You’ve probably heard the saying, “everything’s bigger in Texas.” Well, the camping fun to be had in the Lone Star State is no exception to this rule. The massive size of Texas spans climates and ecosystem zones—perfect for a camping adventure that will provide you with a lot of diverse experiences. The state is also an amazing combination of cultures, so each stop is full of fascinating history and delicious food.

For your camping trip through Texas, consider something a little different this year by renting an RV. Renting an RV is the perfect combination of mobility and comfort for you and your companions. Look into renting an RV for your Texas trip today and take the first step towards a vacation you’ll never forget.

Why Renting an RV in Texas Is the Way to Go

Texas is big. Very big. It has the largest road system in the country with nearly 680,000 miles of paved roads throughout the state. What this means for you is some significant time on the road. You don’t want to be stuck in the minivan for hours on end.

Instead, imagine traveling in your RV in style. With plush furniture, a kitchen, and a functioning restroom, everyone will be truly happy campers. Those small tensions that can build up in confined spaces are no longer an issue and you can be confident that the group will get along better than ever.

In addition, everyone can sleep on mattresses! No more sleeping bags on the ground or uncomfortable cots. A good night’s sleep is a major factor in the quality of your vacation days. Move on from the backaches and restless nights and upgrade to the RV way of life.

For your most comfortable camping trip yet, take a look at rental RVs in Texas today.

Rent an RV

10 Memorable Places to See in Texas in Your Rental RV

From east to west, Texas is 773 miles wide and offers all kinds of camping opportunities. The most prominent feature of the east is the lowlands of the Gulf Coast. As you move to the north, the climate is conducive to lush forests and beautiful lakes. Towards the west, there’s plenty of desert and mountain ranges.

There’s so much to see in Texas that planning a trip can be overwhelming. So, we’ve compiled a list of 10 must-see attractions to make things easier.

San Antonio River Walk

When looking for entertainment and leisure in downtown San Antonio, follow the river. The San Antonio River is lined with dozens of restaurants, bars, hotels, shops, museums, and other reaction attractions. It’s a scenic one-stop shop to find just about anything you’re looking for. Check their calendar to see what special event might be going on during your visit including an art festival or holiday light displays. The River Walk is also close to the Alamo so you may want to go check that out as well. In South San Antonio, Traveler’s World RV Resort has it all. Pull-through sites can accommodate RVs up to 45 feet with up to 50-amp electrical service and full hookups. Unique amenities include a swimming pool with a hot tub, a game room, and a fitness center.

RVs near the San Antonio River Walk

Dinosaur Valley State Park

In East Central Texas (about an hour outside of the Dallas-Fort Worth area) is a destination offering tons of fun for the whole family: Dinosaur Valley State Park. As the name suggests, the park is full of dinosaur-related attractions. Walk in actual dinosaur tracks and hunt for fossils. Or, attend one of the many ranger-led activities to learn more about the beasts that once roamed the area. Other activities include more than 20 miles of hiking trails, fishing, kayaking, geocaching, and horseback riding.

After a day of dinosaur fun, spend the night at one of the 44 RV-friendly campsites within the park. These sites offer 30-amp electrical service, water hookups, a picnic table, and a fire ring. Learn more about Dinosaur Valley State Park.

RVs near Dinosaur Valley Park

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Enjoy the mountains of Texas’ western panhandle at Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The four highest peaks in Texas can be found in the Guadalupes (including El Capitan) and make for awesome hiking and climbing. Within the park, you can also find fossil beds, canyons, deserts, and dunes. The birdwatching is also outstanding, and you may even catch a glimpse of the famed roadrunner. Between the two campgrounds onsite, 24 RV sites are available. These are primitive sites with only potable water and restrooms at each campground. Also, be aware that no fires are allowed at any time of year.

RVs near Guadalupe Mountains Park

Caddo Lake State Park

Enter a new world at Caddo Lake State Park. Canoe through the bayous— looking up at massive cypress trees covered in wispy, ghost-like moss. There are more than 50 miles of designated paddling trails to take in the unique landscape. The massive 26,810-acre lake is also a dream for people who fish with more than 70 species cruising below the surface. Alternative activities include plenty of hiking and geocaching. When it comes to camping, you’ll have access to eight full hookup sites with 50-amp electrical service onsite. If these are full-up, there are also eight sites, each, for water-only or electric-only camping. Regardless of which site you end up at, the nightly fee is cheap at around $10-20.

RVs near Caddo Lake Park

South Padre Island

Along Texas’ southern Gulf Coast, the very skinny South Padre Island has been a primary tourist destination for years. Its unique geography gives it an amazing amount of coastline, and the beaches are phenomenal. Fishing and birdwatching are favorite nature-based activities for visitors. In addition, the island has a prominent entertainment and nightlife industry, so you can find plenty of places to eat and drink or take in a live music show. Be aware that South Padre is one of the primary destinations for college students on spring break. If you don’t want to deal with the partying, it’s best to avoid the island in March.

The South Padre Island KOA Holiday is just off Highway 100 as you get onto the island and has great ratings by travelers. Huge campsites (fitting RV rigs up to 98 feet) have full hookup access and 50-amp electrical service. You’ll also love the on-site dog park, Wi-Fi, hot tub, snack bar, fitness center, and free shuttle service.

