When Austinites think camping near Austin, they usually picture a packed Pedernales Falls reservation page or a four-hour haul to Garner. There's a closer, quieter, clearer-water option: Son's River Ranch, a 168-acre family ranch on the spring-fed San Marcos River — just 45 minutes from downtown Austin in Kingsbury, TX.
Why camp here instead of a state park?
State parks like Blanco and Pedernales Falls book up months in advance and can be brutally hot without water access. Our riverside campsites sit on a stretch of spring-fed water that stays a refreshing 72°F year-round — small rapids, no dams, and a calm current that makes it one of the safest places to camp with kids.
Compared to the other Austin-area camping options, Son's River Ranch is private property — no day-use crowds wandering through your site, no hunting for parking, no rules against fires when burn bans are off.
BYO Tent sites: $29 weekdays, $49 weekends
Bring-Your-Own-Tent sites are the most affordable way to camp near Austin. Each site comes with a fire pit, picnic table, BBQ pit and shared bathhouse access. Pitch on grass, walk to the river, and you're done. See all overnight options if you'd rather skip setup entirely.
Don't want to pitch your own? Bell Tents.
Bell Tents are pre-pitched canvas tents with real beds inside — pure outdoors feel without the work. They sit a short walk from the river and pair perfectly with a riverside cabana day rental for shade.
What to pack for camping near Austin
- Tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag
- Cooler with ice (no glass at the river)
- Drinking water (gallon per person per day)
- Headlamp + extra batteries
- Bug spray and reef-safe sunscreen
- Tubes or kayaks (or rent ours — overnight guests get 25% off day rentals)
- Marshmallows. Always marshmallows.
Add the river, the wristband, and a cabana
Camping is the start. The reason you drove down: the water. Add an Ultimate River Fun Wristband to your stay and float the spring-fed San Marcos River as many laps as you want. Want to know more about the river itself? Texas Parks & Wildlife has a great overview of the San Marcos River and you can check live flow at the USGS gauge.
Heading further south? Try our sister property.
If you're already on the road, our sister property Son's Blue River Camp in Kendalia offers a similar spring-fed riverside camping experience on the Blanco River — same family, same standards.
Ready to book a riverside tent site?
Pick your dates and lock in your campsite — sites fill fast on summer weekends.
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