- Smithville
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Reviews
79% Recommend7 ratings · 5 reviews
Mixed feelings
· January 2017
Group trip ·
Camp Colorado River
Loved how close to the river this was. The outhouse was just a tent and a bucket with foam, which we had to find (the wind had blown it away) and pitch ourselves. The owner's dog showed up at some point in the night and jumped on our tent, which was unsettling. The fire pit is just a small, shallow thing from home depot outdoor patio section which has rusted through on the bottom and has large holes in it, but there was water provided for pouring out, which was nice. I'd definitely would have brought a camp stove if I'd known. Minimal privacy, but if you plan on spending most of your time in the nearby river, it's not too bad. Good star gazing if you get a clear night.
L
L M.
2 reviews
Recommends
· October 2016
Group trip ·
Camp Colorado River
Camp Colorado River has an amazing setting. A nice field surrounded by farm-life, a table and firepit and clean pop-up toilet tent, and, most importantly, easy access to the river. As other reviewers have said, the river is pretty fast moving, but it's shallow and has some bends that are easy to plop down and chill in. My dog LOVED it.
Stephanie (owner) was easy to communicate with and directions/guidelines were very straightforward and clear.
I'll let the photos say the rest, however, will note that there is a dog kennel at the farm next door where the dogs bark, a lot, including at 2:30am. So, maybe bring ear plugs if you're a light sleeper.
Overall a wonderful weekend getaway from Austin!
Sarah W.
2 reviews
Recommends
· October 2016
Group trip ·
Camp Colorado River
Camp Colorado is very close to the city but feels so far from the busy. The highlight was lounging by the water and watching the river roll by at sunset. We had the place all to ourselves except for some curious cows who came a little closer to the camping area in the early morning mist. The camp amenities are minimal but were all we needed to enjoy a quick overnighter. Features included a table and two chairs, a fire pit (supplied with wood and a bucket of water to put out the fire) and the "honey pot” - an ingenious and simple solution for a portable potty. Overall Camp Colorado was a great fit for us to get outside, be by the river, set up our tent and watch the stars.
Judy P.
9 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· October 2016
Private, serene, convenient, close to Austin, and easy access to a gorgeous bend in the Colorado River. If you're looking for a private swimming hole or put-in/take-out in the Austin Summer, this is the spot.
The gem of this site is the Colorado River access, which is about a 5 minute walk from the site down a private dirt farm service road. When you get down to the river, the banks are open and grassy, with ample places to lay out blankets and chairs and setup for the afternoon. The river is shallow (knee deep at the deepest) and runs fairly swiftly, so if you've got little kids (or a dog like we did) make sure they're strong swimmers, or keep them close to the shore. You can also find little pools along the bank of slow moving water to swim in. The bed and shore is rocky. If you don't bring water shoes you'll wish you had.
If you like to fish, bring a rod and a license. We went down to the river at midnight to take some star shots. When we shined the headlamp in the water it was a fish bonanza. Trout, catfish, garr, carp. As close as a few feet from the shore. We didn't drop a line in, but we sure wish we had!
The site itself is a large grassy patch enclosed with a barbed wire fence. The host's house sits right above the site, but the site still feels very private and serene, as it looks out onto a grassy pasture. When we woke up, a group of curious cows had gathered on the other side of the fence to check us out.
The "honeypot" toilet is no-frills, but very well maintained and a nice, convenient touch. Other conveniences include a metal table, 2 chairs and a raised fire pit. Once your tent is setup, you've got everything you need to relax and enjoy yourself. Note that you cannot drive all the way up to the site...you park and walk about 50 yards. So, pack your stuff so that it's easy to carry. Or, have lots of hands. Also note that there is a street lamp that sits near the host's house that stays on all night. You get used to it, but it does make nighttime photography difficult, and it reminds you that you're not in the wilderness. Then again, this site is all about convenience, privacy, serenity, and getting your river on.
Adam S.
9 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· October 2016
A perfect retreat from the city, less than an hour outside of Austin. Quiet, private, a few convenient amenities, and easy access to a beautiful bend of the Colorado.
We got in around 3pm. The campsite is at the end of a quiet street a couple miles off of Highway 71 (you're far enough that there's no road noise). The site is an open grassy patch that butts up against farmland (you might see cows checking you out from time to time). The host's house site just above the site (Stephanie, she's super nice!) but the site itself still feels very private and serene. Note that you can't park right at the site, so you'll have to carry your stuff down a small dirt road about 50 yards to where you pitch your tent. The good news is that the site already contains a metal table, two metal chairs, a raised firepit, and a "honeypot," which is a small (very nicely maintained) outhouse.
By far the gem of this spot is it's proximity to a beautiful stretch of the Colorado River.
Adam S.
9 years on Hipcamp
Location
Smithville, Bastrop, Texas, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Stephanie A.
Joined in August 2016Things to do nearby
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