Beach Camp on Llano River

The best beaches in Texas are not on the coast. Secluded beaches. Clear, spring-fed water on the Llano River. 500 Waves is more than a camp site.  500 Waves is the river.

Close to Austin and Fredericksburg. North of Enchanted Rock and on the way to Big Bend. Private camp site with shade and electricity right on the river. No need to drive to the river, you are at the river. Perfect for families and couples seeking a fun, easy, socially distant retreat on a quiet country road. Adventure awaits.

"A slice of beachy heaven on the Llano River." Austin American-Statesman Austin360, June 2020. Check us out @500Waves on Instagram.

March - April 2021 Update:  River is flowing beautifully in all three of its channels in front of 500 Waves.  The water is crystal clear and the wildflowers are starting to bloom.  Bluebonnets are the first arrivals - followed by a rainbow of colors into June. Book now if you want to flower peep this spring - especially if you want to come on the weekend.  

Welcome, wanderers!  In addition to campers on weekend getaways, 500 Waves hosts lots of visitors on a grand North American road trip or Texans taking the scenic route to Big Bend or New Mexico. If you want to get off the beaten path and see the real Texas, let us know and we can offer tips and advice for a truly Texas odyssey that includes some time at the beach camp.  

500 Waves Beach Camp sits right smack on the Llano River and offers a huge covered deck with table, chairs, and a big view of the river.  Texas-sized riverfront fire pit and gas grill are available. You have private and exclusive access to a flush toilet and hand washing sink in our newly constructed bathroom.  

Camping Details:  Four people maximum. No parties or groups. If your nuclear family is larger than our max group size of four, please contact us.  We like grandmas and are kid-friendly. Tent site and campfire pit are 200 yards from car park. We have a wagon to help you move your stuff up and down the small hill.  In summer come prepared for the heat, especially if you are tent camping. 

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

Our small camper (the white egg-looking trailer in some of the pictures) may be parked on site during your visit. If so, the spot right next to the cabin will not be available for your RV.  There is plenty of room much closer to the electrical outlet for your rig.  

We have neighbors.  Repeat:  We have neighbors so set your expectations accordingly.  You will be the only campers on site and will have no difficulty keeping a safe and social distance from anyone else.  500 Waves Beach Camp is a big lot on a very quiet river road with a few scattered small cabins. If you're looking for absolute seclusion, this is the country not the wilderness. That said, there are usually very few (if any) other people in the riverbed or on this section of the Llano River - especially on weekdays and in winter and fall.  

WHAT CAN WE DO WHILE AT 500 WAVES BEACH CAMP?

Nothing. And that's ok. Really. Just sit and enjoy the quiet.

Enjoy the spring-fed Llano River.  500 Waves Beach Camp is on the riverfront and has direct access to private beaches, fishing, wading, and tubing year round.  If the river isn't flowing, we will say so in this description.  (But it's always flowing.)

Terrific birding and wildlife viewing all year with an ever-changing array of critters. When it is warm, your children will see tadpoles during the day and go to sleep to the sound of hundreds of frogs.  In fall and winter the riverbed is a superhighway for deer, foxes, and flocks of migratory geese and other birds.

Bring your yoga mat to greet the sunrise on your private beach. And pack fixings for your favorite cocktail and watch the sun set into the Llano River from the shade of your covered deck or from a riverfront campfire (burn ban permitting). 

Take a stroll to a historic granite low-water crossing and ponder the infinite expanse of time. 

Bring your telescope, binoculars, or the naked eye to view our dark skies.  Plan your visit around a new moon for darkness or a full moon for howling.

Kayak down the river to your camp site for just the right mix of rapids and slow paddling.  

Hike the riverbed for miles upriver or downriver and find your own hidden swimming hole. 

Play tetherball, corn hole, and giant Jenga.  Create family memories and give your other hand something to do while you drink beer. 

Bike or drive historic gravel backroads and make friends with Llano County's many cows.  

Cruise into small town Llano for live music, local vodka, craft beer, mesquite-flamed pizza, shopping, and the best BBQ in Texas.  

In the spring and on into early summer our wildflowers will make you weep. 

It sounds corny, but 500 Waves Beach Camp is more than a campsite. It's an experience and a miniature vacation in and of itself.  You could take your kids to a hotel or one of those crowded, icky, and expensive water parks.  Or you could take them to nature's closest equivalent.  

Let's talk COVID-19.  We know you are concerned about safety and cleanliness.  We are too as we are at 500 Waves when not hosting visitors. We want to be very upfront and clear about our protocols.  If possible, we will sanitize the camp site between visitors.  This includes bathroom, grill, table, and chairs.  However, given the rural nature of the camp site we want to be honest and let you know that we will NOT be able to do a deep clean between every reservation.  We will try but it will not be every time. We are asking folks to wipe things down upon arrival and again upon departure.  We assume campers would do this regardless but we want to be crystal clear. Ideal?  No.  Necessary?  Unfortunately, yes. 

FAQs:

- No dogs or pets. We know your dog is awesome but no exceptions. We work hard to protect wildlife habitat.

- No groups and 1 RV/camping unit greatly preferred. Please don't ask to add additional guests after making your reservation. Please.

- Private bathroom with sink and flush toilet. No showers.

- No kitchen or dishwashing facility.  Gas grill available for cooking.  

- No potable water and no RV dump station.  Bring lots of water and dump in Llano.

- 30 amp and standard electrical outlets for RVs. Extension cord may be helpful.

- Price increases on holidays and weekends during wildflower season. Price is determined not by the market but by our desire to be at our own land.  If you're there, we can't be.  And - as you will see - that's a bummer.