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Family-Friendly Glamping near Austin in the Texas hill country

shannondtaylor
Feb 105 min read

Updated: Feb 21

Talula Mesa Glamping Resort in Marble Falls, TX (near Austin) is great for families with kids and allows up to two dogs per tent.


Nestled in the heart of the Texas hill country, just a short drive from Austin, lies a hidden gem for outdoor family adventures: Talula Mesa Glamping Resort. Combining the rustic charm of camping with grown-up comforts like real beds, electricity, and air conditioning, Talula Mesa offers a fun mini-vacation for families seeking both relaxation and adventure.



Kids (two boys) and a dog glamping in a wooden tent at Talula Mesa Glamping near Austin
Talula Mesa, family-friendly glamping near Austin, TX

Glamping Accommodations with Family-Friendly Features

Gone are the days of packing the car full of tents, sleeping bags, and camping gear. At Talula Mesa, the traditional camping tent is transformed into a spacious, well-appointed retreat. Each of Talula Mesa's four unique tent-cabin hybrids (glamping pods? tents?) is thoughtfully designed with high-end furniture, linens, and lots of little extras. The grand-sized tents include creature comforts like a mini fridge and coffee/tea station next to your bed. Beyond the spacious interiors, a highlight for many families is the loft space above the main king-sized bed, a cozy nook where children love to sleep and play, adding an element of adventure to their stay.


A family in their glamping tent. Mom and dad are sitting on the bed. Dad is making a funny face and holding a baby upside down.

Year-round comfort

Of course, climate control is necessary in Texas for family-friendly glamping, so all of our tents have AC for summer glamping, and fireplaces for winter glamping, along with electric blankets.


Aerial view of a beautiful, boho styled glamping tent near Austin. A woman is sitting and drinking coffee on a woven jute rug with a black Southewestern pattern, next to a woven hammock, wooden coffee table, woven rattan chairs, and a fireplace. In the background is a floor-to-ceiling glass wall and the wooden porch of the glamping tent, outfitted with two wooden Adirondack chairs, all overlooking the hill country in a natural setting.
Cozy winter glamping by the fireplace at Talula Mesa

Breathtaking Views and Natural Beauty

Perched atop a scenic bluff next to Lake Travis, Talula Mesa boasts panoramic vistas of the lake and the rolling hills that characterize the Texas hill country. The grand-sized tents feature dramatic floor-to-ceiling glass walls, a huge upgrade from any other cowboy or safari tent we've seen. Imagine waking up to a breathtaking sunrise over the hills or stargazing under the clear, unpolluted night sky—a magical experience for children and adults alike.


View from a woman's point of view as she sits in bed next to a fireplace in a wooden A-frame glamping tent, looking out through a floor-to-ceiling glass wall at trees and rolling hills. Her dog, a golden lab, sits on the floor at the foot of the bed on a natural jute rug, next to a wooden coffee table and wood and rattan chair with a decorative southwestern pillow on it. On the bed next to the woman's legs are two steaming coffee mugs on a wooden tray.
Wake up to this view over the hill country

Book the Mini Tent for Your Kids

For kids old enough to spend the night in their own clubhouse tent near Mom and Dad, the Mini Aztec tent is a special treat. Kids getting their own special tent? Now that's what we call family-friendly glamping.


A kid-friendly glamping tent, a small wooden tent with a white canvas opening, adorned with string lights, surrounded by nature, in the middle of a grove of live oak trees in the Texas hill country. The tent is perched on top of a hill overlooking the rolling hills.
The Mini Aztec tent, outfitted with a king bed, can be rented for either kids or adults.

On-Site Activities

There's never a dull moment during your stay at Talula Mesa, although we wouldn't blame you if you simply lounge in one of the hammocks. A variety of on-site activities designed to engage family members of all ages includes:


  • Hot tubs and a cowboy pool: Each grand-sized tent is outfitted with a private hot tub out back, overlooking the hills. While the Mini-Aztec tent doesn't have a hot tub, guests are welcome to swim in the cowboy pool located in a private, secret spot on the hillside where you can soak in some of the best hill country views in all of Texas. It's a truly magical experience you won't soon forget.


    A mom and two little kids (a boy and a girl) swim, splash, and have fun in a metal cowboy pool on a hillside surrounded by rolling hills in the Texas hill country near Marble Falls.
    The cowboy pool at Talula Mesa Glamping, near Austin

  • Outdoor Games: The resort's grounds are equipped with family-friendly glamping games such as cornhole, bocce ball, badminton, and volleyball, providing endless entertainment for both kids and adults.

    Family glamping - two boys playing corn hole, on the grass surrounded by oak trees in the hill country.

  • Nature: Kids love to explore and play on our fifteen acres. Often they don't need any help from us; they run off, play, and explore like in the good old days. Upon request, we can provide scavenger hunt kits and/or fairy village craft supplies.


    Two kids (boy and girl) kneel and look in the grass in front of a wooden glamping tent. The boy is wearing a bright green coat and cap, and the girl is wearing bright red shoes, purple leggings, and a pink top. In the background is a beautiful, unique glamping tent made of a cedar-log frame covered in white canvas, with a wooden porch out front holding two wooden Adirondack chairs and a small cedar tree. Inside the glamping tent a wooden bench a two cowboy hats hanging on a wall can be seen next to a ladder leading up to the kid-friendly loft.
    Kids playing in front of the Grand Tesoro tent at Talula Mesa Glamping Resort

  • Evening Entertainment: As the sun sets, gather around the fire pit for storytelling and s'mores, or enjoy an outdoor movie under the stars—a delightful way to end the day.


