Confession: I love the outdoors, but I hate the idea of camping with my kids. I hope I’ll change my mind when they’re older, but right now the thought of sleeping (or more likely, not sleeping) in a tent with a 15-month-old and 4-year-old sounds like a nightmare. Not to mention acquiring and packing up all the gear and food only to load it up again 24 hours later. (I’m guessing we’d only last one night.)
I have great memories of camping with my family when I was little, though, and want that for my own kids. The perfect solution? Glamping! All the nature and adventure of camping but with comfy beds, AC, and adorable safari tents, treehouses, and Airstream trailers? Sign me up!
The Texas Hill Country has many family-friendly glamping options where you can explore, unwind, and make lasting memories with your kids.
Here are some of the best glamping spots for families in central Texas Hill Country.
Lake Bastrop North Shore Park
lcra.org/parks/lake-bastrop-north-shore-park
Bastrop, Texas
Just a short drive from Austin, Lake Bastrop North Shore Park makes glamping easy. You can rent one of the five modern Airstream trailers that sleep up to four people and include all the creature comforts of home, as well as a grill, picnic table, fire pit, and patio outside. The park offers plenty to fill your days: swimming, beach area, playground, sand volleyball, hike and bike trails, fishing, boating, and paddle craft rentals.
Open Air Resorts
openairresorts.com
Spicewood, Texas
This new family-friendly luxury RV park has seven cute, clean, and cozy Airstream trailers you can rent that comfortably sleep 3-6 people. There are also two tiny homes that sleep 4-6 people, or you can hook up your own RV. The trailers each have a private deck with a table, grill, and sitting area around a fire pit. You can explore the Spicewood area or enjoy the many amenities at the resort, including a pool, clubhouse, pickleball, ping pong, sand volleyball court, playground, fishing pond, and dog park.
Wahwahtaysee Resort
wahwahtayseeresort.com
Kingsbury, Texas (outside San Marcos)
When I think of glamping, I think of a place like the luxurious Wahwahtaysee Resort near San Marcos. Each of their gorgeous safari tents looks like more a fancy hotel than a tent inside. They are family-friendly too, with a king-sized bed and queen sleeper sofa in each one, AC/heat, bathroom (an indoor spa tub and shower and an outdoor shower), and kitchenette. Outside there is a deck, Green Egg for grilling, and golf cart for your use. At the resort you can enjoy walking trails; multiple beaches on the San Marcos River where you can splash, swim, and tube; teepee, pecan orchard, and beach volleyball.
Geronimo Creek Retreat
geronimocreekretreat.com
New Braunfels, Texas
Fulfill your childhood fantasy of treehouse living at this New Braunfels vacation spot. In addition to the treehouses near the creek, which sleep 6-8 people, they also have getaway cabins (sleep 4-5 people) and teepees (sleep 4-6 people) surrounding a spring-fed pond. At the resort the main attraction is the beautiful Geronimo Creek, where you can swim, rope swing, kayak, and paddleboard. Or check out all the fun that New Braunfels and Gruene, only 11 miles away, have to offer.
Dos Rios RV Park
dosriosrvpark.com
Mason, Texas
Choose from one of three renovated vintage airstreams on the banks of the Llano River for your glamping adventure. The riverfront park also has several cabins and tiny houses. The Airstream trailers have one full bed and two bunks and a full shower. Cliffs, swimming holes, kayaking, fly fishing, a bat cave, and amazing views of Texas’ natural beauty are in your backyard.
Cypress Valley
cypressvalley.com/stay/the-nest
Spicewood, Texas
Sleep next to ancient cypress trees and have an unforgettable adventure in the Nest, Cypress Valley’s one-of-a-kind treehouse designed for families. The Nest, situated above a creek ravine, has two bedrooms, a lounge, a kitchenette/dining room, an outdoor shower, and a bathhouse connected by a small bridge. While the zipline canopy tours are currently closed due to COVID-19, you can still enjoy the seasonal lake, pool, and breathtaking scenery.
Luxury Eco Yurt at the Cedars Ranch
thecedarsranch.com/yurt
Wimberley, Texas
The Cedars Ranch is a wedding venue and wellness retreat, but their luxury eco yurt is perfect for small families looking for a relaxing and eco-conscious getaway. The yurt sleeps four (king sized bed and pullout sofa) and has a kitchen and dining space, living room, and reading area. There are so many places to unwind and find peace on the ranch’s 20 acres, from the walking trees to the swings to organic flower garden.
Green Acres
greenacresatx.com
Elgin, Texas
It doesn’t get much cooler than this boutique, eco-friendly glamping retreat located on a beautiful piece of land just 24 miles east of Austin. There are several lodging options, but the Spartan Mansion is best for families. This hip, vintage trailer has enough room for everyone with one queen bed, two twin beds, and a pullout sofa. On the property you’ll find walking trails, a vintage barn and farm animals, ping pong, games, hammocks, a fire pit, and a grill.
The Barons Wagon at Barons Creekside
baronscreekside.com/accommodations-the-wagon.html
Fredericksburg, Texas
If you really want to surprise your kids, book the ultra-unique Barons Wagon at Barons Creekside. The wagon is a replica of a real Conestoga settler’s wagon and features a king-sized bed, two bunk beds, and a private bathroom located in a separate wagon. It’s a little more rustic than some of the other glamping options, as there is no AC/heat or kitchen, but outside it has a private fire pit, picnic table, and grill. Barons Creekside is a beautiful property tucked away in a rustic setting but only 5 minutes from downtown Fredericksburg.
Collective Hill Country
collectiveretreats.com/retreat/collective-hill-country-3
Wimberley, Texas
If you’re all about the “glam” part of glamping, Collective Hill Country is for you. Book the gorgeous Summit Tent (king-sized bed) with the separate double-twin tent for your family of four. Enjoy gourmet farm-to-ranch cuisine and nightly artisanal s’mores. Family-friendly activities include horseback riding, hiking, and electric bike tours through Wimberley.
If you go glamping or camping, let us know where you end up choosing!
