Desert and dog-friendly camping in Texas
The largest state in the Lower 48 features no shortage of places to pitch a tent.
93% (5409 reviews)
- Texas
93% (5409 reviews)
Popular camping styles for Texas
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Star Hosts in Texas
12 top desert and dog-friendly campgrounds in Texas
93%
(1182)
El Cosmico
40 sites · RVs, Tents21 acres · Marfa, TX
El Cosmico takes its inspiration from a long American history of hippies, nomads, bohemians and those living a life of self-determination. We believe in tuning in, dropping out and being here now.
Vehicles are not allowed onto the grounds, so if you are staying in your car or RV you will post up in our large parking lot with easy access to the grounds. Tent camping is dispersed, so you pick your space within the designated camping areas that are indicated on the property map provided at the front desk.
Front desk hours are from 7:30am-11:00pm daily. If you are arriving after 11pm please call ahead for late check-in instructions.
Potable water
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$30
/ night
98%
(1126)
Goat Pens, Cigar Springs Ranch
50 sites · RVs, Tents640 acres · Terlingua, TX
This central location provides an ideal basecamp close to the Terlingua Ghost Town and both Big Bend State and National Parks. The unique geology and topography of the Goat Pens made this a popular movie set and many westerns were filmed here in the 80's and 90's. Come out and enjoy seclusion, peace and quiet, awesome scenery with sunrises and sunsets to die for. All while still being able to easily take advantage of the area's other attractions.
The Goat Pens includes an outdoor events venue that hosts concerts, stargazing parties, festivals and weddings. The Goat Pens also has the only drive-in movie theater in the Big Bend area. Send a text or check The Goat Pens Facebook page (@goatpens) for information and dates of events.
The Goat Pens of Cigar Springs Ranch is a beautiful part of the ranch. It is well known for its scenery and unique topography. The Goat Pens served as a set location for many westerns filmed during the 1980's and 90's.
Remarkable beauty, easy access, centrally located, seclusion, peace and quiet. All add up to an unforgettable vacation experience.
**New This Winter**
Rachel Wey Ranch Petting Zoo and Pony Rides
Please contact us about hours and availibilty
Rachel.wey.ranch @faceboook.com-
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$40
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99%
(194)
The Bus Stop Camp Ground
10 sites · RVs, Tents12 acres · Terlingua, TX
Hello Hipcampers! We welcome you to our relaxing desert getaway, our camp ground sits on 12 acres of beautiful desert scenery inside of a stunning range of mountains. There are countless activities to do around the area and no lack of adventure.
Big Bend National Park
Horseback Riding
Plane Tours
ATV Tours
River Rafting
Hiking
Mountain Biking and more!
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$25
/ night
97%
(145)
Good Guad Land Co.
3 sites · RVs, Tents50 acres · Dell City, TX
Find extreme solitude and unforgettable views of Guadalupe Peak at this desert escape next to Guadalupe Mountains National Park!
This is choose-your-own-adventure camping. The terrain is rugged, and the dust and wind blow some nights. Once you're here, there are zero amenities (other than picnic tables).
If this sounds fine — you don't mind roughing it — you'll be sleeping under the stars at the foot of West Texas' tallest mountain range. And who else can say they've done that?
Distance to nearby attractions: Guadalupe Mountains National Park Visitor Center, 11 miles; Black River Recreation Area, 42 miles; Carlsbad Caverns National Park Visitor Center, 52 miles
Distance from nearby towns: Dell City, 34 miles; Van Horn, 56 miles; Carlsbad, 65 miles; El Paso, 104 miles
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$35
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98%
(22)
Mountain View Lodge
3 sites · RVs, Tents7 acres · Fort Davis, TX
Formerly Mountain Trails Lodge, our property features stunning sunrises and sunsets, wildlife watching, and amazing dark skies viewing. Our on-site Cafe serves breakfast and lunch daily from 8am to 2pm/
We offer tent campsites and one RV site with electricity and water available, along with access to a restroom with shower and amenities, our pavilion with a gas grill and grilling tools, a fridge, ice, and picnic tables. We also have cabins for rent, visible on our website mountainviewlodgetx.com.
We have seven acres convenient to many attractions, including McDonald Observatory, Fort Davis National Historic Site, Davis Mountains State Park, the Chihuahuan Desert Research Center, a 75-mile scenic loop, and more.
Marfa, TX, a widely recognized community of world-renowned artists, is just a 20-minute drive away. Alpine, TX is also only 20 minutes away with more amenities and medical care facilities. We are located in a Dark Skies Reserve with spectacular night viewing of stars and the Milky Way, even without a telescope!
