Tumblewagon

Campground Review: Pecan Grove RV Park in Austin, TX

Nathan posted this in Places

We had heard great things about Austin. “Keep Austin Weird” was the cities slogan, it was an island of blue in a very red state, and something about a naked cowboy. Heading south for the winter anyway, that was all we needed to know to get the Dutchmen pointed in that city’s general direction. A quick search on Google Maps showed plenty of parks in the general vicinity, but one in particular looked particularly well located: Pecan Grove RV Park. At about 1 mile from downtown, it held the promise of returning to the city life while still living our traveling RV dream.

When we called and inquired about their rates, they were very clear on one thing: there are no monthly spots. That is the single and only downside to this park, so I’ll get it out of the way right from the beginning. There used to be three RV parks on this same block. One had been bulldozed to make way for a (currently being built) block of condos, one was completely full of people who lived there on a permanent basis, leaving Pecan Grove as the sole place a traveling family could find a place to stay. We stayed for over two months (paying the weekly rate), it was that great, but be warned, we were told often that most people aren’t allowed to stay that long. They want to keep the temporary spots open for other travelers.

The only other thing I’d mention which might turn some people off is that there’s a lot of noise in the park. Currently there’s some major construction going on right next door, but all in all, you are in a city, so it’s to be expected.

Other cities occasionally do have near-to-downtown parks, but they are often only that: a place to park. You’ll be sandwiched in between other rigs in what is basically a large parking lot with hookups. Not so in Pecan Grove. As the name implies, there are pecan trees everywhere, and as long as there are leaves on the trees, they provide a shady canopy that blocks out all but the tallest of downtown’s skyscrapers. Airstreams abound in the park and many of the more permanent residents have built little picket fences or coy pond gardens, giving the entire place a very welcoming vibe. Many of the longterm residents are incredibly friendly, and nearly everyone warmed right up to Tristan, though there are relatively few children in the park. People keep to themselves, but are always up for a wave or a quick chat on the street. No through traffic comes into the park, so the streets are calm and quiet.

On the same street as the park are a variety of restaurants and bars, nearly all of which have outdoor seating. There’s a healthy fast food place (seriously), a brewpub, a hipster corner bar hangout, a cool coffeehouse, a romantic little restaurant and a couple of family shindigs all within a 5 or 10 minute walk. Two blocks away is the Austin Hiker/Biker trail which covers miles and miles along the river and connects you quickly to other popular neighborhoods in the city, such as downtown or South Congress. Take the trail west and you’ll run into Zilker Park, where frisbee golf and a train ride are only two of many available activities, or dip into the Barton Springs for a year round 50-some degree swimming hole.

There is also a convenience store just across the street and a Whole Foods-class little market a block away that, while expensive, has amazing food for sale. There’s also an actual Whole Foods about a mile away.

I can’t even come close to recommending this park enough for anyone who’s ever considering parking their RV in Austin, and if you’re ever there and see a small kid with long hair riding his bike around the park, come looking for us!