The best campgrounds near Marathon, Texas with swimming

Looking for a camping getaway near Marathon, Texas with swimming as your main activity? Look no further than Hipcamp! With over 176 options specifically tailored to your preference, you're sure to find the perfect spot. Whether you're in the mood for a rustic experience or a more luxurious stay, we've got you covered. Check out top-rated campsites like El Cosmico (537 reviews), Paisano Azul Ranch (428 reviews), and Smiling Dog Ranch (332 reviews) to get started. With popular amenities like potable water, campfires, and pet-friendly options, your camping experience will be comfortable and enjoyable. So pack your swimsuit and get ready for an unforgettable adventure!

97% (104)

Top-rated campgrounds

Looking for a camping getaway near Marathon, Texas with swimming as your main activity? Look no further than Hipcamp! With over 176 options specifically tailored to your preference, you're sure to find the perfect spot. Whether you're in the mood for a rustic experience or a more luxurious stay, we've got you covered. Check out top-rated campsites like El Cosmico (537 reviews), Paisano Azul Ranch (428 reviews), and Smiling Dog Ranch (332 reviews) to get started. With popular amenities like potable water, campfires, and pet-friendly options, your camping experience will be comfortable and enjoyable. So pack your swimsuit and get ready for an unforgettable adventure!

97% (104)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. 9 Points Camp

97%

(47)

48mi from Marathon · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · Study Butte, TX

Our family has owned property, on Terlingua Ranch, since the 1970's.  Since that time, we've added additional property and our love for this area and our passion for sharing it with others, has grown more and more.  We've continued to value and preserve the area's natural, primitive beauty. 

2. Casa de Keaveny Cabin and Campsite

100%

(11)

48mi from Marathon · 2 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Alpine, TX

Beautiful land in the Chihuahua desert north of the Christmas mountains and south of the famous 9 point Mesa. Just north of Mexico and 30 min from Big Bend National park and The Terlingua ghostown . West Texas. Off grid small house running on solar power and rain water catchment. Very cozy. Plenty of land for camping also, discuss with Jim for pricing, if interested. Mr. Keaveny built the house himself over a 10 year period. Very private, although Mr. Keaveny lives on the property in his Jayco most of the time, and sometimes a camping site is rented ----however always giving the house lots of space. Great place for long term rental, see discounts.

3. Starry Night Retreat

100%

(26)

48mi from Marathon · 1 site · Tent, RV · Study Butte, TX

Come out to enjoy solitude at the Starry Night Retreat! Pitch your tent in your very own desert escape with 360 degree Mountain View’s and soak up some of the best views of the stars in all of the United States! You will have this entire 5 acre lot all to yourself which allows for extremely peaceful solitude! You will be only 25min~ from both Big Bend national Park and Terlingua Ghost town!

4. Tarantula Ranch Vacation Rentals

48mi from Marathon · 2 sites · Lodging · Terlingua, TX

Tarantula Ranch is inside a fenced compound two miles off the nearest paved road. We are in the Chihuhuan desert wilderness. Experience life at the end of the road!! Neighbors are far away so we have some of the darkest skies in the world not to mention peace and quiet with no traffic. We have spectacular mountain views with great sunrise and sunsets. Our terrain is the Chihuhuan desert which has cactus covered rocky mountains with all the desert plants. Although we have privacy we are only about 35 to 40 minutes from the Big Bend National Park and The Big Bend Ranch State Park. Although we are remote we have a very nice swimming pool and restaurant only about ten to fifteen minutes away. We have two cabins we rent out. The big cabin has four rooms and sleeps six. The other cabin is called the small cabin it is one room and sleeps two.

5. Ocotillo Flats Camping

96%

(13)

49mi from Marathon · 7 sites · Tents · Study Butte, TX

Howdy Hipcampers! Welcome to Ocotillo Flats, a serene 20-acre haven just 30 minutes from Big Bend National Park and the historic Terlingua Ghost Town. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of the Chihuahuan Desert, perfect for stargazing and unwinding. With convenient cell service on the south side of the property, stay connected while you savor the tranquility of nature. You can bring your own bucket bathroom or utilize the facilities at Terlingua Ranch for free. Showers are also available there for just $2. We’ve recently added a horseshoe game area, located on the right-hand side of the road near campsites 4 and 5. Stakes and horseshoes are already set up and ready for friendly competition—just walk across from your campsite and enjoy! The road into the property is an all-weather dirt road. Embark on an unforgettable adventure, where the vast expanse of the desert meets the starlit Texas sky!

