Have launched here for the trip to Staples and also used their shuttle service to make a trip from the Westerfield Crossing. Super helpful... He drove my truck back to the campground for the take-out. Helped me unload and get my gear down to the river. They have the most detailed map of the river and Ms. Pat is an absolute jewel in explaining the river. She is a trip. Big supporter of the river. Let people camp free for the clean-up. I haven't camped with them but plan on it. She is no-nonsense. The people I know who have camped there say she is strict but that it makes for a positive environment. The river residents are weary of the party atmosphere that has moved here when New Braunfels ran out the heavy drinking, so if you plan to party don't go there. Her sign says it all: you don't have to have family with you to camp here but you have to act like you do. If you are there to respect and honor the river and other users and residents, you won't have a problem. read more

I have been camping at Shady Grove for over 20 years. Pat, Jack and Mike are super friendly and they keep the place in great shape. They also enforce their rules about quiet and conduct so you can feel safe about taking your family there. If you are new to paddling, the stretch of the San Marcos river between Spencer's and Staples Dam is great as well. No Toobers, like the upriver sections and plenty of places to stop and have a picnic. Check them out. read more

Love Ms. Spencer and always camp at Shady Grove when we kayak. Campsites are spacious, quiet, safe, and there is actual hot water in the showers. Not a party place which is nice for us wanting to relax. read more

I have been here many times to to camp overnight, swim for a day, or launch my kayak. I have a great time and have been frequenting the place for years. I think the ownership is great. The river access and swim area is nice, uncrowded, and inexpensive. I live in Austin and come down here a lot..its 45 minutes. I laugh when I see the bad reviews because I've become friendly with the owner, Pat Spencer, and think she is a dear person. I also know she 'doesn't take any mess' as the saying goes. Thus, it is clear to me why some reviews could be so bad. The owner asks that guests follow a few simple rules and exhibit mutual respect for other guests and the ownership. She doesn't have patience when people ignore these requests and just do what they choose. She isn't asking much at all..so if you can't comply, then take your entitled self somewhere else please. A big plus for me is that you can actually get a good nights sleep while camping. This is because there is a strict zero tolerance policy for late night noise. Don't get me wrong, you can chat and hang out in a reasonable manner, but they just don't put up with loudness and immaturity. A huge pet peeve of mine is when some clueless person's idea of camping is to carry on loud and drunk half the night as if it isn't very annoying to neighboring campers. Luckily that doesn't happen here. read more

The other reviews are not isolated experiences. This morning I paid for a car spot at the campsite for kayaking down the river using two cars, paying $10 for two persons with a very nice gentleman at the store. After paying we left the car at the campsite with tags and parked the other card at the end of the take-out (Not on the private lot of course). When we drove back to the camp grounds I drove my car down to the restroom and used it. Upon driving up to the other paid for car with tags, the white haired lady approached the car with a drill in hand and asked us what we were doing. I explained we were picking up the car that we had paid for that morning. She seemed rather indignant and despite my repeated point that we had paid for the parking spot and the newly arrived car was not going to be staying at the campground she told us to leave. I am not a dishonest person and I don't appreciate her treating me in this fashion. I was not rude to her in anyway either. This is twice now that she's approached me in this manner after another experience two weeks before where she tried to get me to pay twice. I don't see how she expects any repeated business as I don't ever plan to use her site again after multiple bad experiences, despite having paid for her services in both situations. Reputation matters, but I don't think she knows this rule in business. read more

Lovely, quiet campground on the river. Camp sites are under the shade of mature pecan trees. Bathrooms and showers were clean and have hot water. Canoe and kayak rentals on-site. Great swimming. Owners are mother and son. Pat, the mother, was super sweet and was very happy to have my little boy there. My son loved it! He caught toads, a baby turtle, fish (and released them all of course). I believe that the owner is a straight-up lady who expects her customers to follow the rules. If you are respectful to your fellow campers, to the property and to the owners you are not going to have a problem. I love her rules as it means I won't be subjected to loud partying all night. We love to camp and enjoy nature and this is a wonderful place to do just that. read more

I've been camping / renting boats from Shady Grove/Spencer Canoes for many years (even back in the 70's when Goynes ran the boat rental/shuttles); and now each year, for the past 11, we've camped/rented boats as a group with as many as 40-60 people in our group. I have nothing but good memories. read more

SHADY GROVE CAMPGROUNDS, 9515 FM1979, Martindale, TX 78655 I've camped several times at Shady Grove Campgrounds over the past 3 years and I thoroughly enjoy myself while I am there. I believe that most other people who go to Shady Grove are trustworthy since they also choose to camp there. Why? Because of the rules: No belligerent, loud parting, day visitors are required to be out on time, bright lights out by 10pm, and no loud music. I don't have to worry about returning from a day on the river to find that my car was backed into by some drunk, nor vandalized because they actually patrol and check the vehicle owner's permits. I don't know of any other camp owners who would risk a confrontation - especially if it could result in bad publicity on today's internet. I am no exception, either. There was one weekend, on a last minute whim, my friends and I headed to the river. We checked in at the store before it opened and then began setting up camp. And, yes, we were approached for not having any reservations and for parking on the grass. I, in no way, felt threatened, indignant, nor picked on. She was right; I was wrong as I could have been setting up in a reserved campsite. Perhaps because I was ready to relocate, or because she remembered me, she let it pass with a warning and we had a quick, enjoyable chat. Had I gotten defensive, indignant, or showed any other indications of self-reflecting retarded behaviors, she probably would have walked me. They know how to judge character and that's also why I don't worry about theft. The campers who know the owners have a lot of respect for them and continue to go regardless of any blogs by hot tempered, short sighted people who showed their backside. Pat has always been very kind, especially the year that I left my house and car keys there. They were found and mailed back to me at no charge!! I will always return to Shady Grove Campgrounds because I like the way they run the place! - Vickie read more

Ditto on what the other 5 start reviews have to say. Pat is a no-nonsense person and is protective of the grounds but this is what I love about this place. We had no problems with leaving our site unattended while we kayaked and KNEW that Pat would be watching over the place. It actually made me feel more comfortable and secure when I read the negative review about her approaching an unregistered vehicle that was on the grounds and questioning them. If you are looking for a secure campground that doesn't allow trespassers, then this is the perfect place. read more