The Best Dam Spot

99%

509 reviews

· Staples, Guadalupe, Texas · 3 acres

Hosted by Laura M.

4 tent sites

Amazing views

Hipcampers say this spot has amazing views.

Family-friendly

Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for families and kids.

Best in Texas: Finalist

Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2024.

Laura is a Star Host

Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.

4 dispersed tent campsites are located on a large gravel bar facing a beautiful private waterfall. Camping is pack-in, pack-out from the parking lot (approx. 50yds). No overlanding rigs, pop-ups, RVs or rooftop car camping. Vehicles are not allowed at campsites. No pets. When booking, select any of the 4 sites. Sites are first come, first serve. Camping spot includes: unlimited river access, use of kayaks and paddle boards, picnic table, a semi-private communal outdoor shower with hot and cold water and a clean outdoor port-a-potty that is regularly sanitized. No composting and/or personal toilets allowed. Please only use the restroom in the portalet provided. *Electricity is available from dusk to dawn. A 50ft-100ft extension cord is required for electrical access to your site from dusk to dawn (extension cords not provided). *Portable small generators/ Power banks are recommended for electricity at site during the day. **No tent A/C’s** -small fan is recommended. *Canopy/umbrella is recommended for additional shade at site. *Feel free to BYO watertoys (kayaks, SUPs, etc.). Floats/tubes not provided. *Campfires are allowed in designated fire rings only. Campers are responsible for bringing their own firewood. *Climbing on the dam structure is strictly prohibited. *Please arrive BEFORE dark to check-in. *No check-ins after dark. *ALL campers/guests on the property MUST check-in upon arrival, sign a Release of Liability Waiver and pick-up wristband. *All children ages 6+ MUST be included in your reservation under "Children." *Day passes are available for $25 per person/per day. Includes kayak and paddle board use. Please add them to your reservation. -Total headcount of adults and children on property has to match your reservation. Water level above the dam: approx. 10-20ft. Water level below the dam is ankle deep to approx. 10ft. **No lifeguard on duty, swim at your own risk** **Children must be supervised at all times** Lifejackets for all ages are available for use. **NO PETS** **NO GLASS** To book property for events, please reach out for info/pricing. Feel free to message us if you have questions!4 dispersed tent campsites are located on a large gravel bar facing a beautiful private waterfall. Camping is pack-in, pack-out from the parking lot (approx. 50yds). No overlanding rigs, pop-ups, RVs or rooftop car camping. Vehicles are not allowed at campsites. No pets. When booking, select any of the 4 sites. Sites are first come, first serve. Camping spot includes: unlimited river access, use of kayaks and paddle boards, picnic table, semi-private communal outdoor shower with hot and cold water and a clean outdoor port-a-potty that is regularly sanitized. No composting and/or personal toilets allowed. Please only use the restroom in the portalet provided. *Electricity is available from dusk to dawn. A 50ft-100ft extension cord is required for electrical access to your site from dusk to dawn (extension cords not provided). *Portable small generators/ Power banks are recommended for electricity at site during the day. Headlamps/flashlights recommended. **No tent A/C’s** (small fans are recommended) *Canopy/umbrella is recommended for additional shade at site. *Feel free to BYO watertoys (kayaks, SUPs, tubes/floats, etc.). Tubes/floats not provided. *Campfires are allowed in designated fire rings only. Campers are responsible for bringing their own firewood. *Climbing on the dam structure is strictly prohibited. *Please arrive BEFORE dark to check-in. *No check-ins after dark. *ALL campers/guests on the property MUST check-in upon arrival, sign a Release of Liability Waiver and pick-up wristband. *All children ages 6+ MUST be included in your reservation under "Children." *Day passes are available for $25 per person/per day. Includes kayak and paddle board use. Please add them to your reservation. -Total headcount of adults and children on property has to match your reservation. Water level above the dam: approx. 10-20ft Water level below the dam: ankle deep to approx. 10ft. **No lifeguard on duty, swim at your own risk** **Children must be supervised at all times** Lifejackets for all ages are available for use. **NO PETS** **NO GLASS** To book property for events, please reach out for info/pricing. Feel free to message us if you have questions!

What to expect

Tent site

Camping area selected or assigned upon arrival.

