Alpine, Texas and the surrounding Davis Mountains sit at elevations between 4,500 and 8,000 feet, creating a high desert environment with cooler temperatures than most of Texas. This region has some of the darkest skies in the continental United States, with many glamping sites in Alpine offering stargazing opportunities due to minimal light pollution. Summer daytime temperatures often reach the 90s while dropping into the 50s at night, requiring glampers to pack for temperature variations.
What to do
Star parties at McDonald Observatory: Located near Historic Prude Ranch, the observatory hosts evening programs where visitors can view celestial objects through powerful telescopes. "Close to Fort Davis, McDonald Observatory," notes camper Deborah R., who stayed at Historic Prude Ranch.
Horseback riding: Several glamping locations offer guided trail rides through the surrounding landscape. At Historic Prude Ranch, one camper shared their experience: "My son and I took two, two-hour trail rides with our Wrangler Andy who was a wealth of information."
Visit Fort Davis National Historic Site: Just 5 miles from glamping options, this preserved frontier military post provides a glimpse into 1800s Texas. "Town is only 5 miles down the road with grocery open til 8pm and a family dollar for those items you didn't realize you forgot until you got here," mentions Christopher W. from Historic Prude Ranch.
Spring-fed swimming: Balmorhea State Park Campground offers a unique desert swimming experience in their natural pool. One visitor describes it as "crystal clear and about 25 ft deep and the toe nibbling fish are cool too!"
What campers like
Dark skies for astronomy: The Marathon Motel & RV Park provides special stargazing programs with on-site equipment. "The camp is in a dark sky reserve and had an astral photographer there showing us the telescopes. Pretty unforgettable!" writes Alyssa L.
Outdoor shower experiences: Marathon Motel offers unique amenities that campers consistently praise. "Perhaps the coolest thing we enjoyed was using their new private outdoor showers where you can look up and stargaze while soaking in warm water getting all clean," notes Brodie D.
Wildlife encounters: Several glamping sites near Alpine feature regular wildlife sightings. At Historic Prude Ranch, Deborah R. observed that "deer came through camp every evening. We watched the horses in the pasture."
Community atmosphere: Many glamping locations foster social environments. At El Cosmico, Catherine C. appreciated the "hammock grove" and mentioned, "The whole site was well maintained and very quiet the evening I was there."
What you should know
Varied accommodation options: Beyond traditional glamping tents, the area offers diverse sleeping arrangements. At El Cosmico, "you can also stay in some pretty cool yurts, teepee, retro trailers, or even a luxury tiny home," according to Catherine C.
Seasonal temperature variations: The high desert climate means significant day-to-night temperature swings. Marathon Motel visitors noted, "The first night we enjoyed looking at the stars with the resident astronomer. The rest of the week we stayed cozy in our warm RV at night as it got really cold!"
Reservation requirements: Popular glamping sites book quickly, especially during peak seasons. For El Cosmico, Susan L. advised: "I reserved via Hipcamp to 'self camp' in the gravel parking lot for $20/night. No hook ups, but generator use is allowed."
Water considerations: Some locations have mineral-heavy water. One camper at Marathon Motel & RV Park noted, "The only thing that wasn't great is that the water is hard and has a very high mineral content. It's totally fine to drink, but if you're sensitive to that kinda thing, take that into consideration."
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with kid-friendly amenities: Some glamping locations near Alpine offer special facilities for children. Balmorhea State Park has "wetlands area and small creek circling the property were a hit with the kids!" according to Jessica M.
Consider off-season visits: For a quieter family experience, plan your Alpine glamping trip during shoulder seasons. At Prude Ranch, Jeff D. noted, "We've been told of the craziness during the summertime when all of the kiddos show up, so be sure to plan for that. Our time there was very peaceful."
Look for educational opportunities: Many glamping sites offer learning experiences for children. Marathon Motel's astronomy programs provide educational value, with mark F. noting they offer "evening stargazing program and several telescopes."
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Some glamping locations with RV sites require equipment for leveling. At Pecan Grove RV Park, Landon B. found the "location A+" and noted it was "very laid back place walkable to lots of good stuff."
Train noise considerations: When selecting a glamping site with RV hookups, be aware of nearby train tracks. Wanderlost R. at Marathon Motel mentioned, "The only reason we give four stars and not five was the difficult to use laundry room, and the train next to the park."
Site selection impacts: At Historic Prude Ranch, Christopher W. advises, "There are two locations for RV parking; front and rear. We stayed in the rear, but would pick the front next time. The rear was private, but the front seemed to have less building obstacles for night sky and sun setting viewing."
