San Angelo State Park serves as the primary camping destination in West Texas, approximately 10 miles northwest of downtown San Angelo. The park offers multiple camping areas including Red Arroyo, River Bend, Chaparral, and Bald Eagle, with accommodations for tent campers, RVs, and cabin stays. Other options include Spring Creek Marina & RV Park, Goodfellow AFB Recreation Area, and the San Angelo KOA, which provides glamping opportunities alongside traditional sites. Campgrounds throughout the region feature varying levels of development, from basic tent-only areas to full-service RV sites with electrical hookups, water, and sewer connections.
Summer temperatures in the San Angelo region can be extremely hot, making spring and fall the preferred camping seasons. Most developed campgrounds provide electric hookups, which prove valuable during heat waves when air conditioning becomes essential. The terrain consists primarily of open prairie with limited shade trees, and strong winds frequently sweep through the area. Facilities vary across campgrounds, with some offering modern amenities while others maintain more rustic conditions. Water levels at O.C. Fisher Lake, once a primary attraction, have significantly declined in recent years. As one visitor noted, "A ranger told us the lake is at about 6-8% of its glory days. The place is filled with boat ramps to nowhere."
Campers consistently praise the spaciousness of sites at San Angelo State Park, particularly at Red Arroyo campground where spots feature covered picnic tables, fire rings with cooking grates, and ample distance between neighbors. Wildlife viewing represents a notable attraction, with opportunities to see deer, javelinas, owls, and various bird species throughout the park. The state park maintains herds of bison and longhorn cattle, with scheduled feeding times on Wednesdays and Saturdays that bring animals close to public viewing areas. The extensive trail system, spanning approximately 50 miles across both North and South units, provides hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian options. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "Excellent camp site. Very dispersed and most have picnic tables with shade awnings which are great for hammocks. Miles of off-road bike trails were well marked and varied from easy to technical."
$10 - $20 / night
"1st time stop at the San Angelo State Park. Super friendly staff that put me in a great spot. It has a wonderful covered pic nic table surrounded by three smallnoak trees."
"We have enjoyed staying at San Angelo State Park because of the natural things it offers. We stayed in the Red Arroyo campground. The sites are large and well-spaced apart."
"We were using this as a stop over/mid point in Texas and it happen to be during the crazy article blast that crippled the state."
"Nice lake to swim, kayak, and fish in. The RV spots are well kept and the area has clean facilities. Typically need to books in advance, especially durning the holidays."
$15 - $20 / night
"It's NOT located on base. Make sure to confirm location when you reserve. It's several miles away from base. Reservations and military required.
Hot showers with great pressure!""I stayed two nights at this campground and found it to be really nice and located on Lake Nasworthy. During the summer months they rent boats and have a little store on site."
"There is an onsite pool and game room, trash pickup, dog park, and the lake is a short drive away. Parking is level raked gravel but a little close together."
"Trail nearby and running up the hill gives you a great view of the surroundings. Would definitely stay there again if we happen to be passing through!"
$10 - $50 / night
"20 with a Texas state parks pass. The equestrian loop is just across the river and has pens and whatnot. Saw several bird species news to us!"
"Interesting, you must check in at the South Entrance and they give you a padlock code for the North Entrance, which is 8 miles away. Lock and code worked well. Very few campers on a Monday in March."
$10 / night
"Went right after Texas’s big freeze so it was absolutely empty. Great paved picnic area and fire ring were nice accommodations. Located near a driveway down to the river."
"Located right at a driveway down to the river."
"This is the north part of San Angelo State Park. I camped here the last weekend of January. Other than being quite windy during the day, the weather was gorgeous."
"There was a Camping Cat walking thru with his dog and the owner! Bathroom was aged but fairly clean."
$10 / night
RangerI stayed here for a quick overnight. I came in at night so I didn't look around d too much but I found a spot right on the bank near the boat ramp and it worked fine. Not bad for 5 bucks..
GuideThis park is seldom used , I have stayed here twice they ask for $5 per night, all honor system . It is very quiet, and dark sky. Stars by the million. Both times I have seen two other campers. Maybe closest one was about 1/2 mile away from me.
GuideInteresting, you must check in at the South Entrance and they give you a padlock code for the North Entrance, which is 8 miles away. Lock and code worked well. Very few campers on a Monday in March. Camp site 2 is park of a 4plex of pull thru spots. $20 camping fee with $4 day pass. I don’t use utilities so no feedback on those connections. Site 2 has plenty of space, is on the riverbank, and has a straight shot up the hill to the shower/bathrooms. Not very clean but passable. Interweb seems adequate. Hot for me, 86 degrees in March. I did reservations and payment online while driving with no issues.
