Top Campgrounds in Lockhart State Park, Texas

Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to be in the Texas Hill Country in general, and Lockhart State Park is no exception. Its namesake, Lockhart, Texas, sees springtime highs from the mid-70s to the mid-80s, depending on what part of the season you’re in. Overnight temperatures are quite comfortable as well, in the 50s and 60s.

Texas has more than its fair share of summer weather. However, the summer season finally starts to loosen its grip around late October, when the daytime temperatures drop into the 70s, and overnight temps are around 50.

Unlike west Texas, you can hike and camp in relative comfort in the winter when you’re this far south. The average January low is around 40, but the daytime temperatures still hit the mid-60s. If you want to skip some of the warmer season crowds, winter here is quite mild. That being said, amenities are fewer and you miss out on the spring wildflower season and the equally temperate fall.

Summer temperatures are in the mid-90s, and the humidity is pretty much always 60% or more, usually in the 70% range. While summer here isn’t particularly comfortable, the seasonally-open pool at Lockhart State Park can help you cool down during your summer vacation.

Prepare for the Dual Threat of Heat and Humidity

If you’re from the South, this won’t be much of a shock to you. However, if you’re coming from Arizona or anywhere with single-digit humidity levels, you’re in for a new experience. The cliché of “it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity” is 100% true, no matter how cliché it may be.

Take your time when you’re exploring, especially when you first get here. In the same way you want to slowly adapt to elevation, you want to adapt to the excess humidity because it can make what seem like moderate temperatures feel much warmer.

Don’t be Afraid of Off-season Camping

There are plenty of reasons campers may want to camp during the peak season. Yeah, there are more crowds, but there are also more amenities, and you have a little more room for error. However, the off-season in the Texas Hill Country has moderate temperatures, and you’ll still have some campers around if you need help. Out here, you can camp throughout the winter, even, if you don’t mind the moderately chilly overnight temperatures.

Get a Reservation

Lockhart State Park is beautiful and not all that trafficked. However, there are only 20 campsites (excluding group camping). If you’re coming in an RV, half of those sites can accommodate rigs up to 40 feet and offer full hookups. The other half can accommodate smaller rigs, but they only have 30-amp hookups. Tent campers have it easier here, but RV travelers will want to plan ahead.

Lockhart State Park has plenty of the activities you’d expect out of a state park, with a variety of options for hiking and camping. However, it also has a couple of unique spots with a seasonal swimming pool and a nine-hole golf course on-site.

Note that entrance to the golf course and the pool are not included in your park entrance fee. You need to purchase entry to these features separately.

Of course, you can camp at Lockhart State Park itself. However, with only 20 campsites available, you might want to keep these other options in your back pocket.

Camp Huaco Springs

Located right on the Guadalupe River, this is probably the most rugged of the popular nearby campgrounds. Of course, you’ll still get the necessary amenities, and the campground has an on-site general store. If you’re looking for a relaxing commune with nature, though, there’s no better spot in the Texas Hill Country than right on the Guadalupe River.

Rio Guadalupe Resort

Want to stay on the Guadalupe River but with a few more creature comforts? This resort is the place for you! You have 25 acres of riverfront to swim, float, fish, or just enjoy looking at. The RV sites here are spacious, and tent campers can enjoy a couple of nights in luxury by renting one of the cabins.

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Hill Country

This is, in my humble opinion, just one of the best campgrounds in the country. If you’re looking for a full-service, amenity-rich resort, it’s hard to do better than Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resort in the Texas Hill Country. It’s colorful, vibrant, and filled with every amenity, outdoor sport, and engaging activity you could think of. The sites here are spacious and relaxing, and the cabins are even cozier. What’s not to love?

Camp Fimfo Texas Hill Country

Maybe this just shows my bias toward Texas camping, but I’d put Camp Fimfo up there in the category of best campgrounds in the country as well. I’m clearly not the only one, though! This popular campground won a pair of accolades at the 2022 Campspot Awards. Camp Fimfo placed third in the category Top Campgrounds for Families and second in Top Campground Design. Throw in every summer activity imaginable, and you’ve got the dream campground.

Sun Outdoors Texas Hill Country

One more campground for the road. This Sun Outdoors location has well over 300 total RV spots and vacation cottage rentals. Its New Braunfels location means easy access to every highlight in this section of Texas. Once you’ve spent all your energy for the day, the cozy spots make it easy to recharge and get back at it again tomorrow.

