8 Texas State Parks in Hill Country for Spring Break on a Budget
Do you like water, but the budget is tight for playing on the beach this coming Spring Break? Don’t worry! These 8 Texas State Parks in Hill Country are the solutions for you. You and your family will have a ton of fun in these Texas Hill Country State Parks this coming Spring Break.
There are ten more Texas State Parks in Hill Country region, but nine are more to activities on land, while the other one is closer to the Dallas/Ft. Worth areas.
In this article, I will focus on the Texas State Parks in Hill Country around Fredericksburg. The parks will give you endless fun and enjoyable water activities for your Spring Break trip. So, here they are.
8 Texas State Parks in Hill Country for Spring Break on a Budget
1. COLORADO BEND STATE PARK
You can swim, kayak, or fish along the six miles of the Colorado River frontage. Bring your watercraft, or rent them from the park store.
Spicewood Springs is a popular swimming spot in the park. It is one of the best swimming holes in the Hill Country. Follow a flat, short trail to these multiple spring-fed swimming holes.
For land, you can geocache, birdwatch, hike, mountain bike, and even cave.
Popular Spot: Gorman Falls. A breathtaking 70-foot spring-fed waterfall. It’s only a 3-mi round trip hike but prepare for hiking on rough, rocky, and steep descent near the falls. Once arrive at the destination, please don’t climb into the falls. If an accident happens and they close the trail, it will upset others who follow the rules. Hiking with a dog to Gorman Falls is fun, too.
Entrance Fees: Adult: $5 daily, Children 12 years and under: FREE.
Hours: Open daily. Gate is open 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Where to Stay: Choose from drive-up sites, walk-in tent sites or primitive hike-in sites with prices range from $10 – $15 nightly (people per site: 4-8). Group sites are also available for $25 – $75 nightly that can accommodate 16-48 people per site. The drive-up and hike-in sites have water in the area, but no hookups. Composting toilets are near the main camping area and at one trailhead. An open-air, rinse-off shower is near the campground.
Address: 2236 Park Hill Dr., Bend, TX 76824. West of Lampasas and southeast of San Saba. Ph.: (325) 628-3240.
Driving distance from major cities: – Austin: 2 hr. to the northwest – Dallas: 3 hr. 30 min. to the southwest – Houston: 4 hr. 15 min. to the northwest – San Antonio: 2 hr. 45 min. to the north.
Note: Spring Break is one of their busy seasons. Book your day passes or campsite ahead online. If you don’t get a campsite or prefer to stay at a hotel, check out hotels in Lampasas and San Saba. These are the closest towns to Colorado Bend.
Go to the Colorado Bend State Park website for the latest news.
2. INKS LAKE STATE PARK – the closest Texas State Park in Hill Country to DFW
With the lake’s level usually constant, it’s a great place to swim, boat, water ski, scuba dive, and fish. You can bring your watercraft or rent them at the park.
You can also hike along the 7-1/2 miles of trails through the shady forests and rocky hills.
Popular Spot: Devil’s Waterhole, where people test their adrenaline by doing cliff-jumping for endless joy. The one spot that people also reach by their canoe.
Entrance Fees: Adult: $6 daily, Children 12 years and under: FREE.
Hours: Open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Where to Stay: One of the campsites or cabins with prices range from $11 – $55 nightly (people per site: 4-8). Youth Group Camp is also available for $56 nightly that can accommodate 64 people.
Address: 3630 Park Road 4 West, Burnet, TX 78611. Ph.: (512)793-2223.
Driving distance from major cities: – Austin: 1 hr. 15 min. to the northwest – Dallas: 3 hr. 20 min. to the southwest – Houston: 3 hr. 45 min. to the northwest – San Antonio: 2 hr. to the north.
Note: Spring Break is one of their busy seasons. Get your day pass and/or book your campsite ahead of time. Or, check out hotels in the Burnet area.
Go to Inks Lake State Park website for complete information.
3. PEDERNALES FALLS STATE PARK
The first three miles of the river, including the Pedernales Falls, are closed for swimming, tubing, or wading, but the rests are open for water play. It’s all for your own safety.
Flash flooding happens in the Texas Hill Country. If you notice the water rising or getting muddy, leave immediately.
Bring along your tube, canoe, or kayak. Put in at the swimming area or Trammell’s Crossing Trail.
You can also fish, hike, camp, mountain bike, picnic, geocache, bird watch, and ride horses here.
