Going to Garner in late April to get away with a few frinds. Going to be tent camping. First time going to Garner, and we would like to reserve a spot ahead of time. Any advice on the best spots to pick up? Old or New Garner? Close to river? Near some shade? Adive welcome.

My favorite is the Shady Meadows area. It's primarily for RVs (water & electric hookups), but I've seen tent campers there. It's located just before you go "over the mountain" into old Garner. Most sites are shaded. Not near the river.

Since you're going in April, if you want to be near the river, you may want to consider the Pecan Grove or Oakmont ares in "old Garner". Shouldn't be very crowded during that time.

Link to map: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/park_maps/pwd_mp_p4507_0061a.pdf

[This message has been edited by BoozerRed78 (edited 3/29/2010 2:12p).]

Thanks Red. Happy to be going in late April - as you mentioned - should mean fewer people. Near the river would be nice, so I'll take a look at your suggestions. Might even trip up there and take a look around before reserving.

The new part of the park is MUCH less crowded, and noisy.

I prefer what they call "river crossing" or the "Shady meadows" area if the park is pretty crowded. The "ravine" sites near the river at river crossing are great..right near some good swimming holes, near the walk to the pavilion, and the hiking trails. Shady meadows is in a nice "out of the way" part of the park with less traffic and noise, and more privacy and wildlife. Good shade in this area, too, as the name says.


If I'm tent camping and the park is fairly uncrowded, I like the Rio Frio sites, under the cedar trees nearer the river. Probably 448, 450.

When I was a child, we used to like the old part of the park, 40 and 41 on what they now call "oakmont".

You total it up, I've probably spent over a year's worth of my life at GSP.

Persimmon Hill, #216

I spent 14 summers going to GSP while growing up. We would spend 1-2 weeks there at a time and sometimes we even went 2 times per summer. I love that place! That being said, if I was going back with friends now, I would stay outside the park where there are a few less regulations. Maybe try to rent a house on the river where you can play dominoes all night, drink beer, and be as loud as you want. GSP is pretty strict about everything I just mentioned especially after dark.

For most years, we stay in campsites, 82, 84, 86, and 92. We had alot of people and took up that whole corner. That was also close to the river and we had that whole open field next to us to throw the football, baseball or whatever. We have also stayed in 102, 100, 98, and 96. Plenty of shade in all those campsites.

Loving the numbers yall are throwing out. Probably going to drive up, look around at the sites, and choose the best 3 in a row I can find.

Now I need your fishing tips

I spend much of my time in the park hiking, looking for fossils, or fishing.

Go-to lures:

1. Gold bladed orange and green roostertail spinnerbait
2. Small crawfish jig up against the cut banks
3. Curl tail grub in bright green or white
4. Rebel teeny craw crankbait

Flys: Grasshopper imitations, wooly buggers

Bait: Anything natural, or pieces of hotdog.

Lostboy, please dear god tell me you aren't taking that huge blue catastrophe of a tent.

No no, dad's 12 person canvas wall tent that was ordered through a Sears & Roebuck catalog in the 1950's will be staying at home. This fancy little number will be going in its place: http://www.golite.com/Product/ProdDetail.aspx?p=370003110&mc=154&t=&lat=

Just picked it up last month, and spent some time in it during Spring Break. Need to post a gear report on it. Outstanding light weight shelter for you guys obsessed with cutting oz's in your pack.