SP Campround Review – South Llano River State Park, Junction, TX
A nature-lovers paradise right off the I-10 in West Texas.
Link to campground here: South Llano River State Park, TX
Link to map location here: South Llano River State Park, TX
- Site Quality = 4.5/5
Lovely sites here. All are very flat, paved back-ins with 30Amp/water, picnic table, fire-pit and lantern-hanger. A select number of sites also have cute, covered shelters. Decent separation although some of the sites are rather open to neighbors. The front-end of the campground has more privacy (but less shade) than the back-end. A few sites on the narrow side, but overall good access for any size rig. - Facilities = 4/5
Very nice facilities here. Showers are in good condition, large with good pressure and kept nicely clean. Lots of on-site activities including the river (open for swimming and tubing), picnic areas, trails and bird blinds. On-site dump station, but no laundry. - Location = 5/5
This park is only ~5 miles from I-10, but feels very “out there” and is set in a nature-perfect location. Rolling hills, river, trails and birding all reside at this spot. Nearby Junction has WiFi (at the library) and basic shopping. - Pet Friendliness = 5/5
Great park for pooch. Miles and miles of hiking and nature. Plus, the 24-hour bird show will keep both doggie and kitties entertained.
Overall Rating = 4.6
BONUS ALERT = Wild Turkeys, river, nature and hiking all in one!
Summary: This turned out to be was a fabulous stop on our way West in Texas, so much so that we ended up extending our stay. Although it’s only a hop over from I-10, the campground is nature-lovers paradise with a remote and relaxing feel. It’s set beautifully in a peaceful valley right next to the gorgeous South Llano River and surrounded by rolling hills. There’s a slew of outdoor activity available here from miles and miles of hiking (in the adjacent Buck Wildlife Management Area), to swimming, fishing and tubing in the river, to bird-watching (the area is roosting home to the Rio Grande Turkey and has multiple on-site bird blinds). Sites are lovely, flat asphalt surfaces with 30Amp/water, nice “sitting area”, decent separation and very pretty surroundings. The area gets hot, hot, hot in summer but is perfect in the Spring. We thoroughly enjoyed the area and would certainly come back.
Extra Info: Verizon extended (1X) network only here so weak voice signal, but no usable data signal even with external antenna/amp (free WiFi is available in Junction at the Public Library). Sites cost $17/night for 30Amp/water, reservable on-line. Additional $3/day/person entry fee (waived if you have Texas State Park Pass). On-site dump station.
Extra, Extra Info: For a throwback to old-style country music, tune into 93.5FM KOOK while you’re here. You won’t regret it! Also, bring your bird feeders!
sounds like a great place to try next time we are near there…we love many parts of texas even though it always takes forever to get thru the state:)….just an aside though and strictly my opinion…we only put bird feeders out if we are going to be in one place for quite a while at least a month otherwise I feel the birds will get too use to it and keep coming back….many think even a month is too short….
We stayed here for 3 nights and love the place. Being a wannabe birder, I loved all the cardinals flying around the sites and the bird blinds. The site cost has gone up to $20/night plus $4 each /day/person.
Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it as much as we did. Cheers for the update on the prices!
Nina
Great place! First time I went there, a deer jumped over the hood of my jeep as I entered the park. Nice, quite campground (i did a tent), and went running on some trails. Very nice experience. Went their again a few years later as I drove through Texas.
What a great memory of the place! We really enjoyed our stay there despite a few days of over 100 degree weather…phew! It’s just such a peaceful state park.
Nina
Thank you for the information on internet service. I work full time remotely and haven’t made my first trip yet because I’m stocking my RV and figuring out the most important pieces first (internet). I love the review on this spot and I suppose I could work in town and come home to the river.
Nina and Paul,
Glad you made it to this part — my wife’s part — of Texas and the U.S. (I’m from NYC, and we now live in Kerrville, south of Junction a bit.) It’s certainly a beautiful area, as you no doubt found out. And, yes, just a little off I-10 and it feels very “out there.”
I don’t know if you got to London, TX, but it’s a largely dead town that is now making a comeback. I’ve documented it here: https://americadowntown.com/best-small-towns-in-texas-london-hext-doss/
Anyway, I’ll be referring to your maps, since my wife and I — almost empty nesters — will be looking into RV-ing soon. 🙂
Howard Freeman
Curator, “Small Town USA”
https://americadowntown.com/