Texas RV Camping and Campgrounds

The Lone Star State offers great RV camping opportunities. Texas hospitality is famous, and if you contact the local town office or police department, you may well be told of a free RV camping spot in town available at the park or fairgrounds. Texas has numerous rest areas great for a free overnight RV camping location. US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has several water containment projects with camping available. The following links will help you find private RV parks and public campgrounds.

Texas Private RV Parks and Campgrounds

Texas Federal RV Camping

  • National Park Service - NPS information about camping at National Park Service administered lands in Texas.
  • US Forest Service - USFS information about free dispersed camping (boondocking) and developed campgrounds in the USDA National Forests and Grasslands in Texas.
  • US Army Corps of Engineers - USACE/COE information about camping at Corps lakes in Texas
  • US Fish and Wildlife Service - FWS information about National Wildlife Refuges in Texas. Not all refuges allow camping.

State of Texas Rv Camping

Texas Camping Reservations

  • Camping Reservations - Texas State and Federal Campground Reservations

    • Texas RV Dump Stations

    Texas Free RV Camping

    Our Public Lands has information about finding remote free RV camping locations, and our Free RV Camping Section has ideas about free camping and overnight parking places you may not have thought about.

    Abilene

    On Lake Fort Phantom Hill is Johnson Park , offering dispersed RV camping with no facilities. Boat ramps available only when lake is low.

    Amarillo

    A short distance north of Amarillo is the Lake Meredith National Recreation Area with information on the following 11 free RV camping locations with limited facilities.

    • Blue Creek Bridge offers un-designated campsites with chemical toilets.
    • Blue West campground has designated campsites with tables, grills, and vault toilets.
    • Un-designated campsites with "outback toilet" are available at the Bugbee campground.
    • Cedar Canyon offers a no alcohol allowed camping environment.
    • A wonderful view and individual campsites are available from the bluffs of the Fritch Fortress campground.
    • Harbor Bay offers shoreline camping. Camping availability varies with lake level.
    • Non designated RV campsites are available at McBride Canyon.
    • Mullinaw camping area has non designated sites including horse corral.
    • Shaded undeveloped RV camping sites are available at Plum Creek.
    • The Rosita area offers OHV (Off Highway Vehicle) area and un-designated campsites.
    • Sanford-Yake is a more NPS (National Park Service) type campground, but still free!

    Anahuac

    Call the Chambers County Parks and Recreation department for driving directions to any of the following county parks offering free RV camping with no hookups with a 14 day limit. Park amenities .

    • Cedar Hill Park
    • Double Bayou Park
    • Fort Anahuac Park
    • Hugo Point Park
    • Job Beason Park
    • McCollum Park
    • Whites Park

    Andrews

    • The Chamber of Commerce offers free full hookup RV camping with a 3 day limit.
    • Florey Park which is located 8 miles north of town has $5 no hookup sites, and $10 hookup sites.

    Belton

    3 miles north of Belton is the USACE (US Army Corps of Engineers) Belton Lake with free RV camping offered at several campground surrounding the lake. Click on the "Printer Friendly Version" of Recreation Areas located at the top left of their web site to get more information about free RV camping at the following sites.

    • McGregor
    • Iron Bridge
    • Owl Creek

    Big Lake

    The Reagan County Park right in town offers 4 RV hookup sites with a 3 day limit. Other sites available by reservation.

    Bowie

    Free RV camping is available at the city run Selma Park Public Camping Area on Amon Carter Lake. The lake is located SW of town. $8 charge for electric hookups if desired.

    Breckenridge

    • Located 6 miles south off Hwy 183 and home of the Summer Nationals Drag Boat Race, Lake Daniel offers free RV camping without hookups.
    • Hubbard Creek Lake is located 4 miles west of town and offers free camping.

    Brownfield

    Free RV camping with full hookups with a 4 day limit is available at the Coleman RV Park. City run park first come first serve campground.

    Claude

    A rest area suitable for overnight RV parking is located a few miles south of Claude on highway 207. Large flat area for any size RV.

    Coleman

    Just 1/2 mile out of town on US 84 is a nice large picnic area with room for any size RV.

    Corpus Christi

    Near Corpus Christi is the Padre Island National Seashore . Offering free RV camping at 3 designated locations. No facilities. NPS (National Park Service) entrance fee applies.

    Dallas/Ft Worth

    Caddo and Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) National Grasslands offer limited free RV camping. Contact the local ranger district for recommended locations.

    Del Rio

    Just north of town is the Amistat National Recreation Area. Improved RV campsites are available for a nominal rate, and free dispersed camping is allowed around the lake shoreline.

    Early

    Approximately 2 miles east of town is a nice picnic area for overnight RV parking on highway 84. Room for any size RV.

    Hillsboro

    Southwest of Hillsboro is the USACE (US Army Corps of Engineers) Whitney Lake. Click on the "Printer Friendly Version" of Recreation Areas located at the top left of their web site to get more information about free RV camping at the following RV camping areas...

    • Cedar Creek
    • Kimball Bend
    • Riverside
    • Soldiers Bluff
    • Steel's Creek
    • Walling Bend

    Jasper

    North of Jasper 15 miles is the Sam Rayburn Reservoir and Dam administered by USACE (US Army Corps of Engineers). Click on the "Printer Friendly Version" of Recreation Areas located at the top left of their web site to get more information about free RV camping at the following RV camping areas...

    • Etoile
    • Jackson Hill

    Paducah

    About 8 miles north of Paducah is a nice picnic area which allows overnight RV parking. Large area suitable for any size RV with tables, and grill grates.

