Camping near Anthony, Texas offers options that span across the Texas-New Mexico border at elevations ranging from 3,800 to 5,700 feet. The area experiences significant temperature swings between day and night, with differences often exceeding 30°F during spring and fall seasons. Ground conditions tend to be rocky and packed, making standard tent stakes ineffective at most sites.
What to do
Hiking at Franklin Mountains State Park: Located about 30 minutes from Anthony, this state park features multiple hiking trails with varying difficulty levels. One visitor noted, "Well developed trails, but LOTS of scree, so can be slippery going up, definitely slippery hiking down- - take hiking poles." The visitor center has a 3D map of the area to help plan your hiking routes.
Wine tasting at Sombra Antigua Winery: This unique Sombra Antigua Winery campground doubles as a winery. A camper shared their experience: "They have a large outdoor covered wine tasting area that allows dogs. An excellent wine sampling set helped choose a good wine. I'm not a normal wine connoisseur, but the staff was helpful in finding options that I liked."
Stargazing at Sierra Vista: The Sierra Vista dispersed camping area offers excellent night sky viewing opportunities. A camper mentioned: "The stars from here are pretty great too! There are a couple pull off sites in a groomed road that leads to a trailhead." This free BLM land provides unobstructed mountain and sky views without the constraints of established campgrounds.
What campers like
Mountain vistas: The Organ Mountains provide an impressive backdrop at several campgrounds. At Aguirre Spring Recreation Area and Campground, a camper shared: "We happened to arrive on one of the rare rainiest days of the year. Almost every site was open except for 2-3 other campers. The rain stopped for about 3 hours in the evening giving us amazing sunset views."
Desert wildlife viewing: The Chihuahuan desert ecosystem supports diverse wildlife. One visitor at Sierra Vista reported: "We watched a gray fox during day that was nearby." Another camper spotted coyotes at night, adding a wild element to the camping experience.
Privacy at primitive sites: Despite being close to urban areas, some sites offer unexpected seclusion. A camper at Franklin Mountains State Park Campground explained: "It even has sites where, if you have four wheel drive you can go and be very isolated. I loved this place!" These more remote sites require appropriate vehicles but provide a more authentic desert camping experience.
What you should know
Site limitations for larger vehicles: Many campgrounds in the area have size restrictions. At Las Cruces KOA, which accommodates larger rigs, a camper observed: "We got a remodeled back in site and they are nice. Very wide and 50' deep. There is a concrete patio, table, grill and fire ring." By contrast, Aguirre Spring limits vehicles to 23 feet or less.
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Don't assume all campgrounds have functional facilities. One camper at Western Skys RV Park warned: "The ladies room didn't have any functioning showers and only one working toilet. The men's room had one working toilet and one working shower, both looked and smelled like they hadn't been cleaned in months."
Strong winds are common: The Anthony area experiences frequent high winds, particularly in spring. A camper at Franklin Mountains noted: "Very pretty, but tough camping. Parking for sites is SLANTED, very few flat! Also very windy." Secure all belongings and consider wind-resistant tent setups.
Water availability is limited: Most primitive sites have no water sources. A visitor to Aguirre Spring Recreation Area advised: "Water available at host site near gate before driving about 4 or 5 mi to campsites. We brought our own 5 gal of water and were fine for 3 nights."
Tips for camping with families
Reserve early for holiday weekends: Popular campgrounds fill quickly on holidays. At Hacienda RV Resort, one visitor warned about reservation changes: "I planned and made reservations last August for Thanksgiving 2024. We arrived to find out that the campground had (without notice) moved us to a site in the back of the park with No picnic table, & No fire ring."
Dog-friendly options: Families with pets have several good options. A camper at Las Cruces KOA appreciated their pet amenities: "Big shoutout to the clean restrooms and the dog park, which our pup loved." Hacienda RV Resort also offers exceptional pet facilities, with one camper noting: "They have a dog wash area and one of the best dog run areas I've found at an RV park or resort! There is actually room for the dogs to run."
Activity options for kids: Some campgrounds offer recreational facilities. At Las Cruces KOA, a visitor mentioned: "The kids enjoyed cornhole, basketball, tetherball, and the playground. The store was well stocked." These amenities provide entertainment options when hiking isn't possible due to weather conditions.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many sites in the Anthony area require significant leveling. At Fort Bliss RV Park, one RVer shared: "The sites are small, but have everything you need with level concrete pads and full hook ups." This contrasts with more primitive sites that often feature uneven terrain.
High water pressure warnings: Several campgrounds have unusually high water pressure. One RVer at Fort Bliss mentioned: "The water pressure here is really good, so we used a reducer." Another camper at Hacienda RV Resort echoed this advice about using pressure reducers to prevent damage to RV plumbing.
Road noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some of the best places to camp near Anthony. A camper at Fort Bliss RV Park noted: "It forced us inside because it was not any fun to listen to. Unfortunately, it is very noisy all night from traffic. Make sure you get a spot on the far side."
