lucky1

I was wondering if anyone knew of a cool spot near Austin. I have dogs. So I need a place that won't have superman park ranger waiting to give me a ticket the second I let the leash go to pick up a cooler, and walk it to the site 50 yards away. They are well behaved dogs. Also a little space in between my fellow camper would be great. other than that just want to hangout and enjoy myself outside in the water away from the city. Thanks for your time and advice. have a good one.

BigBendHiker

You may want to check out Goliad State Park. That park is probably 2 to 2.5 hours from Austin. Nice park with tent camping and there are screened shelters available. Lots of interesting history and a couple of great hiking trails. One is in the park itself and the other is the Angel of Goliad Trail.

BBH

Carbon512

I took my dog to South Llano State Park a couple of years ago. No problems with the occasional off-leash moments walking to the nice private tent site, late night potty breaks, or walking empty trails. They do have wild turkeys there though, so I had her on leash on the walk down to the river even though she's well behaved. (She IS still a dog.) Lovely park, down side is that the river was a little bit of a walk.

We went to Colorado Bend park after that -- tried the primitive hike-in sites first, no one there to even see the dog off leash. But the river was accessible only through 10" of mud, we were across the river from fancy riverfront homes and it just wasn't isolated/back country enough to make the inconvenient 1 mile hike to drinking water etc. worth it. The drive up tent sites didn't have as much privacy as South Llano, but they are right by the water. The ranger who helpd me carry the rented kayak back to my site there didn't care at all that I let go of my dog's leash to carry the kayak. However, I did get a deserved scolding from another ranger when my USUALLY well behaved dog ran off to investgate a restroom while it was being cleaned... (P.S. If they say "your dog needs to be on a leash!" DO NOT say "I know, she's wearing her leash," and point to it tucked up under her collar... I got a withering stare and a "You need to be holding the other end of it." and I really was not trying to be a smartasss, it just came out wrong.)

There is a gorgeous hike through some springs that me and the dog did with lots of off leash moments for ease of footholds. Really beautiful, better than the hikes I found at South Llano.

FYI, I went to both these places mid-week during school year. I think it's hard to have much latitude with your dogs when the places are busier, especially if other people have their dogs who are maybe not so well behaved...) I'd say South Llano for privacy and quiet; Colorado Bend for those springs and easy kayaking with your dog (if they're into it. Mine wasn't but tolerated it)