While there are no true national parks near Lockhart State Park, there are a handful of National Parks Service (NPS) sites, as well as the most popular national forest in the state.

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

(1 hour and 15 minutes)

This is a well-trafficked NPS site, mainly for its location in the city of San Antonio. The missions here were established by Catholic religious orders in the 18th century and, roughly two centuries later, were designated as an NPS site and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The famed Alamo, which is the northernmost of the missions here, is actually not a part of the site itself, though easy to visit.

Waco Mammoth National Monument

(2 hours)

This paleontological site really does have a mammoth in it. Twenty-four mammoths, technically. Though they aren’t exactly running around, visitors can learn about the process of discovering these remains and what current paleontological efforts go on at the monument. Interestingly enough, this site in Texas holds the only evidence in the country of a nursery herd of Ice Age Columbian mammoths.

Sam Houston National Forest

(2 hours and 45 minutes)

As the name suggests, this spot isn’t too far out of Houston and makes a great stopping point for anyone touring through Texas. While it’s a bit of a drive from Lockhart State Park, this is easily the best national forest to visit out of the four in the state. Hikers can enjoy a section (or all) of the Lone Star Hiking Trail, which is a 128-mile thru-hike.

Palmetto State Park

(30 minutes)

Opened in 1936, Palmetto State Park is the outdoor highlight of this region of Texas. In fairness, there isn’t a whole lot out this way, but Palmetto State Park remains a great spot for hiking, camping, and nature-viewing. Summertime visitors can enjoy getting out onto the river as the park offers rental canoes.

McKinney Falls State Park

(30 minutes)

This is easily the most popular state park in the area, mainly due to its proximity to Austin. Just 13 miles from the state’s capitol, you can quickly get out of the city and enjoy some of south Texas’ best outdoor recreation. Options here are varied but include great camping, hiking, biking, and climbing. If you can think of it (as long as it isn’t skiing), you can do it in McKinney Falls State Park.

Bastrop State Park

(45 minutes)

If you thought all of Texas was flat desert, Bastrop State Park is certain to dissuade you from that idea. Bastrop’s defining feature is its Pine Trees. Known as “Lost Pines,” these trees make up the forested area in Bastrop State Park and offer much-needed cover when the sun is beating down during the hottest parts of the year.

Cathedral of Junk

Just a short drive from Lockhart State Park is a fascinating art exhibit known as the Cathedral of Junk. In Austin, where the slogan is “Keep Austin Weird,” this just seems to fit right in. In fairness, the Cathedral of Junk truly is a testament to human ingenuity and creativity. While you may not make an afternoon of it, if you’re already in Austin, you should absolutely see what goes on here.

Stagecoach Park

This 50-acre park is part historic park and part municipal park. There are a pair of historic farm structures in the park itself, though its main draw is the winding nature trail that goes through the park. With a playground, plenty of trails, and a pavilion to shade yourself from the sun, the whole family can spend a relaxing afternoon here without having to go into the city.

Blanton Museum of Art

Located on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin, this art museum is actually one of the largest art museums on any college campus throughout the United States. Like most museums of art, there are some rotating exhibits alongside the permanent installations. The museum’s website is great about updating the list of offerings, so it’s easy to plan your trip here in advance.

Black’s Barbecue Lockhart

Texas is known for its barbecue, so you know you’re getting some great food at this spot. For the uninitiated, if you find a hole-in-the-wall barbecue place, it’s guaranteed to be good. If you find a barbecue spot that’s been around since the 1930s in a place that claims itself to be the “Barbecue Capital of Texas,” well, it would be a crime to pass it by.

Smitty’s Market

One barbecue spot wasn’t enough for you? Well, Lockhart has more barbecue spots than you can visit in one trip. If you’re making a shortlist, though, Smitty’s has long been a hit. It’s simple, makes you feel like family, and is singularly focused on making the most mouth-watering barbecue possible. As all barbecue spots should be.

La Cantera Mexican Restaurant

Sure, there’s more than just barbecue in Lockhart. There are several great Mexican joints here, but La Cantera is the one to see. This homestyle, family-run spot serves up top-tier authentic Mexican fare that you’ll think about for months after your trip. Also, for what it’s worth, they sell really cool shirts.

Lockhart, Texas, may not top the list of must-see places in the Lone Star State, but that’s what makes it special. Not everyone knows the magic of the state park and all the offerings in the city itself, but you sure will if you decide to stop in for yourself.