Popular Spot: Potholes and falls around the Pedernales Falls area.
Entrance Fees: Adult: $6 daily, Children 12 years and under: FREE.
Hours: Open daily.
Where to Stay: One of the campsites with prices range from $10 – $20 nightly (people per site: 4-8). Equestrian Group Camp and Youth Group Camp are also available for $40 – $75 nightly that can accommodate 12 to 75 people.
Address: 2585 Park Road 6026, Johnson City, TX 78636. Ph.: (830) 868-7304.
Driving distance from major cities: – Austin: 1 hr. to the west – Dallas: 3 hr. 45 min. to the southwest – Houston: 3 hr. 30 min. slightly to the northwest – San Antonio: 1 hr. 30 min. to the north.
Note: Spring Break is one of their busy seasons. Make reservations online for your day visits or camping.
If you don’t get a campsite, go check RV campgrounds or hotels around Johnson City, Fredericksburg, or Marble Falls.
Go to the Pedernales Falls State Park website for complete information.
4. BLANCO STATE PARK
Although it is only one mile in length, it doesn’t mean you can’t relax under the sun, swim, tube, fish, or paddle in the Blanco River. Small children will enjoy the shallow wading pool next to Falls Dam. Bring your watercraft, or rent tubes or canoes at the park.
For land, you can picnic, hike, camp, geocache, or watch for wildlife.
Popular Spot: Everywhere where you can relax on tubes.
Entrance Fees: Adult: $5 daily, Children 12 years and under: FREE.
Hours: Open daily.
Where to Stay: One of its standard campsites to full hookups to screened shelters with prices range from $20 – $30 nightly (up to 8 people).
Address: 101 Park Road 23, Blanco, TX 78606. Ph.: (830) 8333-4333.
Driving distance from major cities: – Austin: 1 hr. drive to the west – Dallas: 3 hr. 45 min. to the southwest – Houston: 3 hr. 20 min. to the west – San Antonio: 1 hr. to the north.
Note: Spring Break is one of their busy seasons. Get your day passes or book your campsite online. Or find campgrounds or a hotel around Blanco.
Go to the Blanco State Park’s website for complete information.
5. GUADALUPE RIVER STATE PARK
Many people come here to swim, tube, canoe, and fish. They even loan fishing gear for use in the park. The latest exciting addition to the park is this park is also the starting point for the new 5-mile Guadalupe River State Park Paddling Trail.
And just like other parks, you can hike, ride a mountain bike or horse, picnic, geocache, and bird watching.
Popular Spot: The main swimming hole by Swallow Cliff.
Entrance Fees: Adult: $7 daily, Children 12 years and under: FREE.
Hours: Open daily. Gate is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Park HQ open from 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
Where to Stay: One of the campsites with prices range from $15 – $24 nightly (people per site: 8).
Address: 3350 Park Road 31, Spring Branch, TX 78070. Ph.: (830) 438-2656.
Driving distance from major cities: – Austin: 1 hr. 40 min. to the southwest – Dallas: 4 hr. 40 min. to the southwest – Houston: 3 hr. 30 min. to the west – San Antonio: 1 hr. to the north.
Note: Spring Break is one of their busy seasons. Make an online reservation for your day passes or camping site. If campsites are full, go check campgrounds or hotels around Boerne and San Antonio.
Go to the Guadalupe River State Park website for more information.
6. SOUTH LLANO RIVER STATE PARK (the farthest Texas Hill Country State Park from Austin.)
A perfect place for swimming, tubing, canoeing, kayaking, or fishing because this spring-fed river is slow-moving. You can always rent the watercraft or bring your own. Here you can also hike, bike, picnic, camp, bird watch, and do nature study.
Popular Spot: Anywhere along the riverbank.
Entrance Fees: Adult: $5 daily, Children 12 years and under: FREE.
Hours: Open daily. Gate is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Where to Stay: Hike-in primitive campsites, Walk-in campsites with water, or campsites with electricity with prices range from $10 – $20 nightly (people per site: 4-8).
Address: 1927 Park Road 73, Junction, TX 76849. Ph.: (325) 446-3994.
Driving distance from major cities: – Austin: 2 hr. 30 min. to the west – Dallas: 4 hr. 45 min. to the southwest – Houston: 4 hr. 45 min. to the west – San Antonio: 2 hr. to the northwest.
Note: Spring Break is one of their busy seasons. Reserve your day passes or book your campsite online. If no campsites are available, find a campground or hotel around Junction.
