Garner State Park Camping & Reservations
The most-visited state park in Texas. Float the ice-cold Frio River by day, dance under the stars at night. Summer weekends sell out the instant the booking window opens — here’s how to actually get in.
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How to Get a Reservation at Garner State Park
The summer dance, the Frio River, the multi-generational tradition — this park sells out fast. Here’s how to actually land a site.
Know the 5-month rule
Texas state parks open reservations exactly 5 months in advance at midnight Central Time. For a Fourth of July weekend, that means booking opens February 4 at midnight. For Memorial Day, book in late December. Mark your calendar — popular summer weekends at Garner sell out within minutes.
Be at your computer at midnight
Log in to your Texas State Parks account before midnight. Have your preferred loop, site type, and payment info loaded. When the clock hits 12:00 AM, start clicking immediately — the best sites go in seconds on peak summer weekends. Don't wait until morning.
Pick your loop based on your trip style
For families: Rio Frio (sites 100–155) puts you closest to the river and the dance. For RVs: Pecan Bottom (sites 1–50) has full hookups. For privacy: Shady Ridge (215–260) is up the hill, quieter. For a special trip: screened shelters (S1–S18) have air conditioning and are right on the river.
If it's sold out — set a cancellation alert
Garner is one of the most-cancelled parks in the Texas system. People book summer sites months out, then life gets in the way. Camp.land scans every 30 minutes and emails you the moment a cancellation opens up. Most of our users who got into Garner for summer did it through a cancellation alert.
Garner is sold out for your dates?
Set an alert and we’ll email you the moment a site opens. Cancellations at Garner happen constantly, especially 2–4 weeks out.
Set a Cancellation Alert →Campsite Types & Pricing
Full Hookup — Pecan Bottom
$25/nightSites 1–50 · 50 sites · Water, Sewer, 30/50-amp
Best for RVs — larger pads, easy access
Water + Electric — Rio Frio
$20/nightSites 100–155 · 56 sites · Water, 20/30-amp
Closest to river and concession area
Water + Electric — Shady Ridge
$20/nightSites 215–260 · 46 sites · Water, 20/30-amp
Quietest loop, shaded by oaks
Water + Electric — Live Oak
$20/nightSites 156–214 · 59 sites · Water, 20/30-amp
Mid-park, versatile for tents and RVs
Water Only — Cedar Hollow
$15/nightSites 261–305 · 45 sites · Water only
Tent camping — budget option
Walk-in Tent — Riverside
$15/nightSites 306–320 · 15 sites · Water nearby
Short walk, closer to the river
Screened Shelter — River Shelters
$50/nightS1–S18 · 18 sites · Electric, AC unit
Best for summer heat — air conditioned
Cabin
$85/nightCabins 1–17 · 17 sites · Full amenities
Full cabin experience — books far out
+ $8/person entrance fee. Texas State Parks Pass ($70/yr) waives entrance fees.
The Frio River at Garner
The Frio River is the reason people drive 2+ hours from San Antonio and Austin to camp at Garner. It’s spring-fed, crystal clear, and stays around 68–72°F year-round — ice cold even in July, which is exactly the point.
The swimming areas are directly accessible from most campsites. You can float the river on tubes (rentals available), kayak, or paddleboard. The limestone bottom and clear water make it feel more like a Caribbean snorkel spot than a Texas river.
Water temp
68–72°F year-round (bring water shoes)
Activities
Swimming, tubing, kayaking, paddleboarding
Watch out
River runs low in drought years — check before going
Best Time to Camp at Garner State Park
Crowd levels, temperatures, and booking difficulty by month.
40–65°F
Very quiet. Mild hiking weather. River still cold.
45–70°F
Easy to book. Good for couples. No dance yet.
55–80°F
Spring break rush. Books solid months out.
65–85°F
Wildflowers. Pleasant temps. Getting busier.
70–90°F
Memorial Day weekend = instant sellout.
78–95°F
Summer dance starts. River season in full swing.
82–98°F
Hottest month. Peak bookings. Dance every night.
80–97°F
Still peak. River may run low in drought years.
72–90°F
Crowds thin. Dance ends after Labor Day.
60–82°F
Fall color starts. Great weather returns.
48–72°F
Very peaceful. Good for hiking. Easy to book.
40–62°F
Winter rates sometimes available. Tranquil.
What to Know Before You Go
- →Summer weekends book out the instant the 5-month window opens — be online at midnight, not the next morning
- →Bring water shoes — the Frio River has a rocky limestone bottom
- →The river can run low or fast depending on recent rainfall — check current conditions at the park website
- →The nightly dance at the concession runs every evening during summer season — free for all ages
- →Sites near the river (Rio Frio loop) can flood after heavy rain — check the weather and have a backup loop in mind
- →Kayak and paddleboard rentals are available at the park concession — no need to haul your own
- →A Texas State Parks Pass pays for itself in one trip for a family of four (waives $8/person/day entrance fee)
- →Cell service is limited inside the park — download maps and confirm your reservation before you arrive
Garner State Park Camping FAQ
What is the nightly dance at Garner State Park?+
The Garner nightly dance is a Texas tradition dating back to the 1940s. Every summer evening, campers gather at the park's outdoor pavilion near the concession building for music and dancing. It's free, family-friendly, and genuinely fun — not a staged tourist event. It runs from roughly Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
Can I camp at Garner with my RV?+
Yes — Garner is one of the most RV-friendly state parks in Texas. The Pecan Bottom loop (sites 1–50) has 50 full hookup sites with water, sewer, and 30/50-amp electric. The Rio Frio, Shady Ridge, and Live Oak loops also have water and electric and can accommodate most RVs.
How cold is the Frio River?+
The Frio River is spring-fed and maintains about 68–72°F year-round. On a 100-degree July afternoon, that feels absolutely freezing. Water shoes are essential — the bottom is rocky limestone. The river can run low during drought years, so check conditions before your visit.
Are the screened shelters at Garner worth the price?+
For summer camping, yes. The screened shelters run $50/night and include air conditioning, bunk beds, and electricity. Compared to sweating through a tent in 95-degree heat, that's a bargain. They are harder to book than regular campsites and often sell out faster.
What is the best loop at Garner for families?+
Rio Frio (sites 100–155) is the consensus best loop for families. It has water and electric hookups, the shortest walk to the river swimming areas, and direct access to the concession and nightly dance. Sites here are in high demand — book them first if available.
Other Hill Country Parks to Consider
Don’t let Garner sell out on you
Set a cancellation alert and we’ll email you the moment a site opens up. Summer weekends see frequent cancellations.
Set Alert for Garner State Park →