Southwinds Marina offers cabins as a glamping alternative close to Amistad National Recreation Area in Texas. The campground provides concrete sites for RVs with full hookups while cabins offer more weather protection in this desert environment where summer temperatures regularly exceed 95°F. Located directly on Lake Amistad, campers have immediate access to water recreation and fishing opportunities when staying at this military and law enforcement restricted facility.
What to do
Bat viewing at Stuart Cave: At Kickapoo Cavern State Park, visitors can witness Mexican free-tailed bats emerge nightly from Stuart Cave using a handicap-accessible viewing deck. "Stuart Bat Cave. About 1 million Mexican Free-tail Bats exit the cave at sunset to search for food," notes camper Gary F., who adds that "you can also watch them return, which is quite impressive, if you get there before sunrise."
Cave exploration: Kickapoo Cavern State Park offers guided hard hat tours of the undeveloped Kickapoo Cavern. Reservations are required as tours run only once weekly. "I spelunked the pristine cavern on a different, guided trip with my family after needing to make reservations a couple months in advance," explains Jacob W., highlighting the advance planning needed.
Hiking at various difficulty levels: Trails range from moderate to challenging with limited shade. "We hiked most of the trails, but did not get to see the bats due to the time of year, and did not get to do a guided tour to the cavern," reports Laura F., who mentioned mountain biking is also permitted on the trails.
Astrophotography opportunities: The area offers exceptional dark sky viewing for star enthusiasts. Camper Cindy Y. explains, "The main reason we traveled here was for the very dark skies at night for star gazing and astrophotography. Unfortunately it was cloudy at night except for two hours one evening."
What campers like
Complete digital detox: The remote location provides a true escape from connectivity. "There is no cell service so you can fully unplug and relax," mentions Laura F. about her experience at Kickapoo Cavern, while another visitor notes you must "drive outside of Park about 3 miles for AT&T signal."
Bird watching amenities: Buzzard Roost RV Campground and surrounding areas offer opportunities to view desert bird species. At Kickapoo, "there is also a really nice bird blind where staff set up a little recirculating creek to attract lots of birds. I saw several species of birds I had never seen before," reports Cindy Y.
Lake activities: The proximity to Amistad Reservoir provides water recreation options. "Great camp, very quiet. Absolutely stunning lake," says Galyna C. about Southwinds Marina, which offers direct water access for boating and fishing.
Social atmosphere at certain locations: Some campgrounds foster community among visitors. Regarding Buzzard Roost, Katie D. shares, "There is a bar on the park that is kickin! Everyone you meet in the bar will be your best friend before you know it and you're gonna be hugging them and Facebook friending them on your way out."
What you should know
Limited access periods: Park operating schedules may be restricted. "The park opens Friday morning and closes Monday morning," cautions Cindy Y. about Kickapoo Cavern, while others note that bat viewing is seasonal, not year-round.
Climate considerations: Expect extreme heat in summer months with minimal shade. "Shade is sparse and it is VERY hot in the summer months. It was also very windy while we were there," warns Cindy Y., recommending winter visits for tent campers.
Varying site quality across locations: Campground conditions differ significantly between locations. At Laughlin AFB FamCamp, Chris L. describes "nice concrete level sites. Easy access. The sites are large with short fence sections between," while Buzzard Roost receives less favorable reviews for cleanliness and atmosphere.
Pack-out trash policies: Some campgrounds require visitors to take all garbage with them. Napunani notes, "Must pack out all personally generated trash. Absolutely NO dumpsters; no garbage cans in park" at Kickapoo Cavern.
Tips for camping with families
Pack extra supplies: Limited shopping options exist near most campsites. "Come prepared with all necessary supplies as Brackettville is closest small town which is 25 miles away with only a grocery store and couple fuel stations," advises Napunani about Kickapoo Cavern State Park.
Plan for extreme temperatures: Desert conditions demand preparation. "I would like to come back but would only do it during the colder months as we were tent camping and the daytime temperatures were high 90's F," shares Cindy Y. about her summer visit to Kickapoo Cavern State Park.
Consider trail difficulty for children: Trails marked "easy" may still be challenging. "Hikers Beware - Easy is Relative," cautions Robert J., who explains, "After climbing to the peak of Armadillo Lookout Grandpa needed a nap," suggesting trails may be too strenuous for very young children or those with mobility concerns.
Tips from RVers
Reservation difficulties: Call ahead and have backup plans. Chris L. mentions about Laughlin AFB, "My only complaint would be I was unable to contact the office to confirm availability or make a reservation. With that said we showed up and there were 4 or 5 sites unoccupied."
Strategic timing for layovers: Consider location for transit stops carefully. Rick G. advises after staying at Buzzard Roost, "To do over again, I'd pull into San Pedro Campground at Amistad National Recreation Area," suggesting better options exist for overnight stays when traveling toward Big Bend.
Hookup availability varies: Check utilities before booking glamping close to Amistad National Recreation Area. Agustin M. appreciates the Southwinds Marina setup: "Was able to pull in, hook up with everything needed within reach. Clean, awesome shaded spots with picnic table and bbq pit."
