Balmorhea is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Balmorhea is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Discover great camping spots near Balmorhea, reviewed by campers like you.
Stay overnight at one of 34 campsites. Or reserve a room at the San Solomon Springs Courts, motel-style retro lodging built by the CCC.
El Cosmico is an 21 acre nomadic hotel and campground in Marfa, Texas. In keeping with the belief that life should be a balance of adventure and do-nothingness we offer shelter, occasional entertainment, opportunity for learning/doing/making, and access to the majesty of the high plains desert. From its wide open spaces to the vast canopy of stars above, El Cosmico provides temporary liberation from the built world. It is second home to intrepid travelers and wanderers from all corners of the planet.
Accommodations at El Cosmico include renovated vintage trailers, safari and scout tents, Sioux-style tepees, a Mongolian yurt, and tent campsites. The property also offers several communal spaces for guests – a hammock grove, an outdoor kitchen and dining area, a community lounge and mercantile, an outdoor stage, a reading room. We rent wood-fired hot tubs as the burn ban allows, and bikes for exploring Marfa.
$35 - $90 / night
Great spot, the staff is accomadating - brought towels quickly, lots of beverages and food in store waiting for the heat to die down and night to fall
Best place to vistist if you are heading out west. Do skip on the swimming.
This place is really cool and in the great town of marfa! We didn’t stay in one of their trailers or cabins but rather booked a camping spot through hipcamp. This turned out to be just a camp anywhere you want in the parking lot situation which was a little disappointing. Bathrooms are open air and outside as welll, so be advised if you are visiting in the winter.
Before I begin this review, you must understand that it is not like what it once was. It is a busy resort campground with a cult following.
The safari tents are comfortable and spacious. Perfect for basecamp. They definitely arent cheap, but they are definitely worth every penny. The host was very nice and hospitable.
We went in March, arrived after dark, and departed very, very early. It snowed in the morning, so be ready for any extreme weather surprises in the desert!
We camped here for three nights. Great spot, deer came through csmp every evening. We watched the horses in the pasture. Staff was very friendly. Close to Fort Davis, McDonald Observatory. Not far from Balmorhea, Marfa.
El Cosmico is a place you have to experience, even if you just stay in your own tent! They have hot tubs, a hammock garden and an amazing gift shop. I enjoyed it, but it is quite pricey if you stay in one of the trailers. I would have been okay just staying in the trailer for one night if I had known camping was an option when I booked :) I will say, the trailer’s outdoor shower was pretty sweet. The trailer was amazingly decorated and had plenty of space for two people!
I reserved via Hipcamp to “self camp" in the gravel parking lot for $20/night. No hook ups, but generator use is allowed. Campers also have access to the on site facilities which include showers, potable water (not to fill tank), hammocks and grounds.
No shade in the parking lot and very dusty. Actually was there when a dust storm occurred. Unreal! For a quick stopover and to visit Marfa, this was okay. I recommend checking out the Marfa lights viewing area for dry camping. Also check out downtown Marfa and the iconic Hotel Paisano.
It’s right next to town (I biked in and out of Marfa). There are so many options to choose from for accommodations, or just pay very little and bring your own tent! They have showers, a kitchen, lounge area, and fast WiFi!
Very laid back place walkable to lots of good stuff. We will definitely be back.
Best camp site ever!!!!! 🤘🏽❤️🤘🏽🎶🎶
Awesome camp 🏕 site!!! Clean bathrooms an showers!!!! Well kept!!! 🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽
Historic Prude Ranch! Such a lovely staff, they were incredibly accommodating and helpful. We stayed in the lower rv spots near the road because there was apparently a large group of kids staying in the upper spots. The traffic at night is nearly non-existent (at least in March) and doesn’t cause a distraction at all. This is a great place for birdwatching as there are a large variety of species that live there. 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 :)
If you are from Texas, then you already know the legend that is Prude Ranch. I'm not sure when they added RV spots to the Ranch but you can't imagine how excited I was to find out they had. There are about two dozen spots with full hookup 30/50 in two separate camps (upper and lower). The lower camp sites in a pecan field at the entrance to the ranch while the upper camp sites sit smack dab in the middle of the cabins and stables. This isn't your average RV park. Prude Ranch is known statewide for its summer camp which sees hundreds of kids over 4 to 8 weeks in the summer. The rest of the year, Prude is a working horse ranch and there is plenty to do. My son and I took two, two-hour trail rides with our Wrangler Andy who was a wealth of information. There are a couple other RV parks in the area but honestly, if you dont day here you're really missing out. We camped at the lower site which took a little bit of leveling (6" in the front and 2" passenger). The deer come in at night and you can sit and watch them wander. Town is only 5 miles down the road with grocery open til 8pm and a family dollar for those items you didnt realize you forgot until you got here. If you come, you must ride the trails, its an amazing experience.
This is a historic ranch down the road from Fort Davis. The ranch serves as a summer camp for kids and groups and we did arrive in Nov so it was like having the place to ourselves (not sure how it would be with lots of kids around!). 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. The road is not active at all it seems ... very much off the beaten path.
Our spot was a back in and did require leveling, but had full hook ups. There is no set dog park area (not a big deal!). The horse corrals and horses were a great site to see. The buildings could use a fresh coat of paint and the landscaping could use a few flowers and decorative improvements, but we were not there for the RV spots, but for a short stay and hiking.
We entered from the north side of town and was a little skeptical, but eventually we arrived and were happily surprised. They do have horse back riding available at all times; however we chose to hike the near by hills in the state park ... be prepared for the walk is on rocky, shale, hills so extra work on the leg muscles but WELL worth it!
The staff is very very welcoming and knowledgeable of local attractions ... There is Fort Davis you can walk through, hiking at Prude Ranch, hiking in the state park, and a 2 - 3 hour drive that has local natural sites you can see from the car.
