happybooker1

We just came back from 3 days camping at Spicewood in the Austin area. It's located on 71 west of Austin towards 281.

Our first stop was Krause Springs. Here is one link but you can Google others. http://www.texasoutside.com/kraussprings.htm I first visited it with my daughter in '85 I believe. This was my first visit with my son & also I had never camped there. It is privately owned and they have at least 24 sites with water/elec. that I saw. You can reserve them in advance -- no credit cards accepted, personal checks OK or real money! The tent sites are in a nice grassy meadow below the water/elec. sites and are on a first-come basis. The prices are: (per person) 4-11 years $5; 12 up - $8; electricity -- $5 extra. You can also just come for the day and they have LOTS of picnic tables scattered over the grounds, or just carry your stuff down to the swimmin' hole! I * think* prices are $4.50 for adults & $3 for kids but just took a glance at the sign.

All the sites are fully to mostly shaded and, while they are situated close together, since they're hardly ever full, that wouldn't be a problem. The closest other family to us was 4 sites over. The one bathroom is partially roofed, not heated/cooled, and only one shower stall for men & one for women. So there's a wait for the shower -- also no hot water (and for my son, used to staying in SP's, this was a BIG shocker!). The toilets are flush toilets though, & they do have sinks.

There are multiple springs scattered over the property, not just where the swimmin' hole is. Springs feed the manmade pool on the upper level, which stays a constant, CHILLY 68 degrees. The springs & pools below are natural (and a TAD warmer!) with a beautiful, fern-covered waterfall from the upper grounds. They have an established 'butterfly garden' to walk through, and while there we saw many birds, squirrels, a HUGE tarantula walking across the road, deer feeding with the cattle (which are also loose in the pasture in front of the house!) and of course the fish in the spring.

The kids have a blast swimming in the upper and lower pool, building dams across the springs, and enjoying the rope swing into the deeper water. It's a beautiful place to camp, relax, chill, and enjoy nature. You're never far from the sound of running water!

The second thing we did was the Cypress Valley Canopy Tours which were about 10 minutes from Krause Springs. http://www.cypressvalleycanopytours.com/index.php This was awesome and very well-managed. One of our 2 guides was the son of the family who owns it. Both guides were very knowledgable about the trees, springs, vegetation and 'zipping'. My son was TOTALLY hyped by this and next summer I promised him the challenge tour! What have I gotten myself in to??!!!

After your canopy tour is over you are free the enjoy the property picnicking and swimming. There is even a zip line over the spring fed man-made swimming hole! My son jumped off the platform three times, even though it's a far swim back to get the zip line back in place!

I uploaded some pictures in the photo gallery of our vacation, if I did it right! All in all, I thoroughly recommend both places for families, especially with children!

CyberCelt

Krause Springs is my all-time favorite. I am so glad you wrote about that zip line. I have been curious, but unable to visit.

Have you been to Buchannan Adventures? Not that close, but kids seem to like it.

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CyberCelt

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copuswalker

Happybooker, Thanks for answering my question on the other thread of "first time camping"

Maybe this will sway my kids into taking a trip with us???

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happybooker1

Ummm, when you talk about kids, all bets are off! However, my son is 9 and still (!!) easily amused -- as long as there's something to jump off of, something that involves 'speed' or 'danger', or deep water. Oh, and the campfires -- he LOVES to burn things......