By:
Submission
The park is reached by taking U.S. Highway 90 west out of Uvalde, then taking Ranch Road 674 north of Brackettville for 22 miles. Look for signs on the highway. The gate is 0.25 miles past the Edwards County line on the west side of the highway. More detailed directions may be obtained when visitors call to make reservations.
I was planning to attend Kickapoo Cave Tour but it was fully booked. Nice campground and really quiet state park. We had the darkest and clearest night sky among we've ever camped in Texas. Shower/bathroom was clean and well-maintained. Headquarter offers a dissecting microscope with a TV monitor which allows kids to explore all the artifacts, fossils, specimen in detail. Firewood and ice pack are conveniently available with honor system and donation. Stuart bat cave had a nice bat evening fly out. This is a secluded state park allowing you to totally get away from urban life.
Great park facility and staff. Excellent hiking.
Return visit. Variety of trails, tons of birds. Weather was in the 40s at night and unheated shower house was kinda chilly. I did ask for the heat to be turned on, but no results.
Great park! Beautiful trails filled with interesting insects, plants, birds, bats, and other wildlife. This park had the cleanest trails and campground I had ever experienced. Very friendly park rangers who would stop by for a quick chat and make sure you and your family are doing well and able to answer any question regarding the park.
Things to note before arriving. This site is a no trash site, meaning all trash must leave with you, there are no dumpsters on site; Cellphone service can be non-existent for some carriers, in my case about a half hour before arriving was the last time I had service, this was perfect for our disconnected weekend; Also a half hour out is the closest place to get gas and last minute items or things forgotten; there are less than 20 camping spots making it like you have the trail to yourself; the park is only open Friday to Monday; and last thing to note is Cave tours are scheduled way in advance for 10 people on Saturdays.
Awesome state park! I can never get a cave tour since you have to book well in advance. Clean, not trashy, friendly park staff. They have ice available for a donation…couple of bucks. If you’re staying more than one day and will need ice for the next day, let them know so they can prepare extra bags of ice. 10 lbs bags.
If you can make it to the summit of some the trails do so, the views are beautiful.
Poor cell service, poor tv/radio reception. Free Wi-Fi at park office that occasionally reaches to the camp sites, some cell service at Stuart Bat Cave and of course at the overlooks on the tops of the hills/mountains. We were the only campers at the park on one night, no staff. Total peace and quiet. If you’re not used to being alone in the middle of nowhere, it can be a little creepy/scary, especially with all the strange noises you hear at night. Never felt we were in danger. Frequent daytime/evening patrols (at least the days we have stayed at the park) by Sheriff’s Office, Park Rangers and DPS.
Nighttime views are beautiful if you have a clear sky. Absolutely no light pollution obstructing anything.
RV campsites have electric & water and tent camping also allowed at those sites. Tent campsites only have water. RV campsites have trees and vegetation that make for a natural wall to separate you from your neighbor as opposed to other state parks where sometimes you’re just a few feet away from your neighbor or feel packed in.
My new favorite spot to get away from everything. Worth the drive.
DON’T speed on FM 674 going/leaving the park. You will get pulled over by DPS. They were frequently parked on the roadside along the way…at least during my trips out there. Friendly/cool guys.
The nearest town is Brackettville…about a 30 min drive to/from the park. Has a small grocery store where you can get most of what you need for a picnic or if you forgot to bring something with you for your campsite.
There are no trash cans/dumpsters at the park. You must take everything out with you that you bring.
WORTH THE DRIVE! *Make cave tour reservations well in advance!!* Regarding cave tour KNOW THESE AHEAD OF TIME….. NOT for the disabled. Not a commercialized cave with smooth paths- it’s all rocky and lots of climbing/maneuvering involved. Cave tour is 2.5-3 hours long and no bathroom at cave site (they make a last potty stop on drive out …bathrooms are nice and clean and there’s a shower available inside each) Only 10 people allowed per tour which is at 1:00 on Saturdays and don’t be late- they leave right at 1, putting everyone in a state park shuttle to the site. Bring a flashlight for tour. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and good shoes for climbing over rocks. Bring water-they don’t provide any on tour. Hopefully you’ll have park ranger Matt as your cave tour guide- he was informative, personable and fun. State park personnel were friendly and helpful. Headquarters had activities for children. Camp sites looked tidy. Stuart Bat Cave access is wheelchair friendly. (Aug 2023- very little bat activity due to heat and drought) Closest towns are 30 min drive either way and there is nothing between the park and towns except beautiful land. A great place to completely escape all things urban and truly unplug.
