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Choke Canyon/Calliham Unit
Overview
The Calliham Unit of Choke Canyon State Park offers a quintessential South Texas outdoor experience on the shores of the 26,000-acre Choke Canyon Reservoir. This expansive park is renowned for its diverse wildlife and world-class fishing opportunities. Visitors often find themselves sharing the landscape with javelinas, white-tailed deer, and numerous bird species. It serves as a tranquil retreat where the rugged beauty of the brush country meets the expansive waters of the Frio River basin.
Location & Surroundings
Situated in Calliham, Texas, midway between San Antonio and Corpus Christi, the park sits within the South Texas Plains. The terrain is characterized by thorny brush and mesquite trees, providing a unique backdrop for RVers. The park’s position along the reservoir ensures stunning sunsets and plenty of waterfront access. Its remote location offers a break from city noise, allowing the natural sounds of the wilderness to take center stage during your stay.
Amenities & Park Features
RV travelers will find well-maintained sites equipped with water and electrical hookups, catering to both back-in and pull-through needs. The Calliham Unit stands out with its extensive recreational facilities, including a seasonal swimming pool, tennis courts, and a sports complex. For those traveling with gear, the multi-lane boat ramps provide easy access to the water. The park also features several miles of hiking and birding trails, along with restrooms and hot showers for guest convenience.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Angling is a primary draw here, as the reservoir is a premier destination for largemouth bass and catfish. Birdwatchers will appreciate that the park is a designated site on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, offering glimpses of Crested Caracaras and Green Jays. Just a short drive away, the town of Three Rivers provides essential supplies and local dining. Nature photography is another popular pastime, given the high density of alligators and exotic bird life found near the water's edge.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is an ideal destination for avid anglers and birders seeking a peaceful environment to practice their craft. It is well-suited for families who enjoy a mix of traditional camping and organized recreation like swimming or sports. RVers who appreciate wildlife photography and a slower pace of life will find the Calliham Unit particularly rewarding. It is a must-visit for those wanting to experience the raw, authentic character of the Texas brush country.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Nikia nicar
Very nice park. Large rv spots. Lots of wildlife. Water and electric only. The shower house needs a update horribly but I really enjoyed my stay
Ross Garcia
This was my first time at choke canyon. We arrived with about 7 guests. The cabin accommodations were just fine and provided us with a couple beds and an air conditioning unit. There are bathrooms and showers available for everyone staying in the cabin area and there is also a fire pit provided outside of each cabinet where we were able to make chili dogs the first night we were there and the next morning we were able to make a good breakfast of eggs sausage and other breakfast items all while staying warm when a cold front came through that night. We brought our bikes and rode around the park. We were able to ride our bikes down multiple trails to their recreational area where they had baseball field soccer fields and basketball courts an indoor areas with a host scheduled activities. We will be coming back again.
Rahul Navghare
Choke Canyon State Park is one of the most peaceful, scenic, and enjoyable getaways in Texas, and our recent visit was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we arrived, the park welcomed us with its vast landscapes, serene atmosphere, and wonderfully maintained facilities. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing weekend in nature or an exciting outdoor adventure, Choke Canyon delivers on every level. The park’s natural beauty is its biggest highlight. The lake views are absolutely stunning, especially at sunrise and sunset. Birds, deer, and other wildlife are easily spotted throughout the day, making it a paradise for nature lovers and photographers. The water is calm and perfect for fishing, and we saw several anglers catching catfish and bass. Kayaking and boating opportunities are plentiful as well. The campsites are spacious, clean, and thoughtfully laid out to provide privacy and comfort. We had no trouble setting up, and the sites came with well-maintained fire pits and picnic tables. The restrooms and showers were impressively clean, which is always a big plus during an outdoor trip. Families will appreciate the open spaces, playgrounds, and plenty of flat areas for biking and walking. The hiking trails are easy to moderate, making them suitable for all ages while still offering beautiful views of the lake and surrounding greenery. Overall, Choke Canyon State Park exceeded our expectations in every way. It’s peaceful, well-kept, and full of natural charm. Whether you’re camping, fishing, hiking, or simply looking to escape the city, this park is the perfect destination. We are already looking forward to our next visit and highly recommend it to anyone seeking a memorable outdoor experience in Texas.
ian sawicki
Fairly secluded nature getaway. Plenty of wildlife photography opportunities. The water level at the main lake is very low and 75-Acre lake is bone dry. The 4 stars is all about the nature and -1 star because the facilities are really rundown and some of the staff were rude and creepy. There is a daily entrance fee for camping on top of the nightly camping fee even if you don't leave and re-enter. I have no idea where this money is going since some of the bathrooms are locked and others have broken hand dryers and showers in desperate need of maintenance. I also don't know what I did to offend this one park ranger. All I did was say good morning while on my morning walk and this dude just stared at me for 10 seconds without blinking before turning away and grunting good morning under his breath. Serious serial killer vibes, this guy really creeped me out.
antonio esparza
You can watch the birds thru a privacy fence with cut out holes so as not to disturb them.ride bikes on street,walk trails.limited bbq's.nice shelters.RV hookups,tent site's with power electric, shelter soccer field, baseball diamond, basketball court, dining areas,tennis court.restrooms, friendly,helpful rangers, rabbits,deer Mexican eagles,wild turkeys and much more.lake level extremely low no access to boat ,kayak,canoe,fishing pier don't worry the rañgers don't care if you park on the road or grass.