San Angelo State Park

3900 - 2 Mercedes
San Angelo TX 76901
325/949-8935 (Gatehouse/Reservation Info.)
325/949-4757 (HQ)
sasp@tpwd.state.tx.us
Park locator map

History: San Angelo State Park is located on the shores of O.C. Fisher Reservoir, which was completed by the US Corps of Engineers in 1952 for flood control on the North Concho River. The park, adjacent to the City of San Angelo in Tom Green County, is an oasis of quality outdoor recreation in an area of west Texas known as Concho Country. It was leased by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in May 1995 and was opened to the public May 1, 1995. The property contains 7677 acres, most of which will remain undeveloped. Park redevelopment to its full recreational potential is expected to take a number of years. In the meantime, a wide range of facilities are available for the enjoyment of the visitor.

Archeological findings indicate some 18,000 years of Native American occupation in the expansive West Texas region, beginning with the Paleo-American hunters of giant Ice Age mammals. The Euro-American history of the area begins with 16th- and 17th-century Spanish exploration and the missions established for the semi-settled Jumano Indians. Some of these Jumanos made their way along the forks of the Concho River on expeditions to trade with Indian groups in central and eastern Texas. By the mid-1800's, German immigrants began to acquire land in the Concho River region. The increasing need to protect California-bound travelers led to the establishment of Fort Concho in 1867. From then on, farmers, ranchers, and sheepherders all contributed to the settlement of Concho Country, with San Angelo (originally Santa Angela) becoming the county seat of Tom Green County in 1883. Read how the Indian rock art, ancient animal tracks, majestic bison, and the Official Texas State Longhorn Herd add a prehistoric touch to this park.

Activities: Activities include camping, picnicking, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding on multi-use trails, lake swimming and wading, fishing, boating, a three level orienteering course, and bird and wildlife observation. The park has a hunting program with a State Park Annual Hunting Permit and special drawing hunts for deer and spring turkey.

The lake level is extremely low. The lake bottom is unsafe. Swim at your own risk (wearing shoes is advisable.)

Tours: Regularly scheduled tours and upon request tours, for 10 or more visitors, are given to the ancient Permian animal tracks and Indian petroglyphs. Contact the park for a tour schedule and fees or check our calendar for events at this park. Other tours include nature tours, hikes, Bison/Longhorn tours, equestrian tours, historic and prehistoric tours, and stargazing parties.

Volunteer: Contact the park or go to the Friends of San Angelo State Park web site for information on volunteer opportunities at the park. More information on volunteer opportunities at Texas State Parks.

Area Attractions: Nearby attractions include Fort Concho, a restored historic fort; Concho Avenue, which has a historic shopping district; the Riverwalk; and the Cactus Hotel.

Facilities: Facilities include campsites with water and electricity (10 with horse pens); walk-in campsites (about 400 yards) which have picnic tables, grills, water and restrooms in the area ; 6 enclosed air-conditioned and heated mini-cabins that accommodate 6 each; two group camping areas; two group pavilions; over 50 miles of developed multi-use trails for hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian use; and 20 miles of backpacking; high level and low level boat ramps; a trailer dump station; and restrooms with showers. A fishing platform and dock is being developed. Check the Operational Changes below for information on facility restrictions.

Park & Facility Fees
Facility & Trail Map. (PDF 110.1 KB)/

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Flora/Fauna: The name "Concho" (meaning "shell" in Spanish) comes from the plentiful freshwater mussels that inhabit the area's rivers and streams and produce the beautiful iridescent gems of all sizes and colors - especially the big purple ones (called "Concho pearls" by the early Spanish explorers.) The park sits astride the junction of four ecological zones: the High Plains to the north, the Texas Hill Country to the south, the Rolling Plains to the east, and the arid Trans-Pecos to the west. Consequently, plant and animal life are highly diversified, including some 350 species of birds and about 50 species of mammals.The park is also home to Bison and the Official Texas State Longhorn Herd.

More information on the wildlife mentioned here:

Texas Wildlife Factsheets.

Schedule: Open: 7 days a week year-round. Check the Calendar for access restrictions.

Operational Changes for San Angelo State Park:

The back restrooms/showers in Red Arroyo and camping loop including campsites 21-40 will be closed from November 1 to March 1.
The Playground Restrooms at the South Shore will be closed from November 1 to March 1.
The North Concho Equestrian Area will be closed to camping from November 1 to March 1. The North Concho Equestrian Area will be open to day use only.
Isabel Harte and Burket Trailhead will be closed for overnight primitive camping. These will be day use areas only. Primitive overnight campers will use the Lakeview loop.
The back restrooms/showers in Red Arroyo and camping loop including campsites 21-40 will be closed from June 1 to August 31.
The North Concho Equestrian Area Restrooms will be closed during the week from June 1 to August 31 and open on the weekends.

Directions: To reach the park from San Angelo, take US Highway 67 south to FM 2288 to the south shore entrance or US Highway 87 north to FM 2288 south to the north shore entrance.

Elevation: 1847 ft.
Weather: Average annual rainfall 18.2; average January minimum 32; average July maximum 97.

National Weather Service forecast for this area.

Current conditions including, fire bans & water levels, can vary from day to day. For more details, contact the park.

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Information:

Read why San Angelo State Park is the September 2006 Park Of The Month.