Howdy folks, I'm planning to book a trip this summer for GSP, I grew up going there, probably no less than 6-7 times but this will be my wife and kids first time.

I thought I could book 6 months out but found out today it is 5 months.

For those in the know:

Is it better to book online or over the phone like old school?

Has anyone ever had luck renting a cabin there?

If we can't get a cabin the plan would be rent a trailer, any recommendations on good site numbers for a trailer?

Growing up we only ever camped so I've got no experience in a trailer any pointers for a trailer at GSP? Or in general?

TIA

I haven't booked a state park since 2022 but we did it often for our RV. I would wake up at 12:01 and book it online. Back then you couldn't book days into the future so I had to do it three days in a row. Not a big deal but all the spots were gone 24 hours later.

I think they decided to implement a penalty for cancelling and mandatory ID check as people were booking and then reselling them back then. Covid really screwed up a lot of good things.

I heard they've updated the jukebox at the dance slab. They've finally added some George Strait.

No particular trailer recommendations for GSP but we rented a trailer for Davis Mountains State Park over Thanksgiving. I've always been more of a tent person, but the trailer was a hit. My wife (not a big camper) and my kids loved it. If you're going in the summer, the a/c and showers will be well appreciated.

For GSP, if you don't mind tent camping, check out site 25. It's got a screened in cabin, good bathroom access, and to one side its fully open with no other campers. It also back ups to trees so no neighbors there either.

Book at whatever time it opens (I think its 8am) five months in advance. But keep checking back as availability changes as you approach the weekend.

Hope they have done some repairs and clean up since last summer. The park was an embarrassment with rotten railings and barrels at the overlook not to mention the trash and high weeds. Lack of law enforcement too.

Online opens at 6am. Do it 14 days earlier than you need. You can't reserve until 5 months out, but can then make that reservation 14 days long into the future. So you could reserve May 26th right now, if you reserve from May 20th through the 26th. Then cancel what you dont need 14 days later.

How does canceling/changing the reservation work? Are you able to do that online?

So if I'm looking to book like June 20-25 we're not really picky on the exact day…I could book on January 11, then reserve 6/11-6/25? Then two weeks later amend the reservation to 6/20-6/25?

tmaggies said:

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Hope they have done some repairs and clean up since last summer. The park was an embarrassment with rotten railings and barrels at the overlook not to mention the trash and high weeds. Lack of law enforcement too.

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Yeah, we used to take the Cub Scouts out there, but the graffiti was just awful.

Don't rock the jukebox, I wanna to hear some Jones

Rent a cabin if you can. Most of the RV parking is like camping in a Walmart parking lot.

Yes just change online. Click modify your reservation a week or two later when it allows you and it won't charge you for the extra days.

We've camped at Garner in a rental RV the last 3 years - usually in October. We really like the River Crossing area and target around spot 113. It has nice shade, walkable river access, and fairly quiet in my experience. It is down the hill from old Garner where the store and dance hall areas are. We've walked with kids up the hill to reach many of the hiking trails without issue.

Thanks for some direction! I haven't been in about 20years.

During summer does day of the week really even matter? I assume the park is basically fully booked every day from May-September

I've spent probably a full year of my life there in total. Maybe more. It really needs some maintenance and updates because it gets hit so hard with use in the warm weather months.

It doesn't help that the local aquifers probably only flow about 1/3 as much as when I was a kid. It's still a great park but so mostly go in fall or even winter now. Many years ago, I went in February during a week and my group was the only occupied site in my section of the park. It was awesome. Weather hit low 80'x by chance and it was even warm enough for a comfortable swim in the afternoons.

You sound like the perfect resource! Any recommendations on best trailer sites or best cabins?

Or all together pointers? Like is said I haven't been in 20+ years

I'm personally partial to shady meadows, way up by the old entrance. It's away from the noise, back in the shade of a bunch of mature pecan trees. A lot of the olds camp in that area as the sites can accommodate bigger trailers, nearby is the newest bathroom in the park, the Taj Mahsl they spent over 2 years building. 120, 118, 116, that area.

