Texas campgrounds advice

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by MikeandCarol

Our mailing address is Boerne, TX. Out of state folks never pronounce it right. They always look surprised when we tell them Boerne is pronounced Bernie.

That one's not all THAT far from the original. Börne would sound more like "bayhrn-uh" than "Burn-ee" but anyone with some basic exposure to German would get it close to right... it's one of the few Central TX names that's outside the English mainstream and ISN'T completely destroyed by the locals.

[BeSerious]

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

...it's one of the few Central TX names that's outside the English mainstream and ISN'T completely destroyed by the locals.

What?! You don’t think Buda should be pronounced Beau—dah ???

Which BTW is the home of an Airstream dealer. Just to keep this thread sorta kinda on topic.

[mattRox]

It's actually Davis Mountains State Park and well worth a visit. Some good hikes! (Not Ft Davis State Park)

Have fun,

[dgsteele]

Originally Posted by rbs

buy a Texas Parks Pass, it will pay for itself

The Park Pass can be purchased at any park, is good for a calendar year and will pay for it’s self in a week. Great suggestion.

[Daystreamin]

Blanco State Park has full hookups and is right in town. It's only about an hour from Austin, and a bit closer to Gruene and Fredricksburg. And only a little over a half an hour to the LBJ Ranch.

There's also cool 9-pin bowling alley and a brewery in Blanco. We really enjoyed staying there.

And if you're really lucky, you might get a spot at Pecan Grove RV Park right in the heart of Austin. This place is a bit of a legend. There's no website or anything, you just have to call: 512-472-1067. The address is 1518 Barton Springs Rd.

Good luck!

[JandDcam]

We have a FC 25FB and when visiting Pedernales Falls SP found the sites very tight. Decided against staying.

[CinTerLine]

Originally Posted by bobhaven

Greetings, All!

My wife and I are planning our first big trip in our (new to us) AS.

We are taking a week off second week in November, with a planned destination of Austin, Texas. Our plans are to stay in Austin, and perhaps take day trips to San Antonio and Waco (or anyplace else anyone mentions that sounds cool). We love to camp in state parks, but are not committed solely to them.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

We like Guadalupe State Park, near Bulverde. Recommend the State Parks Pass.

[CinTerLine]

Originally Posted by Daystreamin

Blanco State Park has full hookups and is right in town. It's only about an hour from Austin, and a bit closer to Gruene and Fredricksburg. And only a little over a half an hour to the LBJ Ranch.

There's also cool 9-pin bowling alley and a brewery in Blanco. We really enjoyed staying there.

And if you're really lucky, you might get a spot at Pecan Grove RV Park right in the heart of Austin. This place is a bit of a legend. There's no website or anything, you just have to call: 512-472-1067. The address is 1518 Barton Springs Rd.

Good luck!

If you’re close enough, drive through without you AS, I think it is too small for your rig.

[Ken-West]

Lets start with Austin must see and do: The Chili Parlor Bar is a must for Austin, ask for the chili with beans; Max on South Lamar for the best Mexican food experience, Franklin's for great BBQ except no one goes to Franklin's anymore because it is always crowded. Other than those, no one goes to restaurants in Austin anymore, they all go to the food truck parks. The Picnic on Barton Springs Road and Bouldin Creek Food Truck Park are fun. There are too many to name, just drive down Gwa duh loop street and try one or two.

There are a number of good parks in central Texas: Perdenales, Inks Lake, Blanco, etc. I still talk about the time when we were at Inks Lake when the tornado came through and took out some RV's. In west Texas Big Bend Natl Park, Fort Davis and Balmorhea are great trips. So much to see, so little time.

In addition to practicing on the town names, practice saying "y'all", "fixin' to" and "bless your little heart"

[tommyglen]

Originally Posted by bobhaven

Greetings, All!
My wife and I are planning our first big trip in our (new to us) AS.
We are taking a week off second week in November, with a planned destination of Austin, Texas. Our plans are to stay in Austin, and perhaps take day trips to San Antonio and Waco (or anyplace else anyone mentions that sounds cool). We love to camp in state parks, but are not committed solely to them.
Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

Try the North Texas Airstream Community (NTAC) in Hillsboro, just north of Waco! (Having a rally November 8-10 if you get here by then)



In Austin, wonderful location RV Park is the PECAN GROVE RV PARK in downtown Austin. Quaint wooded park, located smack in the middle of downtown Austin. Limited transient spaces, so call ahead for reservations. Walk or bike to Food Truck court, business district, watch the bats fly from under the Congress Street Bridge. Music and bar-hopping an nearby 6th Street. Swim in Barton Springs nearby. Enjoy!

