Just 15 miles from San Marcos and only 12 miles away from barbeque mecca Lockhart lies 102 acres of land along a flowing, spring-fed river. Once on the property, you’ll see safari-inspired tents, cabins, fire pits, a resort-style pool, private river beaches, a trail system, and much more. If you’re looking for a camping destination that gives you all the glory of the Texas countryside but with modern-day amenities, the Wahwahtaysee Resort will be a dream come true.
Owned and operated by the Dillard family—father Robert and sons Sammy and Donny—Wahwahtaysee opened in April 2018 with just three safari tents; today there are seven tents and three converted container cabins available for rent. What once was open land is now a haven for anyone who wants to escape the daily grind but not give up a home-like space. “It's very comforting to get that outdoor camping experience but at the same time have all these wonderful luxury amenities that you'll have back in the cities as well,” says Donny.
The Dillards have built the resort from the ground up. Each unit is like a glamorous little house: everything is on grid power, they have central air and heating, hardwood floors, designer tile, soaking tubs, indoor showers, full kitchens, quality mattresses and linens, sturdy decks, and more. “These are designed to a tee. We buy the actual framing in the canvas, build a deck, go inside, and frame the tent with two-by-fours, real windows, and real doors. The tents are about 750 square feet, and the containers are about 320 square feet, and they’re what you would expect from a high-quality resort,” says Sammy.
A high-quality resort it is, indeed. Along with the luxe accommodations, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the beautiful property all year. The heated pool and hot tub opened last summer, and the Dillards have developed almost a dozen beaches along the San Marcos River, all ideally placed to ensure privacy for guests. It’s a 10-minute walk to the riverfront or a three-minute ride in one of the golf carts that come with your tent or cabin rental. Since the river hovers around 72 degrees year-round, swimming can be extended long past hot summer months.
There’s a volleyball court, a Bocce ball court, pickleball, yoga classes, and casting lessons. You can book fly fishing excursions, river tubing adventures, and kayaking trips. You can hike, bike, or drive on the trails, nearly a mile of which slopes down through a 105-year-old pecan grove to follow the river. There’s even a skeet shooting spot down the road from the resort. Sometimes live music will be scheduled, and there are fire pits for the all-important camping treat—s’mores.
While there isn’t a full restaurant on-site, the various food options are tempting. The Yeti dinner is popular: you’ll pick from a list of a main dish, a side, an appetizer, a dessert, and a sauce. “For example, bruschetta, tenderloin steak with horseradish sauce, veggies, and a skillet cookie. We’ll prep that and guests cook it themselves. We also have a private chef we bring on-site for special occasions. They'll do a full questionnaire with the guests and curate a meal for them,” says Sammy.
A newer option is breakfast and lunch, served poolside or delivered to your accommodations. Choose from things like the migas plate, the waffle plate, the breakfast taco plate, smoothies, immunity shots, and more.
What else does the resort offer? A chance to explore a bit of hill country. Lockhart is the perfect day-trip destination from Wahwahtasysee. As the barbeque capital of Texas, you know you’ll eat well, and you can browse bookshops, music shops, and clothing boutiques in the historic city square.
Wahwahaysee caters to guests from all walks of life, but there’s a real family-friendly vibe, and the Dillards embrace that. “It's such a fun activity to experience as a family, to bond on a camping trip. You’ll see people hanging out on the deck, using the Big Green Egg, people enjoy being out there and cooking dinner out there,” says Donnie.
The Wahwahaysee Resort is 40 minutes from downtown Austin, 45 minutes from San Antonio, and just 20 minutes from the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. You can make reservations by visiting their website: wahwahtayseeresort.com