BONUS: South Llano River State Park is an International Dark Sky Park. Don’t go to bed before watching the amazing night sky, and if you’re lucky you might see the Milkyway.
Go to the South Llano River State Park website for complete information.
7. GARNER STATE PARK
Almost 3 miles of Frio River wind through the park, making it a perfect place for swimming or floating. You can bring your watercraft or rent it from the store. The park’s concessionaire even operates a tube shuttle during the busy season. Also, you can rent a locker near the boathouse to keep your valuables safe.
The park also has 16 miles of scenic hiking trails for you to tackle. Hike the Old Baldy Trail, a short but steep trail where you will reward with amazing views of the park miles around from the summit.
Popular Spot: Pretty much everywhere along the Frio, especially with its easy access to the Frio. You will find ropes hanging from the tree at some spots where you can swing and jump into the water.
Entrance Fees: Adult: $8 daily, Child 12 years and under: FREE.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Where to Stay: Campsites, Screened shelters, to cabins with prices range from $15 – $150 nightly (4 – 8 people per site.) Group Camp is also available for $400 nightly that can accommodate 40 people.
Address: 234 RR 1050, Concan, TX 78838. Ph.: (830) 232-6132.
Driving distance from major cities: – Austin: 3 hr. to the southwest – Dallas: 5 hr. 45 min. to the southwest – Houston: 4 hr. 35 min. to the west – San Antonio: 2 hr. to the west.
Note: Although Spring Break is not as busy as summertime, you must book your campsites early when planning to spend a night or two here. Get your daily passes early as well.
Go to Garner State Park website for more information.
8. MCKINNEY FALLS STATE PARK
With its location just 13 miles from the state capitol, McKinney Falls State Park is a perfect location for swimming or fishing around the Onion and Williamson creeks. Or for watching the waterfalls flowing through the hanging rocks. Remember that Onion Creek can flood after the rainfall, so call the park before you leave home. Hiking and biking are a few favorite things to do here, as well as bouldering and picnicking.
Popular Spot: Upper and Lower Falls areas.
Entrance Fees: Adult: $6 daily, Child 12 years and under: FREE.
Hours: Open daily, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Where to Stay: Stay at one of the campsites (all with water and electric hookups) or the newly remodeled cabins with prices range from $20 – $86 nightly (4-8 per site.) A primitive youth group camp is also available for $75 nightly that can accommodate up to 50 people.
Address: 5808 McKinney Falls Parkway, Austin, TX 78744. Ph.: (512) 243-1643.
Driving distance from major cities: – Dallas: 3 hr. to the south – Houston: 2 hr. 30 min. to the west – San Antonio:1 hr. 30 min. to the northeast.
Note: Spring Break is one of their busy seasons. Online reservations for your day pass or campsite is a great idea. Look for nearby campgrounds or hotels if all campsites are booked.
Go to the McKinney Falls State Park website for more information.
Texas State Parks in Hill Country Map
Note: If no campsites are available at the state park you want to visit, you can always check the tent campground or RV campground around the area. Some of the RV campgrounds have spots for tent camping. One of our favorites is Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park in Fredericksburg. It will take you more than 30 minutes to reach one of these Texas State Parks in Hill Country, but hey, you will get to stroll downtown Fredericksburg and the surrounding towns, too. Or, stay at Kerville-Schreiner Park in Kerville. Our new found from last Thanksgiving Break trip.
MORE SAVING WITH TEXAS STATE PARKS PASSES
Get your Texas State Parks Pass before you leave for the trip. It costs you $70, but it’s good for one year that gives you benefits such as unlimited free entry to 89 state parks for you and your guests in the vehicle (pass holder must be present to get free entrance) and discounts on camping (restrictions apply), park store purchases, and equipment rentals. Click this link for more info about the passes.
Do you want to explore more than just Texas State Parks in Hill Country for this coming Spring Break? These are affordable Spring Break destinations in Texas for an epic vacation.
A Short Note on Texas Hill Country
The Texas Hill Country is one of our favorite places to visit in Texas. We have traveled to this part of Texas several times in all four seasons.
One time we spent the whole Spring Break here and made Fredericksburg our home base. We explored neighboring towns, hiked in the famous Enchanted Rock State Park, and visited some Texas State Parks in the Hill Country area.
Some other times we traveled the world in the Texas Hill Country. In case you do not know, you can see Germany, Easter Island, England, Japan, France, and a few other countries in just this part of Texas.
