Arch Ray RV Resort Christmas Break on the Pedernales River
Sometimes a last-minute change really does work out for the better. Our planned Christmas stay at Firefly Resort was canceled due to a change in management. The silver lining was that the same company also manages The Resort at Arch Ray, and they offered us a deal to stay there instead. What started as a Plan B turned into a solid, comfortable Christmas break in the Texas Hill Country.
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Two Very Different Arch Ray RV Resort Experiences
Arch Ray is made up of two distinct areas, and it’s important to understand the difference before booking.
- The Resort at Arch Ray – the traditional RV park where we stayed
- Arch Ray on the River – a deeded RV and cabin ownership community
This review reflects The Resort at Arch Ray only. The river section operates more like real estate than a campground and offers a completely different experience.


First Impressions
From the moment we arrived, The Resort at Arch Ray felt relaxed and low-key. This isn’t a luxury RV resort with manicured landscaping and resort-style amenities, and that’s not a criticism. The park is clean, organized, and clearly geared toward traveling RVers.


Check-in was quick and friendly, and during Christmas week, the campground was quiet — exactly what we were hoping for.
Campsites & Layout
The park is easy to navigate, even with a larger rig. Roads are wide, turns aren’t tight, and getting set up was stress-free.
We stayed at Site 276, toward the back of the campground. Our site featured:
- Level gravel pad
- Full hookups
- Decent spacing between sites



There are no picnic tables or fire rings at the sites. Everything is straightforward and functional, which keeps the park uncluttered and easy to maintain.
Road Noise from Highway 290
One thing worth mentioning is the road noise from Highway 290.
Even at the back of the campground, traffic noise was noticeable when sitting outside. Inside the RV, it wasn’t an issue at all and never affected our sleep. If quiet outdoor time is important to you, this is something to keep in mind.
Pedernales River Running Through the Resort
One of the standout features of this park is that the Pedernales River actually runs through the resort.
During our stay, water levels were low. It’s probably not suitable for kayaking or floating, at least at current levels. That said, the river still adds a peaceful, natural element to the campground and is perfect for relaxing, walking, and enjoying the scenery.


Arch Ray on the River – Ownership Model & Pricing
The Arch Ray on the River section is very different from the RV resort.
This area offers deeded lots that can be:
- RV sites you own and use or rent out
- Lots where you build a cabin
- Lots with an existing cabin
Pricing places it firmly in the real estate and investment category:
- RV sites start around $175,000
- Cabin sites with a finished cabin range from the low $500,000s to nearly $1 million
For the right buyer, it could make sense. For us as full-time RVers, it was well outside our budget.
Amenities
Amenities at The Resort at Arch Ray are basic but well-maintained.
- Clean bathhouses
- Laundry facilities
- Dog-friendly
Nothing fancy, but everything we used was clean and functional.



Tips & Area Advice
Fredericksburg is a great food town, especially if you enjoy German cuisine. We ate at several of the German restaurants, and every one was excellent. History buffs should also make time for the National Museum of the Pacific War, which is extremely well done and worth a visit. Just a short drive away is Luckenbach, Texas, a fun and iconic stop for live music and Hill Country atmosphere. For something completely different, we also visited The Preserve for the Elephant Experience, which was memorable and well worth it. Attractions and restaurants are spread out around town, but driving is easy, and getting around Fredericksburg is straightforward.
Pros
- Pedernales River runs through the resort
- Clean and well-maintained campground
- Level sites with full hookups
- Decent spacing between sites
- Easy access for big rigs
- Friendly staff
- Convenient location near Fredericksburg
- Dog-friendly
- Two distinct options (RV park vs. ownership)
Cons
- Road noise from Highway 290 when sitting outside
- No picnic tables or fire rings at RV sites
- River water levels may be too low for kayaking
- Arch Ray on the River ownership pricing is out of reach for many RVers
Things To Do In Fredericksburg
Final Thoughts
The Resort at Arch Ray is a dependable, well-run RV park near Fredericksburg that delivers exactly what it promises — a clean, practical place to stay with a peaceful Pedernales River setting and easy access to town. While highway noise, minimal site amenities, and low river levels are worth mentioning, none detracted from our overall experience.
The unexpected deal we received after our Firefly Resort stay was canceled made this a solid backup plan. That said, next time we’re in Fredericksburg, we’d like to try staying at Firefly Resort. We really like its location and the amenities they advertise, and it’s still very much on our radar.
All things considered, Arch Ray was a solid Plan B — and sometimes those turn out better than expected.
What interesting places can you recommend?
We’re always on the lookout for unique, out-of-the-way experiences to add to our list.
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