Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Brownwood, TX

Great spot for a quick overnight! All hookups worked great, and they're on city water and sewer. The dog park was enormous, and Goldthwaite is a charming town with plenty to do if you look. They have ice, a general store with RV parts, a library, game room, and propane tank refilling. Can't speak highly enough about Greg and Josh, who run the park. Excellent customer service. They said the owners are installing playground equipment and a hot tub soon, so that will make our next trip even better! Best thing was the price. For $35 and electricity and Wi-Fi included, there's not a better value in the county.

I would rate this park 3.5 out of 5 stars. The park has a variety of facilities which earns it a 4 star rating. But the quality of the facilities only earns it a 3 star rating. So it averages out to 3.5 in my opinion.

Lake Brownwood State Park is pretty much located in the center of Texas. However, it is a bit of a drive from many of the major cities like Houston, San Antonio, Austin and Dallas. It is fairly convenient to reach from Abilene and San Angelo. If you need to pick up camping supplies there are grocery stores and sporting good stores in the nearby town of Brownwood.

The main attraction of the park is that it is situated on the shores of Lake Brownwood. There are ample opportunities to take advantage of lakeside activities like swimming, boating and fishing. There are a variety of camping options with tent sites, cabana sites and RV sites. At most of the sites there are nice oak trees that provide shade and can support a hammock. Note that Texas State Parks require 2 inch suspension straps when hanging a hammock. There are boat ramps, fishing piers and a loop hiking trail. The hiking trail is a loop trail, fairly level, but I would say moderately interesting. The real attraction of this park is the lake.

Some of the facilities such as the restrooms and the cabanas are a bit dated and could benefit from an update. The staff was very friendly when I visited. And the other campers were respectful.

I would like to say that I visited the park during a weekday when the park had few visitors. However, I've heard that on the weekend the park fills up quickly and can be quite busy.

We stayed here in May ‘21 when passing through Brady. The owners were extremely friendly and helpful. The site we had preselected online was booked, so we were put in another pull through site that had some nice shade. There were some stray cats in the park that kept trying to get into our trailer whenever we’d open the door. Most of the folks there seemed to be permanent residents, only 1 or 2 others seemed like they were passing through like us.

Enjoyed our time at Lake Brownwood SP! Stayed at Campsite 50. It was close to the restrooms, but it was a private site. Hiked the Lakeside Trail and the lake was perfect for our kayaks!

This park is a gem. Located on the shores of Lake Brownwood. It’s a civilian conservation Corp park and has many wonderful pavilions and guest halls and guest houses for rent. Fishing, boating, hiking. Something for everyone!

Lake Brownwood area is full of trees, nice lake for boating, fishing and jet skis. The state park sits on a pretty cove of the lake. Sites 50,51 offer privacy and are close the bathroom/showers....not too close. You can see the water, but aren’t lakefront. Typical state park amenities. Sites have fire ring and picnic tables.

Sites 57-65 are right on the water, but are packed in side by side. We loved site 50.

Lake Brownwood State Park. We had a great time over here, not the biggest park but still very enjoyable we rode our bikes a lot there are a 3 miles bicycles, trail plus a hiking trail, and a few small trails around the park. The RV sites are not very private but still, it was a good time, because of the rain the previous nights we were able to do a fire finally. It seems like a good place for fishing there were plenty of people doing that also.

The remarkable area of this park lies not in it's campground loop. The loop is pretty, lovely even, and it looks like a lot of other campgrounds on a beautiful lake. But take a walk along the lakeshore trail and see the cabins, dance hall, and steps constructed by the CCC and you'll be transported back in time. In 8.5 years on the road, I've never been more tempted to go inside than by these simple, lovely, stone structures.  Just a bed, small kitchen, table, and a bathroom complete with vintage rustic decor, and that's all you'll think you ever need.  So adorable!

But this is a campground review so let's get back to it. The campground seems like the perfect bustling summertime holiday vacation spot. It's set up more like a city park with lots of open space and grass, than individual sites carved out of the woods. Walking around during winter, you can imagine the families gathering at the water, renting stand-up paddle boards, playing volleyball, or chasing a frisbee into the water. It has a reputation for being a place where families gather year after year, and I can see why. There are electrical/water sites as well as tent only sites right by the water, which really have the best location in the park. The bathroom is a little dated, but functional and clean with hot showers. 

Brownwood is within a 20 minute drive and has all the services of a modern suburban city. There are several trails throughout the park, but getting out on the water seems to be the focus of this park.