RVs near South Padre Island

Big Bend National Park

Located in the western panhandle along the Mexico border, Big Bend National Park offers a dazzling display of desert canyons and mountains. Because it also borders the Rio Grande River, it is also a haven for tons of wildlife, especially birds. Take your pick of mountain hikes or daily river trips in a canoe. Nighttime at Big Bend is also special due to the low levels of light pollution. Look up on a clear night from your campsite and you’ll realize just how many stars exist in the night sky.

Big Bend does have dedicated RV campsites within the park. They have 184 of them with everything from full hookups to primitive sites. Decide what you are looking for ahead of time because the majority of these sites are first-come, first-served. If you wish, there are also a bunch of roadside primitive camping areas where RVs are permitted. You’ll be dry camping here, though, so be prepared if you go this route.

RVs near Big Bend Park

Cadillac Ranch

For those who love art or just enjoy something whimsical from time to time, Cadillac Ranch is an entertaining stop. Along famed Route 66, Cadillac Ranch features 10 (now-classic) Cadillac cars with their noses buried in the ground. Over the years, the cars have been painted to commemorate certain historical events. But most of the time, the general public is invited to paint whatever graffiti they like on the cars as an effort to engage the community with the art. There are four RV parks within a mile of Cadillac Ranch. The Oasis RV Resort of Amarillo is the most highly rated one and has tons of amenities. Full hookup sites, Wi-Fi and cable, food service, laundry facilities, heated pools, and more.

RVs near Cadillac Ranch

Natural Bridge Caverns

About 15 miles outside of San Antonio, explore an amazing place that will make you feel like you’re on another planet. You’ll have to go underground to see it, though. Natural Bridge Caverns is named for the large limestone bridge above them. The main tour, the Discovery Tour, covers the most impressive features of the caverns in the first half-mile of the system. If you’re feeling more adventurous, the Hidden Passages Tour can get you into all of the caverns’ nooks and crannies for unique looks at the geological features. Above ground, the kids will also love the 5,000-square-foot maze and the ropes course.

Your closest camping option is Stone Creek RV Park, about 17 minutes away from the caverns. Kids will enjoy it for its whimsical ‘old west’ theme, parents will love it for its amenities. Full hookup sites are available with up to 50-amp electrical service. Enjoy the hot tub, Wi-Fi, designated pools for adults and children, and recreation halls.

RVs near Natural Bridge Caverns

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

In the very heart of central Texas, the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is both a great place for a hike and a chance to learn some interesting history. The 425-foot granite rock was deemed to be magical or enchanted by Native Americans after Spanish Conquistadors had visited it. They may have thought so because the rock makes groaning noises as it changes temperatures during expansion and contraction. In addition, the granite sparkles at night when damp, and legend had it that these were ‘ghost fires’. Don’t worry, it’s not a scary place to visit. There are 11 miles of hiking trails and excellent rock climbing and bouldering to be had.

There are 35 primitive sites for your RV at Enchanted Rock, so don’t plan on any hookups. Potable water is available, however, along with fire rings, a shower facility, and restrooms. If you want a park with more amenities, plan on driving at least 30 minutes to the north or south.

RVs near Enchanted Rock Natural Area

Things to Know About Renting an RV in Texas

Things to Note About Camping in Texas

A summer trip to Texas might sound awesome but consider the heat. Triple digits are common in the summer, and, in coastal regions (like near Houston), the humidity can be downright oppressive. If you have health conditions that could be worsened by high heat, check with your physician before deciding on a Texas visit in the summer.

Spring and Fall are the optimal times to visit Texas for (enjoyably) warm weather, sun, and natural beauty. The trees are still green, and the wildlife is active. Winter in some parts of Texas can be fairly cool and the northern tip can even receive snow sometimes. You can certainly RV during the winter in Texas, however, you’ll be able to appreciate the state a whole lot more in the spring and fall.

During your visit in the warmer months, it’s very important to keep an eye on the weather. Texas is uniquely positioned to see both tornadoes and hurricanes in the summer and early fall. These storms can develop quickly, so be sure to understand the evacuation or shelter protocols for your campground should severe weather strike.

Finally, Texas has a lot of fascinating, but also dangerous, wildlife. Of course, rattlesnakes and scorpions come to mind, but you should also keep an eye out for alligators in coastal areas. In addition, wild boar may seem harmless from a distance, but these animals are known to charge if they feel threatened and they can cause serious injury. In less developed or natural areas, keep an eye out for these animals and keep a respectful distance or avoid them whenever possible.

Dry Camping or Boondocking in Texas

If you are looking to get "away from it all," dry camping or “boondocking” is your best RV option to isolate yourself. Boondocking means that there are no hookups available (e.g. sewer, electrical, water), and your RV unit is operating independently. Typically, this is not recommended for novice RVers, so we encourage you to do more research if you are interested in giving dry camping a try.

A great place to do this is on public land identified by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Unfortunately, Texas does not currently have any BLM sites suitable for dry camping in your RV. Although, some state or national parks have large areas suitable for standalone RV sites, so double-check with your destination directly. You can also check with some "big box stores" that allow RV travelers to set up camp in their parking lots.

If you’d like to look at your campground options more thoroughly, check out this list from Good Sam.

Renting an RV in Texas