Campgrounds near Olmito, Texas provide access to diverse sites within the subtropical Rio Grande Valley region. While temperatures consistently reach into the 90s from April through October, the area experiences more wind than many first-time visitors expect, with strong breezes particularly common during spring months. The proximity to both South Padre Island and SpaceX's Boca Chica launch facility creates unique opportunities for campers looking to combine beach activities with space tourism.
What to do
Wildlife viewing: Several camping sites near Olmito offer excellent bird watching opportunities. Isla Blanca Park provides "easy access to beautiful beaches and surfing. The check it was easy, but be warned that the little white building is a 1/4 mile before the entrance on the right," notes one camper at Isla Blanca Park.
SpaceX launch viewing: The Brownsville area provides unique access to view rocket launches. As one camper at Tropical Trails RV Resort mentioned, "SpaceX is close, we just watched the latest test flight."
Water activities: The Gulf and intercoastal waterways provide opportunities for various water sports. A visitor noted, "Dolphin watching trip and saw plenty of them" at Tropical Trails RV Resort, while another mentioned, "You have an excellent view of Spacex' Boca Chica launch facility across the channel" at Isla Blanca Park.
What campers like
Winter climate: The mild winter temperatures attract seasonal campers. "We love the winter weather! Close to Mexican border town. The park has a lot of activities during the winter season. Most activities end March 31," shares a visitor at Encore Fun-N-Sun.
Social activities: Many campgrounds offer organized events and activities. At Rod and Reel RV Court, "Every Friday afternoon they have a jam session. Coffee and doughnuts every Saturday. Breakfast every other Monday. Water way with canoes. Game room with pool table."
Swimming pools: Given the heat, pools are a valued amenity. "Very nice great pools hot tub tennis court. Fun place to rv," notes a camper about Winter Haven Resort, while another mentioned, "Very nice park, 3 pools, friendly people."
What you should know
Site spacing varies: Some campgrounds offer more generous spacing than others. "The one thing I absolutely love about Tropical Trails is that the spaces between sites are some of the largest I've seen. It's so refreshing not to be right on top of your neighbor," shares one reviewer.
Wind conditions: The coastal area can experience significant winds. One camper at Tropical Trail Mobile Home & RV Park noted, "the winds are non stop windy."
Hard water issues: Water quality varies between campgrounds. A visitor reported, "The water is incredibly hard and stains everything" at Tropical Trail Mobile Home & RV Park.
Train noise: Some campgrounds have nearby train tracks. "There are train tracks on the north end of the resort, and we were very close to them. Train seems to roll through at about 1030pm every night, but you honestly don't even notice after the first night," shares a Tropical Trails RV Resort camper.
Tips for camping with families
Beach safety: When camping with children on South Padre Island, be aware of changing conditions. "They provide lifeguards during the summer months," notes a visitor about Breeze Lake Campground.
Watch for burrs: Some grassy areas contain painful plant burrs. "The only single complaint is the tiny burrs that are all over the grass area and dunes. They get tracked in and hurt when finding them with bare feet. Our youngest screamed bloody murder the first time walking in flip flops over the grass. Shoes required for most of this park," warns an Isla Blanca Park visitor.
Pool timing: During peak season, family pool access requires planning. At Tropical Trail Mobile Home & RV Park, a visitor noted, "The pool gets full quick. If you don't have your seat or chair by 9am bring your own."
Tips from RVers
Internet access: Work-from-road RVers report variable connectivity. "High Speed Internet (ethernet from the pedestal) was very fast (over 100mbit). No issues with multiple 4k stream, and/or Zoom/Teams calls," shares one Tropical Trails RV Resort visitor, while another campground reported, "Verizon was about 1 bar 4g" at Palmdale RV Resort.
Leveling requirements: Site surfaces vary across campgrounds. "Slight leveling of the RV needed since no concrete pads on Dodson St," notes a visitor about Isla Blanca Park.
Reservation timing: Peak season requires advance planning. "600 sites but you better book early," advises an Isla Blanca Park camper, with many noting winter months fill quickly with seasonal campers.