SP Campground Review – Davis Mountains State Park, Fort Davis, TX

One of the many sublime trails in Davis Mountains State Park

A simply outstanding campground in the stunning Davis Mountains in SW Texas!

Note/ Unfortunately we had to evacuate this area because of fire and the campground is currently still closed.  I’m not clear when it will open again or how quickly the area will recover, but will rate from point of view of when we first arrived.

Link to campground here: Davis Mountains State Park, TX
Link to map location here: Davis Mountains State Park, TX

1. Site Quality = 5/5
   Extremely nice sites here. There’s a selection of primitive, water/electric and even full hook-up sites (with cable!). The full hook-up sites are all decently flat paved pull-throughs with lean-to shelters, fire-pit and nice views of the hills (best views from sites # 18, 20 & 21, but I’d say all have lovely surroundings). Only very minor ding is limited to no shade and no dedicated privacy. Other sites are mostly back-ins with a small selection of shaded sites (around sites #46-61). Back-ins vary a bit in separation and size. Almost all sites have pretty views of the hills.
2.  Facilities = 4/5
   Good facilities here. Large bathrooms and showers, kept nicely clean. Only negative was old shower-heads combined with high water-pressure made the showers feel a bit like a truck pressure-wash! Also showers have combined bench area, rather than individual area to hang your stuff.
3. Location = 5/5
   This park is a simply fabulous location. Located at 5,200 feet in the beautiful Davis Mountains and only ~3 miles from town. There’s miles of hiking in the surrounding area, plus the attraction of nearby Fort Davis, and the McDonald Observatory. On-site Indian Lodge has restaurant and town has shopping, cafe’s, museum and eateries.
4. Pet Friendliness = 5/5
   Great park for doggie. There’s no end of hiking in the hills, plus ample space to hang out in camp.

Overall Rating = 4.75
BONUS ALERT = Stunning mountains, hiking, nature and star-gazing all-in-one!

Summary: Can’t really say enough good about this park. From a nature point of view it’s stunning. The campground is set beautifully in a small valley at 5,200 feet in the Davis Mountains surrounded by hills and miles of hiking. There’s a large selection of sites all the way from primitive to full-hook-up (with cable!), all of which have paved surfaces, decent separation and pretty views. Lots of activities to do in the area from hiking and biking the hills, to sight-seeing only ~3 miles away in cute and quirky Fort Davis (check out the Broom Shop, Stone Village Market (health food), the Rattlesnake Museum and Fort Davis Historic Site) to star-gazing at the McDonald Observatory (I highly recommend attending a night-time “Star Party“) to gardens and scenic drives. Unfortunately our time here was cut far too short by the fires, but there’s no doubt we’d love to come back and stay for an extended time. A gem of a place!

 Extra Info:  Verizon network “iffy” here. Our smartphone had small bursts of 3G, but also periods of no connectivity at all. Aircard had no connectivity, but we were able to get online reliably with external antenna/amp. Sites cost $10/night for water, $15/night for 30Amp/water and $20/night for full hook-up (50Amp/water/sewer and cable!). FHU are reservable online and book-up fast. Additional $5/day/person entry fee (waived if you have Texas State Park Pass). On-site dump station.

Note/ Unfortunately, due to the fire and our premature evacuation I only have a select few shots of the campground. Sorry!

View of our full hook-up site (#15)

Typical site view in full hook-up section (#14 shown)

View down full hook-up section (#15, #16 shown on right front to back)

One of the many lovely views from the campground ( this shot taken right outside the facilities)

Ariel view of the campground from top of hill trail (RVs visible in the valley)

SP Campround Review – South Llano River State Park, Junction, TX

The gorgeous South Llano River

A nature-lovers paradise right off the I-10 in West Texas.

Link to campground here: South Llano River State Park, TX
Link to map location here: South Llano River State Park, TX

1. Site Quality = 4.5/5
   Lovely sites here. All are very flat, paved back-ins with 30Amp/water, picnic table, fire-pit and lantern-hanger. A select number of sites also have cute, covered shelters. Decent separation although some of the sites are rather open to neighbors. The front-end of the campground has more privacy (but less shade) than the back-end. A few sites on the narrow side, but overall good access for any size rig.
2.  Facilities = 4/5
   Very nice facilities here. Showers are in good condition, large with good pressure and kept nicely clean. Lots of on-site activities including the river (open for swimming and tubing), picnic areas, trails and bird blinds. On-site dump station, but no laundry.
3. Location = 5/5
   This park is only ~5 miles from I-10, but feels very “out there” and is set in a nature-perfect location. Rolling hills, river, trails and birding all reside at this spot. Nearby Junction has WiFi (at the library) and basic shopping.
4. Pet Friendliness = 5/5
   Great park for pooch. Miles and miles of hiking and nature. Plus, the 24-hour bird show will keep both doggie and kitties entertained.

