Camp Huaco Springs has long been on my “Summer To Do” list, and I was really excited when our plans changed last minute, and we were able to spend a couple days in New Braunfels!
Located on River Road, the scenic road that runs along the Guadalupe River, the camp owns a mile of beautiful river frontage, and it’s a terrific place for campers and those who want a short toobing experience on the river. It’s prime location, between Huaco Falls and Slumber Falls, also makes it one of the most exciting on the river!
However, what truly makes Camp Huaco Springs stand out from all the other camps on the river is Huaco Springs! The chilly spring water rushes down a manmade chute and into a little pool, giving children hours and hours of delight! Since it’s all self-contained, and relatively shallow, Mom and Dad can sit under the canopy of trees, watch and relax after a day on the river!
Know Before You Go
Don’t forget water shoes, sunscreen and bug spray!
No dogs. I love camping with our dogs, but this just isn’t the place for them.
No glass. No styrofoam.
The park is open year round, busy during the summer and really busy on weekends. Try to plan your visit during non-peak times.
Check the status of the Guadalupe before you go. During our visit, the river was closed to all toobing.
You pay at the store, before you ever come onto the campground. Before you pay, tell them it’s your first time and you want to look around first.
Huaco Springs
There are TONS of campgrounds along the Guadalupe River, but what makes Camp Huaco Springs wonderful is Huaco Springs! We knew the Guadalupe was going to be closed during our visit, but because of Huaco Springs, our kids could still get in the water and have a great time “toobing” on the springs!
From it’s headwaters, the ground feels like you are walking on a sponge, as the powerful springs lift the gravel off the ground! The chilly water, about 2′ deep, takes you down a couple of little rapids into a large pool that is perfect for swimming!
Did I do it? Yes, and I didn’t fall out!
Bananas growing in the campgrounds.
The springs make a loop, and there were plenty of shady places for us to just hang out and watch the kids play!
Tent Camping
The majority of the overnight guest at Huaco Springs are tent campers, and for good reason, there is nothing as nice as having the sound of the rapids lull you to sleep!
The most sought-after campsites are right on the river! All camping is first come, so arrive early for the best sites.
For a little more privacy, head up to the top of the hill! With a young child, I wasn’t comfortable camping right next to the river, so we headed up! Even on a June weekend, we had the hilltop area completely to ourselves! While we missed the river rapids, we loved the peace, cool breeze and sounds of wildlife! Bonus, there are real restrooms at the top of the hill, not port-a-potties.
RV
Huaco Springs has 75 RV sites, each with a picnic table and a grill. No campfires are allowed in the RV sites.
A word about camping at Huaco Springs
There were things I ABSOLUTELY LOVE about Camp Huaco Springs, and I’m already looking forward to a return trip! However, there were some negatives, too. It’s beyond my power to change CHS, but I can make some changes to the way I visited, and give you those suggestions, too.
There is NO quiet time. If you camp on the river, people are going to be up late, playing music and talking. Luckily, the rapids drown out much of it. If you have young children, or want to get up early to hit the river, consider visiting during the week, or camping up on the hill, where it’s not guaranteed to be quieter, but it was for us.
The restrooms near the river are all port-a-potties. Translation – I drove to the Interstate to visit McDonalds a few times on our first day. Thankfully, we found the real restrooms up on the hill. Showers require a token that you can purchase at the camp store.
The most heartbreaking thing for me at CHS was that the same people who came to visit this beautiful retreat on the river, left behind TONS of trash on the ground, which I knew would all eventually make it’s way into the river! I did see the staff out picking it up, but on a Sunday morning it was overwhelming. There were even those who tried to do the right thing, bagging all their trash, but left it at their campsite and by morning birds and raccoons had ripped open the bags and scattered it everywhere.
CHS has a large trailer with a lid for bags of trash. Please use it.
CHS, and it’s other companies, Rockin’ R, are proponents of protecting their natural resources, and donates $1.00 out of every rental towards the River Cleanup.
Camp Fires
Ground fires are allowed if there is not a burn ban. New Braunfels has this weird law that makes it illegal to use rocks to build a fire ring, so don’t do it. The result is that there are little fires without a ring EVERYWHERE, especially in the area around Huaco Springs. When campers leave, they put out the fire, but many times the coals are still hot and there are young, barefoot children running all over the place! Wear water shoes!
![thermacelloutdoormosquitorepellentlanternwithpackagingmr9l[1]](https://havingfuninthetexassun.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/thermacelloutdoormosquitorepellentlanternwithpackagingmr9l1.jpg?resize=480%2C480)
Thermacell Mosquito Repellent Lantern
Thermacell provided me with a Mosquito Repellent Lantern for a product review, and we took it along with us on our trip! When turned on, the lantern heats up a repellent strip, which provides a 15′ X 15′ bug-free zone. It worked great when left in one area, and gave us a bug-free time at the campsite! Since the kids were running everywhere, in and out of the campsite, they still needed bugspray!
I was not financially compensated for this review, and all opinions are my own.
Guadalupe River
With over a mile of riverfront property, CHS is the place to toob the river! You can walk up and float down to your campsite! It’s the perfect toob trip for those not ready to spend all day on the river!
Check the status of the Guadalupe River before going, especially in the Spring/early Summer, when the Canyon Lake dam may be releasing water! Click HERE to visit the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, and learn current river flows. Updated every 15 minutes.
The river is closed to all water recreation except rafting when the flow is above 1000cfs. There are plenty of commercial rafting guides on the river during this time!
Bring your lifejackets! When the flow is above 500 cfs, it is mandatory for all children 8 and under to wear a US Coast Guard Approved life jacket. Honestly, any child 8 and under should wear a life jacket, and leave those puddle jumpers for the pool, they aren’t safe on a river or beach!
If above 750cfs, all individuals must wear a life jacket.
Rockin’ R River Rides
Ready to try a daytrip? CHS also owns Rockin’ R River Rides, which has 6 locations on the Guadalupe and Comal River! Click HERE for more information!
The above picture is from the location on the Comal River, which is just across the street from Pat’s Place, one of our favorite restaurants in New Braunfels!
River Road
Drive the River Road! Whether you are staying for a week, or just driving through New Braunfels, you need to see the beauty of the Guadalupe!
Things To Do in New Braunfels
Play
Landa Park on the Comal River has a fun, spring-fed swimming pool, pedal-boats, miniature golf and a miniature train! Click HERE for more information.
McKenna Children’s Museum is a great place to keep cool from the summer heat! Click HERE to visit their website.
Eat
Visit Naegelin’s, the oldest bakery in Texas, since 1868. Get the strudel. Click HERE to visit their website.
Camp Huaco Springs
150 River Road, New Braunfels
Click HERE to visit their website.
Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!
Michelle
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