When it comes to natural beauty and ecological diversity, Texas may just take the cake as the ultimate camping destination. From mountains and limestone cliffs to rivers and the Gulf Coast seashore, the Lone Star State offers a wide range of experiences for every type of RV traveler.
We’ve spent our fair share of traveling around Texas, and still haven’t seen it all. So we asked some of our friends to chime in with their favorite camping destinations as well. In this article we’ll share some national and state park destinations, as well as private campgrounds. We include both rustic and deluxe options in hopes that you will find the perfect campground for your next trip!
Jamaica Beach RV Resort
When I heard about this campground on Galveston Island that has a lazy river, I put it on the top of my bucket list!
Galveston Island’s tropical climate and breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico is a great getaway for families. Now add in a campground that has two swimming pools, splash pad, pirate-themed miniature golf, outdoor movie theater, a multi-use trail to the bay, and public beach access across the street. How can you possibly go wrong! Don’t take my word for it—this location is rated Excellent on TripAdvisor and 10/10/10 on Good Sam.
Check out this video from RV Texas Y’all, the authority on great camping in Texas.
Learn more at https://www.jbrv.net or call 409-632-0200.
And while you’re there, be sure to enjoy a day deep-sea fishing in the Gulf of Mexico.
Leander / NW Austin KOA Holiday
We love KOAs and often stay at them when we’re on the road. Our friends Tony & Melissa Flammia, Hippie & The Tech, recommended this one just outside of Austin.
“The Leander KOA was not only a clean park with many amenities but the location location location! It is nestled in the country right off of highway 183 which can take you to downtown Austin within 20 minutes. You’re also a few miles from a Whole Foods, Starbucks, Target, and more.”
The park also includes a massive dog park, pool, spa, paved sites with grass yards, tons of pull through sites, and the friendliest staff.
Texas Wine Country Jellystone
We loved our stay at this Jellystone RV Resort in Fredericksburg, the heart of Texas Wine Country.
There are plenty of activities right there at the campground if you don’t want to leave. The water area has a pool, hot tub, and fountain splash area. Nearby are the basketball and volleyball courts, as well as the playground and jumping pad. Inside are pool and ping pong tables, and a small fitness room.
However, in addition to the vineyards, the area is known as the Hill Country and natural beauty abounds! Pay a visit to Enchanted Rock State Park to see a unique geological feature in the area.
Alsatian RV Resort
Located just outside of San Antonio, Texas, the Alsatian RV Resort in Castroville, Texas was a perfect spot to stay while we visited our sons. The RV resort has 60 level, paved full hook-up (water, sewer, electric) RV sites. They also have every amenity you can want including propane delivery, trash pick-up, a fitness room, and beautiful outdoor area with a huge covered pavilion and a heated pool & hot tub.
If you have a motorhome, you can even stay on what I call ‘Casita Row.’ This is a section where motorhomes can rent both RV sites and casitas overlooking a fishing pond and the 18-hole golf course.
Click here to read our full review.
Maverick Ranch RV Park
The best part of this campground its location in Lajitas, Texas on Highway FM 170 between Big Bend Ranch State Park and Big Bend National Park making it the perfect launching point for your adventures.
Maverick Ranch RV Park offers 100 full hook-up sites, including 60 pull-through sites, as well as a swimming pool, community center, and laundry room. On the main road in front of the resort is a General Store. Guests of the Maverick Ranch RV Park also have access to all of the Lajitas Golf Resort amenities and activities including a fitness room, small shopping area, restaurant, and golf course.
Read our full review and tips on the state & national park here.
Big Bend National Park
If you don’t mind camping without hook ups (water, power, sewer) at your site, consider a stay at one of the park’s three campgrounds.
The Rio Grande Village Campground is the largest and has 100 campsites that range in size from small tent sites to large pull-through sites that can fit RVs up to 40′. While most of the sites don’t have any hook-ups, there are some that do run by the concessionaire. Call ahead to find out more.
Another option for tent campers, trailers under 19′, or RVs under 24′ is the Chisos Basin Campground. It is located high in the rugged Chisos Mountains at an altitude of 5,400 ft. Please note: The road to the campground is steep and winding with sharp hairpin turns. Trailers over 19 feet and RVs over 24 feet are not recommended.
