If you love camping AND living luxurious, AMANI is the perfect, peaceful glamping getaway for you!

Texas’ newest safari-style glamping accommodation, AMANI at LCRA Parks‘ Shaffer Bend Recreation Area is located in the heart of the picturesque Hill Country, surrounded by breathtaking views you won’t be able to get enough of. 

Some of us love getting the full nature experience – setting up a tent and building a fire. Others like having the work done for them (like me). Sometimes we want a break from the city and just want to relax in our own peaceful sanctuary without lifting a finger. 

Well, if this is what you desire, we’ve discovered a hidden getaway gem that you and your loved ones need on your radar. After all, AMANI is a Swahili word meaning “peace,” so you’re bound to find it here. 

The best part is that AMANI is located in Marble Falls, only an hour outside of Austin. So if you’re tired of the same old routine or just need a romantic getaway, you’ll love this spot. It’s also a good start to ease your partner into camping if they’re not much of a fan. 

AMANI sleeps up to two people, includes a king-size bed, heat and air conditioning, and your own private restroom and shower. You’ll enjoy the heated private Cowboy Pool, overlooking the beautiful Hill Country. The plunge pool is perfect for taking a quick dip before heading out on your adventure, or in the evening when you can watch the stunning sunset. 

There’s an indoor kitchenette to cook your favorite meals, as well as a propane gas grill outside the tent. Why not enjoy a meal with a view outside on the perfectly placed spacious table? Further up from the table and grill is an outdoor Breeo fire pit. If we weren’t in a burn ban, we’d suggest sitting by the campfire and roasting marshmallows while overlooking the night sky, but it’s equally as fun conversing under the gorgeous night sky, taking in the peace and quiet, aside from listening to the crickets chirp.The stars are the most beautiful when you don’t have city lights ruining the vibe.

Glamping Goes Gourmet

Bring a taste of Texas to your table with Bay Kitchens Catering to enhance your dining experience. We suggest having dinner on the deck outside the tent, as it has lots of open space to sit out and look at the amazing Hill Country views we can’t stop talking about. The table on the small deck also expands for more seating if you have a bigger family coming to visit. You’ll feel so connected with nature as birds fly right over you!

With Bay Kitchens Catering, you’ll indulge in gourmet meals delivered straight to your tent. But if you don’t want to lift a finger cooking meals or washing the dishes, you can have a private chef prepare your dinner onsite using the finest local ingredients.

Chef Cindy Crowe whipped up one of the best meals I’ve ever tasted. She’s been doing this for over 24 years, so I promise I’m not over-exaggerating. 

I had the Etosha Menu, which consisted of a Classic Wedge Salad with blue cheese, wedge-cut tomatoes, shaved onions, tortilla strips, corn relish, and avocado-ranch dressing. The well-done ribeye was perfectly charred with just the right amount of crisp and tenderness – so tender that you hardly had to put any pressure to cut it. I was a huge fan of the sides; I loved the steak house style asparagus, and the twice baked potato that was deliciously cheesy and loaded. The demi glaze sauce on the ribeye wasn’t too sweet either, as it tasted more like a steak sauce. For dessert, I had the Mile High Carrot Cake; it was perfectly fluffed, but the icing is what distinguished it from good to great.

My vegan boyfriend very much appreciated the effort Chef Cindy put into accommodating his dietary needs. He loved the wedge salad with vegan ranch, cauliflower steak, and tofu chocolate mousse.

Chef Cindy genuinely cares about her craft and making all people happy through her food, and it really shows through her quality and preparation. Whether a vegan or a picky eater, she’ll accommodate your dietary needs and make sure you feel included during dinner time.  

(You can book Bay Kitchens Catering for a fee when making the reservation).

What to Do

As far as activities, you’ll find plenty to do at the Shaffer Bend Recreation Area, which has 508 acres of parkland. 

Explore the park’s multi use trails either by foot, horseback, bike or UTV. You can go hiking for an outdoor exercise, although we suggest ditching the hiking shoes and instead pedal to the metal with the QuietKat electric mountain bikes. These babies have monster wheels, but prepare for a bumpy ride. 

Take it up a notch and get your adrenaline pumping even more by exploring the trails via UTV.  Ride across the rugged terrain of Shaffer Bend Recreation Area while watching for native wildlife. Whether you want rough or relaxing – either way you’ll go on an unforgettable excursion. This is a unique experience you should try at least once in your life!

(Drivers must be at least 21 years old with a valid driver’s license. Participants must be at least 4′ 9″ tall and 75 lbs. to ride. No youth requiring a booster or car seat is allowed. All participants must be registered. All children must have at least one registered adult).

Campsites 18-21 are right on the Colorado River, so you can ride the mountain bikes down there and go swimming, have a picnic, get your fishing game on, or even explore by canoeing or kayaking. 

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Cover Photo courtesy Shaffer Bend Recreation Area

Leean Vargas is the Highlight Reel newsletter editor at Texas Lifestyle Magazine and an honors graduate of Texas State University with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. She is a concert enthusiast who loves traveling, photography, good food, and discovering new hangout spots in her beloved city, Austin, Texas.