Searching for a tent camping spot near Fort Davis? Find the best information on tent campgrounds near Fort Davis, including sites, reviews, and tips. Each tent campsite offers quick access to one or more of Fort Davis's most popular destinations.
$15 - $25 / night
$35 - $75 / night
Guide
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.
Legend
The Davis Mountains State Park is an excellent park to visit for the whole family. The park and campsites are family friendly with bathrooms with toilets, sinks and showers. If tent camping is not your thing, there is a historic hotel within the park called the Indian Lodge. There are a number of campsites that run along a dry ravine that is lined with trees. The trees are great for shade and to hang hammocks. Be sure to bring 2" tree hunger straps because it is now required in all Texas State Parks. There is a little interpretive information and education center with displays about the local flora and fauna. There are a number of trails that start from the campground. If you arrive late in the day, but before the sun goes down, drive up the road to the top of the Skyline Drive Trail to catch the sunset. In the morning, hike up the Montezuma Qual Trail to see the sunrise over the nearby mountains. The Fort Davis Historic Site is close by the park and one can actually hike about 6 miles from the park to the historic site over a small mountain. Not far from the park is the University of Texas McDonald Observatory. They have Star Parties regularly which includes talks by astronomers and viewing of stars through large and powerful telescopes. The town of Ft Davis is nearby in case you need to resupply with food, drinks or other items. The town of Ft. Davis has a wonderful Fourth of July parade and celebration.
LegendOh were to start...this place has everything! Let's start with accommodations. They have primitive, primitive equestrian, water only, water and electric, full-hookups, Indian lodge and a historic motel on site. We went with my in-laws and they have an RV and my husband and I chose to tent camp at a water-only site. My in-laws brought their little dogs and it was very dog friendly here. The camp facilities were very nice. Bathrooms and showers clean and easily accessible from camp sites. Sited weren't overly crowded and there was a lot of shade and nice views.
Wonderful hiking trails! Every trail had a different view and variety of difficulty. Most trails no longer than 2 miles, but the views over the mountains were exceptional. I think my husband and I walked every trail we could find in the short time we were there and not a single one was disappointing. The wildlife and nature was exotic and something very rare within the Texas borders. Bird watching is a big thing here, not my thing, but it was still awesome to see! It is also a very equestrian friendly park as well. We saw a lot of people horseback riding the trails.
Fort Davis historic site is an awesome piece of history. They have so much education on the Fort Davis military post and it is a really cool experience. While we were there they were putting on shows in the amphitheater. Lots to learn about american history.
12 miles down the road is the McDonald Observatory which is a must see! I am a space girl. I studied astrophysics in college and it is a huge passion of mine. The McDonald observatory is one of the most education, breathtaking places. Perfect for everyone to learn about the skies and see things you've never seen before. Please take your kids here for an experience of a lifetime and check ahead for events going on.
My favorite moment at this park was just laying in the hammock under the stars with my hubby listening to the beautiful music nature delivers. I hope to go back again to enjoy more wonderful moments!
Legend“The stars at night are big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas!”
Tucked within the heart of the West Texas mountains and one of the darkest skies in the contiguous 48, lies this stunning State Park, built by the CCC in the 1930’s. The beautiful campsites offer privacy, space, and full hook-up amenities or rustic primitive tent sites. The bathrooms were clean, and the showers hot!
During the COVID restrictions, it seemed that they were stepping up to keep their facilities safe, and open to the public. The efforts were appreciated and noticed. Though the park is somewhat small by Texas standards, the hiking and mountain biking options are challenging and varied. The views from the summits are worth the effort.
As another State Park that offers birding locations, this area is a birder’s paradise with a gorgeous bird blind. Many migrating species include stops to this mountain range during their fly-overs, and we added a few new species to our life list.
One gem inside this park is the historic, adobe inn, built by the CCC. While the name of the place, “Indian Lodge” comes from a time when that was considered honoring the first inhabitants of the area, the architecture remains a classic. It is simply beautiful and made us think about honeymoons, and anniversary getaways. While we didn't stay, we got a tip that breakfast was great, so walked up there and got breakfast burritos to go. They did not disappoint!
