5 nearby parks perfect for an RVshare road trip

September, 2021
 SPONSORED CONTENT:

 

 

RVshare has an inventory of more than 100,000 vehicles. Photo courtesy RVshare

If you’d rather wake up in inside a cozy trailer or a hip campervan tucked in the woods than at a cookie-cutter hotel in the city, listen up. RVshare lets you rent anything from a sleek silver Airstream to a pint-sized Teardrop –– right from the owner.

The peer-to-peer rental marketplace features more than 100,000 vehicles so you can find one that’s perfect for your next road trip. The only thing left to do is figure out where you’re going. To get you started, below are some RV-friendly spots within a short drive of Austin. 

Colorado Bend State Park  

A hike to Gorman Falls is a highlight of a trip to Colorado Bend State Park. Photo courtesy Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Head to this Hill Country gem west of Lampasas with your RVshare vehicle, where you can pull into a slot along the Colorado River. Park highlights include 35 miles of hiking and biking trails and Gorman Falls, where a spring-fed stream spills over a 70-foot, fern-covered drop. (2236 Park Hill Drive, Bend. Entry is $5; 12 and under free. Self-contained RVs up to 30 feet, $15 per night. https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/colorado-bend; 325-628-3240) 

North Shore Lake Bastrop Park 

Lake Bastrop North Shore Park offers hiking, swimming, fishing and paddling. Pam LeBlanc photo

Park your rig from RVshare on the loop near the lake and you’ll have a perfect sunrise view to go with your morning coffee. Bring a swimsuit, too –– the park offers kayak and standup paddleboard rentals, and good swimming opportunities. If hiking is your thing, make the walk through the pines to nearby South Shore Park. (603 FM 1441, Blanco. Entry $5 adults, 12 and under free. Campsites $35 per night.  https://www.lcra.org/parks/lake-bastrop-north-shore-park/; 512-498-1922) 

Blanco State Park 

Pam LeBlanc jumps off the dam at Blanco State Park. Photo by Chris LeBlanc

Swimmers will swoon for this park, perfect for RVshare customers, which hugs a 1-mile stretch of the cool, green Blanco River. Pack a fishing rod, too, and try your luck. Canoes and tubes are available for rent, and groups can reserve the picnic pavilion built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. (101 Park Road 23, Blanco. Entry $5 adults; 12 and under free. Campsites $25. https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/blanco; 830-833-4333)  

Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area

The campsites at Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area offer views of Lake Travis. Pam LeBlanc photo

Bring your mountain bike when you head to Muleshoe Bend, situated on the shores of Lake Travis just west of Austin. The park has a boat ramp, 34 campsites and plenty of trails to explore. It even offers guided night hikes about once a month. (2820 County Road 414, Spicewood. Entry $5 adults; 12 and under free. Campsites $25.  https://www.lcra.org/parks/muleshoe-bend/; 512-473-3366) 

South Llano River State Park  

South Llano River State Park attracts hikers, swimmers and anglers. Photo by Danes Digital Images from TPWD

Focus on birdwatching, fishing and hiking at this riverfront park, home to one of the largest turkey roosts in Texas. Paddler’s Porch offers kayak rentals, or bring a tube and float in the cool water. (1927 Park Road 73, Junction. Entry $5 adults; 12 and under free. Campsites $20. https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/south-llano-river; 325-446-3994) 

 

 

Follow Austin Travels


Austin Travels is a women-owned, Austin-based travel magazine committed to highlighting destinations in Texas and beyond through the lenses of diverse and talented writers.

