Alpine sits at 4,475 feet elevation in the high desert of West Texas, surrounded by the Davis Mountains and Chihuahuan Desert. Summer temperatures can reach the mid-90s during the day but drop to the 60s at night, while winter nights often dip below freezing. Many campgrounds in this region offer minimal shade, with sites exposed to the desert sun and occasional strong winds.
What to Do
Stargazing opportunities: Davis Mountains State Park Campground offers exceptional night sky viewing. "The views are gorgeous landscape and incredible stargazing. Showers close to campsites, an added bonus when camping for 5+ days," notes Sarah D.
Wildlife watching: The diverse ecosystem supports various desert species. At Elephant Mountain WMA, "There were rabbits hopping around and beautiful mountains including the 'elephant' in the room. A rainbow appeared next to it and it felt unreal," shares Richard T.
Historic exploration: Fort Davis National Historic Site is accessible from nearby campgrounds. "It's convenient to visit Fort Davis and the McDonald Observatory. If your plans take you near this State Park - definitely check it out!!" recommends a visitor at Davis Mountains State Park.
What Campers Like
Level, spacious sites: Many RV parks provide well-maintained camping areas. At Lost Alaskan RV Park, "Nice clean sites that are spacious and not on top of your neighbor. Location is good for visiting the area if you need to be connected - wifi was good enough close to the office and cell service was also good enough," explains Kristen M.
Weather conditions: The high desert climate creates comfortable camping during certain seasons. "Even in July I didn't need to use my trailer's air conditioning. It stayed around the upper 80's. Great baby hawk watching in the morning," shares Emily M. about her stay at Davis Mountains State Park.
Proximity to attractions: Marathon Motel & RV Park serves as a good base for exploring. "It's about a 45 minute drive to the Big Bend gate and maybe another 30 minutes to a hike or exhibit inside the park from there. 30 minutes to Alpine and maybe a hour to Marfa," reports Mia D.
What You Should Know
Permits may be required: Some camping areas have specific requirements. At Elephant Mountain WMA, "There is a small sign that might have said that you're supposed to have a permit (possibly for hunting) to use the spots or else you might face a fine," warns Mark F.
Limited shade: The desert landscape means little protection from the sun. "Unfortunately most sites that I saw don't have much, if any, shade. That being said, there are lots of plusses for this campground," notes Susan L. about Lost Alaskan RV Park.
Varying amenities: Facilities differ significantly between established and dispersed sites. "The campground is set on the outskirts of Alpine and has pine trees around it... The staff is great, the site I was in was level and had full hook ups, the campground laundry is excellent and there's also a community recreation room," explains another camper.
Tips for Camping with Families
Visit during cooler months: Summer heat can be challenging for children. "We went during the 4th of July, and went to the top of the mountain to watch the fire works. Very nice park, we will definitely be back," shares Perla P. about her family's experience at Davis Mountains State Park.
Choose pet-friendly campgrounds near Alpine: Many sites accommodate dogs but have specific areas. At Tumble In RV Park, "It is a work in progress... They have plans to add bathrooms and a laundry facility. The connections are all new and water pressure is excellent," notes Jeff T.
Plan for temperature swings: Desert conditions mean significant day-to-night changes. "My family and I enjoyed the park. I have 3 boys, 4 month old, 5 & 6 year old, they had a blast. The weather was perfect, high 90s and low 60s," reports Perla P.
Tips from RVers
Road conditions: Access to some sites requires attention to road quality. At Marfa Yacht Club, "The one downside was the road leading to the MYC--it was gravel and when we were there, suffered from washboarding that really jostled things around in the trailer," cautions Sara B.
Site selection for shade: Limited tree cover means strategic parking. At Davis Mountain RV Park, "It's a dirt lot, but it serves its purpose. If your looking for fancy or anything above hookups- this is not for you. Minutes from town and the Fort at Fort Davis and just down the road from the state park for some nice hiking," advises David N.
Water quality concerns: Regional water has high mineral content. "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. It does leave a white crust on stuff," notes one camper at Marathon Motel & RV Park.
