Camping opportunities near Pearsall, Texas range from developed RV parks to quieter natural areas. Located in South Texas about 55 miles southwest of San Antonio, this area experiences hot summers with temperatures frequently exceeding 95°F and mild winters. Winter camping remains popular due to temperatures rarely dropping below freezing, though spring brings occasional severe thunderstorms requiring weather monitoring.
What to do
Bass fishing opportunities: At Cotulla Camp Resort, visitors can enjoy fishing in both the on-site pond and nearby river. "Great bass fishing in the pond and at the river. Huge site with nice tree cover and the staff was friendly," notes Jason A., who also mentions the "nature trails to explore" throughout the property.
Dinosaur track viewing: Government Canyon State Natural Area features prehistoric tracks in the creekbed. "There are some dino tracks in the creekbed to check out in the backcountry along with an old stone house," reports Emily M., adding that "trails are extensive and rocky" with "good views." The park limits visitor numbers during busy periods, so arrive before 10am on weekends.
River access exploration: The Medina River provides natural recreation spots at multiple campgrounds. "The Medina River at Castroville Regional Park offers water access where pets can cool off during hot Texas days, though seasonal water levels vary," notes one visitor. At Thousand Trails Medina Lake, despite fluctuating lake levels, campers enjoy "beautiful views all around" according to Jeff & Steff's Excellent Adventure, who add the campground has "large sites and lot of nature!"
What campers like
Abundant wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds in the region offer excellent wildlife observation opportunities. Keisha D. describes how at Thousand Trails Medina Lake, there's a "friendly atmosphere especially the wildlife!" while Steve R. notes that "deer will literally eat feed out of your hands." This makes for memorable pet friendly camping experiences near Pearsall.
Dark night skies: Light pollution remains minimal at several campgrounds. Tina E. from Alsatian RV Resort mentions the area is "peacefully quiet at night and light is just enough to see but not too much to obscure the sky full of stars." Ed C. adds that there are "beautiful clear views of the sky" which proves beneficial for stargazing or satellite internet users.
Spacious camping sites: Campgrounds near Pearsall typically offer generous site spacing. At Blazing Star Luxury RV Resort, Jonathan K. describes "big place w lots of spots, shaded and very well maintained," with full hookups including WiFi and cable. MickandKarla W. confirm "the sites were decently spaced and very long," though note they "were not as far apart or as large when compared to many of the State Parks."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Robert M. experienced "two beautiful winter days in Texas, days were in the low 70's and nights around 40. Perfect as the picture taking" at Thousand Trails Medina Lake.
Weekend planning essential: Several parks have limited operating days or fill quickly. Government Canyon is "only open Friday-Monday with camping only Friday and Saturday night," according to Brian V., who advises arriving early as "all of San Antonio will be lined up to get in" during nice weather.
Trail closures after rain: Government Canyon and other natural areas protect trails by closing them during wet conditions. As Brian V. explains, "if there is too much rain, the park will close down all the trails as they don't want to ruin the area with people walking in mud." Always check trail status before visiting, especially after precipitation.
Water level fluctuations: Medina Lake experiences significant level changes depending on rainfall and drought conditions. According to Jeff & Steff's Excellent Adventure, "the lake was dried up during our stay, but it was still beautiful views all around" at Alamo River RV Ranch Resort & Campground, where Genice J. describes "flowing water" as part of the "beautiful tucked away area."
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer ranger-led activities and nature programs. Brian V. notes that at Government Canyon, "the visitor center is very nice and modern. They often have ranger hikes leading from the center" which provide learning experiences for children.
Playground availability: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas when camping with children. Jeff & Steff's Excellent Adventure mentions that Thousand Trails Medina Lake has "lots of amenities such as a huge pool, playgrounds, dog runs... games, basketball, pickle ball, mini golf, and so much more! Fun for the whole family."
Wildlife precautions: While wildlife viewing opportunities abound, parents should supervise children, especially around deer and during evening hours. "There were about a dozen deer that frequented the open areas at night," mentions Ray & Terri F., adding they "could hear a couple of coyote packs off in the distance" at Castroville Regional Park.
Tips from RVers
Utility placement awareness: Check hookup locations when reserving RV sites. Eat · See · RV L. cautions that at Cotulla Camp Resort, "RV utilities are also at rear of sites so you need to have long extensions for sewer hoses, electrical cords, and water connections to actually plug in."
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have deceptively uneven sites. Ray & Terri F. discovered at Castroville Regional Park that "our site was deceptively unlevel, where our front wheels ended up an inch or so off of the ground. We saw a few others that way too."
Site selection advice: For optimal comfort, choose sites based on your specific needs. At Castroville Regional Park, Ray & Terri F. advise that "the open side of the campground is basically a gravel over asphalt parking lot, but the sites are bigger and do also have FHUs despite a previous review to the contrary."