GuideSpent 1 night here, shared the loop with one other camper from WI. We had electric, there was water available but we were winterized since leaving from CO. The water coming out of the hookup was initially rusty then just had a bad odor. Don't know how long it had been idle. Water in the bathrooms was fine. The equestrian loop was just across the dry river bed. There was a Camping Cat walking thru with his dog and the owner! Bathroom was aged but fairly clean.
GuideStayed here one night, only saw one other person. Fairly quiet, some distant road noise in the morning. Sadly the river is SO low given the drought conditions. Bathrooms are aged but ok. We had electric but no water. $20 with a Texas state parks pass. The equestrian loop is just across the river and has pens and whatnot. Saw several bird species news to us!
GuidePros: Sites spaced apart, nice trail system, reasonably priced cabins. Cons: Literally only four showers in the South unit of the park. Two for men, two for women in two different buildings. Very inadequate. Lake is a reminder of climate change and drought.
GuidePerfect for a quick overnight stop. Easy late arrival and navigation to site. Men’s bathroom was heated and clean. Sites were well spread out.
ScoutThis camping experience truly exceeded my expectations. The campsite was clean, quiet, and offered expansive views. By day, it was a natural landscape, and by night, the starry sky stretched out before me, creating a very relaxing atmosphere. The campsite's planning and attention to detail were also excellent, ensuring that both novice and experienced campers could easily enjoy the entire experience. What's particularly interesting is that I used an AI Video Generator to create a short video documenting the camping trip: sunrise, campfire, tents, and smiling faces were seamlessly edited together, with just the right rhythm and atmosphere. Watching the video playback felt like being back at the campsite, perfectly preserving that feeling of slowing down and escaping the city.
TravelerCamping spots are large and mostly spread apart. This place shows its age but is maintained and clean. Nicely mowed around camp grounds. Lots of mesquite trees, prickly pear, and prairie grass. Windy and lake is low.
Camping near San Angelo, Texas centers around Lake Nasworthy and O.C. Fisher Lake. The region sits at approximately 1,900 feet elevation where the prairie meets desert terrain, creating an open landscape with minimal natural shade. Winter overnight temperatures frequently drop below freezing from November through February, while daytime summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F during June through August.
Wildlife viewing tours: San Angelo State Park offers opportunities to see deer, porcupines, foxes, and bison. "We saw tons of deer, porcupines, foxes, and bison of course. There are Javelina and Longhorns, but we didn't see them this weekend," notes one camper who visited during Labor Day weekend.
Mountain biking: Middle Concho Park has extensive trail systems suitable for various skill levels. A camper mentioned, "No showers or power. Does have public restrooms. Bring hammock, has plenty o trees." The park connects to several miles of shoreline trails.
Kayaking: Spring Creek Marina & RV Park provides lake access for paddling. "Enyoy the beauty of the lake, sunsets amazing. Staff is kind and friendly. Full hookup sites, spot are very bigs, have grill and picnic table," reports one visitor who appreciated the water recreation options.
Hiking: Bald Eagle Creek connects to an extensive trail network. "If you cross the dry creek bed into the horse campground you can access the extensive network of hiking, biking, and horse riding trails. The trails are well marked," reports a Thanksgiving visitor who found the campground less than half full.
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer substantial distance between neighbors. At Bald Eagle, campers appreciate the open setting: "We boondocked in a primitive site with our 36' RV. Clean, covered picnic table, plenty hiking and biking trails. If you can enjoy the desert, you will love this place!"
Covered picnic areas: Most developed sites include shade structures over tables. River Bend Camping Area receives positive feedback for these amenities: "Great paved picnic area and fire ring were nice accommodations. Located near a driveway down to the river."
Winter camping conditions: The mild winter days attract off-season visitors. One camper at Bald Eagle Creek reported: "I camped here the last weekend of January. Other than being quite windy during the day, the weather was gorgeous. Chilly at night with temperatures in the thirties but the days were sixties and seventies and sunny."
Swimming options: During summer months, pools provide relief from high temperatures. A visitor to San Angelo KOA appreciated this amenity: "It was super hot when we arrived and were pleased to find the crystal clear pool to cool off in. Doggies enjoyed the dog park."
Wind conditions: Strong gusts frequently sweep through the open terrain. A camper at Chaparral noted: "The lake seems low. I am pretty isolated at this end of the campground. It is very windy today. I bet this place is baking hot in the summertime. It is basically desert with out much shade."
