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Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site

The best camping in Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site, TX

100% (5)

Travel back in time without a phone booth in Seminole Canyon.

The best camping in Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site, TX

Public campgrounds here are often sold out.

1. Desert Vista Campground

100%

(5)

0.6mi from Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site · 31 sites · Tents, RVs · In Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site

Though we all want to camp in caves like they used to thousands of years ago in Seminole Canyon, a campsite with amenities will have to be the second best option

Sunrise over the Roadrunner flat primitive campground in April 2014.

2. Roadrunner Flat Primitive Campground

0.5mi from Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site · 15 sites · Tents, RVs · In Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site

The Roadrunner Flat Primitive Campground is about as close to sleeping in a cave as you’ll get (minus the cave part)

100% (5)

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site adventure.

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Stories from the community

Shawn

October 2025

Tent

1 night at Apache Rock Wilderness Lodge

Mike was such a great host -- gave me a fantastic tour of the property on his ATV. The stargazing was incredible. Hoping to return for another visit soon!

Meredith

December 2024

With kids

Weekend Trip to Apache Rock Wilderness Lodge

Warm and cozy cabins in a nice private hilltop. Mike is super friendly. Nice trails around with some amazing rock collecting.

Top-rated campgrounds

Other options near Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site

Holiday Trav-L-Park

41mi from Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site · 21 sites · Del Rio, TX

Holiday Trav-L-Park stands out as the only four-star travel park in the Del Rio area, owned and operated by fellow RV enthusiasts. Our extensive experience traveling across the United States in various vehicles allows us to cater to the needs of modern travelers and campers effectively. We pride ourselves on providing facilities that ensure your stay is easy, relaxing, and comfortable. Our park offers a range of amenities designed to enhance your experience while also providing plenty of activities to keep you entertained. Located just ten miles from the Mexican border, our campground offers convenient access to a variety of restaurants, clubs, shops, and tourist attractions. This proximity makes it an excellent destination for those seeking low-cost prescriptions, liquor, cigarettes, and dental services. For outdoor enthusiasts, Lake Amistad is renowned for its abundant bass fishing, hosting numerous fishing tournaments throughout the year. A well-maintained boat launch and marina are just minutes away, catering to the needs of avid anglers. Whether you're looking to relax or embark on an adventure, Holiday Trav-L-Park is the perfect base for your journey.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

The best camping in Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site, TX guide

Overview

About

The Rio Grande River near Del Rio in Val Verde County hosts a historical treasure. Rock art and rock paintings high on a cliff wall give clues to what's here. Fate Bell Shelter, named after a previous owner of the land, harbors these unique paintings. They're significant because historians say the paintings are some of the oldest cave paintings in North America.

The humans who painted them lived here 10,000 years ago. They probably hunted wooly mammoths. The paintings themselves are 8,000 years old. Close your eyes and imagine what it was like. Once you spy a mammoth down by the river, you spring into action. After a hard-fought hunt with your spear, you share dinner with your family.

Ten miles of trails let you explore this pristine area on foot. It's not the same as ancient hunting, but you certainly clear your mind. Stay in one of 23 sites with water and electrical hook-ups. Eight have electricity and 15 are rustic.

Notable campgrounds

Primitive Drive-up Sites: For those seeking a rustic experience, these sites offer a true sense of adventure under the stars.
Water and Electricity Sites: Enjoy the comforts of home with the added convenience of water and electricity hookups.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Book early, especially if you plan to visit during the busy season from March to May.
Reserve online for a streamlined process and immediate confirmation of your camping spot.
Call the reservation hotline at (512) 389-8900 for personal assistance and additional information.
Explore nearby camping options if the park is fully booked or for a different camping experience.

When to go

The best time to visit Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site is during the spring months of March, April, and May when the weather is mild and the natural beauty is at its peak. Summer brings intense heat, making early morning or late evening the ideal times for exploration.

Know before you go

Check weather forecasts and prepare for the climate; January can see lows of 36°F, while July averages highs of 98°F.
Ensure you have a reservation during peak times to guarantee entry into the park.
Remember that hiking in the canyon area is only permitted with a guide.
Visit the park's visitor center to enrich your experience with educational insights.
Connect with the park on social media for updates on events and any potential closures.

100%

5 ratings · 4 reviews

Recommends

· November 2018

Desert Vista Campground

Remote desert landscape with cacti and rock formations. We went through a border control checkpoint due to the proximity to the Mexican border. The park offers a six mile hike that leads to petroglyphs and a view over the Rio Grande/Amistad Reservoir at the Mexico border. There's also a daily $5 ranger-led hike into the canyon to view petroglyphs. The remoteness allowed for some great night skies.

Sara + Mike (.

9 reviews

Recommends

· September 2018

Desert Vista Campground

Very windy. Camping area is an open, windswept flat area with no wind breaks. A bit bleak, but there are really no other decent options nearby.

Nina R.

7 years on Hipcamp

October 2015

Roadrunner Flat Primitive Campground

Roadrunners. Stars. One other person in the entire park. Pitch your tent here at night, and hike the Rim Trail/Rio Grande Trail early and go peer into Mexico, because once the cloud cover burns off, the sun is relentless. At night javelinas can be heard in the canyon, in which hiking is allowed with a guide only down to the pictograph site. Seminole Canyon was a wonderful discovery, and feels truly remote.

Lavender M.

10 years on Hipcamp

January 2015

Roadrunner Flat Primitive Campground

Seminole Canyon is a stunning hidden gem. During the day, take a hike on the beautiful rim trail and enjoy scenic views of the landscape, and at night look at some of the brightest stars you have ever seen, with an unobstructed view of the sky. The park itself does not get much traffic, so you may have the entire campground and most of the park to yourself like our group did. The canyon itself is beautiful, and makes you feel like you are standing at the top of the vast Texas plains. If you take the tour into the canyon, you can see some of the best representations of historic cave paintings. This park is absolutely worth checking out!

Erin D.

10 years on Hipcamp