Rent a kayak for a leisurely paddle in the slow-moving waterway or go for a dip in Spicewood Springs, one of many spring-fed swimming holes to be found here. Covering 5,300 acres, this park spans 6 miles of the Colorado River, which slices through a scenic limestone canyon. This rugged wilderness found at Colorado Bend State Park is worth every minute of the 90-mile drive from downtown Austin. Reservations can be made online.įind it: Pedernales Falls State Park, 2585 Park Road 6026, Johnson City, TX 78636 83 Colorado Bend State Park

The latter includes six horse pens, well water for the horses and a portable toilet. In addition, there is a youth group camp (75 people maximum) and an equestrian group camp. For those seeking solitude, primitive camping is allowed 2 miles down the Wolf Mountain Trail, above the bluffs. The 69 campsites with electricity also include water and 30-amp hookups, picnic tables, fire rings with grills, lantern posts and nearby restrooms with showers. The two horse trails are also great to explore by bike or on foot if you don't have a steed. The 10 hiking trails range in length from the moderate half-mile Twin Falls Nature Trail to the challenging 9.7-mile Juniper Ridge Trail. While swimming, tubing and fishing are allowed in the river, swimming is only permitted in a designated area only accessible via a strenuous quarter-mile climb down steep stone stairs with no railing. Tubing, kayaking and canoeing are allowed on the river at Pedernales Falls State Park, except in the area around the falls for safety reasons. The main attraction is the Pedernales River, which cascades across layers of limestone to create Pedernales Falls. The options are endless at this 5,212-acre state park that's about an hour-long drive west from downtown Austin - swim, hike, mountain bike, geocache, bird-watch and ride horses. Keep scrolling for five of our favorite places to go camping near Austin.

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