This was an amazing respite from our hectic travels, and welcome haven from the storm.

cheers
Niki, Lil, and Starla 💫

(see the review from Lily L. for a more descriptive experience)

After staying at the Lotus Belle at the Reeds and getting to know the hosts, Deadra and Zen, we couldn’t say no to helping them test out their new listing for RV and self-contained hipcampers - Mexican Sunsets through the Reeds. Additionally, it gave us a chance to see more of this border town. The property sits on the Rio Grande with access to a creek and a small island, and, most importantly, breathtaking views of Mexico. As the property is actually on the Mexican border, be aware that border patrol may drive by several times a day. Feel free to reach out to the hosts should you, or the BP, have questions.

The hosts have built a pull-through driveway, which is perfect for small RVs, 5th wheels, and van/bus campers. Since the driveway is at street level, you can enjoy sunsets every evening with nothing to block your view, and star-filled skies every night from anywhere. There is a bit of ambient light coming from Mexico across the river, but it never impeded our stargazing. Considering the property, as well as the surrounding land, is covered in very flammable reeds, fires are not allowed at this time. In the future, the hosts hope to build a permanent fire pit that will be safe for the land. A few minutes drive up the road is direct access to the Rio Grande, where during the warmer months you can enjoy swimming and floating down the river.

At Mexican Sunsets through the Reeds you’re only 20 minutes from the downtown area. A definite must do activity in Del Rio is walking along San Felipe Creek. With its clear blue, spring-fed water and waterfalls, this hidden gem is unlike any city park you’ve seen before. Keep an eye out for beautiful murals under some of the bridges. If you’re interested in some really good BBQ, ask around about Rad Dawg’s Grill - a tasty, homecooked, family-run food truck just on the edge of town. Trust us, it’s worth the stop if you’re a meat eater. And if you’re more interested in making your own homecooked meals, swing by the Del Rio Farmers Market on the 3rd Saturday every month at the Community Garden.

Just outside of town going west on US-90 is the Amistad National Recreation Area, which is filled with scenic views and places to camp or just hang out for the day. Governors Landing alone is worth the 25-minute trip out of town.

Deadra and Zen are open to all walks of life and all kinds of people, and plan to host hipcampers whether they are on the property or not. While their other listings are mostly available while they are on the property, Mexican Sunsets through the Reeds is ideal for hipcampers who are self-contained. There is no potable water, no trash receptacle, and hipcampers are required to pack it out. In the future the hosts plan to add a composting toilet on the property for hipcampers.

Directions provided by the hosts are straightforward and simple to follow; and although Google Maps provides somewhat accurate directions, it leads you to a location a few lots past their property. We would encourage anyone looking to disconnect from devices (there is very little service) and reconnect to nature and their deeper selves to visit Mexican Sunsets through the Reeds. We've already returned once, so you know we'll be back :)

Cheers,
Niki, Lil, and Starla 💫

Arriving at The Reeds at the Rio was like arriving at a good friend's home. Deadra and Zen, the hosts, were welcoming and went above and beyond to give us a taste of Del Rio. The property sits on the Rio Grande with access to a creek and a small island, and, most importantly, breathtaking views of Mexico. Sunsets every evening with nothing to block your view from street level, and star-filled skies every night from anywhere. There is some ambient light coming from across the river, but it never really heeds stargazing.

The Lotus Belle yurt/tent is spacious and includes comfortable seating, a queen size double air mattress, and a portable toilet with all the necessary accompaniments. Driving down to the Belle is possible in 4WD vehicles; others are welcome to try, but the ground is soft and if it rains you can get stuck. It can be cooler down near the river at night, so bringing a portable heater is probably a good idea in the cooler months. The hosts have plans to set up a second Lotus Belle yurt/tent on the property that will be dedicated as a meditation space, with yoga mats and pillows for seating. In the interim, the current Belle can be set up as a meditation tent should you want to camp in a tent or your own van or small RV.

Swimming and floating down the river are encouraged and would be welcome in the warmer months. There is also lots to see in town from San Felipe Creek, with its gorgeous blue water that runs from the spring, to Casa De La Cultura, the cultural center that hosts events throughout the month. The library in town offers a quiet place to work, should you need to while travelling, and Memo's has amazing food and live music on Thursday evenings (definitely worth checking out).

Just outside of town going west on US-90 is the Amistad National Recreation Area, which is filled with scenic views and places to camp or just hang out for the day. Governors Landing alone is worth the 25-minute trip out of town.