This camp ground was atrocious and we left several days early. Site#2 had a profound odor of sewage coming from the restroom. The restrooms were dirty and several faucets were broken and leaking. Flies were swarming everywhere from trashcans and trach bins that did not have properly fitting lids. People outside the park have dogs that bark ALL NIGHT LONG, and that is no exaggeration. If you are in a tent you will get NO SLEEP. We had a next-door-neighbor in site#3 who showed up and immediately began to start a fire even though there was a burn ban in effect. We called the front desk to inquire if perhaps the burn ban had been lifted and were told no, and that the camp staff would come to take care of this. The camp staff did come by, only to actually laugh and joke with the people in site 3, who stopped their fire, but then continued to have the open pit fire after she left. These same people also allowed their dog to run loose with no leash. The next day these people left their dog in their camper while all of them drove off and exited the park around 11:30 a.m. They left the windows of the camper down and the dog barked for 2.5 hours. We called the camp staff again after the first 30 minutes of solid barking, and the woman who answered actually stated,"I don't know what I can do about that, as we have never had anyone complain about a loud dog before." During this time we heard repeated gun shots close by the park perimeter, and then we heard one round actually whiz over our head. So that was enough for us, and we left at 2:30 p.m., two nights early. NEVER AGAIN. We will NEVER stay at at COE campsite again. They are filthy, dirty, UNSAFE and the staff absolutely do not care about your enjoyment or safety, nor do they follow county ordinances. We will be informing the Corps of Engineers office about this visit, so perhaps the staff can be properly reprimanded. This review will be posted EVERYWHERE that Sowell Creek Park has an internet presence.

Beach camping on South Padre Island (NOT to be confused with camping in one of the several campgrounds and resorts located ON South Padre Island) is free/fee camping (depending on time of year) available and unrestricted on the gulf side of the island, from Beach Access #5 and Beach Access #6, to any point north. There are about 24 miles of beach from Beach Access #6 to the northern terminus of the island at the Port Mansfield Channel (aka East Cut or North Jetties). This is a popular fishing destination. Depending on the recent weather and the beach condition, usually the first 3-5 miles of the beach are accessible by 2 wheel drive, trailers, campers, etc. North of that, the sand is less packed and generally requires 4x4 to access. In the days after hurricane Harvey I was actually able to drive all 24 miles in 2 wheel drive because the storm surge had leveled and packed down the beach, but that is extremely rare. Count on needing 4x4 if planning to camp north of the first few miles. Why go that far? During the on-season especially, and many weekends in the off-season, there are many people at the beach also camping, barbecueing, etc, and for the camper that enjoys a more secluded and wild experience, going just a few miles north gets you away from the crowds, and you can find your own stretch of beach to set up and enjoy nature.

Do not confuse South Padre Island with the Padre Island National Seashore - South Beach. Padre Island National Seashore is only accessible from Corpus Cristi, and has no direct access from South Padre Island because of the Port Mansfield Channel.

In addition to the normal stuff, always take a shovel and extra water. I have started taking traction boards, I have never had reason to use them myself, but every time I go I end up helping someone who is stuck, and since I have started carrying traction boards I rarely have to use my recovery strap.

It’s not hard to keep from getting stuck though - air down your tires, don’t stop moving when you start to bog down, know the limits of your vehicle, and try to stay on packed sand. DO NOT drive up on the dunes. This is illegal, even if you see others doing it. Also be aware of and watch for sea turtles and their nests, and report any you see and the closest mile marker.

Don’t forget to air back up to normal tire pressure once you’re back on the road or at the first service station in town just south.

Bugs come out in force for a short period as the sun sets if the breeze dies down in the summer, but this usually only lasts for about 30-45 minutes until the night breeze picks up from the gulf and sends them back into hiding. Depending on the time of year, it can get VERY windy at the island, especially there at the north end, so check conditions before you go.

Wildlife I have seen camping out there: Dolphins, Seabirds, Crabs (especially fun to find at night with a flashlight), Nilgai (an Asian Antelope that now lives wild in south Texas), Sting Rays, and Sea Turtles. I have seen the tracks of Coyotes, Jack Rabbits, Snakes, mice, and Lizards. There have also been sightings of Foxes, Deer, and very rarely, Bobcat. It’s very safe, but as mentioned above, keep your pets with you. This is common sense when camping anyway.

Campfires and bonfires are allowed, but you must pack in and out your own wood. Make sure to dig a hole, be aware of the wind, and most importantly, make sure the coals are completely put out with water and any logs are removed from the hole before completely covering the area back up when you’re done. Hot coals buried under sand remain hot for hours, and can significantly burn someone that steps on the spot later. Additionally logs left under the surface are a hazard to other vehicles.

When the fee booth is open, it is $12 entry, and they give you a trash bag. If you bring back the trash bag with trash and receipt before 7pm, they refund you $2. This is irrelevant if staying overnight, since they don’t redeem for prior days. Military and Veterans are $6 to enter with ID. In the off season the fee booth is closed and access is free.

