Looking for a safe getaway in this new pandemic world? The San Angelo State Park is a great place to explore while you maintain social distancing. On a trip last year in late fall we enjoyed two days exploring the park’s 7,500-plus acres available to visitors. We loved the park – and, the city of San Angelo is just a stone’s throw away!
Our trip was not just a normal camping experience, but most State Parks in Texas are anything but that nowadays!

This was the first time for us to stay in the simple lodging that we reserved online (due to the pandemic.) We loved the price and the cabin! In Eddy’s opinion, lodging should be inexpensive since all one does is sleep in the room! The rustic cabin featured a full bed and two twin bunk beds (with sheets) in two sizeable rooms, a refrigerator, an air conditioning unit, a microwave and a trashcan. There was no plumbing inside the cabin, but the public restrooms and shower facilities were close, functional and clean.
No open fires were allowed at that time, so it made our decision for takeout at the local eateries an easy one. San Angelo is just a stone’s throw from the park. Instead of s’mores we opted for fast food at the picnic table in front of our cabin with a panoramic view of O.C. Fisher Reservior.
During our time spent biking and hiking through the park, we observed many of the area’s wildlife and insects. Tarantulas, wolf spiders, ground squirrels, buzzards, deer, a fox, a herd of longhorns and picture-perfect bison! San Angelo State Park is home to a small herd of American Bison and part of the Official Texas State Longhorn Herd.
American Bison Tarantula
We kayaked on O.C. Fisher Reservoir to the dam and beached several times to explore the interesting areas around the lake. There’s no doubt the beauty of the lake and the surrounding acreage keeps the Park packed during peak season. The walking path along the dam was being utilized by the State Park’s neighbors along with us.
Evening at the lake. O.C. Fisher Reservoir Dam
On our bikes we enjoyed the paved roads on the west side of the park along with two hiking/ biking trails. The park is divided into two camping areas and we wanted to bike to the other part but, after driving the distance we decided Christy’s calves couldn’t take the burn!
Our hiking sticks led us on the Chaparral and Roadrunner Trails, two of the park’s longest hiking trails. Both offer spectacular views. Eddy always remarks about the landscape and what the Native Americans might have thought of the rolling terrain; he spotted signs indicating they had a presence in the area.
On the hiking trail! Bicycling around the park.
In San Angelo we enjoyed the Concho River Walk’s art installations and perused the International Waterlily Collection. Although we didn’t make it there on this trip, Fort Concho National Historic Landmark is a “must see” in San Angelo.
A mosaic pickup in the Bosque on the River, Riverwalk. The International Waterlily Park near downtown San Angelo. The beauty of an individual waterlily. Eddie and Christine on the Concho River Walk.
By far, our favorite site on this getaway was San Angelo State Park. The beauty of the Park is breathtaking and just what we needed in this pandemic summer. This state park in West Texas provided some spectacular sunrises and sunsets that we enjoyed from our front porch while taking in the calm and scenic beauty that surrounded us.

Discover San Angelo
discoversanangelo.com
San Angelo State Park
362 S. FM 2288
San Angelo, TX TX 76901
(325) 949-4757
SanAngeloSP@tpwd.texas.
https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/san-angelo
The Park often reaches capacity, so reservations are highly recommended. For reservations, call (512) 389-8900 or make online reservations at:
tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/park-reservation-information/reservations.
San Angelo State Park opened in 1995 and encompasses 7,677 acres on the shores of the O.C. Fisher Reservoir. Visitors can camp, hike, bike, ride horses (must bring your own horses) and geocache; plus fish, swim, boat and paddle on the lake and river. An added bonus is that the Park is home to a small herd of bison and part of the Official State Longhorn Herd.
Campers can choose from campsites with water and electricity or primitive drive-up or backpack sites. For those who prefer a roof overhead, reserve a rustic log cabin with restrooms nearby or, a group bunkhouse that sleeps six and has a kitchen, restroom and living area.
Read more about San Angelo – The Lady in Blue on page 28 of the Winter 2018 issue; and as a Music Friendly Community on page 58 in the Fall 2019 issue.
Meet Eddy and Christine!
Eddy Parker is a Comanche native; he studied Career and Technical Education at Wayland Baptist University and for the past 17 years has been – and is – an Automotive and Robotics Instructor at Comanche High School. Eddy has three children and five grandkids and is engaged to his travel partner Christine. He is president of the Comanche County Car Club and the Comanche Noon Lions Club and is also a member of SkillsUSA Texas and Texas Industrial Vocational Association. His hobbies are numerous and include classic cars, radio control airplanes, traveling and studying science.
Christine Perkins is a graphic designer at The Comanche Chief. She earned her degree in Agriculture with a minor in Journalism at Tarleton where she was the editor of the Tarleton State University Yearbook. At one time she had the cutest culinary gift store called Flavors of Comanche in historic downtown Comanche. Later, she was the director of the Comanche Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture. Her best creations are her children Yancy Tandy and Autry Gene. She is engaged to an amazing travel partner Eddy Parker. In this pandemic she has learned her favorite hobbies are shopping, eating out and going to the movies!
