9 Great Camping Spots in the Hill Country Camping is the best way to experience the beauty of the Hill Country. The air is cooler, water clearer, and you can spend all night gazing at the endless starry sky. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite spots to pitch a tent in the Hill Country. These primo campgrounds offer opportunities to go fishing, swimming, hiking, kayaking, bike riding, rock climbing and just about anything else you can do outdoors. Of course, you should do a little research before you pack your tent and go. Be sure to check weather and water conditions, and don’t forget to inquire about campground pet policies. Also be aware of the difference between primitive and improved campgrounds, so you can be prepared. Here are our 10 best camping spots in The Hill Country. 1. Garner State Park – Concan, TX Photo: Flicklr / TrishZatx Garner State Park is 1,774 acres of beautiful Hill Country located in Concan. It has 2.9 miles of Frio River winding through it, as well as 11 miles of hiking trails.

In addition to water recreation activities like tubing, fishing and canoeing, visitors can hike, have a picnic, study nature, golf, ride bikes and geocache. Visitors can rent paddle boats, kayaks, inner tubes, tables, barbecue pits, heaters, fans and small lockers near the boathouse. The park holds jukebox dances in the pavilion every spring and summer evening. This tradition dates back to the 1940s, and people of all ages gather to dance under the stars. Garner is the most popular state park in Texas and is often at capacity early in the day during peak season, which is Memorial Day through mid August. Overnight visitors can choose from campsites, screened-in shelters or cabins. You can check availability and make reservations online. 2. Guadalupe River State Park – Spring Branch, TX Photo: Flickr / Trek Texas This 1,938-acre park is home to a four-mile stretch of the Guadalupe River. Visitors can pitch their tents at a number of campsites near the water, including some secluded spots on the river.

The park also has canoe, kayak, and tube outfitters for water recreation rentals. The park also offers drive up camping and RV sites. ← Previous Story 3 Scenic Drives in the Texas Hill Country Next Story → These Texas Olive Orchards Are the Perfect Tuscan-Inspired GetawayNikola Miljkovic / iStock / Getty Images Plus There seems to be 2 schools of thought regarding camping with infants and toddlers. The first, fairly common response to the idea is one of trepidation, even dread (i.e., "Yikes, why would you put yourself through that?). But other folks are much less horrified and have this advice: If you enjoy camping and nature, don't be intimidated to bring infants and toddlers with you. Yes, it will be more challenging than it used to be, but isn't life? Of course, packing up the car and heading into the woods today is certainly not as difficult as it was even 10 years ago. Mobile phones make emergencies much less frightening and gear concepts like child backpacks and portable pack n' play cribs make corralling the little ones a little less stressful.

Lori Schilling-Davis, a flight attendant with American Airlines, has been camping with her two children since they were 3 years and 10 months old. what is considered the best wine everLogan is now 7, Delaney is 4, and she says she's just reserved their favorite Lake Tahoe, NV, campsite for Logan's camping birthday party (his idea).top red wine regions Schilling-Davis says the hardest age for her was when the kids were crawling. best wines to drink in spring"Take a pack n' play," she advises. where can i buy wine ice cream near me"Otherwise it's just dirt - they're eating dirt, sniffing dirt up their noses." best wine east coast

She says the pack n' play serves 2 purposes: a bed for sleeping and a playpen where they can watch what's going on around camp.the best wine tours in italy David Deitel, a buyer with "Sierra Trading Post" (a discount outdoor clothing and gear catalog), recently took his two girls, ages 23 months and 6 weeks, to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. best wine and beverage centerHe stresses good preparation as a key to success. best wine with brunch"It takes a lot of planning," he says, "but it's worth it."best natural wine london Dr. Charles Shubin, director of Children's Health Center at Mercy FamilyCare in Baltimore, MD, doesn't discourage camping with young children, but he wants to make sure parents understand what they're getting into before they go.

"Kids don't tolerate changes in environment as well as we do," he cautions. "They can get disoriented and anxious." But he concedes, "If the adults are excited, then the kids will pick up on it." Dr. Shubin, Schilling-Davis and Deitel passed on their wisdom for getting outdoors with young kids. Children will absorb your enthusiasm, so pack up the car and take a hike. No parent with young children leaves the house without their bulging bag of "necessities." A camping trip should be no different. Research your destination and plan for all eventualities. Deitel recommends making lists of everything you'll need and overplanning. "Obviously you need to bring a fair amount of stuff," he says. Pack carefully, even excessively. You can stuff your car as full as you like. Will there be any grocery stores near your campsite? If not, either choose another campground or make sure you have every last diaper you think you might need. Pick a destination within a reasonable distance from home - you know how long your child can sit in the car.

Make sure to give yourself plenty of drive time and arrive at your destination long before dark. Starting your trip with a tired, screaming kid and no daylight to set up camp is no way to begin a vacation. Look for campgrounds with amenities like flush toilets and potable running water, or rent a room or cabin. Some national parks have kid-friendly resorts within their boundaries and many rent small cabins. Other parks and recreation areas are located near strategically placed motels. Deitel and his family opted for a motel, cutting out a whole mess of issues involved in actually setting up a campsite. Schilling-Davis and her family, on the other hand, have always chosen to pitch a tent. While I think she's daring, she's not crazy. Her favorite Lake Tahoe site is minutes from the bustling town of Stateline, where they've even ordered delivery pizza for a birthday party. For crawlers and early walkers, a pack n' play is a necessity if you're sleeping outdoors says Schilling-Davis.

It functions as a familiar bed for sleeping and as a playpen while the adults work or hang out around camp. Schilling-Davis also recommends a clamp-on booster seat, another double-duty item useful for eating as well as a safe spot to plop kids down. Deitel and Schilling-Davis both recommend a toddler backpack and/or infant front carrier for hiking. The backpack keeps the toddler on your back and out of trouble and ensures you're not carrying a tired hiker most of the way back in your arms. Make sure you choose a pack with an effective safety harness to keep your child from sliding out when you bend over. Deitel recommends Kelty, a company that carries several models. Deitel also recommends using a hydration-pack system like Camelback for water. As the liquid drains, the bladder shrinks, so you're not carrying the extra bulk and weight of an empty water bottle. Dr. Shubin stresses the importance of the first-aid kit, but also advises keeping it simple: bandages, Curel or other alcohol-based cleansing product, sunscreen (for children more than 6 months old), bug spray with 10% DEET (not for infants).