Overall Rating = 4.6
BONUS ALERT = Wild Turkeys, river, nature and hiking all in one!

Summary: This turned out to be was a fabulous stop on our way West in Texas, so much so that we ended up extending our stay. Although it’s only a hop over from I-10, the campground is nature-lovers paradise with a remote and relaxing feel.  It’s set beautifully in a peaceful valley right next to the gorgeous South Llano River and surrounded by rolling hills. There’s a slew of outdoor activity available here from miles and miles of hiking (in the adjacent Buck Wildlife Management Area), to swimming, fishing and tubing in the river, to bird-watching (the area is roosting home to the Rio Grande Turkey and has multiple on-site bird blinds). Sites are lovely, flat asphalt surfaces with 30Amp/water, nice “sitting area”, decent separation and very pretty surroundings. The area gets hot, hot, hot in summer but is perfect in the Spring. We thoroughly enjoyed the area and would certainly come back.

 Extra Info:  Verizon extended (1X) network only here so weak voice signal, but no usable data signal even with external antenna/amp (free WiFi is available in Junction at the Public Library). Sites cost $17/night for 30Amp/water, reservable on-line. Additional $3/day/person entry fee (waived if you have Texas State Park Pass). On-site dump station.

Extra, Extra Info: For a throwback to old-style country music, tune into 93.5FM KOOK while you’re here. You won’t regret it! Also, bring your bird feeders!

Typical site view (#16 shown)

Another site view (#40)

View of our site (#19)

View of our nicely private "sitting area" behind the RV (site #19)

View down back-end of campground loop (#41, #43 on right front to back)

View of front end of campground loop (#10, #8 on right front to back)

View of facilities

SP Campground Review – McKinney Falls State Park, Austin, TX

Ruins from the McKinney Homestead

A lovely State Park in the perfect location to explore Austin.

Link to campground here: McKinney Falls State Park
Link to map location here: McKinney Falls State Park

1. Site Quality = 3.5/5
   The sites here are decent. They are long asphalt pads with 30/50Amp & water, good separation between campers, selection of shaded and open choices plus picnic table, fire-pit, and tent-camping square at each site. The only ding is levelness. Many sites are uneven and a few have significant slope. Pull-throughs tend to be more level than back-ins.
2.  Facilities = 4/5
   Facilities are nice. Good size bathrooms with large showers (2 per bathroom in a communal  changing space) and good water pressure. Slightly dated, but kept nicely clean each day by the park. On-site dump, but no laundry.
3. Location = 5/5
   This is the perfect location to visit Austin. You’re only 10 miles from town, yet you’re right in the middle of lush and relaxing nature. Plenty of hiking and biking trails on-site. Historical interest with Rock Shelter and remains of the McKinney Homestead on-site.
4. Pet Friendliness = 5/5
   Good pet-friendly spot. Lots of hiking trails for pooch and good space to hang out outside the RV.

Overall Rating = 4.4
BONUS ALERT = Relax in nature only 10 miles from Austin!

Summary: This was the perfect spot to visit Austin. The park is only ~10 miles from town yet is set in a lovely, large green area with miles of hiking/biking trails, historical interest (Rock Shelter and the McKinney Homestead) and even several creeks with cute, little water-falls. The sites themselves are very decent asphalt pads with great separation, green ”sitting area” and electric/water hook-ups. The only negative is some of them are rather uneven (with blocks and fully extended jacks our RV was just barely level). Overall we thoroughly enjoyed exploring/hiking the park and taking trips into Austin and would certainly stay here again if we came back.

 Extra Info:  Both Verizon aircard and phone worked fine. Sites are $16/night  for 30Amp/water or $20/night for 50Amp/water. Additional entry fee of $5/person/day (waived if you have the Texas State Park Pass). On-site dump.

Typical back-in site view (Site #12 shown)

View of one of the more shaded sites (#13 shown)

Side-view of our corner site (#15). Lots of space around the RV, but the site was very uneven.

View down campground loop (Site #8 on right)

Another view down campground loop (Site #18 on left)

Picnic table, fire-pit and tent-space at each site

View of one of the pretty McKinney Falls

RV Park Review – Canyon Falls RV Park, Canyon Lake, TX

Pretty landscaping inside Canyon Falls RV Park

This was a short stop-over for us to escape the madness of Spring Break. A nice, relaxing campground in the nature area of Canyon Lake half-way between Austin and San Antonio, TX.