[MikeandCarol]

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

That one's not all THAT far from the original. Börne would sound more like "bayhrn-uh" than "Burn-ee" but anyone with some basic exposure to German would get it close to right... it's one of the few Central TX names that's outside the English mainstream and ISN'T completely destroyed by the locals.

It’s far enough that I have to explain pronunciation every time to out of staters!

[MikeandCarol]

Originally Posted by Daystreamin

Blanco State Park has full hookups and is right in town. It's only about an hour from Austin, and a bit closer to Gruene and Fredricksburg. And only a little over a half an hour to the LBJ Ranch.

There's also cool 9-pin bowling alley and a brewery in Blanco. We really enjoyed staying there.

And if you're really lucky, you might get a spot at Pecan Grove RV Park right in the heart of Austin. This place is a bit of a legend. There's no website or anything, you just have to call: 512-472-1067. The address is 1518 Barton Springs Rd.

Good luck!

We are currently camped at Blanco State Park. Will do LBJ ranch tomorrow. Nice little park right on the river. Quiet.

[kb0zke]

Shhh, Bubba! If you tell the whole world about Jim Hogg COE park, how will the rest of us ever get a site? <grin>

[Bubba L]

Originally Posted by kb0zke

Shhh, Bubba! If you tell the whole world about Jim Hogg COE park, how will the rest of us ever get a site? <grin>

Sorry David. I meant Him Jogg Park in Australia. (But that is a neat park and catch a lot of bass off the bank)

[jbanderson]

As a native Texan, a local Austinite by choice and an RV/Airstream/camping lover, I've got to say that there is one location in central Texas that is HANDS DOWN the best. Hard to believe it didn't get more mentions!!!

Inks Lake State Park is, without hesitation, my entire family's favorite in Central Texas. In fact, only one Texas State Park beats Inks Lake: Garner State Park.

Short of Inks Lake, I would pick Bastrop State Park next. I agree the Blanco State Park is nice.

McKinney Falls is not bad. It's not in the best part of town, but I would stay there.

Avoid Lockhart State Park if you can!!

To be honest, I would always pick any State Park above the COE parks. COEs just don't have the amenities that Texas State Parks have. And they are not maintained as well (especially lately). The last few COEs I visited, whole sections of the park were closed so that they didn't have to maintain it. Jim Hogg might be one of the nicer ones around Austin, but that isn't saying very much.

If you don't have almost a year advanced warning, don't bother with Pecan Grove. It is really cool to be right in downtown Austin, but that means there are almost never opening.

But... Inks.. Inks is the place to camp. And you are about an hour to Austin, a little over an hour to San Antonio. And you can hit the small, hill country towns easily too... Blanco, Bandera, Burnet, Bulverde, San Marcos, New Braunfels, etc.

[TexAirS]

Inks Lake SP is great. It's another busy place during the winter. Looks booked up for weekends, with some availability during the week. If you go there, plan on going to Tow - pronounced Tao. And the little town of Burnet, rhymes with durn it. And Llano - pronounced lano not yano.



If you're in the panhandle, try Palo Duro SP.




Sjohn

[kellycox7]

Lake Livingston SP’s rv facilities are excellent. Plenty of trails and wetlands boardwalk too. Along with Bastrop, it’s one our favorites. If u go up to Panhandle area, Palo Duro Canyon SP is interesting, but don’t go when it’s hot.

[SYC2Vette]

We like Cedar Breaks Park Georgetown. Good hiking trails but can get muddy this time of year. The Georgetown Town Square is worth a visit.

Austin about 30 minutes away on 35, but avoid commuting hours as traffic is bad at those times.

Our preference is one of spots along the lakefront.

http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/geo...ation/Camping/

[drmox]

All these mispronunciations are a trip, but we are talking about a place that by all rights should be pronounced Tay-hass.
It's all just part of what makes it cool.

[BeSerious]

My fellow Texans have rolled out the welcome mat and sung the praises of our wonderful State Parks in central Texas. BUT…

You also should know that during your stay you might be awakened by the howls & yips of a pack of coyotes. Or surprised on the trail by a bobcat. You might even spot a Mountain Lion, which are making a comeback in central Texas. And of course, there is the beast known as Chupacabra ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chupacabra ) that’s always on the look out for unsuspecting campers!!!!

If you decide to come anyway, please leave a few campsites for the natives