6. Star Haven

86%

(42)

48mi from Marathon · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · Alpine, TX

Created by legendary automotive engineer, Carroll Shelby, Terlingua Ranch is nearly 200,000 acres nestled between 1.1 millions acres of wilderness in Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park. Star Haven's expansive vistas afford views of the state park 9 miles southwest, the national park 20 miles southeast and Nine Point Mesa 6 miles due east.  The broad horizons mean unobstructed views for star-gazing and the remote location means the least light pollution you'll find anywhere. After 45 years of leading groups hiking, climbing, rafting, and canoeing the Big Bend, we are glad to share our basecamp with you.

7. Lozano & son’s RR

100%

(2)

48mi from Marathon · 1 site · Tent, RV · Alpine, TX

Welcome to Lozano & Son’s Ranch Resorts. We are proud to share our 20 acre ranch with you! The property is located just 30 minutes from the entrance to BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, and only 7 minutes from the entrance of Terlingua Ranch Road. The roads are maintained year round and don’t require you have a 4x4 or high clearance vehicle to get access to the site. On the land itself you’ll enjoy uninterrupted views of jaw-dropping mountain ranges to the south. There are two campsites available “DRE” and “TONY” both have gated access and a cleared out space for your tents or Rigs. These are Off-Grid campsites which mean no running water or electricity, so please come prepared.

Camper favorites near Marathon

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Tarantula Ranch Vacation Rentals

48mi from Marathon · 2 sites · Lodging · Terlingua, TX

Tarantula Ranch is inside a fenced compound two miles off the nearest paved road. We are in the Chihuhuan desert wilderness. Experience life at the end of the road!! Neighbors are far away so we have some of the darkest skies in the world not to mention peace and quiet with no traffic. We have spectacular mountain views with great sunrise and sunsets. Our terrain is the Chihuhuan desert which has cactus covered rocky mountains with all the desert plants. Although we have privacy we are only about 35 to 40 minutes from the Big Bend National Park and The Big Bend Ranch State Park. Although we are remote we have a very nice swimming pool and restaurant only about ten to fifteen minutes away. We have two cabins we rent out. The big cabin has four rooms and sleeps six. The other cabin is called the small cabin it is one room and sleeps two.

Ocotillo Flats Camping

96%

(13)

49mi from Marathon · 7 sites · Tents · Study Butte, TX

Howdy Hipcampers! Welcome to Ocotillo Flats, a serene 20-acre haven just 30 minutes from Big Bend National Park and the historic Terlingua Ghost Town. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of the Chihuahuan Desert, perfect for stargazing and unwinding. With convenient cell service on the south side of the property, stay connected while you savor the tranquility of nature. You can bring your own bucket bathroom or utilize the facilities at Terlingua Ranch for free. Showers are also available there for just $2. We’ve recently added a horseshoe game area, located on the right-hand side of the road near campsites 4 and 5. Stakes and horseshoes are already set up and ready for friendly competition—just walk across from your campsite and enjoy! The road into the property is an all-weather dirt road. Embark on an unforgettable adventure, where the vast expanse of the desert meets the starlit Texas sky!

Star Haven

86%

(42)

48mi from Marathon · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · Alpine, TX

Created by legendary automotive engineer, Carroll Shelby, Terlingua Ranch is nearly 200,000 acres nestled between 1.1 millions acres of wilderness in Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park. Star Haven's expansive vistas afford views of the state park 9 miles southwest, the national park 20 miles southeast and Nine Point Mesa 6 miles due east.  The broad horizons mean unobstructed views for star-gazing and the remote location means the least light pollution you'll find anywhere. After 45 years of leading groups hiking, climbing, rafting, and canoeing the Big Bend, we are glad to share our basecamp with you.

Lozano & son’s RR

100%

(2)

48mi from Marathon · 1 site · Tent, RV · Alpine, TX

Welcome to Lozano & Son’s Ranch Resorts. We are proud to share our 20 acre ranch with you! The property is located just 30 minutes from the entrance to BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, and only 7 minutes from the entrance of Terlingua Ranch Road. The roads are maintained year round and don’t require you have a 4x4 or high clearance vehicle to get access to the site. On the land itself you’ll enjoy uninterrupted views of jaw-dropping mountain ranges to the south. There are two campsites available “DRE” and “TONY” both have gated access and a cleared out space for your tents or Rigs. These are Off-Grid campsites which mean no running water or electricity, so please come prepared.

Stories from the community

Cameron

2 weeks ago

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Casa de Keaveny Cabin and Campsite

We had a fantastic time at the Casa! Everything was clean, check in was super easy. Make sure you plan some extra time to chat with Jim, great guy with some great stories! Will definitely be back

K

Kate

November 2025

Tent

With pets

5 nights at Starry Night Retreat

It was serene and far enough away from other people to really get to enjoy the solitude. My 2 pups and I spent 4 nights there to connect to nature and decompress from a stressful time in life. It was perfect for that! The dogs learned to quickly look before they step and the thorns in their feet were a minimum. I was surprised at the amount of traffic on Reimers Rd., and there was one neighbor kinda close in my opinion. Overall I had a wonderful time and was able to disconnect from technology! So amazing! I felt 100% safe.