6 guests max per site

Campfires allowed

Firepit. Campfires are allowed in designated fire rings only. All fires must be supervised at all times and completely extinguished before leaving. Campers are responsible for bringing firewood.

Toilet available

Portable toilet. There is a Port-a-potty located on property for bathroom use. No personal/composting toilets allowed.

No pets

No pets allowed on property.

Potable water available

Tap, hose. Waterhose on site.

Showers available

Hot water , cold water only. Semi-private outdoor shower with hot and cold water. The outdoor shower is shared with other campers staying on the property. Please shower in a swimsuit. No nudity allowed. This is a family-friendly property.

Bins available

Trash bin. Please bring trash bags with you. There is a dumpster located next to the parking lot for your trash.

Picnic table present

Each site has a picnic table

Wifi available

SpectrumSetup-73 ladderstable240

Playground available

Boat sandbox with toys, trampoline, seesaw and volleyball net.

Cooking equipment absent

Laundry absent

Hot Tub absent

Things to know

Getting there

Check in: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Check out: Before 11:00 AM

On arrival: Meet with Host

Cancellation policy: Moderate

Minimum nights: 1 night

Accepts bookings: 6 months out

Short walk

No wheelchair access

Max 1 vehicle

2WD accessible

During your trip

Follow the

Leave it better

Inclusion policyWe have a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination at Hipcamp. We are committed to helping our Host and Hipcamper communities be inclusive.

ExtrasAvailable at checkout

Children 5 and under are free!experience

$0.00

Please add each child 5 and under here for each night. For example, 1 child staying for three nights, select 3. Please message us with questions!

Reviews

99% Recommend623 ratings · 509 reviews

Malina P.

2 reviews

Recommends

· March 2025

10/10 we’ll be back!

Tent

The views were beautiful, host was amazing, and it’s perfect for low maintenance camping.

Jen P.

2 reviews

Recommends

· March 2025

Beautiful, Peaceful,Family Friendly

Tent · With kids

My family & I had the best time tent camping! First the waterfall/ dam is so gorgeous! Waking up to this view is so serene. Only 4 camp sites, so get there early to secure the one you like best. However there aren’t any “bad” camp sites. We arrived late ( how my fam rolls) and Laura met us there. Giving us a tour of the property & our camp site, answering all questions, giving background on the property. There are so many amenities: Kayaking, Paddle boarding, Tubing (Byot), random lovely comfy swings over the river, boat sand box, trampoline, Beach area to enter water, electricity from dusk to dawn ( BYOextension cord). They even provide large wagons to haul your tent, camping supplies to the campsite. We will 💯 book here again. I give this host & camp spot 500 hundred stars✨⭐️🌟🌠✨⭐️. It absolutely is THE BEST DAMN SPOT!

Cory S.

5 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· March 2025

Tent

Lovely spot, host made everything easy. We really enjoyed being so close to the water

Antonio G.

1 month on Hipcamp

Recommends

· March 2025

Camping on the river!

Tent

Land was beautiful, tent right on the river is the best white noise you could imagine. The kayaks and paddle boards made available were exactly what we were looking for. Plenty of activities, access to electricity, and close to town for your choice of purely camping or making a visit to San Marcos. Really is the best dam spot.

Anna P.

1 month on Hipcamp

Recommends

· March 2025

Best Camp Out Ever

Tent · With kids

We usually do overnight camping at state parks, but this was SO much better! The views and sounds of the dam waterfall were great. My husband caught some fish. Our kids had the best time, both in the water and exploring on land. The sand boat and rope swing were hits! I was nervous about the outdoor shower, but it was lovely! Felt so nice to wash the river off before hopping in our sleeping bags both nights. Laura and her family were welcoming and hospitable. They have a really special place, and I am happy they have chosen to share it with the rest of us! Such a cool spot; a great example of why I love Texas so much. It was really hard to leave. I hope we can return again soon!

Joel P.

2 reviews

Recommends

· March 2025

Epic!

Tent · With kids

Epic! We're coming back! Kids age 4 and 7 wife and i loved it!

Location

Staples, Guadalupe, Texas, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Jumanos, Coahuiltecan, Sana, Ndé Kónitsąąíí Gokíyaa (Lipan Apache), and Tonkawa First Nations according to

Native Land Digital.

To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking