Mother Neff State Park campground
← All Parks

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 campsites|Central Texas|1 hr 30 min from Austin|$2/person entrance fee

Check live availability

We check ReserveAmerica right now — no stale numbers, just what’s actually open.

Checks your arrival date.

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

Can’t wait for a cancellation?

Grab a cabin or vacation rental near Mother Neff State Park — privately-owned places around Moody on Vrbo, ready to book tonight.

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. Using a campsite alert service like Camp.land to catch cancellations is the most reliable way to get a site when it appears sold out.

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. For Mother Neff State Park, popular weekends sell out within minutes of the booking window opening. If your dates are already showing as full, set a Camp.land alert at camp.land/pricing?park=mother-neff — cancellations happen regularly.

How can I get a last-minute campsite at Mother Neff State Park?+

The best strategy for last-minute campsites at Mother Neff State Park is to monitor for cancellations. Camp.land (camp.land) scans every 10 minutes and emails you the moment a site opens up, with a direct booking link. Cancellations are most common 1–3 weeks before the reservation date.

More Mother Neff State Park questions →

More Central Texas Parks

Bastrop State Park

76 sites

Buescher State Park

64 sites

Fort Parker State Park

35 sites

Lake Brownwood State Park

87 sites

Don't wait for Mother Neff State Park to open up

Your first alert is free — no card required. We’ll email you the moment a site opens.

Set Alert for Mother Neff State Park
Mother Neff State Park
First alert free · no card