Chula Vista Farms Tent Camping
As parking is on one side of the creek and camping is across the creek, RV's and camper vehicles are discouraged. However, if you message me prior to booking, we can accommodate one low one under the oaks in the front and you will have access to front chiminea and back pasture amenities also.
We are proud to announce that our campsite has been nominated for Best Hipcam
As parking is on one side of the creek and camping is across the creek, RV's and camper vehicles are discouraged. However, if you message me prior to booking, we can accommodate one low one under the oaks in the front and you will have access to front chiminea and back pasture amenities also.
We are proud to announce that our campsite has been nominated for Best Hipcamp in Texas for 2019 and was recently featured on television to promote Hipcamp. The video can be found under S A Live Hipcamp and provides a visual description of the layout of the property.
Note: Only two tents per site and only two cars per site.
Mardi Gras in the Cowboy Capitol: Bandera, Texas. Fun will begin Thursday, 2/17 and continue till Saturday, 2/19. Please visit website for tickets/events including bull riding.
So you want to spend a weekend at Chula Vista Farms and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Here is the recipe for a unique experience. You check in Friday afternoon and set up camp. Then you walk into Old Town, shop at the antique shops and gallery (Hill Country artists), have a beer with the old-timers at an outdoor picnic table at the Country Club, have dinner at El Chaparral Mexican Restaurant or Big Daddy's BBQ. Then you kick back-- sipping a glass of wine at Wine 101. Then you carefully walk back to the farm, sit in the zero-gravity chairs, watch the stars, and listen to country music coming from Floore's Country Store.
Next morning, you walk to the Cracked Mug in Old Town for coffee, and then, for breakfast, drive 30 miles through the Hill Country to the famous OST Cafe (Old Spanish Trail) in Bandera--the Cowboy Capital. Not only is the cafe famous for its western saddle bar stools, its John Wayne room, its down-home cooking--it is also the destination for the leather-clad, serious-helmeted motorcycle riders from San Antonio who rendezvous and ride up there every Saturday. So you end up with quite an eclectic crowd: serious old-time ranchers, drug-store cowboys, the Steve McQueen type motorcycle racers, and the tourists. And the prices are right! Then, after visiting Bandera, you head out Hwy 73 for 13 miles to Camp Verde--an old Army Camel Fort from the 1840's with a still-functioning post office, and a gorgeous restaurant along the banks of the river (best onion rings this side of heaven). On the return on Hwy 16 (Bandera Road), turn off on PR-37 and visit Medina Lake., Then you return to camp for siesta--before repeating last night's adventure.
Next morning, you walk into Old Town and have breakfast at the Helotes Bakery--full breakfast and baked goods--Texas-size Cream Puffs. On the way home, you stop in Grey Forest and walk/hike through the one-lane roads of this enchanting artist colony with its 300+ cottages and rock homes.
Some important dates for Floore's Country Store where you can camp and walk to the shows American Aquarium (11/13); Kody West: 11/19; Kyle Nix of the Turnpike Troubadours: 11/27; Kolby Cooper: 12/3; Last Bandaleros & Vandoliers: 12/9; Read Southhall Band: 12/10; Mike and the Moonpies (12/11). Please check with Floore's to make sure of dates.
Also every first Saturday, Old Town hosts Market Days--music, crafts and food. We are beginning to host artists who want to paint the Texas Hill Country--what a neat idea: camping and painting. Old Town has just opened its first art gallery featuring local artists and Chula Vista Farms is hosting its second "en plein air" event in the fall.
Ten miles from the Riverwalk in San Antonio, Chula Vista Farms, in Old Town Helotes, lies at the gateway to the Texas Hill Country. Camp under magnificent old oaks in the front area or up in the back pasture ( with our heirloom tomatoes) across the creek. See the stars (no city lights) and experience total tranquility. Old Town Helotes is home to several antique stores, wine and coffee bars, El Chaparral Mexican Restaurant and Floore's Country Store—the oldest honky-tonk in Texas where Willie Nelson plays twice a year and country music bands play on weekends. You can hear the music from your campsite.
Chula Vista Farms is part of Old Town Helotes so you can walk to the restaurants and shops. Across the highway (four miles) is the quaint town of Grey Forest with hundreds of artists' cottages and gorgeous walking trails with hills; three miles away is HEB plus—a mega-grocery and wine store; 10 miles is downtown San Antonio with the Riverwalk; 30 miles is Bandera—the Cowboy Capital of the world—a stunning drive of hills and western panoramas--home to the famous OST (Old Spanish Trail) cafe and 13 miles from Bandera lies Camp Verde-with, serene streams, lovely picnic area, a still-functioning post office (from the 1850"s), and a famous restaurant with panoramic views. Camp Verde sits on land which housed a civil-war-era army fort which experimented with camels from Egypt. Four miles away from Chula Vista is Government Canyon -a primitive hiking experience.
Chula Vista Farms has five private campsites in the back pasture. This field is also ideal for group camping--20 tents could be accommodated. We have a communal fire pit, tables, adirondack and zero-gravity chairs and four chimmineas for easy, romantic fires. We can accommodate small pop-up campers under the oaks in front area--but only one at a time. Please ask before booking. Thanks!
You could spend a week here and not run out of things to do: shopping, sight-seeing, walking, hiking, eating, drinking, relaxing, cooking, painting, sitting by the fire, listening to country music and, of course, camping and being close to nature. And if that is not enough, we can put you to work with our heirloom tomato, herb and vegetable farm where names such as Eritrea Basil; White Icicle Radish; Ruby Queen Beets; and tomatoes with exotic titles: Black Vernissage; Black Beauty; Indigo Apple; Ananas Noire; Pork Chop; Lucid Gem and my favorite- Chestnut Chocolate- constitute the language of the day.
- Check in: After 2PM
- Check out: Before 12PM
- Cancellation policy: Moderate
- On arrival: Meet and greet
- Minimum nights: 1 night
- Accepts bookings: 3 months out Weeknight discount: 10% off
- Response time: Within an hour
- Response rate: 100%
Activities
Offered on the Host's property or nearby.
Biking
Location great for mountain biking-- several trails around Old Town and Grey Forest area and for off-the-trail bikes, Governme...Read more
Boating
Medina Lake is close by
Fishing
Medina Lake is close by.
Hiking
Frank Madla Natural Park--an unspoiled refuge is close by--open from sunrise to sunset. Also, we have many official runs on...Read more
Horseback riding
Trail Rides and riding lessons are offered by Diamond C Stables on Toutant Beauregard --about 7 miles from camp.
Swimming
Medina Lake with two restaurants is close by
Wildlife watching
We have 23 different species of birds (my last camper, Will, just listed them) including the Broadwing and Red-Shouldered hawks...Read more
Terrain
Natural features you'll find at Chula Vista Farms Tent Camping in Texas.
Field
Back pasture/meadow
Farm
Heirloom tomato and vegetable farm
Driveway
Circular so easy access
Places to see near Chula Vista Farms
85 Reviews
this is a very lovely camping spot. I was there on a very hot day in May but it did cool down around 9 o'clock. I would just say that this was really a walk in campsite because you have to park probably 150 yards to 200 yards past where you park and it's a pretty good downhill and then uphill. I am 71 and I found the hills pretty steep Judith is lovely
We have stayed at Chula Vista Farms several times and would recommend it to anyone who wants a nice get-away.
Helotes has many businesses and things to enjoy if you want to venture outside the Chula Vista gates.

