Whether it’s your first time camping at San Marcos River Resort on the San Marcos River or your first time camping in general, there are many things you should know to help you prepare for your upcoming camping trip. From what to bring and when to arrive, to a packing checklist and a few classic camping recipes, we are here to help you make your getaway as smooth as possible. Keep reading for 7 things first time campers should know before they embark on their camping adventure!
CHECK-IN & CHECK-OUT TIMES
First things first – make sure you are aware of what time check-in and check-out is!
RV & Tent Sites
CHECK-IN: 1PM
CHECK-OUT: 12PM
Cabins
CHECK-IN: 3PM
CHECK-OUT: 12PM
Incoming traffic security gates close at 10PM to ensure other campers are not disturbed, so be sure to arrive before then! If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We want your first camping experience to be as simple as possible!
Are you interested in checking-in early or using our attractions after check-out time? These options are based on availability and require a small fee. If you’re looking to check-in early, please give us a call 24 hours prior to your arrival to see if early access is available. If you’d like extended access, visit us at the front office during check-out to see if it’s available.
LOCKING IN YOUR SITE
You may have heard of the term “locking in” your cabin or campsite – but what does that really mean? If you lock in your site, you are guaranteed the specific site number that you booked. For example, if you book site #12 and lock it in during check-out, you will be given site #12 during your stay. On the other hand, if you select site #12 but do not lock it in, you will be given the same RV site type, but may be placed in a different site number. As a good rule of thumb, this is when you should or should not lock in your site:
When to lock in:
- You are camping with a group of people and want to be next to each other.
- You love the location of a specific site number and don’t want to be anywhere else
When to not lock in:
- You don’t care where you’re located, just that you are in the same site type
We hope this explanation helps you better understand our lock-in feature. If you haven’t locked in and decide you want to, give us a call at (512) 213-0112 or stay@leisureresort.net.
CAMPING CHECKLIST
Wondering what to bring for RV camping at San Marcos River Resort? You’ve probably already made a list of common items to pack like clothing, swimsuits, sunscreen, and snacks – but odds are, there may be some items that you wish you would have thought of bringing but forgot to pack. Lucky for you, we made a short list of these items you may be forgetting that would be a good idea to bring, even from the comforts of your own RV:
- Marshmallow/Hot Dog Roasting Forks: It’s always a good idea to bring a few roasting forks for those family campfire nights!
- Water Bottles: Save the planet (and your wallet) by bringing a reusable water bottle. We have various places where you can fill up your water bottle so you stay hydrated all day.
- Bug Spray: What’s a camping trip without the great outdoors? Don’t forget to bring some bug spray – you’ll want this nearby when making s’mores around the campfire!
- Towels: Shower towels, hand towels, dish towels, and pool towels are a must!
- Raincoat/Umbrella: The weather can be unpredictable – be sure to add a raincoat and/or an umbrella to your camping checklist!
- Lawn Chairs: Get comfy around your site with family and friends by bringing enough lawn chairs for all. Or, bring some blankets to lay on!
CAMPING WITH PETS
Don’t leave your furry friend at home! Bring them with you when you stay in a pet-friendly RV site at our camping resort! It’s important to note that owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets, so be sure to bring plenty of doggie bags. And course, don’t forget the pet food and lots of treats!
PARKING
There is a one (1) vehicle limit on each site plus your RV. If you should have another vehicle or if you have overnight guests during your stay with another vehicle, there will be a $10.00 per day per vehicle charge. All vehicles must fit on your site or be parked in the overflow parking area. Please do not park on a site other than the one you are assigned. If found to be on another site you will be charged the daily rate for that site. Please do not allow any vehicles to protrude into the flow of traffic or on another site. The speed limit in the park is 5 mph! Only licensed drivers and vehicles are allowed to drive in the park, including golf carts. ATVs & dirt bikes are prohibited in the park.
CAMPING RECIPES
One of the main perks about a camping trip is camping meals around the campfire! We rounded up our favorite breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert camping recipes that you must try during your getaway.
- Breakfast: Start your morning out right with CAMPING BREAKFAST SANDWICHES! This camping recipe is ridiculously easy and full of protein. All you need is a cast iron skillet, english muffins, eggs, cheese, and meat of your choice. Yum!
- Lunch: Everyone loves a good no bake/cook camping meal! Enjoy one of these FRUIT AND NUT PEANUT BUTTER STUFFED TORTILLAS on the go or while relaxing. Pack some tortillas, peanut butter, ripe bananas, and a variety of dried fruits and nuts. Put it all together and you have the perfect camping meal everyone will love.
- Dinner: This CAMPFIRE PIZZA recipe is a must have and is so easy to customize for picky eaters! This camping recipe requires pizza crust, pizza sauce, cheese, and your favorite pizza toppings. Talk about easy and delicious!
- Dessert: These CAMPFIRE CONES will make your taste buds very happy! With just a few simple ingredients (waffle cones, marshmallows, fruit, and other toppings of your choice), this camping recipe is sure to be a crowd favorite.
We hope this list helps our first time campers feel more prepared and comfortable leading up to their camping getaway. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our team at (512) 213-0112 or stay@leisureresort.net. Until then, we look forward to seeing you soon!
