Spicewood

Krause Springs is a privately owned property that has been in the same family for generations, and camping there means you can swim in the spring-fed natural pool early and late when the day crowd is gone. Tent sites sit on a grassy bluff above the springs with RV sites nearby, and the walk down to the water takes a couple of minutes. The butterfly garden and the rope swing over the natural pool are the parts kids describe afterward. Bring cash, because the gate has historically not taken cards.

An LCRA park on the upper end of Lake Travis with primitive and improved campsites, miles of mountain bike trails, and one of the best bluebonnet displays in Central Texas in early spring. Campsites are simple and spread out, and the trail network is gentle enough that kids on their own bikes can ride real singletrack without it turning into a fight. Facilities are limited to restrooms and water at central points rather than at each site. It is a good low-key alternative when Pace Bend is packed.

A Travis County park on a peninsula jutting into Lake Travis with nine miles of shoreline and primitive lakeside camping you can drive right up to. Sites on the east side are sheltered coves with gentle water entry that suits younger kids, while the west side has the dramatic limestone cliffs. Camping is primitive: no hookups, no water at the sites, and vault toilets. What you get instead is a tent pitched a few feet from the water for a fraction of what a cabin costs, twenty minutes from Austin traffic.

A secluded cove on Lake Travis with 8 miles of wooded Hill Country trails that feel genuinely remote without requiring a long drive from Austin. Lake access points let kids scramble down to the water for a swim or wade on warm days and deer sightings along the trail are practically guaranteed. Because the park is unmanned and relatively unknown compared to Pace Bend or Krause Springs it stays significantly less crowded on summer weekends. The primitive no-frills atmosphere means this is best for families with kids old enough to enjoy a real hike.

A privately owned spring-fed swimming hole that has been welcoming families for decades with natural pools shaded by ancient cypress trees. Kids can splash in the shallow upper pools or swim in the larger lower pool fed by a small waterfall. Primitive tent camping is available on-site so families can extend the visit overnight. The grounds are lush and shaded with a butterfly garden that younger kids enjoy exploring.

A Travis County park on a peninsula jutting into Lake Travis with miles of rocky limestone shoreline where families can find their own private cove to swim and explore. Kids love climbing the layered limestone ledges and jumping into the deep clear water below. The camping is first-come first-served and the sites along the water are spectacular. When the lake level is up this is one of the best swimming spots in Central Texas.