We also visited the Texas White House, watched the bat emerge from a tunnel, learned about an early farm living in Fredericksburg, and walked in a cavern that looks like an underground river.
So much to do and see when you spend Spring Break in the Texas Hill Country.
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Some beautiful parks here and so much water. I particularly like the Blanco park waterfall. Can’t wait until I can visit here.
It’s all water for the spring break in a budget.
Wow, all of these parks look fantastic, and there’s so much to do! Especially loved reading about the Garner State Park with its miles & miles of hiking trails – the perfect spring break on a budget!
They are fantastic parks to visit for the spring break in a budget.
We are avid outdoor people and these parks in Texas Hill Country sound like our kinda place. We have yet to visit this state in the US as we’ve only been to East and West Coast, but we’re looking forward to having that chance in the future. Possibly with a campervan! Would you have any tips for doing this with a campervan or if there are any campervan rentals around?
It’s even easier to do it with campervan. Every one of these state parks have sites for RV or trailer. You just have to make reservations in advance as they fill up quickly.
Wow, love how different these parks seem despite being relatively close to each other! Texas really does have something for everyone!
right?
Such a great idea to avoid the packed beaches over the spring break and head for one of the Texas State Parks instead. Camping with the kids near some waterfalls or a river would be loads of fun. The falls at Blanco State Park look great.
Isn’t it? They can be packed, but not beach packed.
Wow all of those state parks looks amazingly beautiful. With waterfalls and lakes and rivers they truly are great way to spend with the nature. I especially loved Blanco state park, truly stunning with that waterfall. I will add Texas and the state parks on my list.
I am eagerly looking forward for the spring break and I’m already considering the various options. This is nice to see some good budget options. Gorman Falls sounds like a beautiful place to visit. Good that you mentioned about not climbing it – indeed, common sense is not so common. Cliff jumping at Devil’s Waterhole sounds like an awesome thing to do. I wouldn’t miss it! I think I love Guadalupe River State Park the most, there’s so much to do which you can do it all or just relax an entire day!
Great list and they all seem like great places to explore with kids! I would love to visit all of them, but Devil’s Hole at Inks Lake State Park really stands out. It sounds like it would be a great adventure. Tubing or kayaking at South Llano River State Park would be the perfect way to spend an afternoon.
We just made a stop at Devil’s Hole this past Thanksgiving Break. Although we couldn’t swim, we had fun exploring the trails around it.
This sounds like a great trip. I did some cliff jumping in Jamaica so would love to try that activity, and the canoeing and kayaking sounds like fun. Its great to be able to get out in nature in these trying times.
These are great places for outdoor enthusiasts, especially ones who like water activities.
I haven’t spent a lot of time in Texas and these parks look like a great way to experience a little piece of the state. Loved that all these parks feature water. McKinney Falls would be among my first stops Followed by Colorado Bend for the waterfall hike.
Next time you come to Texas, you might put one or two of these state parks to your itinerary.
8 State Parks, wow, Texas is surely blessed with beautiful nature! I haven’t seen any of them, but from your list the McKinney Falls State Park looks the most astounding. I love waterfalls! The Llano River looks perfect for summer time, when you can swim or kayak in the river.
And we have more! I envy people who live in that region because these state parks can be easily reach from where they live.
I am certainly learning a lot from your Texas posts. And finding so many great outdoor spots to visit. I love the variety in the State Parks. Waterfalls and kayaking would certainly be a draw for us. Love that there are hikes for different levels of skill. Blanco State Park would certainly be a cooling spot to visit in the hot Texas summer. I will definitely keep this post.
Thank you, Linda. When you plan a trip to Texas, you must contact me, so we can meet up.
Wow, I would never had assumed that there would be so many waterfalls in what I envision is a flat Texas! I mean Gorman & McKinney Falls are beautiful. But you totally sold me on Cliff-jumping and canoeing by the Devil’s Waterhole at Inks Lake Texas State park. I love all the different swimming, boating, or water sports at all of them but anytime I can jump off a perfectly good cliff into water, I am down…Unless that water is cold!
I know, right? Who would have thought there are waterfalls in Texas? I was skeptical when a lady at the place I volunteer told me about Gorman Falls. Texas State Parks regulars know about Gorman Falls.
This sounds like my kind of a trip. I won’t have the courage to go cliff jumping, but I would love to canoe and kayak. Nature is so rejuvenating
I like the variety of things to do around the parks. It’s perfect places for the whole family.