Deadra and Zen are open to all walks of life and all kinds of people, and plan to host hipcampers whether they are on the property or not. The Belle is best for older couples traveling or wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle to enjoy a relaxing and rejuvenating experience among the reeds. The hosts provide wonderful conversation and are interested in connecting with hipcampers who seek a deeper connection with nature.

Directions provided by the hosts are straightforward and simple to follow; and although Google Maps provides somewhat accurate directions, it leads you to a location a few lots past their property. They have only begun landscaping over the last couple of months and have so many great ideas for the evolution of this place. We enjoyed every minute of our weekend with Deadra and Zen and look forward to returning as they continue to develop their land. We would encourage anyone looking to disconnect from devices (there is very little service) and reconnect to nature and their deeper selves to visit The Reeds at the Rio.

Cheers
Niki, Lil & Starla

Hidden from the road behind a grove of bamboo, and 25 minutes from the hustle and bustle of Austin, is the aptly named Bamboo Hideaway. As we rounded the drive and pulled up to the main house around 430pm, we were greeted by Matt and a roaring bonfire (which he apparently started around noon!). Our plans to hit the town that night were quickly changed to enjoy this wonderful surprise - a first for us to be welcomed by hosts with a fire. If you get the chance to chat around a fire with Carrie and Matt, definitely take it. They have a wonderful outlook on life and are working to shift their work lives to match their hearts, while raising two boys.

We camped near the main house in our mini school bus on a beautiful patch of grass because there isn’t a way yet to drive to the back of the property (we’re told it’s a possible future project). Bamboo has loads of area for camping behind the main house, which is quite far from the entrance of the property but closer to the main throughway to Austin in the back. While it does get quieter at night to the point you almost forget about it, it should be noted that bringing a set of earplugs wouldn’t hurt. Carrie and Matt have hung twinkle lights and a hammock in the back camping area that really take the magic of this place to the next level. They are eco-conscious folks, so if you have eco-friendly products definitely bring them so you can use their outdoor spigot. Carrie makes a line of beauty and health products with essential oils, so it might be possible to get some from her if you don’t have any.

Just 20 minutes east of Bamboo Hideaway is the Bastrop Farmers Market - if you’re staying over a Saturday, we highly recommend visiting this smaller market before exploring the dozens of markets in Austin. The local farmers and artisans show up ready to chat, sharing stories about their business and the area. While there are a lot more products being sold than fresh produce, it’s still a can’t miss. And if you’re looking for free range meat, this is the place.

Overall we had an amazing time at Bamboo Hideaway. Carrie and Matt were friendly, accommodating, and very communicative before and during our stay. We are really looking forward to seeing Bamboo Hideaway develop and visiting again in the future.

Cheers,
Niki, Lil, and Starla 💫

The drive to Owl Hollow was possibly one of the more beautiful drives we’ve taken. The rolling hills are full of cedar trees and cacti, and the view is clear for miles. Owl Hollow is located down a windy road where the only traffic is from people who live further down - which isn’t much. This hipcamp location is not hard to spot in the daylight. Two shipping containers sit on the edge of the front lawn; the one closest to the road is adorned with a brightly colored owl mural. We were able to pull our bus up on the grass next to the mural. Although we love tent camping when it is warm outside, the chill of January prevented us from setting up in the many different spaces available on the backside of Mary Lou’s property.

There is absolutely no light pollution aside from the light illuminating the area around the bathroom; this is not visible on the backside of the property at night at all, but casts more toward the driveway and front of the property. This makes Owl Hollow a great hipcamp for stargazing on clear nights. Tubes are provided for a float down the river nearby in warmer months (we plan on returning when the weather is better to take advantage of that). With not much human or car traffic, the bunnies and deer we saw seemed to enjoy moving at their own pace.

A decent size communal fire pit is located in the back between the main house and the tent camping areas. When a fire ban isn’t in effect, hipcampers are welcome to have fires and firewood is provided. We were able to have fires for two of our three day stay, which was great since we don’t have a kitchen finished in our bus yet and all our meals are cooked over a fire :).

Mary Lou was extremely responsive and communicative before, during, and after our stay. She was super helpful when we couldn’t find her neighbor who sells free range eggs when available (they were delicious!). There’s wifi if you need it and two full bathrooms with toilets and hot showers. No toilet paper goes in the toilet, so a wastebasket is provided. You can find some basic toiletries in each of the baths - shampoo, body wash, hand soap. We were amazed to find an outdoor sink for washing dishes (with hot water!) and some dish soap in the bathroom.

