Dispersed camping options near Clint, Texas primarily consist of locations within a 30-45 minute drive radius. The Chihuahuan Desert environment creates challenging camping conditions with temperature extremes often exceeding 100°F during summer days while dropping significantly at night. Most camping locations around Clint sit at elevations between 3,700-5,000 feet, contributing to the dramatic desert landscapes and stargazing opportunities that attract campers to the region.
What to do
Bouldering at Hueco Tanks: Hueco Tanks State Park Campground offers world-class rock climbing and bouldering opportunities. "There are great caves, bouldering, and cave paintings," notes one visitor. The park requires advance planning as access is restricted to protect archaeological resources.
Explore pictographs: Historical sites around Gleatherland feature ancient rock art. "Really enjoyed our stay and the Ranger tour of the pictographs in the park that is so close by," shares a camper. Tours cost $5 per person and typically last about 3 hours.
Night sky viewing: The desert locations provide exceptional stargazing opportunities. A camper at Franklin Mountains State Park Campground mentions "Gorgeous views and there was hardly anyone else around - it was great." The park's higher elevation and distance from city lights creates ideal conditions for astronomy.
What campers like
Desert mountain scenery: The stark beauty of the Chihuahuan Desert landscape draws many visitors. "Franklin Mountain state park is a beautiful painted scene in El Paso Tx. some of the camp sites are drive in, but most are hike in (they aren't very far either .2-.5 mi)," explains one camper.
Wildlife encounters: Native animals often visit camping areas. A reviewer at Hueco Tanks State Park Campground mentions "It is on a Native American Reservation. Has wild mountain goats roaming right next to your tent and has off path trails that lead to incredible views."
Quiet desert camping: Many campgrounds provide peaceful settings despite proximity to El Paso. "Remote desert camping with plenty of amenities. Only 5 miles drive to Hueco Tanks & 20 miles from East El Paso. Quiet nights with low light pollution for amazing stargazing opportunities!" reports a visitor to Gleatherland.
What you should know
Restricted access at state parks: Many camping areas have specific entry protocols. At Hueco Tanks, "Cant get in between the hours of 8am & 10am, unless you have a online reservation to even just stay for the day. Closes at 5pm sharp." Similar restrictions exist at other parks.
Weather extremes: The desert climate demands preparation. "The summers are extremely hot. during monsoon season the trails can be sketchy with all the water running down. The spring has poppies covering the mountain," notes a Franklin Mountains camper.
Limited amenities at some locations: Facilities vary widely between locations. At Mission RV Park, "We spent one night here and it was just fine. We drove up with no reservation and the clerk was very friendly. Internet is fine, big covered pool, dog area, lots of picnic tables."
Tips for camping with families
Visitor centers with educational exhibits: Several parks offer learning opportunities for children. "Visitor center has very cool 3d map of area," mentions a Franklin Mountains visitor. These resources help children understand the unique desert environment.
Supervised cave exploration: For families with older children, guided tours provide safe access to historical areas. "We only intended to stay one night, but just as the tour ended a wicked sand storm moved in, so we asked if we could stay another night. The staff was very understanding and knew it was not safe to send us out in that," explains a visitor at Hueco Tanks.
Alternative accommodations: For families seeking more comfort, El Paso Roadrunner RV Park offers reliable facilities. "Easy on off of interstate 10, service road on both sides of 10 with easy u turns from side to side make it easy to navigate town. All kinds of great restaurants and shopping," notes a reviewer.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: RV sites with full services are limited but available. "The sites are level dirt, asphalt drives and FHU sites. The price point is excellent (<$50/night for FHU pull-thru). The campground does offer weekly and monthly rates," reports a visitor to Mission RV Park.
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds present parking difficulties. A Franklin Mountains camper warns "Parking for sites is SLANTED, very few flat! 1 bar Verizon. Gorgeous here but tough in a camper van. Also very windy."
On-site maintenance services: For RVers needing repairs while traveling, "There is an RV repair shop on site and a RV store. If passing through and you needed some service, I would definitely check this place out," recommends an El Paso Roadrunner RV Park visitor. This can be crucial when traveling through remote desert areas.
