Best Glamping near Fort Davis, TX

Historic Prude Ranch and El Cosmico provide distinctive glamping experiences near the Davis Mountains in West Texas. Prude Ranch offers safari-style glamping accommodations with full amenities, comfortable bedding, and modern conveniences while maintaining its authentic ranch atmosphere. El Cosmico features a variety of unique glamping options including safari tents, yurts, and tipis with stylish furnishings and comfortable beds. A recent visitor noted, "The safari tents are comfortable and spacious. Perfect for basecamp. They definitely aren't cheap, but they are definitely worth every penny." Both locations provide electricity, quality linens, and access to clean shower facilities. The canvas accommodations blend seamlessly with the natural desert landscape while providing protection from the elements and a touch of luxury.

Stargazing opportunities abound in this dark sky region, with El Cosmico's open setting ideal for night sky viewing and proximity to the McDonald Observatory. The glamping sites serve as perfect basecamps for exploring nearby attractions including Fort Davis National Historic Site, Davis Mountains State Park, and the Marfa art scene. Horseback riding at Prude Ranch offers a traditional West Texas experience through scenic mountain trails. According to one camper, "We took two, two-hour trail rides with our Wrangler Andy who was a wealth of information." El Cosmico provides additional unique amenities including outdoor hot tubs and a hammock garden for relaxation. Both locations offer community spaces for socializing, and their proximity to small towns allows for convenient dining and shopping excursions while maintaining the remote desert glamping experience.

Best Glamping Sites Near Fort Davis, Texas (6)

    1. Historic Prude Ranch

    5 Reviews
    Fort Davis, TX
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (432) 426-3201

    "Staff was very friendly. Close to Fort Davis, McDonald Observatory. Not far from Balmorhea, Marfa."

    "Such a lovely staff, they were incredibly accommodating and helpful. We stayed in the lower rv spots near the road because there was apparently a large group of kids staying in the upper spots."

    2. El Cosmico

    14 Reviews
    Marfa, TX
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (432) 729-1950

    "Tucked away in Marfa, el cosmico is an excellent retreat from the city. With traditional bring your own tent spaces to Safari tents, yurts and old-school RVs."

    "The camping area was spacious and we had a picnic table and small tree next to where we set up. Bathrooms, outdoor showers that are nice and hot with good pressure, sinks available."

    3. Balmorhea State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Balmorhea, TX
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (432) 375-2370

    $20 - $175 / night

    "Electric & water hookup. Staff was also great at check in. Spring Fed Oasis pool is cool as well. Coming during the week it isn’t busy & can enjoy it better."

    "I have lived in Texas 50 yrs and had never been to West Texas...Mind BLOWN!!! We went in January and, while cold the first part of the week...17 degrees...being Texas, it was 80 by Friday...lol!"

    4. Tiny Town RV Park

    Be the first to review!
    Fort Davis, TX
    3 miles
    +1 (432) 249-0106

    $35 - $90 / night

    5. Pecan Grove RV Park

    1 Review
    Alpine, TX
    20 miles
    +1 (432) 837-7175

    6. Marathon Motel & RV Park

    16 Reviews
    Alpine, TX
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (432) 386-4241

    "All spaces with electric and water, showers are great. Has a nice courtyard with large fire pit. Very clean and quite."

    "Friendly staff . The tent section is away from the RVs and have a private flushing toilet. There is a larger bathroom available with shower."

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Recent Glamping Photos near Fort Davis, TX

7 Photos of 6 Fort Davis Campgrounds


Glamping Reviews near Fort Davis, TX

45 Reviews of 6 Fort Davis Campgrounds


  • Michael The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 27, 2020

    Historic Prude Ranch

    Off season gem for local hiking and short stay!

    This is a historic ranch down the road from Fort Davis.  The ranch serves as a summer camp for kids and groups and we did arrive in Nov so it was like having the place to ourselves (not sure how it would be with lots of kids around!).  There are two locations for RV parking; front and rear.  We stayed in the rear, but would pick the front next time.  The rear was private, but the front seemed to have less building obstacles for night sky and sun setting viewing.  The road is not active at all it seems ... very much off the beaten path.

    Our spot was a back in and did require leveling, but had full hook ups.  There is no set dog park area (not a big deal!). The horse corrals and horses were a great site to see. The buildings could use a fresh coat of paint and the landscaping could use a few flowers and decorative improvements, but we were not there for the RV spots, but for a short stay and hiking.

    We entered from the north side of town and was a little skeptical, but eventually we arrived and were happily surprised.  They do have horse back riding available at all times; however we chose to hike the near by hills in the state park ... be prepared for the walk is on rocky, shale, hills so extra work on the leg muscles but WELL worth it!