We enjoyed the quiet solitude and peacefulness of this land, and really look forward to returning in warmer months. (:

Cheers
Niki, Lil & Starla 💫

You might not know it from the road, but Orrasis Ranch is the perfect little retreat for hipcampers interested in sustainable community living. When we turned onto the drive, we were amazed by the beauty of Kent’s space. The main office and a few tiny homes make up the outer “edge”, and a huge fire pit serves as the center point of the property. We parked our bus in one of the two RV/van spaces, and took off to explore. There is a play/entertainment area, and swings hang from two cedar trees between the RV spaces; perfect for families with kids, or grown ups who are just big kids at heart. The tent camping area is open and grassy, with more tent camping area being developed in the wooded area near the back of the property; a shower/bathroom is also in the works nearby.

We sat down around the fire pit and watched the sun set over the trees. There was plenty of dry wood to burn, and even though we were close to the main road, there was very little noise pollution; after a while we forgot the road was there. This dark sky location would be great for people interested in stargazing.

While Kent wasn’t available for a meet and greet, he was very responsive to the few questions we had via text. Our only regret is that we only stayed for one night. If you’re looking for a quiet place to recharge, look no further than Orrasis Ranch.

“Romantic Getaway,” the perfect title for this hipcamp location! We were greeted by Marty at the entrance to her land and, after a brief exchange of welcomes and thanks, left to enjoy our evening under the stars. We parked our bus next to the cutest sitting area called the Ramada, and made our way down to T90 (the cabin). The pathway is illuminated by solar lights for convenience at night. This tiny home really lives up to the name - though quaint, it was cozy and warm, stocked with drinks, snacks, a Keurig, a mini fridge, a hot plate, and dishes. There is a fold out couch/futon available for additional guests, and a small desk perfect for a temporary workspace. The bathroom had fresh linens, toiletries were provided, and my goodness, how great that hot shower felt!

Though we usually camp in our bus (or in a tent when the weather is nice), on this frigid night we were grateful for T90; the cabin was stocked with comfy pillows, cozy blankets, and multiple heaters to ensure we had a toasty night.

There are many bright lights in the surrounding area, but they did not impede our amazing view of the stars and the lunar eclipse. We did not come across any nocturnal animals, as Marty’s welcome binder warned us to be cautious of, but did see a skunk running across the back yard while doing dishes in the morning! There are sheep in one of the fields next to T90, and a horse and many longhorn steer in another. It is definitely recommended that you take the time to read through the binder she has carefully put together; inside is the sweet story behind T90, information about the land, and of course, house rules.

Overall, the cabin was clean, organized, and well stocked. Marty made us feel right at home with all the thoughtful touches she put in to make this a truly romantic getaway.

Jim and Rita of Irish Acres were the perfect hosts for our first hipcamp in Texas. This charming, off-the-beaten path corner of the world provided a warm welcome from the moment we pulled through the front gate. There’s so much to see around the ranch – everything from alpacas, chickens, and dogs outside, to the cleverly placed unique signage – Jim has thought of everything to make your experience a special one. For tent campers and RVers alike, the ranch provides access to an outdoor private bathroom with indoor and outdoor hot showers. (All are welcome to bathe in the buff 😉). You can even do a load of laundry if you need to. The BYOB pub is just the right thing after a long drive from wherever. Pop in for a shot/drink/story upon arrival.
As the first hipcampers to visit the ranch, Jim was very eager to ask for our impression and sought our advice on how our experience could be improved. We gave him some pointers on how to maximize and organize his space for a better camping experience, and over the next few months he and Rita plan on making some renovations. This includes new spaces for two RVs, vans or buses in the future (the current parking location was flooded from storms, so we parked our bus closer to his B&B cabins).
They expect all updates to be completed in May and will have two dedicated camping sites in a communal space available to hipcampers until then.
Overall, we had an incredible time, and would recommend Irish Acres to anyone looking for a good laugh and a great experience ☺

Tracy was a great host, and the land was absolutely beautiful. We made it just in time to enjoy a gorgeous sunset while she showed us around the property. She has a huge fire pit in the front yard, full of dry branches begging to be burned. We had a nice fire with our portable fire pit, and shared stories and a few drinks. Tracy is one of those people you feel comfortable with as soon as you meet. Wish we had been able to stay in the area longer to explore some of the cool recommendations she had [there's some interesting history and fun adventures to be had], but we can’t wait to stop by again next year.

Cheers
Niki and Lil

Belinda and Tony were amazing hosts. We arrived and were welcomed with a fire roaring and a few close friends of theirs ready to share a good meal and stories of the island.

The following day, we were woken up with fresh eggs and shown around the farm - you wouldn't believe how many "friendly fowl" came to greet us! After some conversation, we made our way to the local library, which has tons of history about the island.

We had such a great experience, and look forward to visiting again (:

Cheers,
Lil & Niki