RV Parks in Castroville, TX: Little Alsace of Texas & Medina River Camping

Quick Definition

Castroville (pop. 3,000) is a historic small town 20 miles west of San Antonio on US-90, founded by Alsatian immigrants in 1844. It's called the "Little Alsace of Texas" for its distinctive European-heritage architecture — half-timbered homes, a Catholic basilica, and street names that feel more French than Texan. The Medina River runs through town, offering a peaceful waterfront setting that's often overlooked by RVers heading straight into San Antonio.

The key players here are Castroville Regional Park, a city-run facility with RV hookups on the Medina River bank, and Landmark Inn State Historic Site, an 1849 stagecoach inn that anchors the town's heritage. You're looking at 40 minutes from Uvalde and Garner State Park to the west, and just 20 minutes from San Antonio proper — making Castroville an ideal quiet base for exploring the San Antonio RV parks region without the suburban crowding.

TL;DR: Why Castroville Works

• Pricing: $25–45/night (cheapest option for San Antonio region)
• River access: Medina River swimming, fishing, and scenic walks
• Proximity to SA: 20 minutes east to River Walk, missions, Pearl District
• West gateway: 40 minutes to Garner State Park and Uvalde area
• Vibe: Authentic small-town Texas feel, genuinely not touristy
• Best for: Budget-conscious travelers, history buffs, quiet bases near major attractions

Castroville Neighborhoods & Zones

Castroville Regional Park & Medina River Corridor

The Castroville Regional Park sits directly on the Medina River, offering some of the most affordable and accessible RV camping in the San Antonio region. The park features 30–40 RV sites with water and electric hookups, creating a peaceful setting for travelers seeking river access and relaxation. The shaded grounds and riverside location make it ideal for fishing, swimming, and enjoying the natural beauty of the Hill Country edge. For reservations and current availability, contact the park directly at (830) 538-2884.

Historic Downtown District (Rue de Paris & Rue Beaumont)

Castroville's original downtown cluster features some of the most authentic Alsatian architecture in Texas, with historic buildings like the Landmark Inn (1849) and St. Louis Basilica (1870) within walking distance of one another. The pedestrian-friendly streets of Rue de Paris and Rue Beaumont showcase half-timbered homes, period storefronts, and European-inspired design that transports you centuries back. While there are no RV parks directly in the historic district itself, the Castroville Regional Park sits just a 5-minute walk away, making it easy to base yourself and explore the architecture on foot. This zone is perfect for history enthusiasts, photographers, and anyone wanting to experience genuine Texas-European heritage without sacrificing convenient campground access.

US-90 West Corridor (Toward Garner State Park)

Highway 90 heading west from Castroville toward Uvalde and beyond passes through scenic Hill Country ranch land and connects to some of Texas's most popular RV destinations, including Garner State Park roughly 40 minutes away. A handful of smaller private RV camps dot the corridor along this route, offering alternatives to the main city park if you prefer more isolation or a different setting. This zone works well for RVers making the classic Hill Country circuit — stopping in Castroville as your San Antonio gateway, then pushing west toward caves, hiking, and the wilder country beyond Uvalde. It's the ideal route if you're planning multi-day explorations of the region and want strategic stopping points.

Medina Lake Direction (North via TX-1283)

Traveling north from Castroville via TX-1283 for approximately 20 miles brings you to Medina Lake, a sprawling 5,700-acre reservoir popular with anglers and water recreation enthusiasts. Several private lakeside camps and park facilities are available around the lake, offering a completely different camping experience from the river setting of Castroville itself. This route is perfect for anglers targeting bass and catfish, or anyone wanting to combine Castroville's charm with a larger lake-based camping experience. The scenic drive through Hill Country ranch country makes the journey north worthwhile, and the lake's recreational infrastructure provides a natural extension of your Castroville stay.

Things to Do Near Castroville

Castroville is a genuine day-trip base or 2–4 night stopover that offers something you don't get in San Antonio's busier parks: quiet, history, and a real sense of place. What makes it worth a stop is that it sits at the intersection of multiple attractions and experiences.

