RV campgrounds near Balmorhea, Texas sit in a high desert environment characterized by arid conditions with temperatures ranging from below freezing in winter to over 100°F during summer months. The Balmorhea area, situated at approximately 3,300 feet elevation, experiences clear skies and low humidity year-round. Cell service in this region can be spotty depending on your provider, with reception strongest near Interstate 10 and diminishing in outlying areas.
What to do
Dark sky viewing: Drive 30 minutes from Balmorhea to Fort Davis for premium stargazing. "We pulled off I-10 to stay for the night on a cross-country trip. This park is remarkably quiet and scenic for being in the middle of the desert and right next to the highway," notes a visitor at Saddleback Mountain RV Park.
Hot springs swimming: Visit Balmorhea State Park's historic spring-fed pool, open year-round with water temperatures around 76°F. One camper at Tumble In RV Park commented, "Funky RV campground, we really loved this place. In Jan it was mostly empty. Very open and spacious place which fits the feeling of Marfa."
McDonald Observatory tours: Take a guided tour at the observatory in Fort Davis, about 30 miles from Balmorhea. A reviewer at Fort Davis Inn & RV Park shared: "Lots of things to do in the area whether it's shopping in the cute downtown or exploring Fort Davis, which has been partially reconstructed or going to the observatory or state park."
What campers like
Affordability: Budget-friendly options available under $30 nightly. "For $20, we have water, sewer, and electricity. The T-Mobile cell service is amazing, but there aren't over-the-air TV channels," reported one guest at Saddleback Mountain RV Park.
Winter accessibility: Mild daytime winter temperatures make off-season camping comfortable. A visitor at Tumble In RV Park noted, "In Jan it was mostly empty. Very open and spacious place which fits the feeling of Marfa."
Mountain views: Several parks offer scenic vistas of the Davis Mountains. One camper at La Vista RV Park appreciated the "Small, quiet, very clean. Never met the owner but the mgr. Was very nice. Nice view. Very nice restrooms and shower facilities."
Local food options: Small town diners and restaurants within short driving distance. A camper mentioned, "There is a great Mexican restaurant in town (as much as there is any town to Balmorhea), too, be sure to check hours and such. It's called La Cueva de Oso."
What you should know
Limited amenities: Basic facilities prevail in this remote area. A camper at Davis Mountain RV Park noted, "This is our first trip into Texas and we came in from Carlsbad. There are several options in Fort Davis and this one was affordable at $30 for full hook ups. Aside from newly planted trees and a dumpster, there's nothing at the park."
Weather extremes: Prepare for temperature swings of 30+ degrees between day and night. During freezing weather, one camper shared their experience: "We did hit some freezing overnights so I just filled the tanks and we ran off that until we left."
Pet restrictions: Some parks have breed-specific rules. A reviewer at Hilltop RV Park mentioned, "No rottweiler or pitbull breeds" in their review of park policies.
Self-service check-in: Many parks use unmanned registration systems. "The self check in trailer was straightforward... $15 for the night," reported a camper at Tumble In RV Park.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Plan day trips to Balmorhea State Park's spring-fed swimming pool, especially during hot months. A family staying at Lost Alaskan RV Park shared: "We were on our way to Big Bend National Park and it's really out of the way! Alpine was a good place to spend the night before heading to the park."
Educational stops: Schedule visits to Fort Davis National Historic Site for history lessons. A camper noted, "Make sure to check out the Chihuahuan nature and botanical garden and the Davis mountain state park."
Playground access: Limited playground facilities available at select parks. "The playground was ok… had seen better days and was a little lopsided. Pool was closed and we were sad to not know this ahead of time," mentioned one family at Lost Alaskan RV Park.
Cell service planning: Download activities and maps in advance due to unreliable connectivity. A camper observed, "Verizon cell service one bar and unreliable" at La Vista RV Park near Alpine.
Tips from RVers
Level sites: Most parks offer gravel pads requiring minimal leveling. At Tra-Park RV Park, a reviewer noted: "Sites are level, have good hookups... but no trees or privacy."
Hookup quality: Water pressure varies significantly between parks. "During our stay we had reliable power and water, no issues. Decent water pressure as well," reported one RVer at Saddleback Mountain.
Overnight planning: Many parks accommodate late arrivals with self-check-in systems. A traveler shared: "We arrived around 4:30 pm on a Friday and the office wasn't open. They have a dropbox that tells you to find a spot and pay the nightly rate in the dropbox."
Site selection strategy: Choose spots away from highways to minimize road noise. "We were offered site 11 on the very end so no one would billboard my view but I decided I would stick it out just one night with neighbor within spitting distance," explained one RVer describing their experience at Tra-Park RV Park.
