Texas Roadtrip | Campervan Hire

Stop 1. Austin

Highlights:

The Continental Club: The crown jewel of the city’s live music scene, this modestly-sized venue has a roaring reputation that’s well earned.
Dirty Sixth: The dirty sixth is a strip of Sixth Street that’s lined with bars and clubs. With a rowdy reputation for drunken revelry, this is an experience you don’t want to miss.
Zilker Park: This public park is host to picnic sites, playgrounds, botanical gardens, and an outdoor theatre. It’s a great place to get back to nature in the bustling city.

Where to Park and Stay:

Where to park in Austin: The city has a number of metered street parks that generally cost between $1 and $1.25 per hour. Unlike many main cities, Austin sports some street parking downtown that will let you park your campervan hire overnight. You simply pay a little extra at the metre.
Littlefield Garage: Great location and good pricing. Pricing ranges from $2 to $24.
Austin City Hall Garage: Plenty of parking and very secure. Prices range from $5 to $42.
Pecan Grove RV Park ($$): Housed on a small property in downtown Austin, this park can’t be beaten for location. Prices depend on your date of travel.

Sink into the boiling pot that is Austin

The capital city of Texas, Austin is one of the most rapidly growing cities in the United States. It’s located in Central Texas and is renowned for its numerous lakes, rivers, and waterways, including Lady Bird Lake, McKinney Falls, Lake Travis, Lake Walter E. Long, and Barton Springs.

Austin is a boiling pot of musicians, college students, blue-collar workers, government employees, and digital marketers. It’s often referred to as the live music capital of the world in reference to its many live music venues and resident musicians.

The city is a popular tourist attraction for a wide cross-section of different people. The area is massively diverse with a quirky slant that makes it a popular hub for musicians and artists.

Stop 2. San Antonio

Highlights:

Pearl District: Packed with beautiful restaurants, historic buildings, charming boutiques, and art galleries, the Pearl District is San Antonio’s cultural hub.
The River Walk: Spanning 15 miles long, the river walk is a must-see for those looking to stroll along the riverfront taking in the city’s beautiful architecture.
Natural Bridge Caverns: The largest known commercial caverns in Texas, the natural bridge caverns are a natural wonder that attracts people from all over the world. Tour pricing depends on your date of travel.

Where to Park and Stay:

Where to park in San Antonio: San Antonio has plenty of on-street parking, however when visiting downtown generally a parking lot or garage is the preferred option.
Bexar County Parking Garage: Best price in town for parking. Prices range from $3 to $12.

Experience the vibrance of San Antonio

More than 34 million visitors descend on San Antonio annually, and for good reason: it’s a beautiful, diverse city full of wonders and entertainment. At the axis of three different geological terrains (Prairie and Lakes, South Texas Plains, and Hill Country), the city is home to one of the biggest Latino populations in the United States.

There’s so much to do in San Antonio, from historical missions, to fine art museums, to amusement parks, to excellent dining and drinking. The residents also make for a boiling pot of different cultures which keeps the city vibrant and interesting.

Stop 3: Big Bend National Park

Highlights:

Santa Elena Canyon: One of the park’s most spectacular hikes, the Santa Elena Canyon Trail is a 1.7-mile round-trip that’s well worth it.
Hot Springs: These 105-degree-Fahrenheit hot springs are the perfect way to relax after a big hike.
Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive: For beautiful desert and mountain views, you can’t miss this scenic drive.

Where to Park and Stay:

Parking in Big Bend National Park: Big Bend National Park is remote with very few paved parking lots. It’s in your best interest to park at one of the handful of campgrounds scattered throughout the park.
Rio Grande Village campervan Campground: This park is one of the handful that offers reservations camping but you should still book well in advance. Pricing starts from $36 per night.

A must for nature lovers. Big Bend National Park

On the Mexican border is Big Bend National Park – one of Texas’ most exquisite natural wonders. Desert, mountains, and river combine to create an outstanding environment for hikers, canoers, campers, and nature lovers in this premier national park.

For those less inclined to explore the great outdoors, there’s also the opportunity to see the park from the road with an epic scenic drive. Round everything out with a stop-off at the Fossil Discovery Exhibit or a quick dunk in the hot springs and you have the makings of an excellent day.

A pass into the park will set you back $30.

Stop 4. Waco

Highlights:

Armstrong Browning Library: Boasting the world’s largest collection of works by Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, this library is not to be missed if you’re a literary nut. Entrance is free.
Cameron Park Zoo: This zoo houses over 300 species and is a great way to spend an afternoon. Tickets are $13 for adults.
Carleen Bright Arboretum: One of Waco’s best natural attractions, the Carleen Bright Arboretum is 16 acres of nature preserve with approximately 8 acres of beautiful botanical gardens.

Where to Park and Stay:

Where to park in Waco: It’s legal to park on most residential streets in Waco unless a sign specifically says you can’t. There’s a 72-hour limit on street parking, however.
200 Cottonwood St Garage ($$): Clean and well-positioned parking garage.

The little city with a lot of heart

Situated on the banks of the Brazos River, Waco is a moderately sized city with a lot of heart. It boasts a great selection of restaurants, museums, and awesome natural attractions. While it doesn’t boast the tourist numbers of its larger Texan siblings, Waco is nonetheless a bustling destination with a solid tourism trade.

Whether you prefer meandering through world class museums, marveling at heritage homes, or strolling through lush green parks, there’s something for everyone in this little city.