I am apart of BCO but joined HCO on a couple of events last weekend. Everyone was supper friendly and inviting. Like any "meet-up" type of events, it's all about what you make of it. The event leaders ensure everyone knows each other and sets the expectations of the event. After that, just mingle away! They even talked me in to driving back to Austin to join them for more events coming up! Great way to see a town you are not from....they know the "secret" spots in Austin and I would have never found without them. read more

I'm a newcomer and I've had a great time so far. I've done hiking and other outdoor activities, everyone has been nice and welcoming. The amount of people at the activities has varied to a few to many. I can't wait to do the party barge on the Lake. It's definitely helping me become more active and get to know Austin! Two of my goals when signing up, and meeting some nice folks helps too. read more

It's a great concept that has largely been left to rot on the vine. I really do think the owner places minimal effort in local events. She cares only about the travel side. Look at the calendar and see who is leading the events. It isn't the owner. There used to be a lot of fun event leaders with a lot of participation. One event leader is paid and she is the only that does anything of substance that can draw a decent group. Some of the other event leaders are clearly there to be in the club for free. How much fun is someone looking to save $25/month? Members used to be in the 30, 40, 50 year old age range. Now, a forty something person is too young for the group. It really is what you put into it. However, events that would have 20 plus people in the past now have three or four. Events used to range from numerous campouts, hikes, wine tours, fun happy hours, Christmas Parties, Halloween Parties. No more. Not even the Big Bend trip is like it used to be. The old people are in bed before 8 pm and clanking around at 5am. read more

To anyone put off by the couple of negative reviews: Give it a chance. As with anything else, you get back what you put into it. Actually, probably more. I'm a relative newbie to the club, but I've already been to quite a few events because they've been a blast every time. The people that I've met have been warm and welcoming, and I'm still meeting new fun folks every time I go to an event. As for the "outdoors" part of the deal, there's a wide range. They do everything from little jaunts around the greenbelt to canoeing the Rio Grande to 12-day trips to China. Seriously. So far, I've done a camping trip and a few hikes, but there's plenty more that I haven't tried yet. The hikes are probably the most popular events, and they're pretty much always followed by food and drink and good company afterward. I've done things I probably wouldn't try on my own, met some great people, and discovered places I had no idea existed in my own city (and I call myself a native.) I highly recommend Hill Country Outdoors. read more

I hope prospective members will see this before the business pays Yelp to hide this negative review. Not worth it: HCO has slipped considerably since its glory days when new 15 years ago, now with its umpteenth owner. Many of the activities are shared events with unknown other groups under the same leader. You never know how many people will be attending a supposedly HCO event, or even where else it's advertised. Considering that the other groups are generally free (MeetUp), paying for the same info through membership in an "exclusive" club is deceptive. Membership accounting in my case has been a disaster. I tried to take advantage of a so-called six-month discount. Tthe business owner could not apply her own advertised discount even when directing me over the phone, and that came after several emails. She ended up snail-mailing me a check for the discount amount after I was forced to pay the full price -- with her on the phone. Then I was billed again for another six months, just one month later. When I protested (politely), the owner apologized and promised to fix it, but she did not, so I'm having to work through my bank to cancel that charge. Bottom line: non-exclusive events, with the same events advertised elsewhere for other groups that you don't know about; and failed accounting. Stay away. Join a free Meetup group and do the same things. read more

I had a couple of good times with some other newcomers to this group but you always get the feeling that there is an inside clique and you are on the outside. It's a money-making business for Austin newcomers. They try to measure you up and figure out who are the big earners that are worth big cash. Included, are hikes that specify you will have to walk through water so as to discourage anybody from showing up. Out of curiosity, I went to one of these hikes where nobody showed up. They target local businesses that are really hurting financially and work out a "deal" to bring in a bunch of paying customers. Then, they have an event at some totally unheard of place(and deservedly so)where they are hoping you will spend money and make them look good! read more

I've been a member since 2007 and have met some nice people and gone on some great camping/canoe/ski trips. Rather than trying to convince friends to participate in such activities, It's so awesome to belong to a club that takes care of it for you. Always something on the calendar. My only regret is that it seems that people join and don't really give the club a chance. Not sure what they're expecting! read more

If you are looking to socialize and make friends skip this club. I was told flat out at my first event that there was an 'in clique' and you had to get into it to have a good time. I thought that was a very odd thing to say to a new comer but it's been accurate. The hikes I went on were in nice places but the only friendly people were also new to the group. I tried a happy hour. As soon as I got to the table I was told that the other people, including the event leader, were leaving and going somewhere else. One gentleman offered to stay with me while I finished my beer but it really wasn't worth going out for less than half an hour. Its been pretty much the same at all the other events I have tried. Most every one seems to know each other and no one is interested in meeting anyone new. read more

I made some great friends and had some great times with Hill Country Outdoors. I love outdoor activities but trying to get people together to do them is like herding cats. With Hill Country Outdoors, all i have to do is find an activity on the calendar and sign up. The Club does the rest. I've discovered activities in Austin that I didn't even know existed and I've been in Austin many years. People are very friendly and I did not find it cliquish at all. read more

I've been a member since 2010. I enjoy the wide variety of events--hikes, camping,dinners, happy hours, water events, tours of interesting places, music events and more--something for everyone. When I joined I was recently single and just wanted to meet folks and do fun things. Now I can say I met my closest friends in HCO. If you just want to have fun, HCO is the place! read more

In my opinion, being a part of this group is like being a part of any other group....it becomes what you make of it. When i first joined many years ago, i also encountered a "clique" (which i think you might find in any large gathering of people). Truthfully, there were so many OTHER nice people who were interested in actually being social and expanding their existing circle of friends that i found it quite easy to avoid the clique. The more of the same type of events you go to (ie, hiking), the more often you see some of the same people and it doesnt take long to feel like a part of what's going on instead of an outsider. If there's a clique and it bothers you that you are not part of it, then go say hello to some other folks who might be feeling the same way. If i had quit going to events after a couple of times when the clique was trying to assert their highschool behavior, i would've never met some of my now closest girl friends, or for that matter, my now 5-yr partner! :). Mostly, i have always found this group to be very inclusive and it actually ends up feeling like extended family! read more