The best desert campgrounds near Canyon Lake, Texas

To really understand Texas Hill Country, you have to get away from the buzzy metropolitan areas and escape to the rugged limestone cliffs carved by the majestic Guadalupe River. Canyon Lake is a quintessential Hill Country destination, with its beauty on display for hikers, swimmers, and tubers—and one of the best ways to experience it is on a camping trip. Make Canyon Lake your home base with day trips to nearby attractions like Natural Bridge Caverns and quaint small towns to make the most of your time.

91% (53)

Top-rated campgrounds near Canyon Lake

To really understand Texas Hill Country, you have to get away from the buzzy metropolitan areas and escape to the rugged limestone cliffs carved by the majestic Guadalupe River. Canyon Lake is a quintessential Hill Country destination, with its beauty on display for hikers, swimmers, and tubers—and one of the best ways to experience it is on a camping trip. Make Canyon Lake your home base with day trips to nearby attractions like Natural Bridge Caverns and quaint small towns to make the most of your time.

91% (53)

Top-rated campgrounds near Canyon Lake

1. The Outpost

100%

(10)

44mi from Canyon Lake · 2 sites · Lodging

Whether you are looking for adventure or prefer to retreat from the world, The Outpost is the place for you! Nestled in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, this multi-acre property features 2 private tiny cabins, on-site hiking trail, and a huge community fire pit where you can make s'mores, make new friends, or make time to reconnect with nature. Our themed cabins were designed to remind you of the joys of being carefree! With the best views of the Texas hills, The Outpost is the perfect place to host your next vacation or small retreat! Our cabins boast: ☆ Full kitchen with mini stove/oven, and fridge ☆ Propane grill and outdoor dining area ☆ Deck with a private hot tub ☆ Premium hybrid Queen size mattress ☆ Smart 4K TVs with Netflix, Hulu and more! ☆ Super cold AC and cozy heating ☆ On-site hiking trail (1/4 mile loop) and Community fire pit; multiple hammock areas available ☆ Shared laundry area with full size washer and dryer ☆ Easy self check-in There is plenty to explore in the area: Enjoy boating and water sports on Lake Travis. There are plenty of boat ramps & chartered boat companies in the area! If brewery hopping is more your thing, Lago Vista Brewery is 5 miles from the property. Flat Creek and Bent Oak wineries are in nearby Marble Falls, about a 15 min drive. Tons of shopping and dining options are available in Cedar Park, a 15-mile drive from the property. Local grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants and coffee shops are approximately 5 miles from the property. Lago Vista, Lake Travis, and Point Venture golf courses are all easily accessible & open year round! If you want to explore everything the big city has to offer, Austin is only 35 miles away (about an 50 min drive).

2. Hill Country Soulcation

100%

(2)

36mi from Canyon Lake · 3 sites · Lodging

Welcome to the Hill Country Soulcation by @SoulcationCollective, a newly developed glamping property in gorgeous Fredericksburg, TX. Surrounded by nature yet minutes from wineries and "the best burgers in Texas" at Alamo Springs Cafe, you'll wake up to the birds chirping, go to sleep in silence, wrapped in luxury bedding, under a dark sky full of stars and hike, wine taste and explore in between. It's the perfect soulcation and ultimate chance to unwind, relax and reset. Nestled on 6 acres in the hills above Fredericksburg, Hill Country Soulcation is surrounded by towering oak trees, native landscaping and wildlife. You can satisfy your wildest adventure during the day and relax under the starry sky at night. We have three units on the property and each is approximately 500 feet from one another. We've tried to use the natural landscape to provide as much privacy as possible. Each unit has it's own private two-person hot tub, fire pit seating area, propane grill (propane provided) and outdoor dining area. We also offer an additonal community outdoor dining table for six.

3. Haby Ranch

99%

(45)

48mi from Canyon Lake · 336 sites · Tents, RVs

Closed until February. Come enjoy over 1000 acres of a 3500 acre Texas ranch. Perfect for fossil hunting, biking, hiking, stargazing, and exploring the great outdoors. Depending on rain and current water levels, you can also enjoy creeks, swimming holes, and waterfalls. Unplug and make memories sure to last a lifetime. Located 10 miles from Bandera, Cowboy Capital of the World.

