Cooper Lake State Park anchors the camping scene around Cooper, Texas, with over 19,000 acres of freshwater lake and surrounding parkland. The park sits at approximately 440 feet elevation with summer temperatures frequently reaching 95-100°F from June through August. Winter camping remains viable with average lows rarely dropping below freezing, though occasional cold fronts can bring near-freezing temperatures.
What to do
Hiking and nature trails: The South Sulphur Unit offers several well-maintained trails. According to a visitor at Deer Haven Campground, "There are a lot of great hiking trails with wildlife including deer, coyotes, armadillos, and butterflies."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakefront sites provide excellent fishing access. A camper at Liberty Grove Campground noted, "If you have a boat then you will love the fishing on this lake." Shore fishing remains popular year-round with bass, crappie and catfish being common catches.
Swimming beach: The designated swimming area includes protective features. A visitor mentioned, "The day use area is OK, the swim area has a huge steel wall to block the wind and waves because they get really strong." The swimming area operates seasonally from spring through early fall, depending on weather conditions.
What campers like
Spacious, well-designed sites: Campers frequently mention site layouts and spacing as positive features. At Oak Grove Campground, a visitor shared, "Clean bathrooms, good playground and beach area. Cabins, RV, equestrian and tent sites."
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. At Sleep Under The Pecan Trees, one visitor explained, "Wild, yet docile horses will approach you. You can pet them and feed them by hand. Tall trees and gorgeous campsites. Donkeys hee-hawing, birds singing, and fire flies glowing."
Quiet atmosphere: Many visitors note the peaceful environment, especially during weekdays or off-season. A camper at Deer Haven Campground remarked, "The CG, at least on Sunday evening, was very quiet and peaceful. There were only 2 other campers while we were there, one of them the Park Host."
What you should know
Weather considerations: The region experiences significant seasonal variations. At Bright Star Campground, a camper reported, "A big storm blew in around dinner time. The wind was fierce and blowing out of the north across the almost 20,000 acre lake! I actually called the ranger to find out if I needed to evacuate."
Site conditions: Recent rains can affect some camping areas. One visitor noted, "Our site, 25, was a pull-through, but the center of it had about 4 inches of mud from a recent rain, otherwise it would just be 4 inches of dirt. A few of the back-in sites had similar situations at the junction with the road."
Cellular reception: Connectivity varies significantly across camping spots near Cooper, Texas. An RVer reported, "AT&T coverage was pitiful, with only 1 bar of LTE service and speeds up to 0.1 MB/s."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple family-friendly camping options include play areas. A visitor at Liberty Grove Campground mentioned, "It had screened shelters, cottages with heat & air, shelters, nice playground, Amphitheatre, volleyball court, boat ramps, picnic areas, hiking & biking trails and a swimming area."
Wildlife education opportunities: Camping with children often includes memorable wildlife encounters. At Sleep Under The Pecan Trees, a father shared, "Took my 6 year old daughter for her first camping trip and she loved it. The horses came into our camp and she was mesmerized by their size and beauty. Most amazing experience. She caught her 1st bass in the pond as well."
Food storage precautions: Proper food handling prevents wildlife issues. One camper at Oak Grove Campground advised, "Something I'd keep in mind is the food you carry (avoid the sweet sugary stuff), there are ants all around and food will attract them towards you."
Tips from RVers
Site selection advice: For RV campers, certain sites offer better features. A visitor at Hidden Grove RV Resort observed, "The spots are all paved with a nice sectioned off patio spot. There seem to be some more permanent RVs here. It was very quiet during the day and even in the evening."
Utility hookups: Full hookup availability varies by campground. A camper at Oak Grove noted, "Quite, shaded, level concrete RV sites with water and electricity! Each site has a covered table."
Dump station information: Most camping spots near Cooper, Texas provide sanitary facilities. One RVer mentioned, "The dump station has 2 spots and very easy to use."
