Best Tent Camping near Karnes City, TX

Tent camping options near Karnes City, Texas include several established campgrounds within a short drive. Helton Nature Park offers 43 tent sites with basic amenities including drinking water, picnic tables, and designated areas for campfires. Goliad State Park, located approximately 30 miles southeast of Karnes City, provides tent camping at both the Longhorn and Vaquero Camping Areas with more developed facilities.

Most tent campgrounds in the Karnes City region feature gravel pads with varying levels of shade coverage. Helton Nature Park provides drinking water and allows fires, while maintaining pet-friendly policies. Goliad State Park's tent sites require permits and offer more extensive amenities including showers, electric hookups, and water access. Campers should note that summer temperatures in this region of Texas frequently exceed 90°F, making shade coverage a critical consideration when selecting a site. Fire restrictions may apply during dry periods, particularly in late summer.

The tent camping experience near Karnes City offers access to natural areas with varying levels of development. At Goliad State Park, tent campers can explore historic sites and natural areas. A visitor commented, "Site 17 is a little uneven but pull-through and lots of shade around the fire pit." The park features hiking trails and river access, with some sites offering more seclusion than others. Calaveras Lake Park provides tent camping with lake access, though reviews indicate additional fees may apply for entry and equipment. Tent campers seeking quieter experiences should consider weekday visits, as weekend occupancy tends to be higher, particularly during spring and fall when temperatures are more moderate. Most tent sites in the region accommodate standard tent setups with room for vehicles nearby, though some walk-in options exist at Goliad State Park for those seeking a more secluded experience.

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Best Tent Sites Near Karnes City, Texas (8)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Karnes City, TX

5 Photos of 8 Karnes City Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Karnes City, TX

67 Reviews of 8 Karnes City Campgrounds


  • N
    Oct. 6, 2020

    Lake Wood Recreation Area

    Quite campground on the Guadalupe River

    Great spot to get away and camp. $25 for tent camping with water and electricity. Also has hookups for RVs. The dam failed a few years back so the lake is no longer there but the river is great for fishing and some swimming. Lots of shade from old pecan trees and soft grass for comfortable tent placement. All sites have a fire ring and picnic tables.

  • Dawn D.
    Apr. 11, 2022

    Lake Wood Recreation Area

    First Camping trip With The Kids

    Our first time for the season did a Lil camping trip me and all the kids (8) not all mine lol for a little trial run it was a nice cute little campground there's a river real close by we had a table and fire ring no electric but there are sites that have electric we had a really good time here will definitely return its not to far from out town

  • Steve & Ashley  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2019

    Jacales Camping Area — Goliad State Park

    Historical Park

    This Texas State Park is located in Goliad Texas. This is in the south central area of the state between Victoria and Austin on Highway 183. The park has some great historical sites including a 16th century Spanish mission. The campground is situated along the San Antonio River. You can kayak along the 6 mile long kayak paddle trail or try your luck at fishing. The campground is well maintained and offers a nice range of sites from tent to RVs and small cabins. The sites are located along the river with no privacy. They have some walk in tent sites as well. The town of Goliad is a hidden gem with a rich history and some cool antique shops and cafes. We plan to stop again here on our next trip to the coast.

  • Regina C.
    Apr. 6, 2022

    Braunig Lake Park

    Very disappointed

    No working showers and the bathrooms were discussing, no picnic tables, the only fire rings were at the shelters and were full of old trash. The park was not maintained

  • Alexandra
    Jul. 14, 2021

    Choke Canyon State Park Campground

    Shelter Area Cabin 13 was awesome

    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. Only con was that others were using it to get down to the lake so we had a few people walk right up next to the cabin with their fishing gear. Bathrooms are a short walk away, as well as trash cans/dumpster. Woke up to a large group of javelinas at our site who were sniffing around. We set up a tent at the cabin area and were able to have lots of shade.

  • Napunani
    Dec. 14, 2022

    Coleto Creek Reservoir and Park Guadalupe-Blanco River Auth

    Gravel Roads

    PROS 

    Security gate closed at midnight and reopens at 6am 

    Moveable wooden and metal picnic table 

    Pedestal BBQ grill 

    Site 82 level 

    Trash pickup at each site 

    One washer & one dryer in toilet/shower facility

    Lots of deer roaming the FHU campground

    Park WIFI sufficient to live stream TV 

    CONS 

    Obvious HOMESTEADERS in FHU loop

    No senior discount 

    Overpriced for a park with gravel roads 

    Gravel roads throughout park 

    FHU loop wide open so no privacy 

    Little shade 

    LOTS of fire ant hills throughout site 

    Campsite grass needs mowed 

    Tiny campfire ring 

    No toilets/showers in 64-83 Campground so closest is 1/2 mile round trip

  • Abel M.
    Nov. 24, 2020

    Jacales Camping Area — Goliad State Park

    Goliad state park

    I’m from Goliad, so whenever I feel like getting outdoors I can just drive 15 minutes down the road to the park and enjoy a day hike or a weekend out in the woods. The park is awesome lots of Historic sites and lots of history in such a small town. The park has Tent sites, small cabins for rent and restrooms with showers that are always clean. They also have RV hook ups with plenty of room and shade trees. The nature trail is nice too. Definitely recommend for anyone that has not visited before.

  • D
    May. 22, 2018

    Jacales Camping Area — Goliad State Park

    Shelters have fan inside, great park

    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.

    Shelters are unable to be locked as the fire wardens had deemed it a safety hazard as peole could be locked inside, so all external brackets have been removed. Fair enough.

    Our site was nice and shady and really close to the toilet and showers (which were clean and always had paper).

    The sheltered site have power and water...plus a ceiling fan inside which is fabulous to keep bugs off food (if you leave the door open or you have kids constantly in & out!)

    There is a small playground for the kids - perfect for our ages (3,5 &7).

    We did a trail walk one day with was lovely through the trees, but a bit hard to find the opening/start due to the map being different to the grass mowing.

    The Spanish mission church and building bear the checking station was a nice touristy thing to do.

    We also saw some leaf cutter ants doing their thing. Very interesting why they do it - look it up on google!!!

  • K
    Jan. 27, 2021

    Choke Canyon State Park Campground

    Nice experience

    Camped in non electric site, right by 75 acre reservoir. Good birdwatching, walking trails. Only ones camping here. Electric sites full up. Flush toilets, no showers, covered tables. $22 for 2 which include admission fees.


Guide to Karnes City

Tent camping near Karnes City, Texas, offers a blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, perfect for those looking to escape into the great outdoors.

Explore Local Attractions

Tent Camping Prices

  • Tent camping at Helton Nature Park offers a budget-friendly experience, with prices typically ranging from $20 to $30 per night.
  • For a more scenic experience, Calaveras Lake Park provides tent sites with amenities, with costs around $25 per night, though additional fees may apply.
  • Angels In Goliad RV Park offers tent camping options as well, with prices generally between $30 and $40 per night, ensuring a comfortable stay.

Amenities and Features

  • Vaquero Camping Area — Goliad State Park includes drinking water, picnic tables, and fire pits, making it a well-equipped choice for campers.
  • At Angels In Goliad RV Park, campers can enjoy modern amenities like electric hookups and showers, enhancing the camping experience.
  • Son’s Rio Cibolo provides a variety of accommodation types, including glamping options, catering to those who prefer a bit more comfort while still enjoying the outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Karnes City, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Karnes City, TX is Helton Nature Park with a 4-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Karnes City, TX?

TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Karnes City, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.