pack up and go

4 Hill Country campgrounds stake their claim on list of America's best

Spring is here. Let's go camping.

The sunny spring weather has arrived in Central Texas, and if San Antonians are looking for an outdoorsy spring vacation experience, one of these four Texas sites named among Campspot's Best Campgrounds in America should be on your itinerary.

Online private campground marketplace and booking website Campspot analyzed more than 50,000 data points across 15 different categories, including community reviews and family-friendly amenities, to determine the rankings.

The No. 1 resort in the "Top Campgrounds New to Campspot in 2024" category is Summit Vacation & RV Resort in New Braunfels. The 75-acre resort is spread across the Guadalupe River, providing the ultimate riverside getaway for families. The complex also scored third place in the category for "Top Mid-Size Campgrounds."

Summit's New Braunfels neighbor, Camp Fifo Texas Hill Country, also earned two accolades in this year's awards: No. 2 in the category "Top Campgrounds for Digital Nomads," and No. 4 in the list of "Top Large Campgrounds."

"Camp Fimfo beckons families with a perfect blend of outdoor adventure and relaxation, featuring a swim-up bar, outdoor movies, water slides, and a host of amenities designed to create lasting memories for all ages," Campspot wrote.

Terraqueous RV Resort in Blanco, about 50 miles north of San Antonio, scored No. 2 in the category for "Top Campgrounds for Long-Term Stays." The resort was ranked highly thanks to its many opportunities for family-friendly activities, such as exploring Blanco's western Buggy Barn Museum, or the Exotic Resort Zoo in Johnson City.

The fourth and final Hill Country campground that came away with an award was Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort: Hill Country in Canyon Lake, located about 50 miles northeast of San Antonio. The camp scored No. 4 in the category for the "Top Campground for Waterparks."

"Enjoy amenities like the Water Zone, jumping pillow, and convenient access to the nearby Guadalupe River, Canyon Lake, and the historic district of Gruene, ensuring a memorable getaway for all ages," Campspot said.

Other Texas campgrounds that earned awards in 2024 include:

The Vineyards Campground & Cabins in Grapevine – No. 5 Top Mid-Size Campground
Dallas Northeast Campground in Caddo Mills– No. 3 Top New to Campspot
Rayford Crossing RV Resort in Spring – No. 3 Top Campground for Long-Term Stays

The full list of winners can be found on campspot.com.

san antonio blanco new braunfels canyon lake camping

Airline News

San Antonio gets nonstop flights to this Washington, DC airport

Photo courtesy of American Airlines

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American Airlines will soon introduce long-awaited nonstop flights between San Antonio (SAT) and Washington, D.C. (DCA). One flight will be scheduled daily, starting in March.

Tickets for the new service will be available on sale starting December 23 through aa.com or American’s mobile app.

The route was tentatively announced in October, but the U.S. Department of Transportation has now formally approved the application by American Airlines.

“This new service will offer convenient nonstop access to our nation’s capital for San Antonians, while helping further connect customers to our comprehensive global network," said Brian Znotins, American’s Senior Vice President of Network and Schedule Planning, in a press release. "American thanks the many elected officials and citizens who supported our application, and we look forward to welcoming customers onboard this new service soon.”

Flight 1718, reflecting the year San Antonio was founded, will depart SAT at 6:35 am and arrive in DCA at 10:41 am. Flight 1947, reflecting the year the U.S. Air Force was established, will depart DCA at 7:45 pm and arrive in SAT at 10:43 pm.

“This long-awaited connection to our nation’s capital is a game changer for our community, opening doors to countless opportunities for travel and economic development,” said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “I’m grateful to those who have championed this effort and for the bipartisan support of our representatives in the Senate and House, whose advocacy was instrumental in making these flights a reality. We look forward to the positive impact this nonstop service will have for years to come."

San Antonio City Manager Erik Walsh echoed the sentiments about economic development and pointed out some growth already happening in San Antonio. The release also notes that San Antonio is the largest city in Texas lacking nonstop service to DCA and the largest city in the U.S. with a majority Hispanic population without nonstop service to DCA.

“Serving the fastest-growing city in the country, SAT has achieved record-breaking passenger numbers throughout 2024. This nonstop service to and from DCA addresses a need for our military, business, educational and research communities, among others. It also promotes competition and offers more travel options for passengers flying to and from San Antonio, enhancing connectivity as we continue making progress on the airport Terminal Development Program.”

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