Fall and Holiday Travel Costs More Than Summer. Here's How to Stay in the Texas Hill Country for Less.
By Jennifer · September 21, 2026
The short answer: Fall and the holidays are peak travel season in the Texas Hill Country, and lodging prices often rise with the crowds. Al's Hideaway in Pipe Creek, Texas has 13 log cabins, 10 full-hookup RV sites, and campsites about 15 minutes from Bandera and Boerne and 45 minutes from San Antonio, with no cleaning fees, no pet fees, and no resort fees. Book direct and use promo code FUN for 10% off stays of two nights or more.
Why Is Fall and Holiday Travel More Expensive Than Summer?
Summer in Texas is hot, and that keeps some travelers home. Fall is the opposite. Days are warm, nights are cool, and everyone wants to be outside. Then the holidays stack on top: Thanksgiving week, Christmas lights, parades, and holiday markets in Bandera, Boerne, Fredericksburg, and San Antonio all draw visitors at the same time.
When that many people want the same weekends, hotels and vacation rentals tend to raise nightly rates, set minimum stays, and add extra charges. The nightly rate is only part of the story. Before you book, add up the whole trip: the room, the fees, the parking, and every meal out.
What Does a Hill Country Stay Really Cost?
Here is how the common ways to stay compare when you look at the full trip and not just the advertised rate:
| Typical hotel or vacation rental | Al's Hideaway | |
|---|---|---|
| Nightly rate | Varies widely, and often higher on holiday weekends | Rates change daily, so see live pricing for your dates |
| Extra fees | Cleaning, pet, resort, or parking fees are common | No cleaning fees, no pet fees, no resort fees |
| Space for a family | Often several rooms for a bigger group | Cabins, plus a pavilion and outdoor kitchen for the whole group |
| Meals | Restaurants for most meals | Cook in the outdoor kitchen, or grab food at our on-site store |
| Things to do | Pay for each activity | Two creeks, a pool, wildlife, and dark skies on the property |
| Bringing the dog | Pet fee is common | Pets are welcome with no pet fee |
Our rates change daily, so check current availability and pricing for your dates. The point is simple: what you see at Al's Hideaway is what you pay.
Where Is Al's Hideaway?
We are at 299 Willow Springs Drive in Pipe Creek, Texas, on 20 acres in the middle of the Hill Country. You are close to the holiday events without being in the middle of the crowds:
- Bandera: about 15 minutes
- Boerne: about 15 minutes, straight down Highway 46 with two red lights
- Helotes: about 20 minutes
- San Antonio: about 45 minutes
What Can You Book at Al's Hideaway?
- 13 handcrafted log cabins with covered porches, great for couples, families, and holiday getaways.
- 10 full-hookup RV sites, all pull-through and up to 85 feet long, so there is no backing in after a long drive.
- Primitive campsites for tent campers who want a fire and a night under the stars.
Everyone who stays can use the pool, the pavilion, the outdoor kitchen, and the two creeks. Our on-site store sells firewood, snacks, sno cones, smoothies, cooked food, and souvenirs, so you can pack light. At night there is no city noise and the skies are dark, which makes fall and winter stargazing hard to beat.
Why Choose Al's Hideaway for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Fall Weekends?
Room for everyone. Holiday travel is usually family travel. Instead of paying for several hotel rooms, gather at one place with a pavilion and an outdoor kitchen big enough for the whole group.
No surprise fees. We do not add cleaning, pet, or resort fees to your bill.
Close to the events. Christmas lights, parades, and holiday markets in Bandera, Boerne, and San Antonio are a short drive away. See our Texas Hill Country guide and scenic drives for ideas, or read about touring the Alamo church before it closes for restoration.
A quiet place to come back to. After a day out, you can sit by a fire, cook dinner, or watch the stars instead of listening to traffic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it more expensive to travel to the Texas Hill Country in fall and at the holidays?
Often, yes. Fall weather, Thanksgiving, Christmas lights, parades, and holiday markets bring more visitors, and many hotels and vacation rentals raise nightly rates, require minimum stays, or add fees during those weekends. Comparing the all-in total, not just the nightly rate, is the best way to see what a trip really costs.
Does Al's Hideaway charge cleaning fees, pet fees, or resort fees?
No. Al's Hideaway does not charge cleaning fees, pet fees, or resort fees. You can also book direct and use promo code FUN for 10% off stays of two nights or more.
Where is Al's Hideaway and how far is it from Bandera, Boerne, and San Antonio?
Al's Hideaway is at 299 Willow Springs Drive, Pipe Creek, Texas 78063. It is about 15 minutes from Bandera, about 15 minutes from Boerne, about 20 minutes from Helotes, and about 45 minutes from San Antonio.
What can I book at Al's Hideaway?
Al's Hideaway has 13 log cabins, 10 full-hookup pull-through RV sites (up to 85 feet long), and primitive campsites, on 20 acres with two creeks, a pool, a pavilion, and an outdoor kitchen.
How do I book Al's Hideaway for Thanksgiving or Christmas?
Check live availability and book online at staytexashillcountry.com, or call 830-510-3331. Holiday weekends fill first, so booking early gives you the best choice of cabins and RV sites.
Book Your Fall or Holiday Stay
Ready to plan your trip? Check availability and book your stay at Al's Hideaway, or call us at 830-510-3331. Use promo code FUN for 10% off stays of two nights or more.
Happy Trails.
Be Safe & God Bless.
— Jennifer