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Palmetto State Park
Palmetto State Park is a tropical-feeling oasis along the San Marcos River, featuring dwarf palmetto plants that give the park its name. Artesian wells, lush vegetation, and the Ottine Swamp create an unexpectedly exotic landscape in Central Texas. The warm-water swimming hole on the river is a highlight.
37 campsitesCentral Texas1 hr 15 min from Austin$3/person entrance fee
Short answer
Palmetto 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 Gonzales are bookable today.
Getting a site at Palmetto State Park
Texas state parks release campsites on a rolling 5-month window at 8 a.m. Central, and Palmetto 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 Palmetto State Park
Tropical palmetto cabins and riverside homes await near the San Marcos River.
See cabins & rentals near Gonzales →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
$30/night*1 sites
Water, sewer, 30/50-amp electricRV OKTent OK
Water + Electric
$18/night*17 sites
Water, 30/50-amp electricRV OKTent OK
Water Only
$12/night*19 sites
Water at site, no electricRV OKTent OK
Cabin
$55/night*1 sites
Sleeps 6 (one full bed plus one full bunk bed); A/C, heater, ceiling fan, microwave, refrigerator, electricity; water spigot and restroom nearby. No cooking allowed except the microwave; no private bathroom.
Palmetto State Park fills up fast — lock in a cabin nearby
Tropical palmetto cabins and riverside homes await near the San Marcos River.
See cabins & rentals near Palmetto State Park →We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Guide to Palmetto State Park
Best Campsites
For Families:Book the water-and-electric sites first - they have full RV hookups, more space for multiple tents, and sit closest to the restrooms with showers
For Privacy:The water-only sites give a more spread-out, tent-friendly feel away from the RV pads
For RVs:Reserve a water-and-electric site (30/50-amp) or the single full-hookup site early - they go fastest and fit rigs up to 65 feet
When to Go
April through October. Summer weekends at the swimming hole are the main draw. Spring and fall are ideal for hiking.
Tips
- →The San Marcos River swimming hole is the best feature — bring towels and swimsuits
- →Walk the Ottine Swamp trail for a unique ecosytem experience
- →The warm artesian wells are worth finding along the trail
- →Only 75 minutes from Austin — great for a quick weekend trip
Highlights
Tropical dwarf palmetto landscapeSan Marcos River swimming holeArtesian wells with warm mineral waterOttine Swamp nature trailLush, jungle-like vegetationRiver tubing and fishing
Palmetto State Park — Frequently Asked
Is Palmetto State Park hard to book?+
Yes. Palmetto State Park is one of the more popular Texas state parks and fills up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. April through October. Summer weekends at the swimming hole are the main draw. Spring and fall are ideal for hiking. 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 Palmetto State Park have?+
Palmetto State Park has 37 campsites, including Full Hookup, Water + Electric, Water Only, Cabin. Sites start at $12/night plus a $3/person entrance fee.
What is the entrance fee at Palmetto State Park?+
The entrance fee at Palmetto State Park is $3 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 Palmetto State Park?+
Texas state parks open reservations exactly 5 months in advance, at 8 a.m. Central. For Palmetto 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 Gonzales is the quickest place to stay you can lock in today.
How can I get a last-minute campsite at Palmetto State Park?+
Cancellations at Palmetto 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 Gonzales are bookable today as a backup.
Parks Near Palmetto State Park
Cabins & vacation rentals near Palmetto State Park
Privately-owned cabins and rentals around Gonzales are bookable today on Vrbo.
See cabins near Gonzales →