Palmetto State Park — Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about camping at Palmetto State Park. Updated for 2026.
How much does it cost to camp at Palmetto State Park?
Campsites at Palmetto State Park range from $12 to $20 per night, plus a $4/person daily entrance fee. Water + Electric (Riverside): $20/night. Water Only (Palmetto Grove): $15/night. Walk-in Tent (Palmetto Trail): $12/night.
How far in advance can I book Palmetto State Park?
Texas state parks open reservations 5 months in advance. For popular weekends at Palmetto State Park, you'll want to book the moment the window opens — at midnight, exactly 5 months before your arrival date. Midweek stays are much easier to find.
How many campsites does Palmetto State Park have?
Palmetto State Park has 40 total sites. 20 Water + Electric sites in the Riverside loop, 10 Water Only sites in the Palmetto Grove loop, 10 Walk-in Tent sites in the Palmetto Trail loop.
What's the best campsite at Palmetto State Park?
It depends on what you're looking for. For Families: Sites 1-20 (Riverside) — water/electric, close to river and swimming area. For Privacy: Sites 30-40 (Palmetto Trail) — walk-in tent sites in dense vegetation. For RVs: Sites 1-20 — level pads with water/electric.
What should I bring to Palmetto State Park?
Essentials: tent or RV (depending on site type), sleeping bags, cooler with ice, firewood (can't collect wood in most Texas parks), sunscreen, bug spray, water bottles, and headlamps. Only 75 minutes from Austin — great for a quick weekend trip
When is the best time to visit Palmetto State Park?
April through October. Summer weekends at the swimming hole are the main draw. Spring and fall are ideal for hiking.
What if Palmetto State Park is sold out?
Use Camp.land to set a free availability alert. We scan official booking systems every 5 minutes and notify you the instant a cancellation happens. People cancel all the time — especially midweek. You can also try walk-up sites on the day of arrival, but availability isn't guaranteed.
Does Palmetto State Park have shelters?
Palmetto State Park doesn't have traditional cabins, but offers Water + Electric, Water Only, Walk-in Tent camping options.
Can I bring an RV to Palmetto State Park?
Yes. Water + Electric (Riverside): max 20 sites, Water, 30-amp Electric. Water Only (Palmetto Grove): max 10 sites, Water. Check equipment length limits for your specific RV.
How far is Palmetto State Park from Austin?
Palmetto State Park is about 1 hr 15 min from downtown Austin. Located near Gonzales, TX in the Central Texas region.
Palmetto State Park sold out?
Set an alert and we’ll text you when a campsite opens up. We scan every 5 minutes.
Set Alert for Palmetto State Park →