    The staff is very very welcoming and knowledgeable of local attractions ... There is Fort Davis you can walk through, hiking at Prude Ranch, hiking in the state park, and a 2 - 3 hour drive that has local natural sites you can see from the car.

  • Tim W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 8, 2020

    El Cosmico

    An oasis in the desert

    Tucked away in Marfa, el cosmico is an excellent retreat from the city. With traditional bring your own tent spaces to Safari tents, yurts and old-school RVs. They have a space for what you are yearning for. Check in and guest house complete with a shop and indoor showers sit at the front over looking the campsite and hot tubs. The hot coffee in the morning was very much welcomed before we set out to see the town and surrounding are exhibits that are all close by. I would definitely recommend. We stayed in a safari tent complete with a wonderful bed, side tables, lamp fan and power.

  • D
    Jun. 20, 2022

    Historic Prude Ranch

    Historic Prude Ranch

    We camped here for three nights. Great spot, deer came through csmp every evening. We watched the horses in the pasture. Staff was very friendly. Close to Fort Davis, McDonald Observatory. Not far from Balmorhea, Marfa.

  • Kera P.
    Nov. 25, 2020

    El Cosmico

    Cool and comfortable

    $40 for 2 people on bikes with one tent. That’s the highest price we’ve ever paid for one night of tent camping with our own gear. This is a very nice place though. The camping area was spacious and we had a picnic table and small tree next to where we set up. Bathrooms, outdoor showers that are nice and hot with good pressure, sinks available. The self check in was great- book on Hipcamp.com, show up, grab a map of the campground and find your spot on your own. The other lodging options, ie tipis, canvas tents, yurts, etc seemed pretty cool but it appears they book up fast this time of year (week of Thanksgiving). The campground is close to town where you can find food and groceries. The only problem I find with these types of campgrounds is that there are a lot of novice campers who are inconsiderate of their noise late at night and in the early morning. Some people do actually want to sleep!

  • R
    May. 26, 2019

    El Cosmico

    Not as special as I’d hoped...

    I’ve been on a road trip for the last couple months and was looking forward to this hip alternative campground. I was tent camping not in one of the glamp tents or trailers they have available. All of us tent folk were crammed in the same small area, since it was the only area that provided some shade. It was loud all night from parties across the street and then some people partying in the parking lot at 4am. Obviously that is not the facilities fault, but so unpleasant.

    The bathroom and kitchen facilities have not been well maintained and are now in my opinion gross. You still have to clean toilets even if they are outside! I also found the staff rude, clearly they don’t want to be here either.

    The only upside is it’s proximity to Chinati.

  • LaRee S.
    Jun. 23, 2022

    El Cosmico

    A little loud, but magical

    Before I begin this review, you must understand that it is not like what it once was. It is a busy resort campground with a cult following.

    The safari tents are comfortable and spacious. Perfect for basecamp. They definitely arent cheap, but they are definitely worth every penny. The host was very nice and hospitable.

    We went in March, arrived after dark, and departed very, very early. It snowed in the morning, so be ready for any extreme weather surprises in the desert!

  • Catherine C.
    Aug. 25, 2019

    El Cosmico

    Awesome

    I stayed here very briefly because I had to leave quite early. Considering how hipster this place is, self tent camping wasn’t terribly expensive ($20) but you can also stay in some pretty cool yurts, teepee, retro trailers, or even a luxury tiny home. The whole site was well maintained and very quiet the evening I was there. The camping area has tables, trees for shade, and a hammock grove. They have a really cool shop with clothing, books, etc, and the staff was very friendly with great recommendations with things to do and where to eat. Bathrooms were semi outdoor (roofless but private) and well maintained. By far the most exciting for me was the outdoor private shower. Also roofless but covered in vines and outdoor string lights. I could have showered for hours.

  • Kelly M.
    Sep. 29, 2018

    El Cosmico

    New age desert resort (with tent camping)

    Punchline: super hip launchpad to check out the rest of the Marfa art scene. Okay- first off El Cosmico is by no means a natural setting- so if you're looking for that kind of camping, look elsewhere. This place clearly works hard to cultivate a new age artsy desert vibe. It offers a variety of accommodations- of which I've only tried out the tent camping and a teepee on one 14 degree night (they had electric blankets, I caved). In addition, they have some nicely restored trailers. It is super close to the middle of town and is a Marfa art destination in its own right. The communal bathrooms and kitchen area were impeccable, but they're outside so obviously get quite chilly in the winter. Gnarly icicles coming out of the faucets when I was there. It would be an awesome kitchen setup in slightly warmer conditions. I despise the term 'glamping'... this ended up being a relatively affordable way to check out Marfa ;)

  • Brian F.
    Apr. 16, 2021

    Marathon Motel & RV Park

    Fine Place To Overnite Before Entering Big Bend

    Great small RV park with motel. All spaces with electric and water, showers are great. Has a nice courtyard with large fire pit. Very clean and quite. It’s right off the main road into Big Bend National Park, about a 40 minute drive.


