5 lesser-visited campervan travel destinations near Austin, Texas

Beyond the eclectic buzz of Austin

… lies a myriad of distinctive landscapes, an impressive variety within one state. Most travelers will hit the popular sites: Big Bend National Park, or perhaps the Guadalupe mountains; both of which are fantastic picks. But if you’re already well-traveled around Texas or simply looking for something off the traveler trail, you’ll want to check out some of the state’s lesser-visited campervan travel destinations.

Pick up a van at Voyager’s Austin location, and head to one of these 5 places:

 

South Llano River State Park

Up in the Hill Country of Texas, South Llano River State Park comprises 2,600 acres of peaceful landscape along the river’s banks. It’s all about the river here: Swimming, paddling, kayaking, fishing — bring swim wear and expect to be in the sunshine. Offshore, 22.7 miles of trails with varying levels of difficulty offer a great opportunity to lace up your shoes and hike.

Distance from Austin: 2 hours and 40 minutes

Where to camp: South Llano River State Park Camping

  • 58 drive-in sites 
  • Showers & flush toilets nearby
  • Make your reservation here

 

Atlanta State Park

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Texas Water Development Board (@waterfortexas)

Up in northeast Texas you’ll find Atlanta State Park (despite having a name that might make you think it’s in Georgia). With a sweet location right on the shores of Wright Patman Lake, this destination is known for boating and fishing — along with birding, hiking, and cycling. It’s the farthest on this list from Austin, making it worth a few days’ trip at least.

Distance from Austin: 5 hours and 45 minutes

Where to camp: Knight’s Bluff Campground

  • 58 drive-in sites 
  • Showers & flush toilets
  • Make your reservation here

 

Mother Neff State Park

As the oldest state park in Texas, dating back to 1921, it’s pretty easy to see why Mother Neff State Park is a protected landscape. Canyon trails and prairielands filled with wildflowers can be found throughout the park, providing myriad places to trek around. Near the shores of the Leon River, you’ll even find an ancient cave once used by the Tonkawa tribe back in the 1800s.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Distance from Austin: 1 hour and 45 minutes

Where to camp: Mother Neff State Park Campground

  • 35 drive-in sites 
  • Restrooms nearby
  • Make your reservation here

 

Garner State Park

Float in the Frio River, surrounded by rolling hills and rock bluffs, which are exactly what make the iconic Texas Hill Country landscape so famous. Garner State Park is less than 3 hours from Austin, and has over 16 miles of trail to choose from — some of which lead you to bird’s eye views of the landscape. 10/10 recommend bringing an inner tube to chill on the water with.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Distance from Austin: 2 hours and 47 minutes

Where to camp: Persimmon Hill Camping Area

  • 35 drive-in sites 
  • Showers & toilets
  • Make your reservation here

Note: Persimmon Hill is closed during January and February.

 

Krause Springs

A 30-foot waterfall and bountiful groves of cypress trees are two selling points of Krause Springs: A leafy park with swimming holes and countless natural springs. Seeing as it’s only 50 minutes from downtown Austin, you’ll spend less time driving and more time chillin’. It’s also right on the banks of the Colorado River, making it easy to head over for a riverside walk or swim.

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

Distance from Austin: 50 minutes

Where to camp: Krause Springs Campground

  • 24 drive-in sites 
  • Showers & flush toilets (using spring water!)
  • Details on reservations here

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2021-08-16T17:32:04+00:00

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