Cabin rentals near Amarillo, Texas range from basic units with water and electric to more developed sites with indoor amenities. Located in the Texas Panhandle at approximately 3,600 feet elevation, the region experiences dramatic temperature shifts between seasons, with summer highs frequently exceeding 95°F and winter lows dropping below freezing. Most cabin accommodations around Amarillo require advance booking, particularly during peak summer months when temperatures can reach 105°F.
What to do
Hiking at Palo Duro Canyon: The second largest canyon in the United States offers extensive trail networks with varying difficulty levels. At Juniper Campground, "The cave— definitely worth checking out. Saw a baby scorpion in the bathroom sink, but pretty clean bathroom facilities. Biggest downside besides the heat was the relentless biting flies," according to one visitor at Juniper Campground — Palo Duro Canyon State Park.
Water activities at Lake Mackenzie: Located about 60 miles southeast of Amarillo, visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing and boating. "The nice thing about this campground is the ability to swim at the lake down by the beach. Not a stellar beach but with 100° weather, it was sure nice to cool off," notes one camper at Lake Mackenzie Park.
Off-road trails: Several areas feature designated trails for ATVs and dirt bikes. A visitor to Lake Mackenzie Park mentioned, "There are also some pretty popular dirt trails for moto cross and 4 wheelers and the like," making it suitable for outdoor enthusiasts seeking motorized recreation options.
What campers like
Indoor pool access: Several cabin accommodations offer indoor swimming options, particularly appreciated during extreme temperature days. At Big Texan RV Ranch, a camper noted, "Great indoor pool with sauna and hot tub. Fenced areas for three separate dog parks. Good level sites. Will stay here again."
Privacy between sites: Some cabin locations offer more seclusion than others. Regarding Fortress Cliff Primitive — Palo Duro Canyon State Park, a visitor observed, "Beautiful site and large! We were on the outer loop and had awesome views of the canyon walls. Wildlife at camp - saw roadrunner and heard coyotes at night (eerie but also magical)!"
Convenience services: Transportation options to nearby attractions save travelers time and expense. One guest at Big Texan RV Ranch commented, "Call them and they will send a limo over to the RV park to transport you! That was fun, and frankly, since we didn't have a tow car...a big cost savings over Uber."
What you should know
Temperature extremes: Summer heat can be dangerous without proper preparation. A camper at Juniper Campground reported, "It was about 105 when I got in at 5pm in July (to be expected), but cooled down some overnight with a bit of rain."
Wildlife encounters: Expect to see various animals around cabin sites. At Amarillo RV Resort, visitors noted, "It did smell a bit like cows so I guess there's probably a feed lot somewhere nearby."
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly by location and carrier. At Hackberry Campground, a visitor reported, "ATT was spotty but kind of worked-Verizon was nonexistent."
Accessibility considerations: Some cabin areas have challenging access roads. One camper warned about Palo Duro Canyon State Park, "Steep grade of 10% to enter the park itself. No full hookups."
Tips for camping with families
Indoor recreation for extreme weather: Look for cabins with climate-controlled activity spaces. At Amarillo RV Resort, "Apparently there is a game room, laundry, pool, dog run, gym, store, and spa but we were here during the coronavirus shutdown so nothing was open."
Child-friendly amenities: Several cabin locations cater specifically to families with young children. A visitor to Big Texan RV Ranch shared, "Just passing through for a night but such a great place for families. My kids LOVED the bounce pad."
Educational opportunities: Hackberry Campground — Palo Duro Canyon State Park cabins provide access to natural history. A camper noted, "If you are a hiker this is a great place for you. The Canyon views are great and the wildlife peaks out in the early mornings."
Safety considerations: Parents should be aware of natural hazards. At Juniper Campground, a visitor warned about "relentless biting flies" that could be problematic for children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose cabin locations based on specific needs. At MERUS Adventure, a visitor advised, "This was a spot we found last minute when the first place we booked was not ideal for us. Lexie was extremely friendly on the phone and got us in. Incredibly secluded and serene with amazing views of Palo Duro."
Hookup variations: Electrical capacity differs between locations. At Lake Mackenzie Park, a camper noted, "Electric is 50 amp offered a loaner dog bone for the nite...clean quiet campground...only two other sites were in use."
Provisioning logistics: Plan grocery runs strategically. One Amarillo RV Resort visitor shared, "We were able to go to a great steakhouse, grocery store and church the next morning all within 10-15 minutes from the campground."
Seasonal considerations: Winter visitors should prepare for different conditions. A camper at Amarillo RV Resort reported, "We went in the winter so can't comment on the pools or anything like that. But it was fine for a quick overnight stop. We got a AAA discount which was nice."
