--- title: "Camping Near Austin TX | Riverfront Tent Sites" description: "Camping near Austin on the spring-fed San Marcos River. Riverfront tent sites, safari cabins, hot showers, tubing & kayaking — an hour from downtown." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "LodgingBusiness", "name": "Son's Blue River Camp", "alternateName": [ "Sons Blue River Camp", "Blue River Camp", "Son's Blue River" ], "url": "https://bluerivercamp.com/", "logo": "https://bluerivercamp.com/favicon-192x192.png", "image": "https://bluerivercamp.com/og-image.png", "telephone": "+1-(877) 577-7667", "priceRange": "$$", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "2769 Sherrill Rd", "addressLocality": "Kingsbury", "addressRegion": "TX", "postalCode": "78638", "addressCountry": "US" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": 29.72751, "longitude": -97.76306 }, "parentOrganization": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Son's Getaways", "url": "https://sonsgetaways.com" }, "sameAs": [ "https://sonsriverranch.com", "https://sonsgetaways.com", "https://www.facebook.com/sonsblueriver", "https://www.instagram.com/sonsblueriver" ], "amenityFeature": [ { "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification", "name": "Air-conditioned glamping cabins", "value": true }, { "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification", "name": "Spring-fed San Marcos River access", "value": true }, { "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification", "name": "Private riverside cabanas", "value": true }, { "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification", "name": "On-site tubing and kayaking", "value": true } ] }, [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "headline": "Camping Near Austin: Riverfront Tent Sites on the San Marcos River", "image": "/assets/tent-camping-DWPAil-X.webp", "datePublished": "2026-05-07", "dateModified": "2026-05-07", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Son's Blue River Camp", "url": "https://bluerivercamp.com" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Son's Blue River Camp", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://bluerivercamp.com/og-image.png" } }, "mainEntityOfPage": "https://bluerivercamp.com/blog/camping-near-austin", "description": "The complete guide to camping near Austin — tent sites, safari cabins, packing, weather, and what makes the San Marcos River the best basecamp.", "keywords": "camping near Austin, tent camping near Austin, riverfront camping Texas, campgrounds near Austin TX" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://bluerivercamp.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Blog", "item": "https://bluerivercamp.com/blog" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Camping Near Austin", "item": "https://bluerivercamp.com/blog/camping-near-austin" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where can I camp on a river near Austin?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Son's Blue River Camp in Kingsbury, TX offers true riverfront tent camping on the San Marcos River — about 45 minutes from Austin." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Are tent sites right on the river?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. Riverside tent sites sit just steps from the water with shaded camping spots under cypress trees." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Are showers and bathrooms available?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes — clean, hot-water bathhouses and modern restrooms are available throughout the property." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Are campfires allowed?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, in designated firepits except during county-issued burn bans, when propane alternatives are allowed." } } ] } ] ] --- [🎉 Glamping Cabins Available This Weekend at Son's River Ranch! — BOOK NOW! 