Camping in Texas

A complete guide to camping in Texas

Stunning Big Bend National Park landscape in western Texas by J Stone

Photo Credit: J Stone

Overview

Texas camping spreads across a state large enough to contain most of Western Europe. The terrain shifts from Gulf Coast barrier islands to Chihuahuan Desert canyons, from East Texas pine forests to the flat western plains around Odessa and Midland. Big Bend National Park anchors the far west, where the Rio Grande carves through limestone canyons at elevations reaching 6,000 feet. The Gulf Coast from Rockport to South Padre Island draws a different crowd entirely, with beach camping, birding, and fishing as the primary activities.

The sheer distances between camping regions define the Texas experience. Driving from Houston to Big Bend takes seven hours. The Panhandle sits a full day's drive from the Valley. Most campers focus on a single region per trip rather than attempting to cross the state. Central Texas hill country around Fredericksburg and New Braunfels offers a middle ground with river access, moderate terrain, and proximity to Austin and San Antonio.

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Best Seasons to Camp in Texas

Spring

Mar-May

High 71°F · Low 59°F

Wildflower season in the Hill Country peaks in April. Comfortable temperatures across most of the state before summer heat arrives. Big Bend warms rapidly by May. Gulf Coast fishing season picks up.

Summer

Jun-Aug

High 87°F · Low 75°F

Extreme heat across most of Texas. Desert regions exceed 100 degrees regularly. Gulf Coast brings humidity and hurricane risk. River camping in the Hill Country and mountain camping in the Davis Mountains offer some relief.

Winter

Dec-Feb

High 56°F · Low 44°F

Mild in South Texas and the Gulf Coast where January averages 48 degrees. Big Bend stays campable with cool nights. The Panhandle and North Texas get cold fronts with occasional ice. Winter Texans fill RV parks along the Valley and Gulf.

Season	Months	Avg High	Avg Low	Conditions
Spring	Mar-May	71°F	59°F	Wildflower season in the Hill Country peaks in April.
Summer	Jun-Aug	87°F	75°F	Extreme heat across most of Texas.
Fall	Sep-Nov	71°F	59°F	Temperatures moderate by October.
Winter	Dec-Feb	56°F	44°F	Mild in South Texas and the Gulf Coast where January averages 48 degrees.

Source: NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals

Camping Regions in Texas

Region	Terrain	Key Areas
Big Bend and Trans-Pecos	Desert	Big Bend National Park, Terlingua, Marfa, Fort Davis
Gulf Coast	Coastal	Rockport, Port Aransas, South Padre Island, Galveston
Hill Country	Plains	Fredericksburg, New Braunfels, Wimberley, Concan
East Texas Piney Woods	Forest	Sam Houston NF, Lufkin, Tyler, Nacogdoches
Panhandle and Plains	Plains	Amarillo, Canyon, Lubbock, Abilene

Big Bend and Trans-Pecos

Desert · Big Bend National Park, Terlingua, Marfa, Fort Davis

Desert canyon country along the Rio Grande. Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park offer both developed and backcountry camping. The Chisos Mountains reach 7,800 feet, providing mountain camping in an otherwise desert landscape. Remote, with limited services. The drive from any major city takes at least five hours. Chisos Basin Campground and Rio Grande Village Campground inside Big Bend National Park provide the primary park options, with RoadRunner Travelers RV Park in Terlingua serving as the nearest private base.

Gulf Coast

Coastal · Rockport, Port Aransas, South Padre Island, Galveston

Barrier island camping from Galveston south through Rockport, Port Aransas, and Padre Island National Seashore. Beach driving and surf fishing define the experience. Winter Texan season fills coastal RV parks from November through March. Birding is exceptional in the Aransas and Laguna Madre areas. Copano Bay RV Resort and Wilderness Oaks RV Resort in Rockport anchor the central coast, while Pioneer RV Beach Resort in Port Aransas adds Gulf-front access.

Hill Country

Plains · Fredericksburg, New Braunfels, Wimberley, Concan

Rolling limestone hills between Austin and San Antonio with clear rivers, spring-fed swimming holes, and live oak woodlands. The Guadalupe, Frio, and Pedernales rivers anchor the camping scene. Fredericksburg and New Braunfels serve as base towns. The most accessible camping region from the state's major population centers. Oakwood RV Resort and Texas Wine Country Jellystone Park in Fredericksburg draw families, while Sun Retreats Texas Hill Country in New Braunfels puts campers on the Guadalupe River corridor.

East Texas Piney Woods

Forest · Sam Houston NF, Lufkin, Tyler, Nacogdoches

Dense pine and hardwood forest in the eastern third of the state. Sam Houston, Angelina, and Davy Crockett national forests offer dispersed camping. The landscape feels more like Louisiana than the rest of Texas. Higher rainfall, more humidity, and greener terrain than points west. Southern Pines RV Campground in Lufkin and Field of Dreams RV Resort in Tyler provide developed bases near the national forests.

Panhandle and Plains

Plains · Amarillo, Canyon, Lubbock, Abilene

Flat open country with dramatic canyon exceptions. Palo Duro Canyon near Amarillo is the second-largest canyon in the US and offers developed camping on the canyon floor. Caprock Canyons adds another option. The Panhandle gets genuinely cold in winter with ice storms and occasional snow. Big Texan RV Ranch and Fort Amarillo RV Park in Amarillo serve I-40 travelers, while Palo Duro RV Park in Canyon sits near the canyon rim.

Camping Tips for Texas

Texas State Parks reservations open five months in advance. Popular parks like Enchanted Rock, Garner, and Palo Duro sell out quickly for spring and fall weekends.
Summer heat is dangerous. Carry more water than you think you need. Big Bend requires a gallon per person per day minimum. Heat exhaustion is a real risk from June through September.
Gulf Coast camping requires hurricane awareness from June through November. Monitor forecasts and know evacuation routes.
Rattlesnakes are present statewide, especially in rocky terrain and desert regions. Watch where you step and where you place your hands. Shake out boots left outside overnight.
The vast distances between regions mean fuel planning matters. Fill up before entering remote areas like Big Bend or the Trans-Pecos. Cell service is unreliable in West Texas.
Hunting season (November through January) brings increased activity on public lands. Wear blaze orange if hiking during deer season on state or national forest land.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Big Bend?

October through April. Winter daytime temperatures in the desert range from 55 to 75 degrees with cold nights. The Chisos Mountains stay cooler year-round. Summer brings temperatures above 100 degrees in the lowlands. Spring break and Thanksgiving are the busiest periods.

Can I camp on the beach in Texas?

Padre Island National Seashore allows beach camping along most of its 60-mile stretch. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is needed to reach the more remote southern sections. Galveston Island State Park and Mustang Island State Park offer developed beachside camping. Fees and permits vary by location.

How remote is camping in West Texas?

Very remote. Big Bend is five to seven hours from the nearest major city. Cell service is absent in most of the park and surrounding area. The nearest full-service town is Alpine, 100 miles from the park entrance. Carry extra fuel, water, and supplies.

What is dispersed camping like in Texas?

National forests in East Texas allow dispersed camping. Big Bend Ranch State Park offers backcountry camping with a permit. Texas state parks do not allow dispersed camping but have developed sites. Public land is more limited in Texas than western states, so most camping happens at designated campgrounds.

Are there dangerous animals to worry about in Texas campgrounds?

Rattlesnakes are the primary concern, especially in rocky terrain from West Texas through the Hill Country. Scorpions are common in desert areas. Feral hogs may pass through campgrounds at night. Black bears have returned to Big Bend but encounters are rare. Alligators inhabit coastal and East Texas waterways.