While many state parks won't allow vans and small campers in the primitive section of the campground, this one did...so bring your solar panel and save some money on your campsite.
One thing about Texas State Parks, we’ve met a huge number of Rangers who simply love their job. It’s clear that they are doing something right by the way the folks show pride in their work. I don’t know about you, but I draw inspiration from folks who really seem to love their job and their park.
Fort Davis is the closest town with groceries and gas, but don't miss out on funky Marfa, just a bit farther down the road. And, the McDonald Observatory to the north is definitely worth a visit!
Scout
Great covered tent sites. Cooled off at night. Clean pool and bathroom/showers.
GuideGreat campground offering tent sites to FHUs for RVs. Great wildlife viewing areas and some awesome hiking trails.
RangerMy husband and I are on a three week camping trip from Dallas TX to various parts of California, and needed a stopping point so we choose Davis Mountains state park and it was perfect! The park is well maintained, bathrooms clean, nice hiking trails and beautiful fauna and flora. Bird watchers will love this place. We tent camped and three deer greeted us at our creek side campsite. If tent camping is not your thing, there are plenty of RV sites, and a great lodge. While in the area, we attended a star gazing party at McDonald Observatory, if you have never been, it’s a MUST SEE! They have parties on Tuesday and Saturday evenings, reservations needed, and remember, it gets chilly in the mountains at night. Caution, there is no cell service for miles around.
Guide
Great place to stay on the way to Big Bend. Stop in at White Buffalo Bar - where ranch water was first introduced. Food is great, large portions suggest split plates. Campground has showers. Modern Bathrooms in tent camping area. Night skies are beautiful .
Traveler
had 2 females staying here in a tent. had a car pull over off the highway to offer us “help” and one of the other RVs kept trying to talk to us, told us to “lookout for pervert”. overall just sketched out. would be fine in an RV, the owner was super nice but tent camping is sketchy
GuideDavis Mpuntains is truly amazing. A great blend of high desert mountains, endless night skies, and incredibly friendly people. I stayed in a tent site (#69) on the end of the loop, as I thought the park would be crowded. But, to my surprise, in early March, it was not! There are sites with full hookups, hot showers, many many hiking trails, and even free Wi-Fi at the headquarters/park entrance! There is little to no cell signal (Verizon) anywhere in the park, except along the Skyline Drive, so be prepared with a booster, or, for a great escape! Excellent park :).
Tent sites are $15 a night, and, if you are a TX parks pass holder, you get half off your second night, and free admission to the park (admission is also charged in addition to camping fee if not a pass holder).
TravelerStayed here for the night before heading into Big Bend National Park. Friendly staff . The tent section is away from the RVs and have a private flushing toilet. There is a larger bathroom available with shower. We were able to have a fire in the court yard fireplace , even in the middle of fire season. They have a star gazing facility with large observatory . Hotel rooms are available for $100. Tent sites are $15
RangerPretty valley with hills and canyons, vegetation is mostly shrubs. Came here for the birding and hiking. There were a few ranger programs going on while we were here but didn’t catch any of them. Basic tent campsites are far apart which was great, but not shady (at least not by my raised-in-the-northeast standards). Quails running right by my tent made this especially memorable. Everything clean and well-maintained.
RangerCamped here while Bikepacking. Didnt need a reservation as there was only one other guest in an camper trailer. Each site had electric and water but no other amenities so for tent camping it was pretty basic. The owners drove up a few minutes after we arrived to collect the $10 camping fee from us. We thought it was a fair price. No bathrooms, so choose your bush wisely and pack out all trash. We had great sunset and sunrise views here. The site is a very short distance from the famous Marfa Prada art exhibit, basically a Prada storefront in the middle of the desert.
Scout
While bikepacking drift boss, I set a camp here. Since there was just one other visitor in a camper trailer, no reservation was required. Tent camping was rather basic at each location, which offered water and electricity but no other facilities. A few minutes after we got there, the proprietors pulled up to take the$10 camping charge. We believed the price to be reasonable. There are no restrooms, so pick your bush carefully and remove all of your waste. Here, we enjoyed fantastic views of the sunrise and sunset. The setting, which is essentially a Prada storefront in the middle of the desert, is extremely close to the well-known Marfa Prada art display.
Guide
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.