🎉 Glamping Cabins Available This Weekend at Son's River Ranch! — BOOK NOW! ](https://sonsriverranch.com/book-now) [![Son's Blue River Camp](/assets/logo-transparent-CYNVRjE4.webp)](/) [Stay Overnight](/stay-overnight) [Day Rentals](/day-rentals) [Tubing & Kayaking](/day-rentals#tubing-kayaking) [Property Map](/property-map) [Plan Your Visit](/plan-your-visit) [About](/about) [Specials](/specials) [Contact](/contact)[(877) 577-7667](tel:+18775777667)Book Now Book Now ![Riverfront tent camping near Austin TX on the San Marcos River](/assets/tent-camping-DWPAil-X.webp) [Back to Blog](/blog) # Camping Near Austin: Riverfront Tent Sites on the San Marcos River May 7, 2026 18 min read Camping near Austin is one of those things every Austinite plans more often than they actually does. The reason is usually friction — the closest state parks book months out, the dispersed camping is far, and most "camping near Austin" listings are RV resorts with cracked pads and zero shade. The fix is a one-hour drive south to the spring-fed San Marcos River, where [Son's Blue River Camp](/) runs genuinely riverfront tent sites and canvas safari cabins on a private eight-acre property in Kingsbury, TX. This guide walks through everything you need to know to camp the San Marcos: site types, what's included, packing, the seasonal calendar, kid logistics, river safety, food planning, and the small handful of tips that take a camping trip from "fine" to genuinely memorable. ## Why the San Marcos Is the Best Camping Near Austin Three things separate Son's Blue River Camp from every other campground within 45 minutes from Austin. First: the river is spring-fed. It runs 72°F all year and stays clear through summer drought when other Texas rivers go murky or vanish. Second: the property is family-owned and tightly managed, which means clean bathhouses, attentive staff, and an actual quiet hour. Third: the river is right there. Not "a five-minute walk." Not "across the road." Steps from your tent flap. Compared to Pedernales Falls, McKinney Falls, Bastrop State Park, and the LCRA parks, Son's wins on water quality, walkable river access, and weekend availability. Compared to private campgrounds in New Braunfels, it wins on quiet, crowds, and the actual riverfront experience. The geo-targeted [tent camping near Austin page](/tent-camping-austin) covers the head-to-head in detail. ![Tent camping near Austin under cypress trees](/assets/tent-camping-1-DwYHs5tv.webp) ## Site Types ### Riverside Tent Sites Walk-in tent sites a few yards from the water. Shaded by cypress and pecan, with picnic tables and shared firepits within reach. Bring your own tent. The most affordable way to wake up on the river. ### Standard Tent Sites Set back slightly from the riverbank with the same shade and amenities. Quieter sleep, still less than a two-minute walk to the water. ### Safari Tent Cabins Canvas-walled tents on raised wooden platforms with real beds inside, electricity, and fans. Camping with zero ground-time. Perfect for first-time campers, families with little kids, and groups split between hardcore and not. Browse on the [tent camping page](/tent-camping). ### Bell Tents (Seasonal) Pre-pitched canvas bell tents with cots and rugs. Show up, drop your bags, start camping. ![Riverside tent site near Austin](/assets/tent-camping-2-Ctrszbuz.webp)![Bell tent camping near Austin on the river](/assets/bell-tent-riverside-DrC1jGUS.webp) ## What's Included - Hot-water bathhouses and clean restrooms - Picnic tables and shared firepits - Trash and recycling stations - Free parking - Unlimited day-use of the private river beach - Shuttle access for tubing (with the $29.99 wristband) - 25% off day-use add-ons booked alongside camping ![Spring-fed river beach at camping near Austin](/assets/river-beach-property-DimfzXs_.webp) ## A Sample Camping Weekend ### Friday Pull in around 4 PM, set up the tent in 20 minutes, jump in the river to wash off the drive. Grill burgers as the sun sets. Sit by the fire. Sleep with the river running in the background. ### Saturday Coffee on the camp stove, breakfast tacos, then the first tubing lap. Lunch riverside. Afternoon kayak paddle upstream. Evening firepit, s'mores, stars. ### Sunday One last river dunk. Pack up. Home before the Austin Sunday-night dinner rush. ![Tent setup at riverside camping near Austin](/assets/tent-camping-3-DabOuVsp.webp)![Campfire near tent sites near Austin](/assets/gallery-firepit-B2K5hpee.webp) ## Camping Pack List - Tent + footprint - Sleeping pads (foam or inflatable) - Sleeping bag or sheets + light blanket - Pillow - Headlamp + spare batteries - Camp chairs - Cooler with non-glass drinks - Camp stove + fuel - Cookware, plates, utensils - Dish soap, sponge, microfiber towel - Trash bags - Bug spray, sunscreen, hat - Two swimsuits, water shoes - Towel + camp shower - First aid kit - Cash for ice ## Seasonal Notes **Spring:** Wildflowers, mild nights, ideal camping. Book early — spring break and Easter sell out. **Summer:** Hot days, warm nights. The 72°F river is the secret weapon. Bring a battery-powered