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$39
/ night
99%
(582)
Coyote Crossing
26 sites · Tents21 acres · Terlingua, TX
Located in Southern Most Section of Terlingua Ranch, within eyesight of the Mexican Border, National, and State Parks.
Easy to find, just across from Willow Mountain, one of the most photograph natural features in Big Bend.
Traveling highway 118
you will see the Entrance at address 53420, just north 1 mile of the outfitters and gas station.
Every night the coyotes would cross the road and come for a visit..Thus the name Coyote Crossing.. With dreams of a tiny home and campground, we continue to improve on the land every day and love to share it with others.
When arriving at night it will be very
dark.. very few lights in use, dark sky's are protected in Big Bend.. so it may be hard to find. but we are directly
on the highway on the west side of 118.
Trash Dumpster up front for your use.
No collecting rocks, cactus or wood to burn... NO TRACE,
leave it as you find it..
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$25
/ night
100%
(13)
BBC Terlingua Overland Camping
3 sites · Tents100 acres · Study Butte, TX
Welcome to Big Bend Camp (https://www.bigbend.camp). The Big Bend region of Texas is a vast and rugged expanse in West Texas, USA, known for its stunning landscapes, remote wilderness, and exceptional opportunities for outdoor activities. Overland camping in Big Bend allows adventurous individuals to immerse themselves in natural beauty while exploring its diverse terrain.
Big Bend Camp Overland is a 100-acre property with three campsites that provide ample space for outdoor enthusiasts to explore and enjoy nature. Overland adventurists often engage in off-road vehicle travel and outdoor camping and would likely appreciate the opportunity to experience the Big Bend Camp property.
Overland camping involves traveling off-road and setting up camp in more remote and secluded areas, often using a specialized vehicle equipped with camping gear and supplies. This camping style is trendy due to the Big Bend's expansive backcountry and the ability to access remote areas inaccessible to regular vehicles.
To access Big Bend Camp, you'll need a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle, preferably with off-road capabilities. This type of vehicle is necessary to navigate the 13 miles of rough and unpaved roads to access the camping sites along the way.
Big Bend Camp has three designated backcountry campsites accessible only by a high-clearance vehicle. These campsites are basic, with no facilities or amenities, allowing visitors to experience an authentic wilderness camping experience.
When overland camping at Big Bend Camp, you can witness breathtaking sunsets, starry night skies, and a remarkable variety of landscapes. From the iconic overlook of Chalk Draw bordering Big Bend National Park to the vastness of Nine Point Mesa and panoramic vistas, the Chihuahuan Desert offers vast stretches of rugged terrain and a diverse range of camping environments for any overland adventurist.
Overland camping at Big Bend Camp offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with nature, explore remote areas, and experience the untamed beauty of one of America's most stunning landscapes.
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$12
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100%
(25)
Haby Ranch
336 sites · RVs, Tents1100 acres · Lake Medina Shores, TX
Come enjoy over 1000 acres of a 3500 acre Texas ranch. Perfect for fossil hunting, biking, hiking, stargazing, and exploring the great outdoors. Depending on rain and current water levels, you can also enjoy creeks, swimming holes, and waterfalls. Unplug and make memories sure to last a lifetime. Located 10 miles from Bandera, Cowboy Capital of the World.
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$55
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96%
(1048)
Paisano Azul Ranch
11 sites · RVs, Tents30 acres · Study Butte, TX
Paisano Azul Ranch is on 30 acres located by Terlingua Creek.
The property is just minutes from the Terlingua Ghost Town and a short 3 mile drive to the Big Bend National park.
Come pitch your tent or park your camper amid the peaceful desert hillside with views of plateaus that lead to the Chisos Mountains in Big Bend National Park. There is a fire pit on site for you to toast marshmallows or cozy up near, and you can enjoy a bite to eat at the picnic table provided at each site.
The picnic tables are placed beneath shade sails.
There are two nice and new desert tan flushing Porta-Potties on-site, as well as showers for guests to use. These come in handy after a long day hiking.
We hope you'll enjoy the beautiful open sky sunsets, sunrises, and stargazing
as much as we do.
We are located just 3 miles from the entrance to Big Bend National Park. There are plenty of opportunities to get out and explore - you can hike, bike, canoe & kayak, off-road, swim, go horseback riding, visit hot springs, as well as visit restaurants, galleries, and listen to great music in Terlingua. There is something for everyone to feel free to bring the whole family.
