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Mother Neff State Park
Mother Neff State Park is the very first Texas state park, donated by Isabella Neff (Governor Pat Neff's mother) in 1916. Recently expanded and renovated, the park sits along the Leon River with towering live oaks, limestone bluffs, and the historic Tonkawa Cave. A cornerstone of Texas state park history.
35 campsitesCentral Texas1 hr 30 min from Austin$2/person entrance fee
Short answer
Mother Neff 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 Moody are bookable today.
Getting a site at Mother Neff State Park
Texas state parks release campsites on a rolling 5-month window at 8 a.m. Central, and Mother Neff 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 Mother Neff State Park
Riverside cabins and historical ranches await near the Leon River's gentle flow.
See cabins & rentals near Moody →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
Full Hookup
$25/night*20 sites
Water, sewer, 30/50-amp electric; level cement pad, fire ring with grate, picnic table, restrooms nearbyRV OKTent OK
Water Only
$12/night*15 sites
Water nearby, no electric; among the trees, fire ring/grill, picnic table, restrooms nearby (may close after flood damage)Tent OK
Cabin
$200/night*1 sites
Historic CCC lodge sleeping 8 inside; central A/C and heat, full kitchen (stove, oven, microwave, fridge), two bathrooms with showers (one ADA). Bring your own linens, towels, and kitchen/eating utensils. No TV, internet, or phone
Mother Neff State Park fills up fast — lock in a cabin nearby
Riverside cabins and historical ranches await near the Leon River's gentle flow.
See cabins & rentals near Mother Neff State Park →We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Guide to Mother Neff State Park
Best Campsites
For Families:Book the full-hookup sites first - they have level cement pads, a fire ring, and restrooms with showers nearby
For Privacy:The water-only sites sit among the trees near the Leon River, but note they can close after flood damage - confirm they're open before you book
For RVs:The full-hookup sites are the only RV-ready option, with water, sewer, and 30/50-amp electric on level pads
When to Go
March through November. Gaining popularity after recent expansion. Spring and fall weekends fill up.
Tips
- →Explore Tonkawa Cave — it has fascinating Native American history
- →The park expansion added excellent new trails and campsites
- →Huge live oaks provide great shade for summer camping
- →Only 90 minutes from Austin — a solid weekend option
Highlights
First Texas state park (established 1916)Recently expanded and renovatedTonkawa Cave with Native American historyLeon River accessTowering live oak trees5 miles of trails through diverse habitats
Mother Neff State Park — Frequently Asked
Is Mother Neff State Park hard to book?+
Yes. Mother Neff State Park is one of the more popular Texas state parks and fills up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. March through November. Gaining popularity after recent expansion. Spring and fall weekends fill up. 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 Mother Neff State Park have?+
Mother Neff State Park has 35 campsites, including Full Hookup, Water Only, Cabin. Sites start at $12/night plus a $2/person entrance fee.
What is the entrance fee at Mother Neff State Park?+
The entrance fee at Mother Neff State Park is $2 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 Mother Neff State Park?+
Texas state parks open reservations exactly 5 months in advance, at 8 a.m. Central. For Mother Neff 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 Moody is the quickest place to stay you can lock in today.
How can I get a last-minute campsite at Mother Neff State Park?+
Cancellations at Mother Neff 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 Moody are bookable today as a backup.
Parks Near Mother Neff State Park
Cabins & vacation rentals near Mother Neff State Park
Privately-owned cabins and rentals around Moody are bookable today on Vrbo.
See cabins near Moody →