Cisco, Texas features diverse camping options within 35 miles of town, where elevations range from 1,600 to 1,800 feet in the Cross Timbers region. The area's hot summers regularly exceed 95°F while winter nights drop below freezing. Most local campgrounds offer direct lake access with tent sites, RV hookups, and luxury glamping accommodations near water recreation.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing: Possum Kingdom State Park offers rentals right at their dock for paddling adventures on the crystal-clear waters. "This is one of my favorite parks to kayak or canoe at! You can rent them right there at the dock. You can rent jet skis, as well!" notes Michelle M.
Fishing from shore: Lake Brownwood State Park has multiple fishing platforms with lighting for night fishing. A camper mentioned, "There are at least two floating piers (with lights!) and one wooden fishing pier (with lights!). The park has many trees and is beautifully maintained."
Night sky viewing: Copperas Creek at Proctor Lake offers excellent stargazing conditions with minimal light pollution. According to one visitor, there's "Good dark sky viewing as there are NO street lights in campground" which creates ideal conditions for astronomy enthusiasts.
Scorpion hunts: Unique ranger-led activities at Possum Kingdom State Park include black-light scorpion hunts. One camper mentioned, "There was a Scorpion hunt our first night - where they meet and use a black light to seek out the little monsters," providing an unusual evening activity option.
What campers like
Historic CCC structures: Visitors appreciate the Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps architecture at Lake Brownwood State Park. "Site 69 not level(68 looked better). Both are on green space facing the lake. Showers old but great hot water. Flush toilets, walking trail along lake, cabins also near lake," reports Mark M.
Rustic cabin options: Lake Brownwood's historic cabins offer unique stays. Ashley S. shares, "We have been renting cabins here for years. Each cabin is rustic and unique. There are tons of easy trails and shore access. It has great fishing areas, bridges, and stone structures to explore as well."
Quiet weekday visits: For those seeking solitude, weekday camping provides a more peaceful experience. According to Paige M. at Copperas Creek, "During the week we were one of two trailers in our area. Fishing is great off the nearby fishing dock and a lot of people came with boats."
Convenience store access: On-site stores make camping more convenient at some locations. One visitor noted at Possum Kingdom, "There is a convenience store on site that has most anything you need. There is also a Men's and Women's bathrooms with two shower stalls."
What you should know
Ant populations: Prepare for insects, particularly ants at Lake Brownwood. "Black ants rule the park. Plan accordingly," warns Larry D., highlighting the need for proper food storage and insect repellent.
Burn restrictions: County-wide burn bans are common in the area. A Copperas Creek camper reported, "County Burn ban, which we discovered ourselves and confirmed by calling park prior to arriving with campfire wood."
Weekend crowds: Lost Creek RV Park offers a convenient stopover with full hookups and clean facilities. One visitor noted it's "right in town, but super convenient if your looking for a place to stop for a night or two in a park that's safe and well maintained."
Narrow sites: Some campgrounds have space limitations worth considering. A camper at Possum Kingdom mentioned, "Only complaint is the width of the campsite. I don't know that all were as narrow as ours, but site 20 is a really tight squeeze."
Tips for camping with families
Cabin rentals for comfort: For families preferring more amenities than tent camping, cabins provide a comfortable middle ground between RVing and glamping near Cisco, Texas. "The park has a variety of facilities which earns it a 4-star rating... There are ample opportunities to take advantage of lakeside activities like swimming, boating and fishing," writes Troy W.
Trail difficulty: Possum Kingdom State Park offers hiking trails suitable for families. "Hiking trail near the primitive campsites afforded some birdwatching opportunities, although mostly we saw wild turkeys," notes Stephanie T., indicating these trails offer wildlife viewing without excessive difficulty.
Local day trips: Venture beyond campgrounds to nearby towns. "Downtown Comanche nearby has some neat places to stop (sorrells farm, stone eagle beer garden, Brennan vineyards, soda shop, & farmers market) Dublin nearby has Dublin bottling works, Lucky Vines Vineyard & Veldhuizen Cheese," shares a Copperas Creek visitor.
Wildlife viewing: Kids often enjoy spotting local wildlife. One camper reported seeing "1 squirrel and 5 deer" during their stay, while others mentioned wild turkeys and various birds throughout the region.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many sites have concrete pads that simplify setup. A Copperas Creek camper noted, "Concrete treads where RV wheels land were level requiring no additional leveling efforts."
Cell coverage: Connectivity varies widely between providers. One visitor reported, "Absolutely NO Verizon but three bars AT&T" at Copperas Creek, making this information essential for remote workers needing connectivity.
Road conditions: RV access is generally good throughout the region. A camper mentioned, "Roadways easy to maneuver without any low-hanging branches," which is important information for larger rigs.
Dust management: Prepare for sandy conditions affecting your equipment. "Site consist of sandy gravel which high winds created a dust storm making a gritty mess of everything inside and out," warns a visitor to Copperas Creek, suggesting protective covers for sensitive equipment.
