Recommendations for hammock camping near San Antonio?

[my19]

Thanks for the recommendations at Lost Maples. Any other recommendations? Has anyone been to Bastrop state park, Garner state park, Palmetto state park, Guadalupe River state park, or Goose Island state park? Those all seem drivable from San Antonio and they have camping, but I have no idea how good/bad they are for hammocking. I'd probably only be able to hit up one or two of them in addition to Lost Maples so let me know any must-sees!

In the Houston area, does anyone have any insight on Village Creek state park, Lake Livingston state park, Brazos Bend state park, or any of the National Forests in the area? I think I'd only be there for a weekend so I'd only be able to check out one of these places.

There was a big, big fire at Bastrop a couple of years ago and the state park was hit pretty hard. Sounds like they're making a lot of progress there, though. But they lost a lot of trees.

Other concern is water. Most of Texas has had a tough time with drought and lakes in Austin-San Antonio region are low. Lake Travis is less than a third of capacity right now, Buchanan isn't much better.

[Wisp]

Lost Maples is nice off season, but very very crowded in the fall. I agree, skip C as it is a popular camping area and opt for B. That park has great hiking trails.

Garner is nice, but also very popular in the fall.

I'm heading to Guadalupe River State Park this weekend and can update you, but I do not believe it has too much for hiking trails.

I'm not sure, but I think parts of Sam Houston Forest may not be good for overnights in the fall because of hunting season. Others on this forum may know more about those regulations.

I've stayed at Huntsville SP and Lake Livingston. Both nice, but lots of people. Don't do these if you like to "get away from the masses". There are some wonderful recreation areas in the Sam Houston Forest area....Double Lake and Cagle. I've thought about renting a kayak on the north side of Lake Conroe and paddling to one of the sites along the lake as it is partially surrounded by the National Forest area.

[jofish]

Brazos Bend is a nice park with good trails, but the campsites are not exactly hammock friendly. I've hiked and hung there, but its not optimum. Problem is mainly with tree spacing and availability. No on trail camping is allowed.

Good to know. Much appreciated.

They just opened camping at Government Canyon state park just on the west side of San Antonio -- lots of trees and back-country hiking there.

Interesting. I did some hiking there the last time I was in San Antonio, but there wasn't any camping allowed (didn't know they planned on adding it either).

There was a big, big fire at Bastrop a couple of years ago and the state park was hit pretty hard. Sounds like they're making a lot of progress there, though. But they lost a lot of trees.

Other concern is water. Most of Texas has had a tough time with drought and lakes in Austin-San Antonio region are low. Lake Travis is less than a third of capacity right now, Buchanan isn't much better.

Tree loss to fire is a concern; thanks. I'm not really too concerned about water; I'll be going for 1 or 2 nights only and can carry in everything I'll need.

Lost Maples is nice off season, but very very crowded in the fall. I agree, skip C as it is a popular camping area and opt for B. That park has great hiking trails.

Garner is nice, but also very popular in the fall.

I'm heading to Guadalupe River State Park this weekend and can update you, but I do not believe it has too much for hiking trails.

I'm not sure, but I think parts of Sam Houston Forest may not be good for overnights in the fall because of hunting season. Others on this forum may know more about those regulations.

I've stayed at Huntsville SP and Lake Livingston. Both nice, but lots of people. Don't do these if you like to "get away from the masses". There are some wonderful recreation areas in the Sam Houston Forest area....Double Lake and Cagle. I've thought about renting a kayak on the north side of Lake Conroe and paddling to one of the sites along the lake as it is partially surrounded by the National Forest area.

Will Lost Maples be crowded in mid-September? I figured that a lot of people went there for the foliage which I assume is a bit later in the year.

As for hunting; that's a good call. I have no idea what the hunting seasons are in Texas; I'll have to look that up. And make sure to bring plenty of bright orange.

Ideally, I'd prefer hike-in only sorts of camping spots, but if there is good hiking/scenery/vistas and serviceable trees/objects to hang from I'd be pretty happy with that.

[mattyg]

Thanks for the recommendations at Lost Maples. Any other recommendations? Has anyone been to Bastrop state park, Garner state park, Palmetto state park, Guadalupe River state park, or Goose Island state park? Those all seem drivable from San Antonio and they have camping, but I have no idea how good/bad they are for hammocking. I'd probably only be able to hit up one or two of them in addition to Lost Maples so let me know any must-sees!

In the Houston area, does anyone have any insight on Village Creek state park, Lake Livingston state park, Brazos Bend state park, or any of the National Forests in the area? I think I'd only be there for a weekend so I'd only be able to check out one of these places.

bastrop state park still has not recovered from the fire completely lots of trees you would want to avoid being around but there are a few nice places in it still. guadalupe river state park only has a small primitive are mostly designated camp sites but a nice park and the honey creek natural area is nice palmeto is a nice park different vegetation then most tx parks. but its camp site only. the colorado river state park is nice as well. the texas parks and wildlife website will give you a nice rundown of the parks with other parks that are nearby. there are several lcra parks and army core of engineers parks around central texas. you can look into sam houston nationl forest near houston and the lonestar hiking trail.

[matthew2000tx]

They just opened camping at Government Canyon state park just on the west side of San Antonio -- lots of trees and back-country hiking there.

I just called to confirmed with Government Canyon there is NO hammocking camping allowed. They said it's because it's a "natural area" I guess hammock's aren't natural

Maybe if enough people call...? Their number is (210)688-9055

[jofish]

I just called to confirmed with Government Canyon there is NO hammocking camping allowed. They said it's because it's a "natural area" I guess hammock's aren't natural

Maybe if enough people call...? Their number is (210)688-9055

When it comes to hammock camping - especially when you're not in a concentrated campground - my motto is always "Tis better to ask forgiveness than permission".

[Throkda]

Aw, man....and here I hadn't yet run into a Texas State park that wasn't hammock-friendly....

[matthew2000tx]

Aw, man....and here I hadn't yet run into a Texas State park that wasn't hammock-friendly....

Lady on phone said something to the effect of it's a State Natural Area Not a State Park. She also said park rangers will ask people to remove hammocks if they see them.

Perhaps a call in to Carter Smith, TPWD director, about hammock camping at Government Canyon might get some change.... especially if hammock campers use tree straps that a wide... i.e. take care to protect trees.

[packdaddy]

Sounds Like BS... Lost Maple is designated a State Natural Area also and they have no problems. I feel like running it up the ladder and checking on it with someone at Headquarters. However it could just stir the pot and we end up screwing it up for the rest of the Texas SNAs

[Rat]

Lake Georgetown is only about 1.5 hours North of San Antonio. Plenty of easy to hike to sites, lots of water...

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