    Group of friends and kids relaxing on blankets and pillows next to their glamping tents outdoors at night, surrounded by lanterns and popcorn as they watch a movie outdoors together. Cozy, warm ambiance.
    We provide a movie projector and screen for outdoor movies

Exploring the Surrounding Hill Country

The Texas hill country and towns nearby, including Lago Vista, Marble Falls, Burnet, and Johnson City offer tons of family-friendly activities:


  • Lake Travis: The lake can be accessed just 2-minutes away at Turkey Bend Recreation Area, where families can take our paddleboards and kayaks to swim, paddle, or fish. For those seeking more excitement, nearby marinas offer boat rentals, wave runners, wakeboarding, and wake surfing opportunities.


    A family on a pontoon boat with a slide, one child sliding into Lake Travis near Austin, others watching. Clear sky, water, and distant shore visible.
    Talula Mesa is next to Lake Travis. We can recommend companies for boat rentals.

  • Hiking: There's a bit of hiking on Talula Mesa's 15 acres, and more just down the road at Turkey Bend Recreation Area. Nearby Balcones Canyonland Wildlife Refuge offers miles of trails. For little kids, the hike and bike trail through downtown Marble Falls might be just perfect. More hiking info here.


  • Seasonal Glamping Activities for Kids: Families can take kiddos to local pumpkin patches, a corn maze, vibrant flower fields, strawberry picking, tulips, Christmas lights, small-town Independence Day parades, carnival rides, safari animals, and more. We've written custom seasonal guides for spring, summer, fall, winter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas/holiday season glamping activities.


    A child in a floral dress and hat picks strawberries in a sunny field at Sweet Berry Farm in Marble Falls, smiling joyfully. A basket of strawberries rests nearby. Many families who come glamping love to take their kids here.
    Strawberry picking at Sweet Berry Farm in Marble Falls

  • Animal Fun: Nearby farms provide opportunities for children to feed goats and ride ponies. Horseback riding trail rides are also available, and there's even a drive-through safari with exotic animals like zebras and llamas.


    Young child rides a white pony at a farm, smiling. Other children and ponies are nearby. Overcast sky, farm field in the background at Sweet Berry Farm in Marble Falls near Austin, TX.
    Pony rides in Marble Falls

  • Wineries, Breweries, and Restaurants: Many venues provide open spaces and live music, creating a relaxed environment for children to enjoy. Flat Creek Estate Winery has a sprawling patio and a full disc-golf course. Save the World Brewing Co has space for kids to play, as does Downtown Beer Hall in Marble Falls. Don't forget Lucky Rabbit in Jonestown, with plenty of yard games outdoors in the charming and spacious backyard.


    Brewery with string lights, picnic tables, and umbrellas on open green turf where kids can play. Sign reads "Save the World Brewing Co." at sunset. Cozy atmosphere, Marble Falls, TX
    Save The World Brewing Co in Marble Falls has lots of space for kids to play

Located Conveniently Near Austin and Marble Falls, TX

One of Talula Mesa's significant advantages is its close proximity to Austin, located just about an hour from downtown Austin, or 30 minutes from north Austin/Cedar Park. Located just 15 minutes from Lago Visa, TX and 20 minutes from downtown Marble Falls, in the heart of the hill country.


Sweet Treats

Don't forget to stop in at Ms Lollipop Candy shop in Marble Falls, or Choccolatte, the chocolate, candy, and gift store extravaganza.


Colorful storefront of Ms. Lollipop in downtown Marble Falls, TX, featuring red chairs and Betty Boop statue. Signs for ice cream, candy, toys. Bright, inviting mood.
A trip to Marble Falls isn't complete without a stop at Ms Lollipop

Order The "Amped Up" Hot Cocoa or Apple Cider Bar for Your Glamping Tent

Make special memories with your kiddos by opting for one of Talula Mesa's special hot cocoa or apple cider boards, set up in your tent, and watch your kids' faces light up with delight.


Wooden tray with hot chocolate, marshmallows, candy canes, and cookies. An inviting mug of hot cocoa sits behind the tray, filled to the brim with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle. Red sign reads "Hot Cocoa bar." Cozy, festive setting inside a glamping tent at Talula Mesa Glamping near Austin. The tray is resting on a wooden bench just inside the entrance to one of the large tents.
Talula Mesa's hot cocoa bar can be ordered for your tent.

Planning Your Visit

With only four glamping tents, it's advisable to book your stay at Talula Mesa well in advance. Generally a 2-night minimum applies to weekends and holidays, and 1-night stays can usually be accommodated by request for Sunday-Thursdays by contacting the owner by phone or email. Spring break, Thanksgiving break, and the Christmas holiday break are popular times for family glamping, as is summer break. Wondering what to pack? Check out our FAQ page.


Kids (two boys) and a dog glamping in a wooden tent at Talula Mesa Glamping near Austin. The boy are having a pillow fight and laughing. Playful mood.
Boys playing in the Mini Aztec tent

If you know of any family-friendly activities in the area, or have ideas of things we should add onsite to make our gamping sites more family-friendly, please let me know!

 
 
 
Questions?
Call any time
(512) 608-2634
​
6517 Shaw Drive
Marble Falls, TX
(near Austin, TX)
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