FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

+ What is luxury camping?

Commonly known as glamping, luxury camping seeks to preserve all of the enjoyable elements of spending time the outdoors while providing a comfortable environment to stay in. Walden's tents are 500 square foot rooms that feature air conditioning, heat, running water, private bath, king size bed and full kitchen.

+ Can I bring my kids?

In order to maintain a quiet and peaceful atmosphere, we are an adult oriented property. We do offer two Family Suites for groups with children 8 years of age or older.

+ Can I bring my pets?

Yes! We do allow 1 dog MAX per room, for a fee of $50/night (sorry, no cats). All dogs must be leashed while on the property and must be crated if left alone in the tents.

+ Do the tents stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer?

Each tent has a mini split directly above the bed that provides both heating and cooling and keeps the bed area comfortable, especially at night. However, because they are uninsulated canvas tents, other areas of the room will be subject to temperature swings during extremely hot or cold conditions.

Our suites are equipped with wood burning stoves and our studios each have space heaters that help provide additional heating during the winter. However, please be sure to check the forecast to prepare and pack appropriately.

+ Can I use the outdoor fire pit year round?

While sitting around the campfire at Walden is one of the central activities to enjoy, there are restrictions we must follow. Periodically there may be burn bans put in effect by the county due to increased wildfire risk, which means no campfires or outdoor burning of any kind at any time. Doing so may result in a $500 fine payable to Blanco County.

If there is a burn ban in effect, we will notify you the day of your arrival. Reservations cannot be cancelled or changed without penalty because of a burn ban. Our indoor wood stoves in our suites are permitted during a burn ban.

+ Do you provide firewood?

No but we have bags of kiln dried firewood available for purchase in our General Store.

+ What is the check in process?

Check in is between 4 PM & 8 PM, unless you've made special arrangements with us. Upon arrival you will pull up to our circle drive at the lobby for check in. We will collect a few pieces of information from you and provide you with your room assignment. From there you will park your vehicle in our main parking lot and we will pick you up in one of our electric golf carts to take you to your room.

+ Can I drive my car to my tent?

No, all vehicles must remain in our parking lot in order to preserve a quiet and peaceful atmosphere around the tents. The parking lot is a short 5 minute walk from all of our rooms. We will provide transportation in our golf cart during check in and check out.

+ What food items do you carry in your General Store?

We currently offer:

  • Local selection of beer and wine
  • Bagged ice
  • Firewood bundles
  • Siete chips and cookies
  • Fredericksburg Farms salsa & condiments
  • Greater Goods coffee
  • S'mores ingredients
  • Epic bars
  • Boxed and canned water
  • Coldbrew coffee
  • Public Goods ramen, mac & cheese and oatmeal
  • Personal items including feminine products, toothpaste & toothbrushes

We currently do not carry any meat, dairy or fresh produce.

+ Is there WiFi?

Yes we do have complimentary WiFi available in our Lodge, which is a short walk from the tents.

+ What is the river like?

The river is a 10 minute walk from the tents, the last part of which includes a short but very steep descent. We have provided a rope that guests may use to assist them if necessary. Guests are not permitted to drive their vehicle down to the river under any circumstances.

We have 1,500 feet of private frontage along the Pedernales river. While the majority of the river does dry up during the end of the summer, we are fortunate to have a natural pool which is full year round. Fish you may see or catch (and release) include large mouth bass, carp, and sunfish.

+ What are the tents like and what do they come with?

Our tents range from 440 square foot studios to 550 square for suites. Each tent foot canvas safari style tents. Each room is outfitted with:

  • King size Casper® bed
  • Air Conditioning & Heat
  • Clawfoot Bathtub
  • Outdoor Showers

  • 5.1 cubic foot mini fridge
  • Public Goods bath products
  • Flush toilet
  • Cotton towels
  • Robes
  • Hairdryer
  • Gas grill
  • Cast iron pots and pans
  • Wüstof® cutlery
  • Cooking utensils
  • Breville Smart Oven®
  • Silverware
  • Enamelware
  • Greater Goods coffee
  • Olive oil
  • Jøtul® wood stove (Suites only)
  • Firewood
  • Matches
  • Wool blankets
  • Tivoli® bluetooth radio
  • Salt and pepper
  • Wine opener

+ What cooking equipment and supplies are there?