4. Gorgeous cottage in the Hills!

43mi from Canyon Lake · 1 site · Lodging

Whether you are looking for adventure or prefer to retreat from the world, this is the place for you! Nestled in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, this multi-acre property features a private cottage, gorgeous canyon views and wood burning fire pit where you can make s'mores or make time to reconnect with nature. Located only 5 mins from the famous Flat Creek Winery Estate, this cozy cottage is reminiscent of the lake house from your childhood summer vacation; it was designed to remind you of the joys of being carefree! Our cottage boasts: ☆ Sweeping views of the Texas hill country and Flat Creek (currently dry, but still beautiful!) ☆ Huge wood burning fire fit; BYO s'mores! ☆ Large deck with outdoor dining space and huge outdoor seating area; enjoy sundowner views! ☆ Primary Suite located on its own side of the house for max privacy! King bed and beautiful walk in shower ☆ Secondary room with Queen bed and private 1/2 bath + vanity space (sleeps 2) ☆ Third Room with 2 sets of twin bunk beds, a twin bed and a twin trundle (sleeps 4) ☆ Smart 4K TVs with Netflix, Hulu & more! BYO log ins ☆ Super cold AC and cozy heating ☆ Pack n Play, toys & books for the little ones ☆ Tons of games and books for grownups too! ☆ Work space and high-speed wifi so you can "work from home" in the middle of nature ☆ Laundry area with full size washer and dryer ☆ Easy self check-in Don’t take our word for it, come see it for yourself! What to host an event? Contact us for event rates!

5. Hill Country Camping

71%

(7)

34mi from Canyon Lake · 12 sites · Tents, RVs

Escape to Hill Country Bliss: Your Exclusive 15-Acre Retreat Discover serenity just 1 hour away from Austin and San Antonio! This 15-acre property in the Texas Hill Country offers a short-term rental/camping experience like no other. Unplug and unwind amidst pure Hill Country tranquility, where local wildlife, wildflowers, and Texas starry nights await. Key Features for Short-Term Rental: Exclusive Use: Enjoy the entire 15-acre property for the duration of your stay. Scenic Escape: Immerse yourself in the natural beauty surrounding the property. Close to Wineries: A quick 10-minute drive to renowned wineries along HWY 290. Convenient to Downtown: Just 8 minutes from The Historic Downtown Johnson City Square. Your Retreat Awaits: Private Getaway: Ideal for a romantic weekend, family escape, or a group of friends. Winery Adventures: Explore nearby wineries and vineyards, savoring the flavors of the Hill Country. Outdoor Delights: Hike the property, stargaze, or simply unwind in nature. Culinary Exploration: Discover local cuisine in downtown Johnson City's restaurants and bars. Art and Culture: Explore art galleries and embrace the historic charm of the downtown area. Booking Information: Availability: Check our calendar for open dates. Short Drive: 1 hour from Austin and San Antonio for a quick escape. Your Hill Country Retreat Awaits - Book Now! Wineries: 10 minutes Historic Downtown Johnson City Square: 8 minutes Downtown Fredericksburg: 30 minutes Pedernales Falls State Park: 15 minutes Pedernales River Nature Park: 8 minutes

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

Dennis

November 2025

Weekend Trip to Hill Country Soulcation

We had an awesome time at "The Bin"! The cabin is well laid out! The deck and Hot tub are very convenient and easy to access! The STARS are amazing! Host is Great!

Private hot tub for two is perfect for watching the wild life walk by and stare at the stars at night.

Amy

September 2025

1 night at Hill Country Soulcation

GORGEOUS! QUIET! This space is clean and quiet and lovely and I think I had the best nights sleep here. Can’t wait to come back

P

Pam

September 2025

Weekend Trip to The Outpost

We had an amazing time at this tiny home. Jessica answered our messages fast and was always nice and helpful.

N

Nida

August 2025

Group trip

Weekend Trip to The Outpost

I love the place! It was well equipped with everything that you would need! Host is real gen too! She is very responsive and attentive! The place was so calm! We had good time!

E

Erica

August 2025

Weekend Trip to The Outpost

Jessica is an amazing host and provides everything you need. Very responsive when I had questions. Had a wonderful quiet weekend and hope to visit again!

J

Jason

July 2025

Weekend Trip to The Outpost

Nice cozy place, very quiet and peaceful. They had everything you need. Just bring your clothes and food. Weather wasn’t very cooperative but we had a nice relaxing time regardless.

C

Casey

May 2025

Weekend Trip to The Outpost

Beautiful scenery and a very well litter out cabin. This beautiful little cabin has more creature comforts than most Airbnb’s. We will very likely be back again for another stay! Thank you for hosting us!

D

Dallas

April 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Haby Ranch

Beautiful property. Had an amazing time camping and exploring the trails.

N

Natasha

April 2025

Weekend Trip to The Outpost

This is the perfect retreat to relax, unwind, and disconnect. If you are intentionally stepping out of the hum-drum everyday hamster wheel; come here.

g

george

March 2025

22 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Haby Ranch

This was our second time out there and we brought some friends. Everyone was amazed with the landscape and night time views. Warren and his family came by the camp to chat and were extremely hospitable. We are already talking about a 3rd trip before the Texas heat really kicks in. This is an overlanders dream come true.

