FAQ’s
What is the Outdoor Guide?
The Outdoor Guide is a searchable data base containing information for well over 500 places to enjoy outdoor recreational activities in the Texas Hill Country.
What activities are covered in the Outdoor Guide?
Camping, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, swimming, kayaking, tubing, horseback riding, birding, caving, nature and wildflower viewing, imbibing, vineyard and winery tours, and a few more outdoor activities including suggestions for scenic drives. Go to the activities pull down up in the banner at the top of this page for a complete list.
Are cabins and RV sites available on the website?
We have provided very brief summaries for nearly 500 cabins, cottages, bed and breakfasts, inns and lodges. The information for those locations is not as detailed as the information for other destinations because the focal point of the website is outdoor recreation sites. You most assuredly will have to go to the websites for the lodgings to get additional information, but we have weeded out the chain hotels, motels and other similar businesses, which should save you a whole lot of time when you are searching for a place to stay. If a RV site allows tent camping, they typically will be listed.
What search options are available?
You can run an activity search or a keyword search. If for example you want to know which places offer camping, swimming or kayaking activities it is always best to run an activity search. You do that by using the pull down menus up in the banner. Alternatively, if you are wanting to find information about a place such as the Guadalupe River or Bigfoot Canoes or the Castell General Store, go ahead and run a keyword search.
How do I run an activity search?
Go to the first pull down menu and select swimming holes. Then select 25 miles and New Braunfels from the next two pull down menus and click on search. The search results will be those swimming holes that are within 25 miles of New Braunfels.
When I put a check in an activity box what does it mean when a line appears through one or more of the other activities?
That means there is no recreation site on our database that offers both the activity you checked, and the one with a line appearing through it.
What should I do if I come up with 0 search results?
At times using colorful language might bring about some amount of short-term relief, but we recommend the following. If you ran an activity search, try limiting the number of activities or changing the mileage and or city from the other pull down menus. If you ran a keyword search, limit the amount of keywords you searched for and keep them simple (such as camp instead of campground sites).
What are the two most important things to remember about running searches?
First, always try to find destinations by doing an activity search. That will allow you to limit your search results geographically.
Second, if you have to use a keyword search use as few words as possible in your search to increase the likelihood you will find something useful.
How do I access information about individual destination sites once I have run a search?
When you run a search you will be directed to a search results page. The search results are listed under the map. Go to the first column entitled Locations and click on the name of the first site. That will take you to the site description page where you will find lots of useful information.
When I run a search what information is found on a site description page in the search results?
To the extent available, you will be provided with the name, address, e-mail link, website link, a map of the general location, driving directions to the destination, and our description of the activities available at and nearby the site. There will also be a place where you can submit comments. Finally, you can click on to the places that are underlined in the site descriptions and that will give you more information about those locations.
Is there a way to check on the weather and water levels in the Hill Country?
Of course there is or otherwise we would not have included this question. Click on the “Local Weather” button up in the banner and that will provide you links to several sites where you can obtain information regarding weather forecasts and water conditions.
Where can I find information about outdoor clubs?
Click on the “More Resources” button up in the banner and when you get to the links page scroll down until you see a listing of outdoor clubs
How can I tell whether I will be allowed to bring my dogs to the destination sites?
We have included information regarding those places where there is a high likelihood that they are pet friendly. However, we do not have that information for every site so there most certainly will be other places that are pet friendly as well. The problem is that pet policies often change so we strongly urge you to call or email the site where you are considering going for a visit and ask them whether pets are allowed.
What outdoor activities are not covered in the Outdoor Guide?
Given the limited amount of resources available to us we have not included information regarding hunting, golf courses, boat rentals, water parks, moto x trails, or any of the “field sports” such as softball or football fields.