "mom and pop" store town of Bend. You travel 10 miles down a dirt road that is total Texas hill country. When you get to the Colorado river you will find a nice park that has walk in, drive in, and primitive camp sites. Catfish is the typical fish in that area, but in March you will find white bass limits easy. There are buitiful caves, birds from all over the county during different migration times, waterfalls, and natural springs.

The reason this is my top spot is because it beautiful, typically not crowded, and is far enough from the city to remind you that Texas and America use to be beautiful everywhere.

Went to Guadalupe park onces and it was way over crowded and there were too many loud and rude families ruining "quite time".

Another neat area is 70 acre lake on the Choke lake Calahan side. More catfish and plent of deer. There is even a pool and vollyball court here.

Inks Lake is a great spot...quite a bit more shade than G-town. If you are looking for river destinations, try Chalk Bluff outside of Uvalde, any place around Concan Utopia, and Leakey. Garner is pretty full up, but there are some private camp ground spots along the Frio in Concan that are great. Here are some links:

Chalk Bluff
Concan Lodging

chalk bluff is nice

Cary,
I checked with Mom, John is a 1st cousin, 3 times removed, or something like that.

Small world.

Keep all the suggestions coming.

Jason