    Texarkana

    9 miles south of Texarkana on highway 59 is USACE (US Army Corps of Engineers) Wright Patman Lake. The Jackson Creek campground offers free RV camping on the lake. From SR-77, go north on FM-96 2.7 miles to FM-2791. Head west 1.6 miles to local road N. Go west 3.3 miles to the campground.

    Texas Public Campgrounds

    Texas has a wide variety of public campgrounds available for RV camping. National Parks and Recreation Areas, State Parks, County Parks, City Parks, and even Texas State Wildlife Management Areas offer RV camping. Campground facilities range from full hookup pull-thru RV campsites, to primitive locations along lakes, rivers and beaches.This is only a partial listing of RV camping opportunities at public campgrounds.

    Amarillo

    Free camping...that's right free, is the only type of public camping you will find at Lake Meredith NRA (National Recreation Area). No facility designated camping areas surround the lake, with RV dump and water facilities near camping areas.

    Alpine

    Along the Rio Grande River is the Black Gap WMA (Wildlife Management Area). With over 100,000 acres, there are numerous outdoor recreation opportunities for RV camping.

    Alpine - Big Bend National Park

    Remotely located, Big Bend National Park is a great RV camping destination. Developed campgrounds have back country roadside RV camping allowed, but we suggest you contact Park officials for road conditions before heading into unfamiliar areas. A 25 site full hookup RV campground is available.

    Artesia Wells

    The Chaparral WMA (Wildlife Management Area) offers primitive RV camping. Check local road conditions.

    Blanco

    Electric and water campsites are available at Blanco State Park. Activities include swimming, picnicking, hiking, nature study, boating (electric motors only), and fishing.

    Corpus Christi

    The Texas Gulf Coast is home to the National Park Service Padre Island. Primitive dispersed camping (boondocking) is available at several different designated areas. There's also a 50 site developed campground available with water and gray water dump.

    El Paso

    In extreme west Texas, limited RV camping is allowed in the Franklin Mountains State Park. Only 5 self contained RV campsites with no facilities are available.

    Houston

    RV camping in a more primitive setting is available in the USDA Sam Houston National Forest. Several developed campgrounds offer basic facilities to electric hookup sites.

    Karnack

    Electric and water campsites are available at Caddo Lake State Park. Great fishing area with hiking, swimming, picnicking, wildlife viewing, birding, and boating.

    Pine Springs

    West Texas has a great RV camping destination at Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The main campground has water and flush toilets. There's also a developed primitive campground with 4 RV spaces. Activities include hiking, birding, wildlife viewing, and if you have a horse and trailer to pull behind your RV, horseback riding.

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    Public Land
    RV Camping Information

    USFS (US Forest Service) - Describes USFS policies and rules about RV camping. Information about dispersed camping, and tips on how to find great free RV camping sites.

    NPS (National Park Service) - General information about RV camping and campgrounds in US National Parks. With campgrounds in the most historic and scenic places in the country, the NPS offers some of the best places for RV camping.

    USACE/COE (US Army Corp of Engineers) - USACE (perhaps better know as COE) manages water recreation areas throughout the USA. Information about finding USACE lakes, RV camping possibilities, and rules and policies for use of these water based recreation areas is included.

    BLM (Bureau of Land Management) - Located throughout the western USA, BLM managed lands offer great camping locations. Developed campgrounds, and almost unlimited dispersed camping opportunites await you.

    Free and Low Cost
    RV Camping Ideas In Texas

    Here's a list of places to consider when looking for a free overnight RV camping or parking location in Texas. We always recommend asking for overnight RV parking permission when looking for a free spot to spend the night. The smaller your RV, the better chances you will have finding places to stay if you choose not to ask permission. If you don't ask permission, you end up "sneaking" into places and hoping nobody bothers you or issues you a trespassing ticket before you move on.

    Be smart and Be Safe...Ask Permission.

  • Truck Stops - Asking permission is usually not a requirement Be considerate of the big rigs!
  • Walmart - Not all stores allow overnight RV parking in Texas due to city ordinances. Check store for policy.
  • Nightclubs - Had one too many or just pretending?
  • Grain Elevators - Ask where you can park your RV out of the way for the night.
  • Fraternal Organizations - VFW, Elks etc. may allow members free overnight RV camping.
  • Cemetery - Sounds creepy to us, but we've also heard they may have water available.
  • Fairgrounds - State and County facilities may allow RV camping when not otherwise in use.
  • Parks - City, County, State, and Community parks often have free RV camping.
  • Churches - You can almost make "reservations" by calling ahead for permission.
  • Hotel Parking Lots - Assuming a nightclub/bar is inside, had one too many or just pretending?
  • Truck Terminals - Parking areas for large trucks might allow you free RV camping permission.
  • RV Dealers - Pretty brave to us, but you could fit right in.
  • Cracker Barrel - These nationwide restaurants usually allow free overnight RV parking.
  • Movie Theaters - Too tired to drive home after the late show?
  • Highway Rest Areas - All rest areas allow a few hours of free RV parking, but noisy.
  • Drive In Movies - Got a small RV, park in the back row and enjoy the show. Fell asleep by accident right?
  • Vehicle Repair Shops - Need to see the repairman first thing in the morning?
  • Big Box Retailers - Kmart, Best Buy, Sams Club often allow free RV camping.
  • Roadside Parks & Picnic Areas - The early day version of the rest area.

    • As you can see, there are a lot of free RV camping and parking possibilities in Texas. If you are not asking permission, it's best to keep a very low profile. If your RV has slide outs, jacks and TV antennas, don't use them so as not to draw attention to yourself. Consider your surroundings carefully and if you feel uncomfortable with the area, move somewhere else.

    Camping World