Subscribe

Bluebonnets are back: A dozen spots to see spring wildflowers in Central Texas

Bluebonnets are back: A dozen spots to see spring wildflowers in Central Texas

Three close-to-Austin places to camp

Three close-to-Austin places to camp

48 hours in the Texas Hill Country

48 hours in the Texas Hill Country

10 unique, family-friendly ideas for Texas spring break fun

10 unique, family-friendly ideas for Texas spring break fun

Three holiday-themed staycations to check off your list

Three holiday-themed staycations to check off your list

Get away to Galveston for a tour of Battleship Texas and more

Get away to Galveston for a tour of Battleship Texas and more

Celebrate everything from sausage to barbecue this November

Celebrate everything from sausage to barbecue this November

The perfect long weekend in Sugar Land, Texas

The perfect long weekend in Sugar Land, Texas

Corpus Christi: Savor the Flavors of the Gulf Coast Capital

Corpus Christi: Savor the Flavors of the Gulf Coast Capital

Texas’ Top 10 Sizzling Festivals in August

Texas’ Top 10 Sizzling Festivals in August

Hang your Hat in Hunt, Texas

Hang your Hat in Hunt, Texas

Corpus Christi: 7 Family-Friendly Summertime Musts in the Gulf Coast Capital

Corpus Christi: 7 Family-Friendly Summertime Musts in the Gulf Coast Capital

Slowing down to soak in the beauty of Big Bend

Slowing down to soak in the beauty of Big Bend

Ready to get away? 5 day trip ideas perfect for a summer jaunt

Ready to get away? 5 day trip ideas perfect for a summer jaunt

Reminiscing in Aggieland

Reminiscing in Aggieland

7 Spots to Splash Near Austin

7 Spots to Splash Near Austin

Heading to Dallas? Four fun finds for summer

Heading to Dallas? Four fun finds for summer

Daytripping and sipping in Shiner, Texas

Daytripping and sipping in Shiner, Texas

Camping on Crutches

Camping on Crutches

Heading to Bayou City? 10 fun, uniquely Houston things to do

Heading to Bayou City? 10 fun, uniquely Houston things to do

6 Hill Country Gems Perfect for a Spring Day Trip

6 Hill Country Gems Perfect for a Spring Day Trip

Bluebonnets are back! 10 Spots to See Texas Wildflowers this Spring

Bluebonnets are back! 10 Spots to See Texas Wildflowers this Spring

Discover more than ancient tracks at Dinosaur Valley State Park

Discover more than ancient tracks at Dinosaur Valley State Park

When it comes to Austin-area staycations, love in the air

When it comes to Austin-area staycations, love in the air

Best bet for birding? Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park

Best bet for birding? Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park

The Driskill: A Staycation Steeped in History

The Driskill: A Staycation Steeped in History

A Texas-sized cruise aboard the Allure of the Seas

A Texas-sized cruise aboard the Allure of the Seas

Fishing, kayaking and beachcombing on Matagorda Bay

Fishing, kayaking and beachcombing on Matagorda Bay

Gone glamping: Get away, comfortably, this fall near Austin

Gone glamping: Get away, comfortably, this fall near Austin

Relax and unwind in Round Top, Texas

Relax and unwind in Round Top, Texas

Cozy up around a firepit at a Valencia hotel this fall

Cozy up around a firepit at a Valencia hotel this fall

Seeking out adventure and finding respite at Horseshoe Bay Resort

Seeking out adventure and finding respite at Horseshoe Bay Resort

Family friendly fun in San Antonio (even if your kids bail on you)

Family friendly fun in San Antonio (even if your kids bail on you)

Bastrop State Park: A backyard gem, then and now

Bastrop State Park: A backyard gem, then and now

Eight beginner-friendly places to paddle in Central Texas

Eight beginner-friendly places to paddle in Central Texas

Nine Nearby, Natural Spots to Keep Cool this Summer

Nine Nearby, Natural Spots to Keep Cool this Summer

Hiking, horses and history at Hill Country State Natural Area

Hiking, horses and history at Hill Country State Natural Area

Explore the great outdoors in little Castell, Texas

Explore the great outdoors in little Castell, Texas

Camping out at Enchanted Rock

Camping out at Enchanted Rock

Walk in the footsteps of Judge Roy Bean in little Langtry, Texas

Walk in the footsteps of Judge Roy Bean in little Langtry, Texas

Getting back to nature at the Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary

Getting back to nature at the Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary

Heading to Brenham? You’re in for a treat

Heading to Brenham? You’re in for a treat

5 hotel pools ideal for beating Austin’s summer heat

5 hotel pools ideal for beating Austin’s summer heat

Thirteen things to love about Lubbock

Thirteen things to love about Lubbock

Glamping out at Onera Fredericksburg

Glamping out at Onera Fredericksburg

5 fun family-friendly experiences on the Texas Coast

5 fun family-friendly experiences on the Texas Coast

Six places to park your campervan in Texas this Spring

Six places to park your campervan in Texas this Spring

Go wild: A dozen spots to see Texas bluebonnets and wildflowers

Go wild: A dozen spots to see Texas bluebonnets and wildflowers

A new way to ride: Take an E-bike for a spin

A new way to ride: Take an E-bike for a spin

March Festivals: 10 Texas Celebrations Worth a Trip

March Festivals: 10 Texas Celebrations Worth a Trip

Three Texas sips to warm you up this winter

Three Texas sips to warm you up this winter

Weekend getaway: Carefree in Concan at 7 Bluff Cabins

Weekend getaway: Carefree in Concan at 7 Bluff Cabins

A winter retreat at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines

A winter retreat at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines

Seeking relaxation and uncovering empathy at Miraval Resort

Seeking relaxation and uncovering empathy at Miraval Resort

Soaking in the holidays and Austin’s history at the iconic Driskill Hotel

Soaking in the holidays and Austin’s history at the iconic Driskill Hotel

Martin Dies Jr. State Park is an East Texas treasure

Martin Dies Jr. State Park is an East Texas treasure

Make your way to Matagorda Bay for coast without the crowds

Make your way to Matagorda Bay for coast without the crowds

Fishing up old memories and making new ones at Inks Lake State Park

Fishing up old memories and making new ones at Inks Lake State Park

FIRST LOOK: Inside Chef Tim Love’s new Fort Worth shipping container hotel

FIRST LOOK: Inside Chef Tim Love’s new Fort Worth shipping container hotel

Go to Garner this fall for the Frio, foliage and family fun

Go to Garner this fall for the Frio, foliage and family fun

Discover the diversity of LBJ National Grasslands

Discover the diversity of LBJ National Grasslands

Falling for Fredericksburg: Sample all this Hill Country haven has to offer

Falling for Fredericksburg: Sample all this Hill Country haven has to offer

Central Texas Camping Guide

Central Texas Camping Guide

A fall paddle down the Devils

A fall paddle down the Devils

5 nearby parks perfect for an RVshare road trip

5 nearby parks perfect for an RVshare road trip

Texas Glamping Guide

Texas Glamping Guide

Women, wind and waves: Surfing for adventure

Women, wind and waves: Surfing for adventure

Dive in: 7 swimming holes and natural spots to splash into near Austin

Dive in: 7 swimming holes and natural spots to splash into near Austin

Girls getaway: 24 hours in San Antonio’s Historic Pearl District

Girls getaway: 24 hours in San Antonio’s Historic Pearl District

A downtown Houston hotel reimagined –– plus 5 things to do nearby

A downtown Houston hotel reimagined –– plus 5 things to do nearby

Texas 2021 Beach Guide

Texas 2021 Beach Guide

A true escape: Domovina Ranch in Smithville

A true escape: Domovina Ranch in Smithville

Royal treatment: 24 hours of spa bliss at one of Houston’s poshest hotels

Royal treatment: 24 hours of spa bliss at one of Houston’s poshest hotels

7 magical things to do with kids in Big Bend and West Texas

7 magical things to do with kids in Big Bend and West Texas

Photo Essay: The missions of San Antonio

Photo Essay: The missions of San Antonio

Becoming a birder at Galveston’s FeatherFest

Becoming a birder at Galveston’s FeatherFest

Seminole Canyon’s world-class rock art is a lens to history

Seminole Canyon’s world-class rock art is a lens to history

Discovering Surfside Beach, a Texas Gulf Coast treasure

Discovering Surfside Beach, a Texas Gulf Coast treasure

Nature and nurture: Hill Country wellness retreat offers a salve for the soul

Nature and nurture: Hill Country wellness retreat offers a salve for the soul

Gruene Hall: Daytrip to this timeless Texas treasure

Gruene Hall: Daytrip to this timeless Texas treasure

Everyone’s an artist at Amarillo’s Cadillac Ranch

Everyone’s an artist at Amarillo’s Cadillac Ranch

Get away while giving back to foster children at stunning Hill Country glamping spot

Get away while giving back to foster children at stunning Hill Country glamping spot

Plan Your Outdoorsy Adventure

Plan Your Outdoorsy Adventure

Discover history and simple pleasures in Baffin Bay

Discover history and simple pleasures in Baffin Bay

Texas bluebonnets are back! 10 wildflower hotspots

Texas bluebonnets are back! 10 wildflower hotspots

8 Great State Parks for Camping with Kids

8 Great State Parks for Camping with Kids

Fishing and Sea Turtles and Birding, Oh My: A weekend at South Padre Island

Fishing and Sea Turtles and Birding, Oh My: A weekend at South Padre Island

Relax and relish the coastal charms of Rockport

Relax and relish the coastal charms of Rockport

Social distancing in sleepy Sonora: Escape to a luxury ranch resort 3 hours from Austin

Social distancing in sleepy Sonora: Escape to a luxury ranch resort 3 hours from Austin

Lessons in life and death on the beach in Port Aransas

Lessons in life and death on the beach in Port Aransas