Karnes City, Texas camping areas feature flat terrain with elevations around 400 feet and a humid subtropical climate where summer temperatures frequently exceed 95°F. The region experiences hot summers and mild winters, with most campgrounds offering minimal natural shade. Camping conditions require preparation for heat, particularly from May through September.
What to do
Paddle trails for pets: Choke Canyon State Park's 75-acre reservoir welcomes dogs on watercraft throughout the paddle trail. "With no motorized boat traffic, which made it great for kayaking. That could be attributed to the low lake level and the overgrowth of hydrilla," notes a reviewer at Choke Canyon State Park Campground.
Birdwatching opportunities: The area's diverse ecosystem supports extensive bird populations. "Very nice, isolated area. All kinds of water birds. The just tent area is right on the small 75 acre lake which has gobs of birds!" reports a visitor to Choke Canyon State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Goliad and surrounding parks feature abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. "We saw wild turkey Tom with his harem of hens, numerous birds, rabbits and deer," shares one camper about their experience at Choke Canyon. Another visitor spotted "rabbits, deer, coyotes, alligators, many fish species, many birds and a sounder of hogs."
What campers like
Large, level sites: Campers appreciate the spaciousness of camping spots at Longhorn Camping Area in Goliad State Park. "It looks like number 17 and number 19 are real shady," notes a reviewer who stayed at site 14.
Clean shower facilities: Several campgrounds maintain well-kept bathroom facilities. At Mission City RV Park, a camper reported, "The showers almost made us feel at home!" Another visitor mentioned that "The bathrooms were in good condition and the shower had amazing water pressure."
Accessibility to historic sites: The region's rich history attracts many campers. "This park was so great. There was all kinds of history there that you can see for very low prices and also for free," writes a reviewer about Karankawa Camping Area at Goliad State Park. The proximity to historic missions adds educational value to camping trips.
What you should know
Summer heat affects camping comfort: The South Texas climate creates challenging conditions. "Lots of bugs and insects around that's even more than usual. Definitely bring a tent screen," advises a camper at Karankawa Camping Area, adding that insects were present "all around town."
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds require advance booking. For pet-friendly camping near Karnes City, Texas, availability varies by season. "We stayed in a sheltered site in mid-April 2018. We hired 2 sites for 2 families but only used one of the shelters as they were large enough for us to share," reports a visitor at Jacales Camping Area.
Site characteristics: Some camping areas offer limited privacy between sites. "The Jacales loop is quiet and dark, but it's really just camping in a big parking lot with a picnic table, shade pavilion and grill for each site," explains one reviewer. Another noted, "Each site has two large parking spaces."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some pet-accommodating campgrounds provide play areas for children. "There is a small playground for the kids - perfect for our ages (3,5 &7)," shares a family who stayed at Jacales Camping Area in Goliad State Park.
Educational opportunities: Combine outdoor recreation with learning at historical sites. "Historic Texas and Mexican sites within a quaint little park," notes a visitor to Vaquero Camping Area, making it ideal for families seeking educational experiences while camping with pets.
Cabin alternatives: For families wanting more shelter for pets and children, cabin options exist. "Stayed here for a weekend with my family. So nice to have AC in the cabin with shade on the little patio area. I'm convinced site 13 is the best," reports a visitor to Choke Canyon State Park Campground. They added, "We set up a tent at the cabin area and were able to have lots of shade."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for RVs: When bringing pets in RVs, choose sites carefully. "A little uneven but pull through and lots of shade around the fire pit," notes an RVer about site 17 at Vaquero Camping Area in Goliad State Park.
Hookup details: Water and electric connections are standard at most sites. "There are water and electric at all sites," confirms a camper at Jacales Camping Area, while at Angels In Goliad RV Park, visitors appreciate the "Gravel pads. New hookups."
Check road conditions: Some parks have access limitations. One RVer warned about Braunig Lake Park: "If you have a large or tall rig RV don't even bother. The trees are the main issue. We have an airstream and even it was starting to scrape getting to and from a site."