Additional details to note:
- We now have an above ground pool to keep cool in during the summer! Covered with a shade sail the water stays nice and chilly. ($10 fee/person)
- You can stay connected if you'd like to, as cell reception and wifi are both available on our property. Feel free to unplug during your stay though.
- Seeing other campers on your trip at the campsite is very standard, as the sites are far enough apart to feel like they are yours, but they are not private.
- Potable water is provided on-site. We have an artisan well on property that has been certified as drinkable. It is double filtered to give you the best drinking water.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions and we look forward to your stay.
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$39
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99%
(230)
Coyote Breaks Farm
7 sites · RVs, Tents42 acres · Wildorado, TX
The sites overlook the beautiful Canadian River breaks to the north with wide open skies to the west and east to enjoy the sunrises and sunsets. These are rustic sites with no improvements. We are just getting started with this so you’ll be able to help us from the ground up. If we are not in a burn ban you’re welcome to have a campfire. There will be opportunities to call up a wild coyote or watch some mule deer or an occasional antelope stroll by. You could even be awakened by the horses on their way to water in the morning and we can set up some horse riding if we have enough notice to schedule time off from the 9-5 haha. Can’t wait to see you on the prairie!
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$30
/ night
98%
(366)
Lynn y B's land
28 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents80 acres · Terlingua, TX
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$15
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92%
(238)
Sheffield Camping
6 sites · RVs1 acre · Sheffield, TX
I have owed this property for over 20 years.
In the past, before I listed this property for camping, travelers would stop and ask to camp on my land.
There are not many options for camping on this stretch of Hwy so I decided to offer up my place.
So far guest have either loved it or hated it.
Potable water
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$10
/ night
Under $50
Dog-friendly getaways
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Explore the area’s public lands.
Desert and dog-friendly camping in Texas guide
Overview
They say everything’s bigger in the Lone Star State, and that includes the variety of options for campers, whether you're looking for an RV park, tent camping, or a primitive camping backcountry adventure. Beat the summer heat on sandy Gulf beaches, or head inland to the arid deserts of Big Bend Country in winter for some of the nation’s darkest skies and best nighttime views. Spring and autumn offer the best weather for wine tasting in Texas Hill Country, hiking the canyons of the Panhandle, or paddling the bald cypress forests of the Texas Pine Curtain.
Big Bend Country
Remote West Texas boasts some of the most pristine landscapes in the state. Explore the hiking trails of Guadalupe Mountains and Big Bend national parks, raft through narrow canyons along the Rio Grande River, go rock climbing in Hueco Tanks State Park near El Paso, or hit the dunes in Monahans Sandhills State Park. The quirky communities of Marfa, Terlingua, and Marathon serve as convenient gateways to desert adventure.
Texas Hill Country
Known for its wineries, whiskey distilleries, swimming holes, and rich German heritage, the rolling hills of this central Texas region extend between Austin and San Antonio, with plenty of small towns to explore along the way. Springtime brings bluebonnets to the roadsides of the region. In fall, head to Lost Maples State Park for some of the state’s best leaf peeping. Soak up panoramic views from Enchanted Rock, venture deep into the Caverns of Sonora or the Cave Without a Name, or take a leisurely float along the Guadalupe River.
Gulf Coast
The Texas Gulf Coast stretches for more than 600 miles along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico and includes the Padre Island National Seashore. Sun seekers will find plenty of sandy beaches with warm Gulf waters (plus opportunities for beach camping), while the natural areas along the coast feature some of the best birdwatching in the nation. Houston, Galveston, South Padre Island, and Corpus Christi are among the most popular areas to stay.
Panhandle
The plains of the Texas Panhandle comprise one of the largest regions in the state. Here you’ll find America’s second-largest canyon within Palo Duro Canyon State Park, as well as the iconic Cadillac Ranch car sculpture along road trip-worthy Route 66.
Pine Curtain
Lakes, forests, and swamps dominate the landscape of the lesser-known Piney Woods of East Texas. Step back in time at Mission Tejas State Park, straddle the state line in Texarkana, pitch a tent among the gargantuan pines of Daingerfield, or make the 835-mile camping trip along the Texas Forest Trail. If you want to get out on the water, it's hard to beat a kayak in Caddo Lake State Park.
Prairies and Lakes
This region sweeps down through the center of the state from the Dallas-Fort Worth area to Waco, Bryan, and College Station (home of Texas A&M University). You don’t have to drive far to find a lakeside campground or on-the-water activity, thanks to the area’s 17 Texas state parks and one national wildlife refuge.
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