The Cottonwood Campground is a quiet, shady desert oasis located between the Castolon Historic District and scenic Santa Elena Canyon. It has 24 sites for RVs under 24′.
Click here to read our friends, Dan & Lindsay of Follow Your Detour, rave about their stay in all three of the campgrounds.
Guadalupe National Park
Located in the state’s northwest corner, this national park protects the world’s most extensive Permian fossil reef and the four highest peaks in Texas. There are two primitive campgrounds available on a first come, first served basis.
- Pine Springs Campground
This simple, desert camping area is situated at the base of the mountain just off U.S. Highway 62/180 near the Pine Springs Visitor Center. 20 RV sites are arranged in a paved parking lot that can accommodate up to 50 feet. There are no hook-ups and there is no dump station. However, there are flush-toilet restrooms (no showers) and an outside water faucet near the registration board. The campground also has 20 leveled, gravel tent sites. - Dog Canyon Campground
Dog Canyon is in a secluded, forested canyon on the north side of the park. Due to a slightly higher elevation and protected location beneath steep cliff walls, it remains cooler than Pine Springs campground in the summer and sheltered from strong gusty winds in winter and spring. The campground has 9 tent sites and 4 RV sites (maximum length 23 feet, no hookups, no dump station). Restrooms have sinks and flush toilets, but no showers.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
This state park in the Texas panhandle is a favorite of many, including our friends The Wordy Explorers. The canyon at Palo Duro Canyon is second in size in the United States only to Arizona’s Grand Canyon.
The park has has 97 reservable campsites with both water and electric spread over four loops (Hackberry, Juniper, Mesquite and Sagebrush).
Click here to read their full review of the campsites and the park in general.
Bay Landing RV Resort
Our friend Sharee of LiveCampWork recommend this Thousand Trails campground in Bridgeport about an hour northwest of Fort Worth.
“This Thousand Trails campground has some great features that made our stay super fun while passing through Texas on our way out west! For a no frills campground in the middle of nowhere, we enjoyed the site and amenities this Texas campground had to offer! From wifi to fire rings, trails, mini golf, great staff and sports equipment for the kids- they offered us a variety of ways to stay busy or just kick back and relax!!!!
Read her review here.
The Vineyards Campground and Cabins
This campground located on the shores of Grapevine Lake in Grapevine, Texas only 30 miles from Dallas. It is the perfect, peaceful stay near enough to visit the busy city, but far enough away to enjoy the tranquility of the area.
Managed by the city of Grapevine, the campground has 93 RV Sites and 14 Cabins (no tent camping ) situated to give views of the lake. It is less than 2 miles from the shops and restaurants of historic Grapevine.
“This is, if not the best campground in Tx, the top 3. Immaculate grounds, wonderful staff and flawless large sites this will not disappoint. Bonus: Grapevine is a wonderful city and Main Street is very close will lots to do!”
Learn more at https://www.vineyardscampground.com or call 888-329-8993.
Atlanta State Park
Laura and Kevin of Chapter3Travels loved the serenity of this state park situated on the shores of Wright Patman Lake in the far northeast corner of Texas.
“We adored everything about this park. It was so spacious, beautiful, and quiet, we could have stayed here for weeks. The park is located on a gorgeous lake and there are tons of picnic tables and lovely places to walk. Our fellow campers were quiet and everyone was just enjoying the beautiful scenery. It was really an ideal campground. Throw in the fact that full hook-ups came at the bargain basement price of $16 per night, and we could not have been happier.”
Click here to read their full campground review.
Looking for more Texas Campground Reviews?
Don’t forget to visit RV Texas Y’all. They have traveled extensively around the state and have tons of reviews with numerous photos and videos.
What are your recommendations?
Leave us a comment below or send an email to julie@chickerystravels.com if you’d like to be included in our “Best Campgrounds in North America” series.
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There are a few full hook up sites at Rio Grande Village Campground in
Big Bend next to the showers/small store. Around 30 maybe. Forever Resorts the concessionaire runs them. We had no idea until we got there because they don’t mention them on the NPS site. Good if you have animals.
Thanks for that tip! I’ll add it to the article.
Great list, Julie. Thanks for including us and thanks for highlighting the Lone Star State!
Thanks for letting us share your video. I seriously can’t wait to visit Jamaica Beach RV Resort!
This is an awesome list! Thank you for sharing 😀
Thanks for checking it out!