Link to park here: Canyon Falls RV Park
Link to map location here: Canyon Falls RV Park

1. Site quality = 3.5/5
   Decent site quality here. The sites are flat gravel with 50Amp/water/sewer, picnic table and small fire-pit. Selection of shade trees and nice landscaping throughout the park. Only negative is you’re quite close to your neighbor.
2. Facilities = 2/5
   Definitely not the highlight of the park here. Bathrooms & showers seemed to be temporary, built in a type of hanger and were not as well-kept as we like. Water pressure was poor and mens/womens were combined.
3. Amenities = 3.5/5
   A decent, but not extensive selection of amenities. Cable at each site, but no WiFi. Fishing pond and small hiking trail on-site, picnic area and small (but somewhat run-down) community center.
4. Location = 4/5
   A nice location right next to Canyon Lake, Canyon Park and the surrounding nature area. Within short drive of small towns with basic shopping and restaurants.
5. Pet friendliness = 5/5
   Very pet friendly spot. Lots of cats on the property, and plenty of owners with dogs. Small hiking trail up the hill behind the park where pooch can run and play.

 Overall rating = 3.6
BONUS ALERT: Stay in the relaxing hills of Canyon Lake!

Summary: This was a quick stop-over for us on our way to Austin which turned out to be quite nice and relaxing. Owners were extremely friendly and accomodated our arrival late at night (9PM) without a problem. The park itself is situated in the hills close to Canyon Lake. Lots of lovely landscaping and cute spots in the campground, plus fishing ponds and a small hiking trail on-site. Surrounding area is hilly and naturally pretty. Sites are decent, flat gravel and full hook-up, but you do end up pretty close to your neighbour if sites are full. The only real negative was the facilities which seemed to be in a temporary structure (a type of hanger) and not really up to par. Overall a decent stop and we enjoyed the tranqulity, but if we come back our preference would probably be the COE Campground at Potters Creek (booked out while we were here).

Extra Info: Verizon aircard and smartphone worked. Sites $35/night ($200/week) cash or check only (no credit card).

View of our site (#21)

View down campground loop (Site #13 on right)

View of cabin area

View down main camground road

In the "hiking area" with Polly up the hillside behind the campground

Boondocking Site Review – Calaveras Lake, San Antonio, TX

View from the banks of Calaveras Lake

This is an inexpensive dry-camping location just next to San Antonio. It’s not exactly a boondocking location, but doesn’t really qualify as a campground either, so I’ll rate it as a boondocking spot. Unfortunately it doesn’t make our favorites list.

Location: Calaveras Lake, San Antonio, TX
Coordinates: 29.305861,-98.298798. Link to map location HERE. 
Cost: $4/person/night
How We Found It: Using Don Wright’s “Free Camprounds” book.
Nearest Dump/Water: ?? Not sure.

1. Access – 4/5
   Very decent access here, but sites are mixed. The road into Calaveras Lake is paved and access inside the campground is decent. You can set-up anywhere around the lake once inside the facility. Most of the banks are very uneven/sloping, but there are a select number of flat areas and a few nicer spots right on the water.
2. Nature – 2.5/5
   Nature-wise this is a bit of a mix. On the positive side you are right by the Lake with access to fishing and water activities, but your view is marred by a large power plant on the right-hand side and the area around the lake has limited space/activity. A small nature trail on-site, but no real hiking.
3. Isolation – 1/5
   The Lake is outside of town and so does get bonus points for being “away from the city”, but its location makes it extremely popular with the locals. The park doesn’t seem to limit how many people access/camp here so don’t expect to be alone.
4. Pet Friendliness – 3/5 
   The park is pet-friendly, but there’s very limited area to hike/walk pooch. A strip of green along the back power-lines and a small nature trail pretty much make up the lot. Pooch does have access to the lake.

Overall Rating = 2.6

Summary: So, this was one of those spots that looked great on paper, but didn’t work out for us. Our experience was no doubt marred by the fact that we camped here during Spring Break, but there were also other aspects which made it less than great. Location-wise it’s a good spot -> only 10 miles from San Antonio, right on a lake with access to fishing and green for a mere $4/person/night. Camping is “free access” to wherever you can park on the banks of the lake. There are a select number (8) of designated sites on the North side that you can reserve beforehand. However the overall area is limited in size, there is a large power plant across the lake (mars your view) and the management doesn’t seem to limit how many people can camp there. So in busy times it literally packs in with as many folks as can possibly set-up on the banks.  When we first arrived it was fairly quiet and if we’d come here mid-week during low season we might well have found a nice (and somewhat peaceful) spot to enjoy the water and the area. However our experience that evening with the big build-up of people was, unfortunately, downright uncomfortable and we decided to leave. If we come back we’ll probably try a different location.

Extra Info: On-site flush toilets, but no water or other facilities. Verizon smartphone and aircard worked.

NOTE/ All below pics we taken when we first arrived (before the big build-up of people in the evening):

Front view of our parking site at Calaveras Lake

Side-view of our parking spot and the main campground road (on left)

View out the side-window of our RV.

Walking under the power-lines with Polly. View of the power plant in the background.