Landmark Inn State Historic Site & Alsatian Architecture — The Landmark Inn is a restored 1849 stagecoach inn built by French settler Cesar Monod. It served as a critical stop on the San Antonio–to–El Paso stagecoach route, which took about 3 weeks in the 1800s. The original limestone structure with Alsatian architectural details is preserved as a museum with roughly a dozen period rooms, original furnishings, stagecoach artifacts, and kitchen/stable areas. Guided tours are typically $5–8 per person; the grounds are free to explore. It's the centerpiece of Castroville's heritage story and worth 1–1.5 hours. Beyond the inn, the residential streets have genuine half-timbered homes with distinctive diamond-pattern timber frames (a hallmark of Alsatian construction) and steeply pitched roofs. Pick up a free architectural walking map at city hall — look for the Steves Home (1853), Bax House (1870s), Welder House (1840s), Fohn-Schulz House, and Wahrenberger House. Each building shows how Alsatian builders adapted their craft to Texas materials and climate. A 1–2 hour walk is meditative and photo-worthy. The stone basilica (St. Louis Catholic Church, built 1870) is a remarkable Romanesque structure with original stained glass and exceptional craftsmanship; it's actively used by the community and welcomes visitors.

Medina River Recreation — The swimming hole at Castroville Regional Park is calm, safe, and free. The water is cool year-round, with moderate depth and a sandy/rocky bottom good for wading and swimming. Fishing for catfish, bass, and perch is solid along the river; bird-watching and riverside walks are excellent spring through fall. Spring (March–May) offers lush green water and 65–80°F temperatures — ideal for both swimming and exploring. Summer (June–August) gets hot (95°F+), but the river provides relief. Fall (October–November) is excellent at 70–85°F with crisp mornings and warm colors. Winter (December–February) is mild (45–65°F) and cheap, perfect for passing through or solitude — you won't be swimming, but the historic district walks are lovely.

Day Trip to San Antonio — Just 20 minutes east on US-90, San Antonio offers the River Walk, historic Spanish missions, Pearl District shops and restaurants, museums, and endless attractions. A full day is easy. Base yourself here for a fraction of what you'd pay staying in the city. No need to move your RV; pack a cooler, spend the day in the city, and return to your quiet campsite.

Medina Lake & Hill Country Exploration — About 20 miles north via TX-1283 (30-minute drive), Medina Lake is a 5,700-acre reservoir popular with bass and catfish anglers. Several boat ramps and picnic areas are available. If you're staying in Castroville for more than 2 nights and want a day-trip change of scenery, the lake offers fishing, boating, and water recreation. The scenic drive through ranch country is itself an attraction. Garner State Park (40 minutes west on US-90 toward Uvalde) offers hiking, caves, and Frio River swimming in a larger-scale recreational setting. The scenic broader Texas RV parks landscape often shifts westward to cooler Hill Country parks in summer, making Castroville an ideal stopping point for multi-day Hill Country circuits.

Haby's Alsatian Bakery — Local institution since 1967. They make authentic Alsatian bread, pastries, and cakes. Opens early (around 7 AM); worth planning your morning around if you want fresh bread and Kugelhopf (traditional ring-shaped cake) or Alsatian pretzels. This is a real bakery serving the local community, not a tourist trap.

Practical Tips

• Castroville Regional Park has limited RV sites — Call ahead: (830) 538-2884. They fill up on weekends in spring and fall. Best times to visit are spring (March–May) and fall (October–November) when temperatures are ideal and wildflowers bloom in the surrounding Hill Country.

• The historic architecture is genuinely worth a walking hour. Bring comfortable shoes and a camera. The town is walkable and compact.

• Haby's Alsatian Bakery opens early (around 7 AM) — worth planning your morning around.

• US-90 west toward Uvalde is a beautiful drive through ranch country (40 minutes to Garner State Park). Worth the scenic route if you're not in a hurry.

• San Antonio is 20 minutes east — easy day trip without moving the rig. Pack a cooler, head into the city, explore, eat, and return to your peaceful campsite.

• Medina Lake is 30 minutes north if you want to break up a longer stay with a different water recreation option.

• This is a stop, not a week-long destination. Plan for 2–4 nights max, then move on or head into the city proper.

• Winter is mild for Texas (45–65°F) and offers the lowest rates and most solitude — perfect if you're just passing through.

• Consider Castroville as part of your broader acquisition and operations strategy. If you're exploring opportunities to acquire or operate parks in the San Antonio region, understanding the competitive landscape — including smaller heritage parks like Castroville — helps you identify market gaps and unique value propositions. Detailed guides like how to acquire and sell RV parks in Texas are essential reading for serious operators.

