TOP OF THE HILL RV PARK, BOERNE, TEXAS

Our Opinion: Recommend - but above our normal budget.

Date of Stay: January 25th through February 2nd, 2010.

Weather During Stay:  A real mix: sunny and warm, cloudy and cold, rainy, windy (even a tornado watch) and some sub-freezing nights.  We had it all.

Sites: The campground map shows 103  FHU sites, but the layout of the campground makes it seem much smaller.  The campground is on a hill, with several different tiered levels, so you see only a fraction of the sites from any spot.  Most sites are gravel, all reasonably level, and of varying lengths.  Our site and others in our area easily accommodate a 40’ motorhome and towed. 

We had site 54, a LONG pull-through right on top of the hill.  Several trees in this upper area provided dappled shade and a relaxing ambiance.  All sites have 20/30/50 amps, water and sewer - and a small wooden picnic table.

The campground roads are paved, but narrow and somewhat potholed - access to the unusually long sites can be a slight challenge for some rigs.  Trees scattered throughout the campground provide some shade.  There is a large common room, a communal kitchen, a library, reading room, pool table and swimming pool.  Nice laundry room and restrooms, small camp store.

Rate: Rates vary depending on the size and location of the site.  Ours was a “Gold” site, regular rate $41.25.  For our first two nights, we paid half price using our Camp Club USA card.  Then we switched to a weekly rate, $198/week.  This much higher than we usually are willing to pay, but events conspired to keep us in the area and we didn’t feel like researching something cheaper when we liked our site so well.  Being lazy!

Phone/radio/TV: The usually strong Verizon phone and aircard signals sometimes disappeared - a few of our calls were dropped.  Few obstacles for rooftop-mounted satellite TV.  A small number of independent stations available on TV antenna.   NPR available on 89.1.  The park has free WiFi, usually strong and speedy but, like our aircard, it sometimes slowed to a crawl.  Someone downloading movies or Skyping?

Elevation/Landscape/Terrain: Level parking on several tiers on and around a hill.  Views are of other campers, graceful trees, and forested rolling hills.  Elevation is 1650 ft.  This is a quite appealing Texas Hill Country landscape.

Lighting/Noise: Interstate 10 is just down at the bottom of the hill, and the noise floats up.  It is noticeable outside and in.  Because we stayed here during winter, the noise did not bother us at night with the windows closed.  It would be more intrusive in summer.  Night lighting in our area was very subdued.

Favorite Sites: We really liked our nice long, level pull-through, and all of those in the same area (sites 50-60).  Lots of appealing sites here.

Hiking/Walking: Up and down the hills and loops, but nothing substantial without a drive.

Comments: Though the rates here are above what we usually pay, they are in keeping with other parks in the area.  Boerne is an interesting little town with both chain and independents stores and restaurants.  Many good day trips from here - San Antonio is a 25 mile drive.  We enjoyed the historic PoPo restaurant about ¼ mile away - very good fried chicken and fried catfish with a reasonably priced wine list and comfortable ambiance.  We would return to this park for at least the two nights available at the 50% off PA or Camp Club rate - perhaps even a month-long stay.