Richard

March 2025

16 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Haby Ranch

Hands down without a doubt the best spot to camp/overland in Texas. Words and photos can't describe just how beautiful their property is and how friendly everyone is.

I

I. Ariana

March 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Haby Ranch

We loved the Haby Ranch. This was our second time staying here. Back during the eclipse and during spring break this year and although is a drive for us coming from Houston, but the drive is worth it. The land is so beautiful and peaceful, the BEST part is being able to bring out Dogs and let them roam all over the terrain, the first time it was a group of 11 people and 5 dogs, I can honestly say our dogs had the time of their life. Warren is such a great host and always greed us and let us know what all the things we can do in the land. The stars at night are breathtaking and the sun sets are so peaceful. Will definitely recommend this place.

R

Rebecca

March 2025

19 ft pop-up camper

Weekend Trip to Haby Ranch

Great place beautiful views all over . Honestly for my first primitive camping trip this was the best one yet 🧡 thank you for opening up your beautiful ranch to us it was truly amazing 👏

g

george

March 2025

22 ft travel trailer

With pets

Weekend Trip to Haby Ranch

Just like the title says. The weekend was perfect and so were the views. 1100 acres offers a lot of room for wandering with plenty of dirt roads to get your tires dirty and space to stretch your legs. No RV hookups, but there is an Rv dump station right outside of Bandera. So be prepared to boondock or tent camp. The only neighbors we had were the co s and the frogs from the nearby creek. This is an overland adventure you don’t want to pass up.

Serge

March 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Haby Ranch

Stunning location! Thank you for letting us stay at your property!

Carrie

March 2025

13 ft pop-up camper

Weekend Trip to Hill Country Camping

Quiet and peaceful location. Blake is a super responsive host! Beautiful sunset and super cute firepit built with the natural stone structures. We didn't have a fire due to fire ban but can see how it would be a perfect end to your day. Would recommend!

Stephen

February 2025

22 ft campervan

Weekend Trip to Hill Country Camping

You can tell spring time is absolutely going to explode with color and flowers thanks to the bees that call this little slice of hill country heaven home! The creek and surrounding rock is pretty and the terrain is easy to traverse. We saw evidence of a quite a few animals -tracks, cactus nibbled, etc. and laid eyes on deer, an armadillo, plenty of birds, bees, and all kinds of butterflies. Blake was VERY kind and attentave throughout the whole booking experience and our stay! ( He gave us a lot of suggestions on things to do and places to eat in the area, as well as stellar directions) I saw in other reviews, people mentioned road noise - it was quiet throughout the night, with just a little bit of noise early in the morning and evenings. If you are busy exploring and enjoying what's around you, the noise pretty much dissappears. I wouldn't say it subtracted from our experience at all. We brought our 22ft Class C camper, we couldn't make it to the back of the property due to our width, but Blake was able to accommodate us and we had a nice spot at the front of the property. He mentioned he will be making improvements to the land so rigs can get further in! If you have a car with a bit of clearance, the trail in isn't too bad, a few slabs of rock with a step down but nothing too technical! We were the only ones there, but if each site is taken, there is plenty of distance between each for it to still feel very private. Super happy and you can't ask for a better host!

G

Gal

February 2025

3 nights at The Outpost

The cabin was great, it's equipped with everything needed. It's quite and peaceful, the bbq, hot tube, gas fire place were great and everything is brand new! We will defently come back again

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best desert camping near Canyon Lake guide

Where to go

New Braunfels

Like nearby Fredericksburg, small towns like New Braunfels and Gruene (pronounced “Green”) embrace their German heritage through cuisine and holiday traditions. Gruene is home to one of Texas’s oldest dance halls, still hosting live music and dancing, while New Braunfels offers another beautiful spring-fed river, the Comal River, which delights throngs of tubers on summer weekends.

Wimberley

Wimberley mixes creativity and nature, serving as the homebase of many singer-songwriters. You can snag some great locally made finds during Wimberley Market Days on the first Saturday of each month between March through December, but even better, you’ll find some of the most Instagrammed Texas swimming holes near Wimberley: Jacob’s Well and Blue Hole, both refreshing swimming spots with green-blue water beckoning visitors to go for a dip.

When to go

To get the most out of your outdoor itinerary in Canyon Lake, we recommend visiting from March through November. Summer temperatures can be quite high in Hill Country, but it’s the best time for tubing down the Guadalupe River. Spring and fall are ideal for camping and hiking, while winter months can also be quite mild as well, aside from the errant cold snap. During the holidays, it’s fun to explore the multicultural traditions of San Antonio and the small Hill Country towns.