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Guadalupe River State Park
Guadalupe River State Park is where Hill Country camping, river tubing, and good old-fashioned swimming hole culture come together. The Guadalupe River flows through the park over a series of shallow rapids and deep pools — perfect for tubing on a lazy summer afternoon or cooling off after a hike through the adjacent Honey Creek State Natural Area. The campground sits on a bluff above the river with a mix of shaded and open sites, and the drive out from Austin or San Antonio is an easy one.
94 campsitesHill Country1 hr 15 min from Austin$7/person entrance fee
Short answer
Guadalupe River State Park campsites release on a rolling 5-month window at 8 a.m. Central. Popular dates sell out fast. If your dates are already taken, privately-owned cabins and vacation rentals around Spring Branch are bookable today.
Getting a site at Guadalupe River State Park
Texas state parks release campsites on a rolling 5-month window at 8 a.m. Central, and Guadalupe River State Park fills up fast for weekends and holidays. Popular dates can be gone within minutes of the window opening. If your dates are already taken, the surest way to lock in a place to stay is a cabin or vacation rental nearby.
Places to stay near Guadalupe River State Park
River-adjacent cabins and rustic homes await near the cool, clear waters of the Texas Hill Country.
See cabins & rentals near Spring Branch →We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Prefer to try for a state park site? Book direct on ReserveAmerica →
Texas state parks don’t have live cancellation alerts yet — but most sold-out sites free up 1–2 weeks before the date. We’ll email you the booking playbook (exact release times, the cancellation window, how to pounce) and tell you first if live Texas alerts launch.
Get the Texas state-park booking playbook
Campsite Types
Water + Electric
$24/night*48 sites
Water, 50-amp electricRV OKTent OK
Water + Electric
$20/night*37 sites
Water, 30-amp electricRV OKTent OK
Walk-in Tent
$15/night*9 sites
Water nearby - carry gear up to 100 yardsTent OK
Guadalupe River State Park fills up fast — lock in a cabin nearby
River-adjacent cabins and rustic homes await near the cool, clear waters of the Texas Hill Country.
See cabins & rentals near Guadalupe River State Park →We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Guide to Guadalupe River State Park
Best Campsites
For Families:Book the Turkey Sink water + electric sites first — they have 50-amp hookups, tent pads, and are the closest to restrooms with showers.
For Privacy:The walk-in water-only sites offer the most solitude — you carry your gear up to 100 yards in, which keeps the crowds away.
For RVs:The Turkey Sink loop is the best bet for RVs — full 50-amp electric and water hookups with the largest pads.
For Couples:The Cedar Sage water + electric sites (30-amp) are quieter and shaded, a good choice for a low-key weekend.
When to Go
May through September for river activities. Spring and fall have the best hiking weather. The river can run low in late summer during dry years.
Tips
- →The park rents tubes at the concession stand, or you can bring your own
- →Honey Creek tours happen on Saturday mornings — check the schedule and sign up early
- →Water levels in the Guadalupe vary a lot — check USGS gauges before planning a tubing day
- →Bring water shoes — the rocky river bottom is tough on bare feet
- →Flash flooding is possible after heavy rains — stay off the river if storms are upstream
Highlights
Tubing and swimming in the Guadalupe River — classic Texas Hill Country experienceHoney Creek State Natural Area — guided nature hikes through a pristine ecosystem5.3 miles of hiking trails along the river and through Hill Country terrainExcellent fishing — Guadalupe bass (the state fish) live hereRiver rapids and deep pools for all skill levelsEquidistant from Austin and San Antonio — easy day trip or weekend
Guadalupe River State Park — Frequently Asked
Is Guadalupe River State Park hard to book?+
Yes. Guadalupe River State Park is one of the more popular Texas state parks and fills up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. May through September for river activities. Spring and fall have the best hiking weather. The river can run low in late summer during dry years. If your dates are already full, book direct on ReserveAmerica the moment the 5-month window opens, or reserve a cabin or vacation rental nearby that you can book today.
How many campsites does Guadalupe River State Park have?+
Guadalupe River State Park has 94 campsites, including Water + Electric, Walk-in Tent. Sites start at $15/night plus a $7/person entrance fee.
What is the entrance fee at Guadalupe River State Park?+
The entrance fee at Guadalupe River State Park is $7 per person per day. A Texas State Parks Pass ($70/year) waives entrance fees for you and all passengers in your vehicle.
How far in advance should I book Guadalupe River State Park?+
Texas state parks open reservations exactly 5 months in advance, at 8 a.m. Central. For Guadalupe River State Park, popular weekends can sell out within minutes of the window opening, so book the instant it opens. If your dates are already full, a cabin or vacation rental near Spring Branch is the quickest place to stay you can lock in today.
How can I get a last-minute campsite at Guadalupe River State Park?+
Cancellations at Guadalupe River State Park happen regularly, most often 1 to 3 weeks before the date, so it is worth checking ReserveAmerica directly for openings. If nothing is available for your dates, privately-owned cabins and vacation rentals near Spring Branch are bookable today as a backup.
Parks Near Guadalupe River State Park
Cabins & vacation rentals near Guadalupe River State Park
Privately-owned cabins and rentals around Spring Branch are bookable today on Vrbo.
See cabins near Spring Branch →