Ranger
March 1,2021. Small RV park off Rt. 118 ten minutes south of Alpine. Self check in. All sites have hook ups, some 30 amp others 50 amp priced accordingly. Sites are very close to each other. No water. Could not find a Women’s bathroom, only Men’s and never saw anyone to ask while I was there. No tent sites or sites w/o hook ups. Rough gravel pull through was level and had a few evergreen trees on one side. WiFi weak and unreliable from my site #13. Verizon cell service one bar and unreliable.
With a little investment this could be a very good campground, but currently, it falls short.
GuideI 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.
Ranger$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!
Guide
We had no luck reserving a tent site prior to our arrival date, so we decided to wing it. Arrived Marfa on Friday afternoon. The self check in trailer was straight forward...$15 for the night. They have clean bathrooms/hot shower facility and a common kitchen/hang out area (a barn) that was pretty cool. It offered communal refrigerator, sink and tables. The first come sites are literally a dirt field surrounded by barbed wire fence. The site may sound really unappealing, it’s actually quite typical of the very rustic Marfa area. There were a few fire pits, but under burn ban (early October) during our stay. Things to know: close to the highway and close to the train track, but again....so is everything in Marfa.
GuideWe stayed here for 4 nights and couldn’t have asked for a better stay! A lot of wildlife come within feet of your campsite; we saw mule deer and skunks and a bull snake during our stay. We didn’t have cell service at our campsite but did when we went up the scenic road. The park isn’t but a few miles outside of Fort Davis and you can get cell service there if needed. Also, there’s fuel/gas, a grocery store and a few restaurants in Fort Davis. Balmorhea is approx 45 minutes away and Marfa is only about 30 away and you can’t not go to the McDonald Observatory that’s only 13 miles away. Lots of fun places to explore here!
TravelerWe 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.
LegendThis is another Texas favorite. We have camped here 3 times this year. It’s a large camping area near the town of Fort Davis Texas. The campground is next to the Indian Lodge which is a must see. The adobe lodge was built in the 1930s the Civilian Conservation Corps. The campground has excellent facilities including showers, water, and a dump station. The sites tend to be close together and crowded during peak season. If you have an RV or van you will need levelers. Many of the sites are uneven or angled. Lots of wildlife including the javelinas and mule deer.
RangerPunchline: 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 ;)
LegendWe had a blast staying at this campground!! We biked and hiked and enjoyed a sunset picnic from the overlook. It's convenient to visit Fort Davis and the McDonald Observatory. If your plans take you near this State Park - definitely check it out!!
TravelerWe only stayed here one night passing through west Texas on our way home, but I’m glad we discovered this place. The camping was pretty close together, so I’d probably want to find dispersed camping when we go back, but the campground had full hookups, bathrooms, and showers. The campground was also about 5 minutes from town, and Fort Davis is pretty adorable. The stars are amaaazing out there, though. So pretty! We definitely had some critters who visited us during the night because our dog’s water bowl was chewed up! Will go back.
GuideThis is my second review of Davis Mountains State Park. So many great trails to explore. Campsites are well spaced and fully equipped. Not far away is Fort Davis if you need to re-supply. Not far away is McDonald Observatory with really great tours and Star Parties.
GuideMy grandson, my dog and I set up our tents in a fully equipped (electricity, water and a table) and fairly level site. The site was convenient to everything if you don't mind walking. Why should you as this park is made for hiking. Numerous trails. Some short. Some long. Some easy. Some not so easy. The park is also a place for great views of the area and a great place to hang out waiting for the Star Party at the McDonald Observatory. You will also like the dark sky at night if you brought your telescope.
Only drawback I would say is the lack of a gift shop for souvenirs, snacks, and toiletries you forgot to pack. The backup is a drive to the nearest town Fort Davis.
Also cell phone and wifi services are only available by driving up to one of the vistas. Easiest is the vista about half-way up Skyline Drive
Nestled in the stunning landscapes of West Texas, Fort Davis offers a unique experience for tent campers looking to immerse themselves in nature. With a variety of campgrounds nearby, adventurers can enjoy breathtaking views and a range of amenities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Fort Davis, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Fort Davis, TX is Davis Mountains State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 52 reviews.
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