fan. **Fall:** The locals' favorite. Crisp evenings, warm river, golden cypress. **Winter:** Quiet. Bring a real sleeping bag rated to 30°F. Firepits become the hangout. ## Camping With Kids Camping with kids works best when you remove decisions: pre-portion meals, pre-pack swim bags, and stage each day around two anchors (river, fire). Safari cabins are a parent's secret weapon — kids feel like they're "camping," parents skip the ground sleep. The [10 tips for a family river day](/blog/10-tips-family-river-day) post is the companion read. ![Family camping near Austin on the river](/assets/testimonial-5-BgRoNc9X.webp) ## Tubing & Kayaking From Camp Same setup as cabin guests. Unlimited tubing for $29.99 with shuttle. Kayak rentals at the hut. See [tubing near Austin](/tubingaustin) and [San Marcos kayaking](/kayaksanmarcos) for details. ## Reserve a Site or a Day Pass Book a riverfront tent site overnight, or grab a day pass and cabana for the float. [Book Camping](/book-now/blue-river-camp-overnight)[Day Pass](/day-rentals) ## Camping Etiquette Quiet hours start at 10 PM. No glass anywhere on property. Generators are restricted to designated areas. Pack out trash. Be the camper you wish your neighbor was. ![Camping under cypress trees near Austin](/assets/tent-camping-4-DR_7hFmT.webp)![Family camping at the river near Austin](/assets/tent-camping-5-BgP0RBI_.webp) ## FAQ ### Are RVs allowed? Tent and safari camping is the focus on this property. RV friends and family at our other locations should check the [other Son's locations page](/locations). ### Pets? Pets allowed in select sites with deposit; call ahead. ### Closest grocery? Seguin (15 min) — H-E-B and Walmart. ![Riverside tent camping near Austin](/assets/tent-camping-6-DtqNSsU5.webp) ## Reserve Your Riverfront Campsite Real river. Real shade. Real quiet. 45 minutes from Austin. [Book Camping](/book-now/blue-river-camp-overnight)[Day Pass](/day-rentals) [Tent camping near Austin](/tent-camping-austin)• [Upgrade to glamping](/glamping)• [Specials](/specials) ### Related reading - [Glamping near Austin](/blog/glamping-near-austin) - [Tubing near Austin](/blog/tubing-near-austin) - [Kayaking near Austin](/blog/kayaking-near-austin) - [Family getaways near Austin](/blog/family-getaways-near-austin) - [Fun things to do near Austin](/blog/fun-things-to-do-near-austin) - [Cabin rentals near Austin](/blog/cabin-rentals-near-austin) - [Riverfront cabin rentals near San Antonio](/blog/riverfront-cabin-rentals-near-san-antonio) ![Son's Blue River Camp](/assets/logo-transparent-CYNVRjE4.webp) 8 acres of family-friendly river paradise on the San Marcos River. Float, grill, relax — then fall asleep to the sound of the river. [](https://facebook.com)[](https://instagram.com) ### Quick Links [Book Now](/book-now)[Stay Overnight](/stay-overnight)[Glamping](/glamping)[Camping](/camping)[Day Rentals](/day-rentals)[Day Passes](/day-passes)[River Day Trip](/day-trip)[Cabins](/cabins)[Cabana Rentals](/cabana-rentals)[Picnic Tables](/picnic-tables)[Reviews](/reviews)[Our Story](/about)[Blog](/blog)[FAQs](/faqs)[Group Retreats](/group-retreats)[Compare Resorts](/compare)[vs Son's River Ranch](/vs-sons-river-ranch)[Inquire](/inquire) ### Near Austin [Log Cabin Rentals](/log-cabins)[River Cabins Near Austin](/river-cabins-austin)[Tubing Near Austin](/tubingaustin)[Kayaking on the San Marcos](/kayaksanmarcos)[Cabin Rentals Guide](/blog/cabin-rentals-near-austin) ### Contact [(877) 577-7667](tel:+18775777667)[info@sonsgetaways.com](mailto:info@sonsgetaways.com) 2769 Sherrill Rd Kingsbury, TX 78638 ### Stay Connected Get exclusive deals and updates delivered to your inbox. Subscribe We respect your inbox. 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All Rights Reserved. [Waivers](/waivers)[Plan Your Visit](/plan-your-visit)[Other Locations](/locations) Son's Blue River Camp San Marcos River Reservationist ![Son's Blue River Camp](https://sonsgetaways.com/BRCwidget.png) Welcome to Son's Blue River Camp Enter your info to get started Start Chatting By clicking Start Chatting, you agree to our [Privacy Policy](https://sonsgetaways.com/privacy) Skip for now Check Availability & Pricing Property Info On-Site Support Check Availability & Pricing ✕ Check-in Check-out Check Availability Property Info ✕ On-Site Support ✕ For guests currently on property who need immediate assistance. For general questions, use the chat or tap **Reservationist** above. Send Request Book Selected Powered by Son's Getaways AI