Guide to Fort Davis

Glamping close to Fort Davis, Texas offers travelers access to some of the darkest skies in the country, with the region situated at elevations between 4,900-6,700 feet in the Davis Mountains. This high desert environment experiences dramatic temperature shifts between day and night, sometimes varying by 30-40 degrees regardless of season. The surrounding Chihuahuan Desert landscape creates a distinctive camping experience with both private ranches and public lands available for overnight stays.

What to do

Astronomy programs: Visit Marathon Motel & RV Park for serious stargazing opportunities with professional equipment. "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!" one visitor explained. The motel offers nightly star programs with telescopes when conditions permit.

Horseback riding: Trail rides at Historic Prude Ranch provide access to scenic mountain terrain. "My son and I took two, two-hour trail rides with our Wrangler Andy who was a wealth of information," shares a camper. The ranch maintains working stables with guided rides available most of the year.

Swimming: The spring-fed pool at Balmorhea State Park remains between 73-76 degrees year-round. "What an awesome spring fed pool! So crazy that this wetland and springs are in the middle of the desert," notes a visitor. The pool reaches depths of approximately 25 feet and features native fish species.

What campers like

Private glamping settings: El Cosmico offers multiple accommodation types beyond standard tents. "We stayed in a safari tent complete with a wonderful bed, side tables, lamp fan and power," reports a guest. Unique lodging options include teepees, yurts, and renovated trailers.

Historic ranch atmosphere: At Historic Prude Ranch, the combination of working ranch facilities and accommodation creates a distinctive experience. "This isn't your average RV park. Prude Ranch is known statewide for its summer camp which sees hundreds of kids over 4 to 8 weeks in the summer. The rest of the year, Prude is a working horse ranch," explains a reviewer who stayed in the lower RV area.

Outdoor bathing options: Multiple properties offer unusual shower facilities. "Perhaps the coolest thing we enjoyed was using their new private outdoor showers where you can look up and stargaze while soaking in warm water getting all clean," shares a visitor to Marathon Motel & RV Park. El Cosmico provides similar roofless shower experiences with vine-covered walls.

What you should know

Seasonal considerations: Temperatures fluctuate dramatically in this high desert region. "We went in January and, while cold the first part of the week...17 degrees...being Texas, it was 80 by Friday," notes a camper at Balmorhea State Park Campground. Pack clothing for both hot and cold conditions regardless of when you visit.

Site leveling required: Many RV sites in the area need adjustment before setup. One Prude Ranch visitor mentioned: "Our spot was a back in and did require leveling, but had full hook ups," while another noted needing "6 inches in the front and 2 inches passenger" side at the lower site.

Limited shade: Most glamping sites near Fort Davis have minimal natural shade. "No shade in the parking lot and very dusty. Actually was there when a dust storm occurred. Unreal!" reports an El Cosmico camper. Bring portable shade structures during summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F.

Tips for camping with families

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Prude Ranch offers regular wildlife sightings near campsites. "The deer come in at night and you can sit and watch them wander," shares a reviewer. Pecan Grove RV Park in nearby Alpine provides similar experiences in a walkable setting.

Kid-friendly activities: Several properties cater specifically to families. "Wetlands area and small creek circling the property were a hit with the kids!" notes a Balmorhea visitor. Prude Ranch operates as a summer camp during certain months, with family-oriented facilities available year-round.

Educational opportunities: The astronomy programs at Marathon Motel provide science learning for all ages. "We are planning to camp another night and do laundry while we're here," mentions a bicycle camper who appreciated the nightly stargazing programs with specialists and telescopes.

Tips from RVers

Self-registration options: Some campgrounds offer flexible check-in. "The self check in was great- book on Hipcamp.com, show up, grab a map of the campground and find your spot on your own," reports an El Cosmico visitor. This allows late arrivals after business hours.

Water quality considerations: Local water supplies can contain high mineral content. At Marathon Motel, a camper noted: "The only thing that wasn't great is that the water is hard and has a very high mineral content. It's totally fine to drink, but if you're sensitive to that kinda thing, take that into consideration. It does leave a white crust on stuff."

Location accessibility: Marathon Motel & RV Park serves as a gateway to the broader region. "It's about a 45 minute drive to the Big Bend gate and maybe another 30 minutes to a hike or exhibit inside the park from there. 30 minutes to Alpine and maybe a hour to Marfa," explains a reviewer, making it a central location for exploring multiple destinations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Fort Davis, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Fort Davis, TX is Historic Prude Ranch with a 4.6-star rating from 5 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Fort Davis, TX?

TheDyrt.com has all 6 glamping camping locations near Fort Davis, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.