Gate access procedures: Some campground areas require manually opening gates. At Bald Eagle Creek, "The only downside is that to drive into the campground you have to get out and remove a pad lock and manually open the gate."
Water level fluctuations: Lake levels vary significantly throughout the year. Middle Concho Park visitors noted changing fishing conditions: "Love the fishing here and it's quiet."
Bathroom facilities: Restroom quality varies between campgrounds. At Red Arroyo Campground, a visitor commented: "This place suffers from long term neglect. Peeling paint, broken trim. It's a beautiful place. Great views. Bison, long horn and tons of deer."
Playground access: Several campgrounds include play areas for children. Bald Eagle Creek offers this amenity: "The sites in the Bald Eagle loop are spacious, many have covered picnic tables, a few trees, and there is a playground."
Wildlife feeding schedules: Plan visits around animal viewing opportunities. Spring Creek Marina & RV Park receives praise from families: "Very clean, quiet campground. My daughter loved feeding the deer. We look forward to returning soon!"
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience more after-hours activity than others. A Spring Creek visitor cautioned: "Great time and fun time but people can be loud all night."
Seasonal activity planning: Summer heat limits outdoor options during daytime hours. As one Goodfellow AFB Recreation Area visitor noted: "During the summer months they rent boats and have a little store on site. I'll definitely go back when I'm passing through."
Site selection strategy: Level spots with shade are premium during summer months. An RV camper at Red Arroyo shared: "Super friendly staff that put me in a great spot. It has a wonderful covered pic nic table surrounded by three smallnoak trees. The site has 2 fire pits with cooking grates as well as a traditional bbq."
Utility reliability: Power fluctuations can occur during extreme weather. An RVer staying at Spring Creek Marina during a winter storm reported: "We were using this as a stop over/mid point in Texas and it happen to be during the crazy article blast that crippled the state. The family who owns and operates the campground were absolutely amazing during rolling black outs."
Navigation challenges: Some areas have poor directional signage. A Red Arroyo Campground visitor noted: "Very clear instructions on the voicemail for after hours check in. Signs directing you to the campsites were minimal (ex: instead of 'red arroyo campsites 1-11' it said 'trailer 1-11.'"
RV access roads: Most campgrounds accommodate large rigs, but some areas require careful navigation. A visitor to San Angelo KOA mentioned: "Trail nearby and running up the hill gives you a great view of the surroundings. Would definitely stay there again if we happen to be passing through!"
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best camping spots at San Angelo State Park?
San Angelo State Park offers several excellent camping areas with unique features. Red Arroyo — San Angelo State Park is highly recommended for its spacious sites with covered picnic tables, multiple fire pits with cooking grates, and beautiful lake views. The campground provides large, well-spaced sites ideal for privacy despite limited tree cover. Another excellent option is River Bend Camping Area — San Angelo State Park, which offers scenic views and access to the river. The park provides opportunities for hiking, mountain biking (particularly good trails but best enjoyed in cooler months), and wildlife viewing with bison and longhorn cattle. Most campsites feature amenities like picnic tables with shade awnings, fire rings, and grill areas, making for comfortable stays year-round.
What RV parks are available in San Angelo, Texas?
San Angelo offers several RV accommodation options to suit different preferences. San Angelo KOA provides full-service amenities in a convenient location with hookups and typical KOA facilities. For those seeking a more natural setting with RV amenities, Concho Park - O.H. Ivie Reservoir offers electric and water hookups in a quiet, open environment with wildlife viewing opportunities and a dump station near the front by the gas station and store. Alternative options include Spring Creek Marina & RV Park for water access and Concho Pearl RV Estates for longer stays. Most RV parks in the area accommodate big rigs and offer at least partial hookups, with varying levels of amenities.
Are there good camping options near San Angelo Lake?
Yes, there are several good camping options around San Angelo Lake (O.C. Fisher Reservoir). Bald Eagle Creek in the northern section of San Angelo State Park offers peaceful camping with pleasant winter temperatures reaching the 60s-70s during the day. For those seeking alternatives, Middle Concho Park provides drive-in and boat-in access with toilet facilities and big-rig-friendly spaces. The lake offers fishing and kayaking opportunities, with some campers reporting they've paddled the entire lake in a few hours. Water levels can vary seasonally, so it's advisable to check conditions before planning water activities. The surrounding landscape is characterized by prairie and desert ecosystems, offering unique views but limited natural shade.
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