John

October 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Starry Night Retreat

We loved it out there, it was so peaceful and the sky was magnificent. We loved the seclusion and being in a primitive campground with a beautiful sun rise and sunset with mountains surrounding the area. About 20-30 miles from chisos mountain in big bend the drive is scenic

M

Michael

May 2025

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Casa de Keaveny Cabin and Campsite

The best experience I ever had! Jim is very welcoming and friendly. The cabin he built is stuffed with love and intention. Everything is so thoughtful and well made. If you go there, you have to watch the night sky! It is beyond comprehension. Suited for 2, perfect for 4, maybe a little narrow for 6. Bring enough water and supplies. Thoughtful use of resources like water and electricity is mandatory.

O

Oliver

March 2025

Tent

Group trip

2 nights at Ocotillo Flats Camping

Great campsite only about 45 minutes from the main attractions of Big Bend and easy to find

L

Luke

March 2025

Tent

Group trip

2 nights at Starry Night Retreat

Super great spot that wasn’t too far from Big Bend National Park. Lived up to the name on clear nights.

A

Austin

March 2025

Tent

With kids

3 nights at 9 Points Camp

Great location, easy to get too. Great for three vehicles as we each had our own dedicated set up. Host were great with communication and ensuring our needs were met. Would consider using again next time we’re out that way. The host also gave us great information on locals spots to clean up and eat. Worth the stay!

C

Christine

March 2025

33 ft fifth wheel

With pets

Weekend Trip to Star Haven

Getting out to this open area of West Texas was amazing. This spot is a perfect place to disconnect for a few days. If you love geology, this spot has some of the coolest rocks to check out. My two dogs loved being here and didn't run into any other animals or people during our stay. We took the drive slow with my RV but did not have any problems following John's directions.

H

Hennessy

February 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Lozano & son’s RR

Sooo great 100% recommend. It was so convenient for my friends and I and would absolutely camp here again!

C

Chris

February 2025

3 nights at Casa de Keaveny Cabin and Campsite

Jim is a very friendly host with lots of stories to tell. We love this cabin and this was our third stay at the Casa. Dark skies, and quiet nights.

B

Brian

January 2025

With pets

23 nights at Casa de Keaveny Cabin and Campsite

My wife and I really enjoyed our 3 week stay at Casa de Keavany during January. Our host Jim was very attentive and helped provide the local perspective for our activities. If peace, quiet and serenity are what you are looking for, than look no further. The views are spectacular in every direction. The cozy comfy cabin provided all the conveniences we were looking for in this off the grid setting. We love spending time in Big Bend National park and Terlingua and are looking forward to a return trip!

L

Leslie

January 2025

With pets

23 nights at Casa de Keaveny Cabin and Campsite

Jim's cabin was as described, and with added comforts including a flush toilet, shower and bed on the lower level so these older bones didn't have to climb a steep stairway each night! Jim was available, helpful and friendly, assisting with any issues that came up.

J

JeanJacques

January 2025

20 ft campervan

7 nights at Star Haven

Super calm and amazing night skies Second visit to that spot It’s rustic and you must carry in and out all your necessities.

C

Clay

January 2025

Tent

Group trip

4 nights at Starry Night Retreat

Had a great time at the Starry Night Retreat and the name matches what’s in store. The directions were accurate, easy to find, and everything was accurate as listed. Brent was a great host and if you enjoy being secluded with driving distance access to the lodge/town, then this place is for you.

d

don

December 2024

Tent

Weekend Trip to 9 Points Camp

Excellent tent camping spot. There was no one around. The restroom was very clean. It had both a fire pit and a BBQ grill. It also had a trash can. The owners provided detailed driving instructions which was fortunate as we got their at night. If you plan to go to the Big Bend NP plan on about a 45 minute drive from the camp site to the Park HQ. Would definitely stay again. Enjoy!

C

Carter

December 2024

Tent

Weekend Trip to Ocotillo Flats Camping

Diego did an amazing job explaining where to go. Perfect night, perfect sky. Definitely would recommend if you are coming into town!

Ariana

December 2024

20 ft Class B

4 nights at Starry Night Retreat

I had a great time camping on Brent’s Land. Easy access to the big bend national park and beautiful land to walk around and enjoy the view. If I am ever in the area will return!

M

Marguerite

December 2024

Tent

10 nights at Starry Night Retreat

3rd trip here over the last two years, amazing time everytime. This time the moon was t hanging around and I could see the milky way! I spent a week out there on site and it was a blast. Thanks Brent for being a great host!