Cost Math: 2-Night Castroville Base

Here's a real-world budget for exploring San Antonio from Castroville:

Compare this to staying in San Antonio proper ($50–100/night for an RV park) plus parking/entry fees, and you're saving $100–150 while getting a quieter, more authentic experience. This is the cheapest way to experience San Antonio from a waterfront campsite. Consider also nearby alternatives when planning; our full San Antonio region guide covers additional budget-friendly options.

Castroville RV Parks: Comparison

Pro tip: Castroville Regional Park is the sweet spot — lowest price, best river access, most authentic experience. Call ahead; they have limited RV sites and fill up on weekends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Castroville worth stopping for in an RV?

Yes, if you're exploring the San Antonio region or heading west. It's not a destination by itself, but as a quiet, affordable base with river access, genuine history, and proximity to major attractions? Absolutely. You get all of that without the noise of suburban parks.

What's the Alsatian heritage like — is it visible?

Very much so. The architecture is real and not a theme park: half-timbered homes with distinctive timber patterns, European street names (Rue de Paris, Rue Beaumont), and a limestone basilica from the 1870s. It's an actual settlement with 180+ years of continuous heritage. Spend an hour walking around and you'll feel the difference from typical Texas towns.

How far is Castroville from San Antonio?

20 minutes east on US-90. Easy day-trip distance without moving your rig. Plan for 30 minutes if traffic is heavy (weekday mornings in SA can get crowded).

Can I swim in the Medina River?

Yes. The swimming hole at Castroville Regional Park is calm, safe, and free. The water is cool year-round, and it's scenic. Summer is best, but it's swimmable most of the year.

What's Castroville Regional Park like for RVers?

Good: affordable ($25–35/night), right on the river, full hookups available. Limitations: smaller park (30–40 RV sites), fills up on weekends, limited amenities (no pool, basic facilities). It's a functional park, not a resort. Works well for 2–4 nights.

How far is Castroville from Garner State Park?

About 40 minutes west on US-90. Garner is a larger state park with hiking and more amenities. If you're planning to explore the Hill Country deeper, Castroville is a natural halfway point between San Antonio and Uvalde.

Is there anything to eat in Castroville?

Haby's Bakery (must-visit), and a few local restaurants and cafes. The town is small, so options are limited. Plan to either bring food or head to San Antonio for dinner. For groceries, Castroville has a small grocery but SA (20 min) offers more choice.

Is Castroville good for an overnight stop vs. a longer stay?

Both work. Overnight stop: You're passing through, grab Haby's breakfast, explore the historic district for an hour, move on. 2–4 night stay: Use it as a base for San Antonio day trips, float the Medina River, enjoy the quiet. Anything longer than 4 nights and you'll want more amenities or a change of scenery.

What's the Landmark Inn State Historic Site?

A restored 1849 stagecoach inn built by French settler Cesar Monod. It served the San Antonio–to–El Paso route (3-week journey). The limestone structure with Alsatian details is a museum with about a dozen period rooms, original furnishings, stagecoach artifacts, and kitchen/stable areas. Guided tours run $5–8 per person. Grounds are free. It's the centerpiece of Castroville's heritage and worth 1–1.5 hours.

Is there anything to do near Castroville besides the town itself?

Yes. Medina Lake (20 miles north) offers fishing, boating, and lake recreation — different from the river. Garner State Park (40 minutes west) has hiking, caves, and larger recreational infrastructure. San Antonio (20 minutes east) has River Walk, missions, Pearl District, museums. Uvalde and the Hill Country (45–60 minutes west) have caves, scenic driving, and outdoor activities. Castroville is small but positioned at the intersection of multiple day-trip opportunities.

Selling Your RV Park in Castroville?

Castroville and the San Antonio region represent a compelling acquisition market — affordable land, consistent I-90 through-traffic, and growing weekend demand from San Antonio's 2.6M metro population. If you own or operate an RV park in Castroville, Medina County, or the broader San Antonio region, Jenna Reed at rv-parks.org is actively acquiring quality parks in this corridor.

Get an Offer →

Reach out directly: jenna@rv-parks.org

Planning a trip to Castroville or exploring other San Antonio-area RV parks? Check out our full San Antonio RV parks guide for more options, or browse Texas RV parks statewide for additional destinations across the Lone Star state.