camping awards

3 parks near San Antonio win awards for best U.S. campgrounds in 2025

Hidden Valley RV Park in Von Ormy is one of the best mid-size campgrounds, according to the report.

Hidden Valley RV Park/hiddenvalleyrvpark.com

Camping season has begun in the Lone Star State, and San Antonio has access to some of the best options. Hidden Valley RV Park in Von Ormy and Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Fredericksburg and Kerrville have earned new recognition as must-visit destinations in the just-released 2025 Campspot Awards.

Award-winning parks are chosen based on campground search platform Campspot's "comprehensive evaluation" to determine the best parks that offer the most memorable experiences.

Five Texas parks earned accolades this year, with Hidden Valley RV Park earning an award in the category for "Top Mid-Size Campgrounds."

The park is located about 14 miles southwest of downtown San Antonio, with Campspot showing 76 available RV sites available for campers. The park has many amenities, including a general store, laundry facilities, showers, bathrooms, a pavilion, and more.

According to its profile, Campspot says Hidden Valley feels like it's much farther away from San Antonio than it is, tucked away in a "quiet country setting."

"Park your RV for a night, week, or month and enjoy the art, culture, and history that San Antonio has to offer," the profile says. "Onsite, enjoy a private creek for fishing, walking trails, bird and wildlife viewing, planned events, and more."

Reviews for the park praise its peaceful atmosphere, its bountiful fishing opportunities, and its overall cleanliness. One reviewer specifically appreciated the large dog park and friendly staff members.

"The park is beautiful! Large, green spots - some by the creek," the review says. "Conveniently located to get into downtown San Antonio. It was only about a 20 [minute] drive to everything we wanted to do. We had great WiFi up near the office. The dog park is enormous and full of toys for your furry friends. The staff was very nice and stayed late to make sure we got into our spot."

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Fredericksburg, located 70 miles north of San Antonio, topped the list as the No. 1 top campground in the U.S. for 2025. It also won an award as one of the top campgrounds for RVs, specifically.

Campspot says Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park is one of the best family-friendly parks in the heart of Texas Wine Country.

"Whether you are looking for a family vacation spot or a place to stay while visiting the area's beautiful wineries, they offer accommodations and amenities to fit your needs," the park's profile says. "Take a dip in the pool, relax at Blue Bonnet Hall, or grab friends for a game of mini-golf! Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort at Fredericksburg, Texas has something for everyone!"

Take a dip in the pool while on a camping trip to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Fredericksburg.Photo courtesy of Campspot

Another location in Kerrville, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park, Guadalupe River, won a separate award for Top Glamping Campgrounds. The main attraction is an onsite water park, and there's also mini-golf and more natural areas to explore.

Two other Texas parks won awards:

Lake Bonham Recreation Area, Bonham (Top for a Quiet Getaway)
Buffalo Springs Lake Campground, Lubbock (Top for a Quiet Getaway)

"The Campspot Awards aim to recognize those parks that are delivering outstanding guest experiences and embodying the spirit of modern camping," said Campspot CMO Erin Stender in a press release. "This year’s winners represent the variety and depth of camping in North America. From peaceful retreats where you can disconnect to adrenaline-pumping destinations perfect for families, we’re thrilled to showcase parks that are truly exceptional. Every campground on this list provides a unique experience for campers, and they’ve earned their place as the best in the business."

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By Car or By Stagecoach

Historic Central Texas inn reopens restored 78-year-old restaurant

Photo courtesy of Stagecoach Inn

The Stagecoach Restaurant is open again after two years of renovations.

Out in Salado — about 150 miles northeast of San Antonio — the restaurant at the historic Stagecoach Inn has been serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner since 1947, minus a two year break for renovations beginning in June 2023. Now, the team has opened their doors once again, welcoming diners back from Central Texas and beyond.

According to a press release, Stagecoach has partnered with Monument Group in Georgetown (owners of Monument Cafe and El Monumento) to "breathe new life into the celebrated restaurant."

With the reopening, guests can expect reimagined versions of old favorites — and that does mean old. Some of the classic dishes, like the famous hushpuppies, were on the menu when the restaurant first opened nearly 80 years ago.

"The infamous hushpuppies came into existence because of the need to buy time for [co-owner Dion Van Bibber] to run to the grocer and get the ingredients needed for each ticket as there was no menu, and guests ordered whatever dish they fancied at that moment," says a timeline on the inn's website.

Historical Stagecoach Inn restaurant The Stagecoach Inn's restaurant first opened its doors in 1947. Photo courtesy of Stagecoach Inn

Other items include a creamy goat cheese dip, a fried chicken salad, grilled bone-in pork chop with peach chutney, and seasonally-inspired and weekend-only dishes like prime rib. The Stagecoach Restaurant also features a bar with a wine, cocktail, and beer menu.

Dining at the Stagecoach Restaurant is a unique experience, not just for the food, but the history.

The Stagecoach Inn itself was established back in 1860 as a hotel, welcoming wagon pioneers and folks pulling up in horse-drawn carriages. More than 160 years later, the Stagecoach Inn is the second-oldest continuously-operating hotel in Texas, and though the rooms have certainly been modernized and amenities like a pool and gift shop have been added in over the years, the bones of the building remain the same.

Stagecoach Inn pool Even the newer amenities have a retro feel.Photo courtesy of Stagecoach Inn

“The Stagecoach established itself as a welcoming rest stop on the Chisholm Trail for weary travelers over 160 years ago and that southern hospitality continues today,” said Monument Group's Rusty Winkstern in the release. “We want to honor that legacy with genuine hospitality and crave-worthy food and drink, continuing thetradition as a community hub for visitors old and new.”

The Stagecoach Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Wednesdays through Sundays from 11:30 am to 8 pm.

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