Fort Davis sits at over 5,000 feet elevation in the Davis Mountains of West Texas, creating cooler temperatures than surrounding desert areas. The region experiences 15-20°F temperature swings between day and night throughout the year. Cabin camping facilities near Fort Davis range from basic shelters to fully equipped accommodations with varying seasonal availability.
What to do
Stargazing at McDonald Observatory: Located 17 miles from Fort Davis on Highway 118, the observatory offers star parties and telescope viewings. "We did arrive in Nov so it was like having the place to ourselves," notes a visitor at Historic Prude Ranch, which offers excellent dark sky views from its property.
Horseback riding: Trail rides provide unique perspectives of the Davis Mountains landscape. "My son and I took two, two-hour trail rides with our Wrangler Andy who was a wealth of information," reports a Historic Prude Ranch guest who found the experience "amazing."
Visit Fort Davis National Historic Site: Explore this well-preserved frontier military post. "Fort Davis you can walk through," mentions a camper who stayed at Mountain View Lodge, which positions guests just minutes from this historical site.
Soak in spring-fed waters: The 25-foot deep natural pool at Balmorhea State Park Campground maintains 73-76°F year-round. "The spring stays between 73-76 year round! My Husband even braved the cold and jumped in," shares a January visitor.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Multiple camping areas feature opportunities to observe local fauna. "The deer come in at night and you can sit and watch them wander," explains a camper at Historic Prude Ranch, where evening wildlife sightings are common.
Dark skies for astronomy: West Texas offers exceptional night sky visibility. At Marathon Motel & RV Park, "what makes this campsite special is that it's also a stargazing park and they have star-specialists here every night with telescopes to answer any questions about the night sky!"
Mountain views: The Davis Mountains provide scenic backdrops for cabin stays. "The views of the night sky are bar none," according to a guest at Marfa Yacht Club, where covered sites are "staggered so each site has unobstructed views."
Outdoor shower experiences: Some properties feature unique bathing facilities. At Marathon Motel & RV Park, campers enjoy "using their new private outdoor showers where you can look up and stargaze while soaking in warm water getting all clean."
What you should know
Off-season advantages: Winter visitors often experience lower occupancy. "We did arrive in Nov so it was like having the place to ourselves," reports a guest at Historic Prude Ranch, noting how peaceful the experience was.
Limited shopping options: Prepare by bringing supplies. "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," advises a Historic Prude Ranch camper.
Road conditions: Some access roads require caution. At Marfa Yacht Club, "the one downside was the road leading to the MYC--it was gravel and when we were there, suffered from washboarding that really jostled things around in the trailer."
Temperature variations: Mountain elevation creates significant day-night temperature differences. "The evening was breezy so not a lot of mosquitos," notes a camper at Balmorhea State Park Campground, where temperature drops affect insect activity.
Tips for camping with families
Book cabin stays early for summer: Many facilities host youth programs during peak season. At Historic Prude Ranch, "Prude Ranch is known statewide for its summer camp which sees hundreds of kids over 4 to 8 weeks in the summer," making advance planning crucial for family cabin stays.
Consider playground access: Some camping areas include recreational facilities for children. Lost Alaskan RV Park provides "a nice dog walk and play area," though one guest noted the "playground was ok… had seen better days and was a little lopsided."
Look for kid-friendly water features: Swimming opportunities provide relief from heat. Balmorhea State Park Campground "is crystal clear and about 25 ft deep and the toe nibbling fish are cool too," making it appealing for children.
Check Wi-Fi quality for schoolwork: Internet access varies between properties. At Lost Alaskan RV Park, "Location is good for visiting the area if you need to be connected - wifi was good enough close to the office and cell service was also good enough."
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Prepare for uneven sites at some facilities. At Historic Prude Ranch, one RVer reported their site "took a little bit of leveling (6" in the front and 2" passenger)," while another mentioned their spot "was a back in and did require leveling, but had full hook ups."
Distance planning: Fort Davis serves as a hub for regional exploration. Marathon Motel & RV Park is "right off the main road into Big Bend National Park, about a 40 minute drive," making it useful for those combining cabin and national park stays.
Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts camping comfort significantly. "We stayed for almost a week and enjoyed our time in Marathon. The first night we enjoyed looking at the stars with the resident astronomer. The rest of the week we stayed cozy in our warm RV at night as it got really cold!" notes a winter visitor to Marathon Motel & RV Park.
Hookup availability: Utility connections vary between sites. At El Cosmico, "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."