$40 for 2 people on bikes with one tent. That’s the highest price we’ve ever paid for one night of tent camping with our own gear. This is a very nice place though. The camping area was spacious and we had a picnic table and small tree next to where we set up. Bathrooms, outdoor showers that are nice and hot with good pressure, sinks available. The self check in was great- book on Hipcamp.com, show up, grab a map of the campground and find your spot on your own. The other lodging options, ie tipis, canvas tents, yurts, etc seemed pretty cool but it appears they book up fast this time of year (week of Thanksgiving). The campground is close to town where you can find food and groceries. The only problem I find with these types of campgrounds is that there are a lot of novice campers who are inconsiderate of their noise late at night and in the early morning. Some people do actually want to sleep!
Tucked away in Marfa, el cosmico is an excellent retreat from the city. With traditional bring your own tent spaces to Safari tents, yurts and old-school RVs. They have a space for what you are yearning for. Check in and guest house complete with a shop and indoor showers sit at the front over looking the campsite and hot tubs. The hot coffee in the morning was very much welcomed before we set out to see the town and surrounding are exhibits that are all close by. I would definitely recommend. We stayed in a safari tent complete with a wonderful bed, side tables, lamp fan and power.
I stayed here very briefly because I had to leave quite early. Considering how hipster this place is, self tent camping wasn’t terribly expensive ($20) but you can also stay in some pretty cool yurts, teepee, retro trailers, or even a luxury tiny home. The whole site was well maintained and very quiet the evening I was there. The camping area has tables, trees for shade, and a hammock grove. They have a really cool shop with clothing, books, etc, and the staff was very friendly with great recommendations with things to do and where to eat. Bathrooms were semi outdoor (roofless but private) and well maintained. By far the most exciting for me was the outdoor private shower. Also roofless but covered in vines and outdoor string lights. I could have showered for hours.
This is an interesting concept for a campground. They have cool trailers and campers and traditional teepees with comfortable amenities. We were here in November and the place was nearly empty. I liked the idea but could not help to think this place lacked authenticity. They are owned by a successful boutique hotel chain operator that markets to the upscale young urban sector. So, you can decide if this is your thing. You are going to pay a fairly high price to sleep in a teepee or an old fixed up camper. It’s on the south side of town in a large open space. You will need to plan your visit if you are camping. Marfa can be quite chilly in the late fall and winter and very hot in the summer. The site is also fairly open and dusty, especially when the wind kicks up. The main attraction here is the proximity to Marfa and the arts scene. It’s one a few places to stay in Marfa and can be a good pace meet others in some of the community spaces and events.
I’ve been on a road trip for the last couple months and was looking forward to this hip alternative campground. I was tent camping not in one of the glamp tents or trailers they have available. All of us tent folk were crammed in the same small area, since it was the only area that provided some shade. It was loud all night from parties across the street and then some people partying in the parking lot at 4am. Obviously that is not the facilities fault, but so unpleasant.
The bathroom and kitchen facilities have not been well maintained and are now in my opinion gross. You still have to clean toilets even if they are outside! I also found the staff rude, clearly they don’t want to be here either.
The only upside is it’s proximity to Chinati.
Punchline: super hip launchpad to check out the rest of the Marfa art scene. Okay- first off El Cosmico is by no means a natural setting- so if you're looking for that kind of camping, look elsewhere. This place clearly works hard to cultivate a new age artsy desert vibe. It offers a variety of accommodations- of which I've only tried out the tent camping and a teepee on one 14 degree night (they had electric blankets, I caved). In addition, they have some nicely restored trailers. It is super close to the middle of town and is a Marfa art destination in its own right. The communal bathrooms and kitchen area were impeccable, but they're outside so obviously get quite chilly in the winter. Gnarly icicles coming out of the faucets when I was there. It would be an awesome kitchen setup in slightly warmer conditions. I despise the term 'glamping'... this ended up being a relatively affordable way to check out Marfa ;)
you can stay at the park in their suites, or hook up campers/rvs.. Park is beautiful and great for kids.
wetlands area and small creek circling the property were a hit with the kids!
short drive to the lake where there is great fishing, large enough to allow small boats.
I have lived in Texas 50 yrs and had never been to West Texas...Mind BLOWN!!! We went in January and, while cold the first part of the week...17 degrees...being Texas, it was 80 by Friday...lol! The spring stays between 73-76 year round! My Husband even braved the cold and jumped in...Although, he claims the water was not that warm..LOL! The campgrounds had elec/H20 sites, covered picnic areas and nice grills. AND WARM SHOWERS!!!. And the most AMAZING SUNSETS I've ever seen!!! The pool is crystal clear and about 25 ft deep and the toe nibbling fish are cool too! I Highly recommend you look this place up, however, I saw that it's closed until March of 2019 for repairs to the pool itself and the campgrounds....BUMMER!
What an awesome spring fed pool! So crazy that this wetland and springs are in the middle of the desert. Stopped here to check out the park and were so pleased with the facilities. The nature program we participated in was informative yet fun. The campground is pretty average with decent sized sites and there is some privacy with the sheltered picnic tables. There is little to no shade and the sites all are in view of each other, but it’s to be expected in the desert :) Nice scenery around the campground.
Camping near Balmorhea, Texas, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds that cater to different needs and preferences.
Camping near Balmorhea, Texas, offers a variety of experiences, from swimming in natural springs to hiking in the mountains. With a little planning, you can enjoy a memorable outdoor adventure!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Balmorhea, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Balmorhea, TX is Balmorhea State Park Campground — Balmorhea State Park with a 4.2-star rating from 5 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Balmorhea, TX?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 glamping camping locations near Balmorhea, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.
