Located about 30 miles south of San Antonio, Poteet offers a mix of woodlands and open terrain with year-round camping opportunities. The area experiences hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters, making climate considerations important for glamping stays. Wildlife viewing is common throughout the region's campgrounds, with deer sightings particularly frequent at several locations.
What to do
Trail exploration: Government Canyon State Natural Area offers extensive hiking opportunities across varied terrain. The park contains dinosaur tracks that can be viewed during specific seasons. As visitor Emily M. notes, "There are some dino tracks in the creekbed to check out in the backcountry along with an old stone house. Supposedly there are some hidden caves off trail but I haven't found them."
Fishing: Choke Canyon State Park Campground provides access to a large reservoir with multiple fishing spots. The park offers both lake and smaller water bodies for varied fishing experiences. One camper mentioned, "Choke Canyon Reservoir is large and the area we were at had very little motorized boat traffic, which made it great for kayaking. That could be attributed to the low lake level and the overgrowth of hydrilla."
Birdwatching: The region hosts numerous bird species year-round. At Choke Canyon State Park, visitors can observe "all kinds of water birds" according to reviewer Shelly S., who added that "the just tent area is right on the small 75 acre lake which has gobs of birds! Kayaking would be a blast."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer good spacing between campsites. At Thousand Trails Medina Lake, Andrea B. appreciated that "there are plenty of wildlife to see. Really nice to take a walk around in the evening and let the kids ride bikes...it was also really nice that there were lots of trees surrounding the park so that your RV is not just sitting out in the sun."
Wildlife encounters: Deer sightings are common at several campgrounds. Steve R. from Thousand Trails Medina Lake reported, "Great CG to view wildlife. Deer will literally eat feed out of your hands."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds generally maintain good bathroom and shower facilities. At Blazing Star Luxury RV Resort, Mary G. noted it has the "Biggest, cleanest, nicest laundry room I've encountered. Pool is good, grounds well maintained."
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Some parks limit trail access during wet weather. At Government Canyon State Natural Area, Brian V. advises, "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."
Reservation requirements: Many sites fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. Alamo River RV Ranch Resort & Campground staff are "very helpful and friendly" according to Hilary K., but planning ahead is essential as popular glamping options book up fast.
Noise factors: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby roads or facilities. At Blazing Star Luxury RV Resort, Mary G. pointed out it's "right off major road, so noisy if you're in the first couple rows."
Limited pet access: Not all trails and glamping accommodations permit pets. At Government Canyon State Natural Area, Salina G. discovered "there were only 2 trails that were dog friendly. We didn't realize there were two separate areas for the trails allowing and not allowing dogs."
Tips for camping with families
Playground availability: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. At Blazing Star Luxury RV Resort, Jonathan K. noted it has "tons of amenities like a pool, hot tub, playground, weight room, laundry, arcade, and a general store."
Educational opportunities: Some parks offer ranger-led activities. Brian V. explains that at Government Canyon State Natural Area, "The visitor center is very nice and modern. They often have ranger hikes leading from the center."
Swimming options: Multiple facilities include pools or water access. At Thousand Trails Medina Lake, Jeff & Steff's Excellent Adventure reported, "There are lots of amenities such as a huge pool, playgrounds, dog runs, restrooms, laundry, trails, boat launch, community center, games, basketball, pickle ball, mini golf, and so much more!"
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Some campgrounds have uneven sites that require preparation. At Stone Creek RV Park, Terri W. noted, "Park has asphalt streets, but gravel sites. Mix of pull through & back in sites. Some sites have a small picnic shelter on a concrete pad."
Hookup availability: Full hookup sites may be limited at certain campgrounds. At Thousand Trails Medina Lake, Robert M. advised, "If you want full hookups you will need to be a short distance away from the lake. About a 1/8 of a mile."
Maneuverability: Consider rig size when selecting a campground. Steve R. mentioned at Thousand Trails Medina Lake, "Easy to access, even for larger rigs. We stayed in 39 foot 5th wheel. Plenty of pull thru spots, full hookups, regularly spaced bathroom/showers."