I also like river crossing. About 139-143. The sites back up to a ravine that leads down to the river, right at the first place I actually swam on my own as a kid, actually. Lots of pecan tree and oak tree shade, and the sites are fairly big and with some degree of privacy and right near the river, and some good rapids and a swimming/fishing hole. I have relatives staying there on and off through the year, usually. It's also a fairly short hike or bike to the pavilion and camp store, and the hiking trails in the hills.

I used to love the old park near the dam when I was kid but it can be crowded and noisy all summer. It's fine in the off season though.

I am as I like the live oak camping area in the "new park" they opened when I was a kid. The 350's against the river are close to an interesting part of the river with a reliable swimming hole across from the group camp and some interesting rock formations along the river.

Yeah, I've been all over that park. I know of some caves that are in the park that the park staff would probably prefer people didn't visit as the climb in is steep and narrow and you can get into some technical caving if you go deep enough, on the far side of "old baldy". Past what they call the "air condition cave", you have to drop down in them. Basically big vertical cracks sheared into the rock that just keep going down and down and down…
The there's the part of the park across the River that the state owns but nobody ever goes to. That's where a lot of the wildlife stays.

I highly recommend fall. It's warm but not oppressively hot, weekdays are very quiet with plenty of availability, and yet cool enough at night to justify a nice campfire. Speaking of night, we like to hike up to the top of the crystal cave trail after dark and lay out some old towels and star gaze away from most of the lights and up high for a full view of the sky.

Succeeded in booking a site this morning I did the 2 week trick and will adjust later.

This was my third morning attempting to book, for the next week or so I'm going to try and check cabin availability and I'll cancel the campsite if I can get a cabin but I'm not overly hopeful.

Ha I am on the phone with the GSP Super now.

Put in a good word for an ag to get a cabin

Said all cabins are closed starting in April to replace the roofs. They will be available as roofs are replaced. But state contractors so good luck.

I did see a note about that online and figured it wouldn't take through June….but you make a good point

Cruise America - RV rental

Cen-Tex said:

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Cruise America - RV rental

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Thanks! That was my next question, if anyone had recommendations.

It took them 2.5 YEARS to build one campground restroom.

Lonestar_Ag09 said:

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Cen-Tex said:

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Cruise America - RV rental

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Thanks! That was my next question, if anyone had recommendations.

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They are obviously popular. I see a lot of them on the road when we're traveling.

Any reccomendations on trailers? I have a super duty and was planning to tow a trailer more than rental an RV to drive.

Lonestar_Ag09 said:

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Any reccomendations on trailers? I have a super duty and was planning to tow a trailer more than rental an RV to drive.

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I know people that have rented from RV dealers like Holiday World, Camping World, etc.

Something else you will see now is people renting their own travel trailers out like a VRBO.

I always book basic cabins at Camp Live Oak in Leaky, the. Drive down to the park for visits and the dance, etc.

Very economical, cabins are simple and well maintained, and Joyce (owner and manager) is a gem.


Edit: accidental icon mishap

We like the RV spots in Rio Frio section. It is a nice 2-3 hour tubing trip from there to the dam. If you have two vehicles, you can leave one at the dam. You can also take a bike, leave your truck and ride back to Rio Frio to tube.

Look closely at the pictures and dimensions of the campsites to make sure your RV fits.

If you are renting an RV for the first time, note the size of your gray water tank. The last thing you want to do is take your trailer to the dump station the next morning. I am speaking from experience, conserve water: quick showers, don't leave faucets running, and wash your dishes outside.

Headed out to Garner this afternoon for the first time. Have two toddlers and a 13yo boy. Staying 3 nights in shady Meadows

What's a must do that kids can handle?
What should I send my 13 year old to do that the little kids can't?