Central Texas camping near Eden offers quiet, open spaces with limited tree coverage in a region where temperatures vary dramatically by season. Most camping options sit along reservoirs and lakes within a 30-mile radius of Eden. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound year-round with resident deer populations active throughout the day at many campgrounds.
What to do
Fishing at O.H. Ivie Reservoir: Concho Park attracts anglers seeking seclusion with basic amenities. "Most people are here to catch giant fish in Lake OH Ivie," notes camper Tammy C., who stayed at Concho Park in 2023.
Wildlife photography: Early mornings provide optimal viewing conditions when deer congregate near designated feeding areas. "We saw lots of deer every night," reports a visitor to Concho Park, highlighting the regular wildlife encounters possible in this arid landscape.
Stargazing at San Angelo State Park: Limited light pollution creates good night sky viewing opportunities. "The night sky is decent because it's so wide open, unfortunately, it's not as dark as we had hoped because of the lights from nearby San Angelo," mentions one camper at Red Arroyo.
Biking trails: San Angelo State Park maintains dedicated mountain biking trails. "Good place for mountain biking, decent trails," says Mic R., though noting summer heat brings "some very bad thunderstorms" that affected their July visit.
What campers like
Wide open sites: The expansive spacing between campsites compensates for limited privacy due to sparse tree coverage. At San Angelo State Park, "sites are huge and spaced out well. Not much privacy, but that's because it's basically prairie land," explains Bob M. about his stay at Red Arroyo.
Covered picnic tables: Many campsites include sheltered tables to provide necessary shade. "Each campsite has a picnic shelter above the table for shade, and rain, a grill and fire ring, plus your very own trashcan – never saw all that before in such an inexpensive park," notes Shari G. about Concho Park.
Accessible walking paths: Flat terrain makes short walks manageable for all mobility levels. "There are plenty of walking trails and wildlife viewing," notes a reviewer about San Angelo State Park's amenities.
Lake access: Multiple campgrounds feature waterfront sites for easy fishing and swimming access. "Enjoyed the beauty of the lake, sunsets amazing," reports Milagros B. about Spring Creek Marina & RV Park, noting "full hookup sites, spots are very big."
What you should know
Extreme mud conditions: Clay soil creates challenging conditions after rain. "A word about the dirt, it is mostly clay which when saturated with rain water will form the most exceptionally sticky mud to coat the underside of your vehicle," warns a visitor to Concho Park.
Limited shade coverage: Most sites lack natural tree cover, creating hot conditions during summer months. "No trees, no shade. Certainly would not want to be here in the summer," cautions Charyle C. about Red Arroyo.
Water supply concerns: Water systems at some parks may be compromised during drought conditions. One camper at Concho Park discovered "water had not flowed through the pipes going to my campsite in a very long time. When I opened the water valve, a flood of ants preceded a brown geyser of dirty water."
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Some parks offer modern facilities while others provide minimal options. "The bathrooms are really old. They are kept clean and the showers were hot with good, modern showerheads. But in Red Arroyo, there is only one shower for women and one for men for the whole campground," reports Ari A. about San Angelo State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Scheduled feedings allow close animal observation. "On Saturday and Wednesday mornings, the rangers do supplemental feeding of the bison and longhorn cattle herds, bringing them right up to the fence for visitors to see," notes a camper at San Angelo State Park.
Affordable rustic camping: Budget-friendly primitive sites offer basic amenities at lower costs. "For $5 a night you can camp at any one of the dozens of sites scattered around the lakeshore," reports a visitor to O.H. Ivie Reservoir.
Cabin rental options: Several parks offer cabin accommodations for families seeking shelter from extreme weather. "Very clean, quiet campground. My daughter loved feeding the deer. We look forward to returning soon!" shares Ron V. about his stay at Spring Creek Marina & RV Park.
Playground access: Some city parks include playground equipment for children. "Quite city park with restrooms, playground, basketball court, picnic areas with water and 110 electric, one pavilion," mentions Yvonne M. about Willie Washington Park in Brady.
Tips from RVers
Winter camping considerations: Extended cold weather events can impact water systems. During the 2021 winter storm, one RVer at Spring Creek Marina noted the campground owners "were absolutely amazing during rolling black outs, single digit temperatures, and water being shut off due to main breaks."
Leveling requirements: Most sites feature flat, level pads requiring minimal setup. "Level sites. Full hookups," reports a camper at Pecan Valley RV Park, adding that they also found "large sites" with "great location" near I-10.
Electrical service reliability: Power outages can occur during severe weather. "We had the place completely to ourselves, with the exception of a few fisherman. No hook-ups in the park, so bring your solar panel for some electricity if you need it," advises a visitor to O.H. Ivie Reservoir.
Road access considerations: Access roads to some parks may not accommodate larger rigs. "No problem getting thru park with 41ft 5th wheel," notes Gordon D. about San Angelo State Park, confirming the accessibility for larger vehicles.
