Cabin camping options near San Felipe, Texas provide campers with proximity to the Brazos River and several state parks in the region. Sites range from basic campground cabins to lodging with modern amenities like air conditioning. Most cabin locations offer direct access to hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and wildlife viewing within a 30-mile radius of San Felipe. The area maintains moderate temperatures in spring and fall, with summer humidity making shade structures and water access particularly valuable.
What to do
Wildlife viewing trails: 5 miles of trails at Lake Somerville State Park provide opportunities to spot deer and other wildlife. One camper noted, "We saw an abundance of deer and bunnies, plus we were able to listen in on a conversation between a very large owl who had taken up residence in one of the trees by our site."
Astronomy sessions: The George Observatory at Brazos Bend State Park offers weekend stargazing programs year-round. As one visitor shared, "The best part of this park is the observatory, which has special events and regular weekend hours pretty much all year. It's absolutely worth staying up late for this!"
Fishing access: Multiple sites at Thousand Trails Colorado River offer riverside camping with boat launch access. A camper reported, "Right on the Colorado river plus two ponds to fish in. Lots of places to walk or ride your bikes."
What campers like
Spacious sites with screening: Campsites at Stephen F. Austin State Park provide good separation between neighbors in most areas. A recent visitor mentioned, "Good spacing between most sites, but no privacy from neighbor sites. Quiet campsite. No highway noise. Train whistle in distant."
**Natural swimming areas: Lake access points provide cooling options during hot months without the waterpark crowds. According to a camper at Oak Thicket Park, "The water stays warm due to the power plant, good fishing and kayaking but wind picks up often. RV spots are nice, there are 2 water front spots that are worth the extra cost."
**Modern bathhouses: Recently renovated facilities enhance the rustic camping experience. A Stephen F. Austin State Park visitor reported, "A brand new toilet/shower facility opened in early November 2020 in this FHU campground that includes 2 family restrooms."
What you should know
**Cell service variability: Signal strength ranges from excellent to nonexistent depending on your carrier and specific campsite location. A camper at Stephen F. Austin State Park noted, "AT&T 1 bar signal."
**Wind exposure considerations: Campsites on peninsulas or open areas can experience significant wind. A visitor to Splashway Campground advised, "It can get pretty windy if you book a slot down lower at the tip of the peninsula, but they will let you swap spaces whenever you want to if there is something available."
**Limited shade at some sites: Particularly important during summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F. One camper at Lake Somerville State Park observed, "Just be aware if your going with a group, the big sites do not have much shade."
Tips for camping with families
**Off-season booking: Fall and winter weekends offer smaller crowds and cooler temperatures but retain access to most amenities. A Brazos Bend State Park visitor mentioned, "We stayed for a total of 4 nights in tents! We chose site 72 and it worked really well."
**Site selection priorities: Choose locations with bathroom proximity for younger children. One parent advised, "Also if you have kids or a small bladder get a site close to the bathrooms otherwise it could be little walk from one of the other sites because of the way they are spaced out."
**Insect preparedness: Bring mosquito protection particularly for evening activities. A camper reported, "Typically, and as expected, gnats were really bad at night, but mosquitos were tolerable. Just be prepared and you'll be fine."
Tips from RVers
**Road access challenges: Construction on I-10 can impact navigation to several campgrounds in the area. A visitor warned, "Due to Interstate 10 construction, the eastbound exit for San Felipe is closed so the navigation system took us further East and then backtracked on some horrible condition rural roads."
**Power management: Many campgrounds offer 50-amp service but may have limited sites with full hookups. According to a Thousand Trails Colorado River camper, "Was a bit disappointed as when booking through TT website, it said full hook ups when we arrived, only Water and Electric were available."
**Leveling requirements: Some campsites require significant side-to-side leveling. A reviewer noted, "The site required leveling side-to-side. Quiet campsite."
