Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation - View Single Post

campermom · 06-21-2006, 10:54 PM

For a first timer who lives in Austin, I have three suggestions.

1. Bastrop SP. The trees provide a ton of shade which makes summer tent camping more bearable. The hiking trails are pretty, shaded, and not difficult. Cabins are available to rent, these overlook the lake.
There is a road which encirles the entire park which is great for adult cyclists. There is a lake to fish. There is a real big pool for swimming. Next to the pool is a nice and shaded playground with picnic tables around. It's close to town so provissions are easy to get ( if you forget something). If the heat gets to you, take the kids to the movies.

2. Perdernales Falls SP. The sites are seperated with bushes and cactus. Trees provide shade or part shade to all sites. Hiking along the river in the falls area is easy and very interesting for the kids. This part is loaded with armadillos. We also saw deer. There is a bird blind on the road to the falls which is pretty neat, even if you aren't into birds. The river is clear and cool. It shouldn't be to deep or swift this time of year. You can fish for catfish and guadalupe bass. It is 9 miles outside of Johnson City. In JC, is LBJ national historic site, Sauer Beckman farm, and a pool. Antique stores, BBQ, Texas Hills vineyard, and a small zoo 4 miles north of town.

3. Inks lake. This park is a full service park, it has it all. Cabins are AC, but book up quick. Lots of waterfront sites. park events include "Fish with the ranger on Sat evenings", guided canoe tour to Devil's waterhole, etc. You can rent a pedal boat, canoe, or kayak for the hour 4 hour or day. The swim beach was nice, and of course you've got to swim at the waterhole. There are stores in Burnet for stuff and civilization if you need it. Longhorn Cavern is moments away as is the Inks Dam Federal Fish Hatchery. There's a Berry picking farm in Marble Falls.

"Diving in" to camping might be more difficult for one or two family members. Keep your entertainment options open. A quick drive into town for Sonic might just keep the peace another day. The nice part of camping is that it is a family event, you can have fun together and relax together. No TV, no phones, no work, no makeup, and wearing you rivershoes instead of dress shoes. Thats why we work, for vacation!

06-21-2006, 10:54 PM	#10
campermom Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NE San Antonio Posts: 356	Re: Where should we go for 1st time camping For a first timer who lives in Austin, I have three suggestions. 1. Bastrop SP. The trees provide a ton of shade which makes summer tent camping more bearable. The hiking trails are pretty, shaded, and not difficult. Cabins are available to rent, these overlook the lake. There is a road which encirles the entire park which is great for adult cyclists. There is a lake to fish. There is a real big pool for swimming. Next to the pool is a nice and shaded playground with picnic tables around. It's close to town so provissions are easy to get ( if you forget something). If the heat gets to you, take the kids to the movies. 2. Perdernales Falls SP. The sites are seperated with bushes and cactus. Trees provide shade or part shade to all sites. Hiking along the river in the falls area is easy and very interesting for the kids. This part is loaded with armadillos. We also saw deer. There is a bird blind on the road to the falls which is pretty neat, even if you aren't into birds. The river is clear and cool. It shouldn't be to deep or swift this time of year. You can fish for catfish and guadalupe bass. It is 9 miles outside of Johnson City. In JC, is LBJ national historic site, Sauer Beckman farm, and a pool. Antique stores, BBQ, Texas Hills vineyard, and a small zoo 4 miles north of town. 3. Inks lake. This park is a full service park, it has it all. Cabins are AC, but book up quick. Lots of waterfront sites. park events include "Fish with the ranger on Sat evenings", guided canoe tour to Devil's waterhole, etc. You can rent a pedal boat, canoe, or kayak for the hour 4 hour or day. The swim beach was nice, and of course you've got to swim at the waterhole. There are stores in Burnet for stuff and civilization if you need it. Longhorn Cavern is moments away as is the Inks Dam Federal Fish Hatchery. There's a Berry picking farm in Marble Falls. "Diving in" to camping might be more difficult for one or two family members. Keep your entertainment options open. A quick drive into town for Sonic might just keep the peace another day. The nice part of camping is that it is a family event, you can have fun together and relax together. No TV, no phones, no work, no makeup, and wearing you rivershoes instead of dress shoes. Thats why we work, for vacation!