There are (outdoor beach style) showers and restrooms at Beach Access #5, at the newly built E.K. Atwood Park, and a large dumpster at both exits. No hookups or dump sites though, until you get back to the city of South Padre Island.

If you drive all the way north to the Channel, there is a trail that turns left and crosses the dunes, following the channel most of the way west across the island before entering restricted Laguna Atascosa NWA land (vehicle traffic is barred, and fines are heavy) and the track disappears beyond that in tidal flats. This area is more specifically what is referred to as the east cut, and while there is an awesome hidden camping site that is second to none, access is tricky, and it is VERY remote. These tidal flats have been the end of many trips, and are known as the 4x4 graveyard. They appear dry on the surface, and have thick watery silt and mud underneath. Once you’re stuck, water begins to fill in from the surrounding ground and it’s extremely difficult to self recover. Cell signal from a few miles north of the access is spotty or non-existent as well. Tow trucks do service even this far north, but the bill is usually $600-$1000+. Not worth it. If you’re going to go, be sure to be traveling in a group of more than one 4x4 high clearance vehicle, and the skills and equipment to self-recover. Stay on the path, and don’t trust how dry the ground make look off the path (except for the area immediately next to the Jetties, where you will want to camp).

That’s a book, but hopefully it’s enough to get started. Have fun and embrace the wild of it (take a portable toilet) and if you’re like me, you’ll become addicted and go back every chance you get for the opportunity to wake up to the sound of the waves, seabirds, and feeling of sand in your toes.

Keep in mind normal primitive camping rules, pack in and pack out everything, and leave the beach looking nicer than when you arrived, and we will continue to have this resource for years to come.

This is a very quiet and open campground. We saw lots of deer every night. This area of Texas is hot and dry and the landscape reflects that. We had electric and water (slow flow). There is a dump station at the front near the gas station and the store. Most people are here to catch giant fish in Lake OH Ivie.

General: Approximately 140 sites (plus 12 cabins) spread out all around Hords Creek Lake in two areas: Lakeside Park and Flat Rock Park. According to the map, two of the four gatehouses are closed – not sure if this is a permanent closure (and don’t know if these campsites are also closed). There was no attendant at the gate when we arrived.

Site Quality: Paved/gravel driveways, some are pull-through, some have sewer hookups, and some have 50 amp electric. A bonus for us that we did not know when we reserved is that several sites have screened-in shelters with electricity and a generous-sized concrete picnic table. There are many trees throughout the campground and although we didn’t need the shade when we were there, I imagine it would be nice during the hot summer. There is also a fire ring but there was a strict fire ban when we were there (In fact, there was a large wildfire about 8 miles from the campground and we had been warned to stay ready to evacuate if the wind changed direction).

Bathhouse: There seem to be more than adequate bathhouses located throughout, however, the one closest to our site was small and somewhat inadequate: one shower, one sink, and two toilets. If the campground was completely full, this may pose a problem. There was no hot water, even in the shower and the shower door did not have a latch for privacy. Also, no hooks or shelves, or soap dispensers. Make sure you bring a towel if you do not want to use the air dryer. 

Activities/Amenities: There are several boat ramps, fishing docks, and swimming areas at different points of the lake. There was a nice, covered playground in the Lakeside Park campground. It is a bit of a hike to the dumpsters. 

This was an overnight stay for us as we continued to travel through Texas, but we appreciated some of the amenities offered at this campground

It was a rainy weekend but enjoyable. Some nice trails along the lake. Got a tour of the group barracks. Sun finally came out on the last day enough for me to kayak. I was the only one out on the lake.

It is friendly, clean neat, well kept, the bathroom s have hot water to shower, and the landscape is peaceful

1. Take plenty of water, Insect repellent, and sunscreen with you if you decided to bike the Nopales Ridge Trail in the middle of June. Note that there are several areas along the trail where you may need to carry your bike.
2. There are air conditioned cabins available, many with lakeviews.
3. There are at least two floating piers (with lights!) and one wooden fishing pier (with lights!).
4. The park has many trees and is beautifully maintained.
5. The public facilities (restrooms, showers, picnic areas) were clean and usable. Toilets flushed, TP was available, there was cold AND hot water, overhead lights worked, mirrors above sinks were usable
6. It is well worth the time to visit the beautiful and elegant CCC Lodge.
7. Black ants rule the park. Plan accordingly.

very nice place. great place for fishing swimming camping and boating. super nice personnel. very nice and clean showers and restrooms.

We have been renting cabins here for years. Each cabin is rustic and unique. There are tons of easy trails and shore access. It has great fishing areas, bridges, and stone structures to explore as well.