Campgrounds and RV parks near Stockdale, TX

Water is the main draw. The San Marcos and Guadalupe Rivers are both within a short drive, offering paddling, tubing, swimming, and bank fishing. Palmetto State Park has short, easy gravel trails through a distinctive dwarf-palmetto wetland, plus a four-acre oxbow lake for paddling and fishing that works well for families with younger kids. The park is also part of the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, with more than 240 species recorded. San Antonio is close enough for a day trip. The River Walk, the Alamo, and the missions along the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park are all within an hour's drive. Closer to home, Gonzales offers Texas Revolution history, and the small towns along US 87 have local barbecue, feed stores, and weekend farmers' markets.

Spring and fall are the strongest windows for RV travel here. From mid-March through May, daytime highs run in the mid-70s to mid-80s, wildflowers including bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush color the roadsides, and the rivers are running well. This is also a busy booking period for Palmetto State Park, and Texas Parks and Wildlife recommends reserving overnight sites at least two to three weeks ahead from March through November. Summer is hot and humid, with July and August highs commonly reaching the mid-90s and heat indexes higher. Shaded, hookup sites with 50-amp service become important, and river campgrounds fill on weekends. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, and tropical systems from the Gulf can bring heavy rain from August through October. Winters are mild but variable. Highs are typically in the low 60s, freezes are brief, and hard freezes serious enough to affect RV plumbing happen only a few times per season. Winter is the quietest time on the reservation calendar.

Most private parks around Stockdale are working RV parks rather than resort destinations. Expect gravel or grass pads, full hookups with 30 and 50 amp service at most sites, on-site laundry, and a mix of long-term residents and travelers. Shade varies, so it is worth asking about tree cover when booking in summer. Palmetto State Park offers sites with water and electric hookups, restrooms with showers, and a dump station. The park is prone to flooding on the San Marcos River during heavy rain, and access can be affected when water is high. Biting insects are a factor from late spring through fall, especially near the rivers. Bring repellent, watch for fire ants in grassy sites, and note that some private parks have breed or size restrictions for dogs.