Lockhart State Park is a hidden gem located just 35 miles (about 40 minutes) from Austin, TX, and roughly 30 minutes from Texas State University in San Marcos. It’s the perfect spot if you want to escape the city noise and enjoy some peace and quiet, with the bonus of being close to town if you need supplies or crave some good food.
The park is well-kept, peaceful, and offers a nice dose of solitude. The RV and camping areas are tucked away from the general crowd (playground, swimming pool), making it ideal if you’re looking for a quiet camping or glamping experience. If you forgot essentials like water or personal hygiene products, the local HEB is just a short drive away.
We stayed in spot 4, which, along with spots 5 and 6, is located directly across from the golf course. Unfortunately, some golfers tend to overshoot, and golf balls have been landing in these spots. We even saw people walking over to retrieve their stray balls. So if you don’t mind the possibility of a golf ball hitting your vehicle, RV, 5th Wheel, or even you, your kids, or your dog—then these spots might still work for you. If that’s a concern, I’d suggest requesting a different campsite.
Bonus for nature lovers: Keep an eye out along the trails and you may spot rabbits hopping along. Around dusk (about 7:45 to 8:00 pm), it’s a real treat to see deer coming out into the open. If you walk one of the various trails through the woods, you might even catch sight of them quietly moving through the trees.
When you're ready to venture into town, Lockhart doesn’t disappoint. Black’s Barbecue serves up some of the best BBQ you’ll find, and you can take a short stroll down the street to The Culinary Room, where their famous banana pudding is absolutely worth the stop. We also tried to visit Fiddler's Green Music Shop, but unfortunately, the lady working there wasn’t very welcoming, so we moved on.
Lockhart itself has that small-town vibe where you can roam around, soak in some local charm (hopefully from friendly folks like the staff at The Culinary Room) and enjoy the slower pace.
Overall, we’re giving Lockhart State Park 4 stars, mainly because of the risk of golf balls at certain campsites. But if you choose your spot wisely, you’ll find this park to be a quiet, convenient, and relaxing retreat, with easy access to both nature and small-town comforts.
Hope you have a great experience if you decide to camp, glamp, or just visit Lockhart and the State Park!