Campsites near Canyon, Texas offer direct access to the second largest canyon in the United States, with an average depth of 800 feet and walls showcasing vibrant red, orange, and white geological strata. Autumn camping provides moderate temperatures between 50-70°F with less crowded conditions. Winter campers should prepare for occasional below-freezing nights and potential road closures during ice storms.
What to do
Hiking to cave formations: The Juniper trail features accessible cave formations within a moderate hike. "Great access to the Juniper trail with 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," notes a visitor at Juniper Campground.
Nighttime wildlife observation: Listen for coyotes and observe nocturnal desert wildlife from your campsite. "Wildlife at camp - saw roadrunner and heard coyotes at night (eerie but also magical)! Staff were amazing," reports a camper at Fortress Cliff Primitive.
Photography at dusk: Position yourself at canyon rim sites for optimal sunset photography when canyon walls intensify in color. "Sites are pretty open. They are good for large rigs. Most if not all sites have shaded picnic areas," notes a reviewer at Sagebrush Campground.
Visit Cadillac Ranch: This iconic roadside attraction featuring buried vintage Cadillacs is a short drive from Amarillo RV sites. "It's one of those parks where all the campers are close to each other and lined up in long rows and of course Amarillo is flat flat flat with few trees so it isn't very picturesque... It's also only a very short ride to the Cadillac Ranch."
What campers like
Clear night skies: The canyon's location away from major light pollution provides exceptional stargazing opportunities. "There were sooo many stars. People were turning their lights off and just looking at the starts. Very pretty. Especially when the coyotes starting talking back and forth," describes a camper at Hackberry Campground.
Affordable cabins: Budget-friendly cabins provide shelter during extreme weather periods. "The hay rides were fun. There a pool, laundry facilities and little store. Also a clubhouse with WiFi. RV spots with full hookups. Price was good not great," mentions a visitor at Amarillo KOA.
Morning wildlife sightings: Early risers can observe roadrunners, turkeys, and deer visiting campsites. "We saw several deer in the park and a couple of turkeys running down the road," notes a camper at Hackberry Campground.
Shaded picnic areas: Nearly all developed sites feature covered picnic tables, essential during summer heat. "Gorgeous views from the campsite! Massive space between RV pads! Amazing outside patio with cover and aluminum table! Large red granite rocks for seating if you forgot you're own!"
What you should know
Extreme temperature variations: Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F while winter nights can drop below freezing. "We followed a large class A into the canyon and they were able to make it down... make sure to check out the yurts for a real glamping experience," advises a visitor at Hackberry Campground.
Cell service limitations: Most canyon floor campsites have limited or no cellular coverage. "No Verizon coverage in the canyon, at least not for Verizon. I followed a large class A into the canyon and they were able to make it down," notes one camper.
Biting insects: Flies and other insects can be particularly troublesome during warmer months. "Aside from the heat (about 104 °F when I arrived in June), the main downside here is the flies. They bite. Through clothing. Hard to stay in one place very long when the flies are after you," warns a visitor at Mesquite Campground.
Hairpin road access: Canyon access requires navigating steep, winding roads with 10% grades. "Make sure to stop at the CCC overlook at the visitor center for photos and make your text or calls here, because here's no cell service in the canyon."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated facilities for children. "We only stayed one night and we had a late check in but a map and instructions were waiting for us when we got there. It was easy to get to our site and was easy to pull in with our 38 ft rig. My kids enjoyed the little catch and release pond before we left the next morning," shares a visitor at Fort Amarillo RV Resort.
Best hiking trails for children: Several moderate trails accommodate younger hikers with shade access. "Great fun, so pretty, awesome hiking and biking, pet friendly. We stayed 3 days in late February weather was amazing," a visitor at Fortress Cliff notes.
Educational wildlife opportunities: Plan early morning walks for optimal wildlife viewing with children. "Beautiful 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. Bathrooms and showers are kept clean!" remarks a camper.
Tips from RVers
Leveling considerations: Most RV sites require minimal leveling blocks despite the canyon terrain. "Our site was easy to level. Our site was not shaded with limited trees. This was a smaller lot with our neighbors very close," reports an RVer at Amarillo KOA.
Hookup placement: Electric and water connections are positioned for standard RV layouts at most sites. "Mesquite CG—Every site has a view. My favorite sites are listed below. But all sites have the advantage of a view of beautiful geology surrounding the campground. I would say this is the best campground in the park," notes a visitor.
Navigation challenges: Large rigs should plan arrival during daylight hours due to steep canyon access roads. "Be careful taking the hairpin road down to the campground at night!" warns a camper at Fortress Cliff.
Dump station locations: Plan waste disposal around the limited dump station availability within the canyon. "Our site included 30/50amp electric service and water connection. Dump station available on the main road out of the park."
