Kickapoo Cavern State Park Campground operates seasonally on a Friday through Monday schedule, located approximately 25 miles from Brackettville and 84 miles from Comstock, Texas. The campground sits at an elevation of approximately 1,800 feet in the semi-arid transition zone between the Edwards Plateau and South Texas Plains. Winter temperatures typically range from 30-70°F while summer daytime temperatures regularly exceed 95°F with minimal shade in the camping areas.
What to do
Stargazing opportunities: Kickapoo Cavern State Park offers certified dark skies with minimal light pollution. According to one visitor, "The sky is amazing at night! They have good hiking and allow mountain bikes on the trails. We stayed 2 nights and definitely want to go back again to experience this park."
Bird watching excursions: Visit the park's dedicated bird blind with its recirculating creek that attracts numerous species. "I saw several species of birds I had never seen before," notes one camper who visited specifically for wildlife viewing at Kickapoo Cavern State Park.
Morning bat viewings: While many visitors watch bat emergences at sunset, experienced campers recommend dawn viewing as well. As one visitor shared, "You can also watch them return, which is quite impressive, if you get there before sunrise."
What campers like
Remote location: The isolation provides a true disconnection from daily life. A camper mentioned, "Very nice small campground in a fairly remote state park... There is no cell service, however the park headquarters building has wifi you can access for free and the range was pretty good."
Site privacy: The campground layout maximizes separation between sites. "The sites feel well spaced with trees in between them giving you privacy," notes a recent visitor to Kickapoo Cavern State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: The campground maintains high standards for its amenities. One reviewer stated, "Kickapoo is a great park with all of the amenities including very clean showers and restroom facilities. It is really for hikers and those that want to see the bats emerge and explore an old cavern."
What you should know
Limited amenities: The park operates with minimal facilities, requiring self-sufficiency. "Must pack out all personally generated trash. Absolutely NO dumpsters; no garbage cans in park," advises a thorough reviewer.
No cell service: Communication options are extremely limited in this area. "No AT&T signal; no park WIFI, so completely without phone service and no public phone available for emergencies. Had to drive outside of Park about 3 miles for AT&T signal," reports one camper.
Weather considerations: The climate can significantly impact camping comfort. "Shade is sparse and it is VERY hot in the summer months. It was also very windy while we were there," notes a tent camper who visited during warmer weather.
Tips for camping with families
Trail difficulty awareness: Despite park classifications, hiking trails may present challenges. One family camper warns, "After climbing to the peak of Armadillo Lookout Grandpa needed a nap... Hikers Beware - Easy is Relative."
Alternative accommodation options: For family glamping near Comstock, Texas, options exist beyond traditional camping. Laughlin AFB FamCamp offers "Nice concrete level sites. Easy access. The sites are large with short fence sections between," according to a recent visitor.
Community experience: The small size creates opportunities for social interactions. "Almost like a neighborhood with everyone sharing experiences and suggestions for a good time," describes a grandparent who camped with their grandson at Kickapoo Cavern.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: The campground offers limited but well-equipped sites for RVs. "The campground has several campsites with full hookups. There is a dump station and fires are allowed in fire rings," notes an experienced RV camper.
Plan for isolation: The remote location requires advance preparation. "This state park is really in the middle of nowhere. It has a tiny campground, with only 5 RV sites... They have sewer hookups at the official RV sites, and a dump station if you stay in one of the no hookup sites."
Reservation challenges: Contacting park offices can sometimes be difficult. At nearby alternatives like Laughlin AFB FamCamp, one RVer reported, "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."
