Our Story
How a grandfather's hideaway, a dream on a mountaintop, and a whole lot of hard work became the Texas Hill Country's most welcoming campground.
The Name Came First — and It Came from the Heart
Al's Hideaway is named for Albert "Abe" Banis, Jennifer's grandfather. Abe was part of the Greatest Generation — shaped by the Roaring Twenties, the hardships of the Great Depression, and service during World War II. More than anything, he was a man who believed in family, time together, and getting out into nature.
When Jennifer was young, Abe would take her out of San Antonio and into the Texas Hill Country to camp, hunt, and simply be outdoors. Those trips were their escape from everyday life. They called it their hideaway. Years later, when we began dreaming of a place where people could slow down and feel welcome, that name came right back to us — and Al's Hideaway was born.
"If You Can Dream It, I Can Build It"
The dream took real shape on a motorcycle trip through the Ozarks. Camped on top of Mount Nebo, Jennifer and Gordon found themselves talking about campgrounds — what they liked, what they'd change, and what felt right. Jennifer asked if Gordon thought he could build a campground of their own. His answer: "If you can dream it, I can build it." She said she dreamed big. He said he could build big.
One riding weekend in the Texas Hill Country settled the question of where. The roads, the views, and one unbeatable advantage — you can ride and explore here year-round — made Pipe Creek, between Bandera, Boerne, and San Antonio, the only choice.
Built by Hand, Made for Guests
In 2017, Gordon began transforming 20 acres of overgrown cedar and brush in Pipe Creek, TX into the campground you see today. Weekends meant camping on the land in a 14-foot trailer under a 10x10 pop-up canopy — clearing brush, cutting cedar, and slowly opening up the property until the roads, cabin sites, and gathering spaces revealed themselves.
Every one of our 13 log cabins was built with care and intention, by hand — not prefab, not corporate. That's why they feel like home instead of rentals. The same goes for our 10 full-hookup RV sites and 9 cowboy campsites, the pavilion, the pool, and the walking trails.
Meet the People Behind the Place
Gordon and Jennifer Cook, along with "MeMaw" and their extended family, live on-site and run Al's Hideaway with heart and genuine Texas hospitality. From fostering teens to hosting guests from around the world, their commitment to community and connection shows in everything they do. You won't find a front-desk call center here — when you call, you get us.
Our motto: "Arrive a guest. Become friends. Return as family." It's not a slogan — it's how this place actually works. Just read our Google reviews.
Award-Winning Texas Hill Country Hospitality
In 2024, Al's Hideaway was named Accommodations of the Year by the Texas Campground Owners Association (TACO) — recognition of the quality, cleanliness, and hospitality our guests experience every day at our campground near Bandera, Boerne, and San Antonio.
Want the full story, told week by week in Gordon's own words? Follow along on our blog, where "This Week at Al's Hideaway" shares what's happening at the campground and the story of how it all came to be.