Cabin camping near San Angelo, Texas offers year-round options with varying accessibility based on military status and reservation requirements. Located in west Texas where prairie meets desert terrain, the area experiences extreme temperature fluctuations with summer highs exceeding 100°F and winter lows occasionally reaching freezing. Several campgrounds provide rental cabins as alternatives to tent or RV camping, with most requiring advance reservations.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: San Angelo State Park provides access to O.C. Fisher Lake, though water levels have significantly decreased in recent years. "I kayaked the entire thing and it took a few hours. The lake has fish in it if you have a boat," notes a visitor at Red Arroyo — San Angelo State Park.
Wildlife viewing: Several parks offer excellent opportunities to observe local fauna. "We saw tons of deer, porcupines, foxes, and bison of course. There are Javelina and Longhorns, but we didn't see them this weekend," reports a camper at Red Arroyo.
Hiking and biking: Trail systems vary between campgrounds with San Angelo State Park featuring approximately 50 miles of trails. "This campground had sites all over the place from rustic to hook-ups. Big Sky and many trails," according to a review of Red Arroyo. Spring Creek Marina & RV Park offers "nice place for walking and biking" according to a recent visitor.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many cabins and camping areas offer ample space between sites. At Red Arroyo, "Sites are huge and spaced out well. Not much privacy, but that's because it's basically prairie land," explains one camper.
Wildlife encounters: Deer are common at several parks, with Spring Creek Marina & RV Park being particularly notable. "Very clean, quiet campground. My daughter loved feeding the deer. We look forward to returning soon!" shares a visitor.
Ranger programs: Some parks offer scheduled wildlife viewing opportunities. At San Angelo State Park, "on Saturday and Wednesday mornings, the rangers do supplemental feeding of the bison and longhorn cattle herds, bringing them right up to the fence for visitors to see," according to a camper.
What you should know
Extreme weather conditions: The region experiences intense heat in summer and occasional severe cold in winter. A visitor at Goodfellow AFB Recreation Area noted they "were using this as a stop over/mid point in Texas and it happen to be during the crazy arctic blast that crippled the state."
Wind exposure: The prairie landscape offers limited wind protection for cabins and campsites. "One thing we noticed is that when the wind gets going here it really blows hard, so be prepared to take care of anything that might need to be held down," warns a Red Arroyo camper.
Water access varies: Lake levels fluctuate significantly, affecting water recreation options. According to a ranger at San Angelo State Park, "the lake is at about 6-8% of its glory days. The place is filled with boat ramps to nowhere."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: During hot months, pool access is valuable. San Angelo KOA provides "crystal clear pool to cool off in" according to a summer visitor, making it a good option for cabin stays with children.
Playground access: Some parks offer dedicated play areas near cabin accommodations. Goodfellow AFB Recreation Area provides "plenty of options with the recreation center, pool, and playground. Lots of open space right on the lake."
Night sky viewing: While not completely dark due to light pollution, the open prairie landscape allows for stargazing. "The night sky is decent because it's so wide open, unfortunately, it's not as dark as we had hoped because of the lights from nearby San Angelo," notes a camper.
Tips from RVers
Check bathroom facilities: Bathroom quality varies significantly between parks. At Red Arroyo Campground, "This place suffers from long term neglect. Peeling paint, broken trim," while at Goodfellow AFB Recreation Area, visitors appreciated "Hot showers with great pressure! Definitely a plus!"
Supply availability: On-site stores have limited inventory. At San Angelo KOA, the "Camp store had a 50 to 30 amp converter we needed for later in the trip," but selection is typically basic.
Reservation systems: Military-affiliated parks have specific booking requirements. For Goodfellow AFB cabins, a visitor advises: "Make sure to confirm location when you reserve. It's several miles away from base. Reservations and military required."
