With winter just around the corner, RV owners are looking southward, for warmer climates and exciting vacations. And while all eyes are, as always, on sunny Florida, any RV’er with an appetite for adventure and a desire to escape the frigid winter air should look to the Lone Star State. A place as diverse as it is warm during the winter months, Texas offers unique opportunities for travel and camping, from the mountains of West Texas to the pine forests of the East.
Starting out west, the biggest and best tourist attraction has long been Big Bend National Park, boasting classic Old West landscapes of towering mountains, fields of cactus, and starry skies at night. Any RV’er can find convenient locations to park short-term or long-term. Some of the sites in the area include Big Bend Resort and Adventures RV Park, which provides its own horseback tours of the area, Study Butte RV Park, BJ’s RV Park, and, for those who prefer more amenities, such as free Wi-Fi, a pool, and an exercise room, Maverick Ranch RV Park and Resort. For an area with fewer tourists, check out La Vista RV Park near Alpine, located high in the mountains and in a laid-back atmosphere, but still close enough to many outdoor opportunities.
Texas is warmer than much of the country during the winter, but in the Panhandle it can get chilly at times. That doesn’t mean you should count out such amazing locations like Palo Duro Canyon, however. Palo Duro RV Park provides ease of access to the canyon and is close enough to town for those who prefer more amenities. Near the no less-majestic Caprock Canyons, Silver Wind RV Park provides a nice place to stay as well.
The Hill Country of Central Texas also provides some beautiful winter scenery with mild temperatures. Hill Country Cottage and RV Resort in historic New Braunfels offers a cozy location, close to the old city center and its great shops, as well as other historic sites in Gruene, home of Texas’ oldest dance hall. Another historic German town, Fredericksburg, boasts the Peach Country RV Park, while those who prefer a more secluded setting might enjoy Koyote Ranch in the rolling, cedar-covered hills near Medina.
Moving further east, any RV camper should enjoy some time on the many lakes that lie around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Caney Cove Resort on Cedar Creek lake offers a beautiful forested area right on the water, while any serious bass fisherman should check out Paradise Forest RV Park on Lake Fork, one of the best bass fishing lakes in America. Lake Texoma, on the border between Texas and Oklahoma, is also a fantastic lakefront getaway- stop by Big Mineral Camp or Lake Texoma RV Campground. The lakes continue among the towering pines of East Texas, so for some more fantastic scenery, be sure to drop by Backwater Jack’s RV Park on swampy and mysterious Caddo Lake or Rayburn RV Hideout on majestic Sam Rayburn Lake.
Of course, the crowning jewel for any Texas winter getaway is its marvelous coastline, stretching from Louisiana down to Mexico. Visit South Padre Island KOA for the beachfront vacation of a lifetime, complete with a potluck Christmas dinner, and for easy access to some great fishing spots. Raintree RV Park in Rockport offers some great bird watching in the coastal marshes, while On the Beach RV Park in Port Aransas offers on the beach convenience without the hustle and bustle of a more populated location like South Padre or Galveston. Finally, anyone looking for a change of scenery during the cold winter should head to the Rio Grande Valley, known as the Texas Tropics, for a true Tex-Mex experience and warm temperatures. Canyon Lake RV Resort, only 15 minutes away from the Mexican border, offers visitors a friendly and warm place to see what the Valley has to offer.
So if you’re heading south for the winter, give warm Texas and one or more of its many wonderful RV parks and destinations a try—you won’t be disappointed! For tips on how to winterize your RV, check out our blog post.
Suggested Reading: Top Texas Watering Holes & Waterfalls
Full Time RVing Resources & Tips
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