Thank you. I always enjoy your visits. I love seeing your '82 Volkswagon Camper.
Judith was so nice and greeted me as I arrived at her home. Campsite was well kept and spacious with plenty of room to stretch out! Would definitely stay here again since it’s so close to San Antonio!



Tristan: thanks for taking time to review. Hope to see you again, judith
Judith was a great host & was so inviting! We loved the location & had a great time. Our dog loved exploring and we loved how secluded our campsite felt. Perfect distance from Old Town Helotes. Would definitely recommend!




Baylee: thanks for lovely review and for photo of you guys horseback riding. Very impressive. So glad the pup, Willie (Nelson) had a good time although he was so shy, I don't know how you could tell, judith
I loved the tent camping at Chula Vista Farms. Judith was a very accommodating host. Camping area covers about 1 acre. We were fortunate enough to get the whole camp to ourselves where we could let our pup run around freely. There were many birds that would interest even avid bird watchers. Plenty of things to do nearby.


Ryan, I am so glad you enjoyed your relaxing break from routine. Thank you for the lovely review and I hope to see you, Kayleigh and, of course, Max the Magnificent, judith
We loved tent camping on Judith's land! Judith is a very kind and generous host! Our dog Max loved his first camping trip!


Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. I enjoyed my time with Mr. Max and hope to see you again, judith
Judith is kind, welcoming, communicative & attentive. She keeps a close eye on the place & I felt totally safe/taken care of during my stay with her in Helotes. Her property is in a very dog-friendly, walkable area (the Cracked Mug is lovely, affordable & just as good as everyone says) with everything else you may want or need within a 10-15 min drive. UberEats & InstaCart also deliver here! Wi-Fi was strong from my camp (in the front of the property with my travel trailer). There are giant old shade trees, lots of creative decor, abundant flora & fauna (an armadillo wandered by one night), bathroom with hot/cold shower & fresh towels, clothesline, power outlets, recycling bins, etc. Couldn’t ask for more! Judith even made friends with my dog Archie & invited him to sit with her while I showered & took a Zoom meeting. I greatly appreciate her hospitality!


Thank you for such an extensive review and for the photo of you & Archie in the hammock. Such good memories! I wish you well in your travels, judith
Judith was kind, considerate and helpful. I was traveling for work and this spot offered a great escape from the city. Convenient location. Clean property in a peaceful setting. I’ll be back!

Nate: thanks for the kind words. I hope you can return just to relax and listen to the birds, judith
Awards
- Property
- Chula Vista Farms
- State
- Texas
- Country
- United States
- $37/night
- 4 Sites
Thank you for taking the time to provide constructive feedback. I try to describe campsite as accurately as possible in the description--"parking is on one side of the creek and camping on the other". But maybe campers do not access my website when they make reservations. I will try to be more mindful and encourage them to look at website and photos before deciding to book. I hope you had a peaceful trip to California and that Pearl and you have more adventures in store, judith