Each room comes with a small kitchen prep area inside and a gas grill outside. The cooking supplies provided are:

  • Gas grill
  • 5.1 cu ft refrigerator
  • 2 Field® cast iron skillets (10" and 12")
  • 2 Lodge® cast iron pots (2 quart and 5 quart)
  • Breville Smart Oven®
  • Wood cutting board
  • Wüstof® cutlery
  • Cooking utensils
  • Grilling utensils
  • Grill gloves
  • Silverware
  • Enamelware
  • French Press

  • Ground coffee
  • Olive oil
  • Water filter
  • Salt and pepper
  • Wine opener

+ What should I bring?

A few things you may want to considering bringing

  • Groceries - If you plan on cooking. Otherwise there are several restaurants in Johnson City that we recommend.
  • Cooler for ice. We have ice for sale in our General Store, but the rooms have refrigerators only, no freezers.
  • Rain jacket
  • Hiking boots/shoes
  • Bug spray
  • Sunscreen
  • Flash light
  • Fishing gear

+ What shoes do you recommend?

We are in a rural area and our property consists only of gravel roads, paths and dirt hiking trails. We recommend close toed shoes only and strongly advise against wearing any type of high heeled shoes.

+ What should I leave at home?

Walden was created to provide guests with a turnkey camping experience. With that said, here are a few things we suggest you leave behind:

  • Bottled Water - There is a water filter in the room
  • Guns - No guns and/or hunting is allowed on the property
  • Firewood/Charcoal - We have firewood for sale on site and each room has a gas grill
  • Matches - We provide a lighter and matches
  • Wine opener - There is one in each room
  • Pots/Pans - There are two large cast iron skillets and two small/medium size cast iron pots

+ How many people can fit in each tent?

All rooms are outfitted with king size beds with a typical occupancy of 2 adults. Our suites have an optional queen size air mattress for a maximum occupancy of 4 adults.

+ Do you allow day visitors?

No, we do not allow day visitors at the property.

+ Is there a microwave?

No. Instead of a microwave the tents are outfitted with a Breville Smart Oven, a small countertop convection oven that can be used for baking, toasting or broiling.

+ Is there a refrigerator?

Yes! Each room has a small 5 cubic foot refrigerator.

+ Do I need to bring charcoal and firewood?

No. Our grill is propane and firewood is available for purchase at our General Store.

+ Do I need to bring toiletries and cleaning supplies?

No. We provide Public Goods soap, shampoo and conditioner in each bathroom. We also provide soap and paper towels for general clean up in the kitchen.

+ Can I bring my own boat for the river?

No, please do not bring your canoe, kayak or any other boat to the property as you will not be able to get it down to the river.

+ Where is the property located?

Walden Retreats Hill Country is located 5 miles northwest of Johnson City, TX overlooking the Pedernales River. We are 1 hour from downtown Austin and 1 hr 15 min from San Antonio.

+ Do you provide food services?

No we do not have any on site food services. However, each tent is set up with a full kitchen for you to cook your own delicious meals. If cooking isn't your thing, there are several great restaurants in Johnson City which is just 10 minutes away.

+ What is there to do on the property?

The property is a 96 acre piece of private land along the Pedernales River. Activities include exploring our hiking and biking trails, swimming in the river, fishing (you must bring your own pole), and canoeing.

+ Will there be an on site manager during my stay?

Yes we have staff living full time on site in case of an emergency

+ What happens if it rains?

The tents are very weather proof and will keep you safe and dry in the event of a storm. We do not offer refunds for any inclement weather.

+ Do you allow primitive camping?

No we do not have any primitive camp sites and do not allow guests to pitch their own tent

+ Do you provide cleaning services during my stay?

We do not provide any cleaning services during your stay. However, each tent is equipped with extra towels and linens should you need them.

+ Are there animals on the property?

Although we are just one hour from Austin, Walden Hill Country is a wild and relatively untouched place. Thus, there is an abundance of wildlife just as there would be in a national or state park. The main animals you may see during your time with us include turkey, deer, dove, quail, a variety of song birds, buzzards, hawks and armadillos.

Also, while it is unlikely you will see them, there are snakes in the area. As unpopular as they may be, they do help control the pest and rodent population. Simply staying on the paths and roads will keep you out of their way and allow them to play their role in our ecosystem.

+ Is hunting allowed on the property?

No hunting is allowed on the property at any time.