Campgrounds near Gardendale, Texas primarily cater to both long-term workers and travelers passing through the Permian Basin region. Located at an elevation of approximately 2,900 feet, this area features flat terrain with scattered mesquite and creosote brush typical of the Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem. Summer nighttime temperatures typically remain above 70°F, while winter lows can drop into the 30s, making camping comfortable during spring and fall seasons.
What to do
Sand surfing at Monahans Sandhills: Rent sand discs at Monahans Sandhills State Park Campground and experience a unique desert activity. "Loved this campsite! It was so cool to see all of the sand dunes. You can rent sand discs and sled down the mountains. Definitely recommended to check out for a night or two!" notes Nicole K.
Watch meteor showers: The dark skies near Gardendale provide excellent stargazing opportunities with minimal light pollution. "Stars and meteors epic. Close to the highway but secluded. Of their 20 or so sites only 3 were taken. Epically quiet - cool at night," reports Zoey T. about her experience at Monahans Sandhills.
Desert wildflower viewing: Spring brings unexpected color to the landscape with desert blooms. "We heard the distant songs of coyotes and smelled the oil from the fields. Theres gorgeous wildflowers all over in the spring and summer and the sunsets are always 10/10 here," Christina H. shares about her Monahans visit.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Park Place RV offers newer amenities that stand out among area campgrounds. "Amazing playground and pool for families beautiful shower facilities, lots of washer and dryers. Full hook ups," notes Stephanie K., highlighting the park's family-friendly features.
Helpful staff: Many RV parks in the area provide exceptional service to travelers. "Very friendly and welcoming staff, very level spots, bathroom was clean and upscale, and it was an overall quiet environment," reports Meesh M. about The Rusty Boot RV Park.
Affordable rates: Camping options provide economical stays compared to area hotels. "The price for camping is incredibly cheap, especially for what you're getting! The views from each site are breathtaking. All are within a short walk to the dunes," Christina H. remarks about the value at Monahans Sandhills.
What you should know
Campsite size limitations: Some locations have restricted space for larger setups. "Not bad for just an overnight stay, however the lots are small. Had a back-in site. Staff escorted me to the site and helped me back in (which was very nice), however was right by the road," Bryan W. shares about Midessa Oil Patch RV Park.
Construction challenges: Ongoing infrastructure work can complicate navigation. "Only negative, which is no fault of the campground, is there is a LOT of construction in the area making entry a challenge with some scary U Turns in the city because our Garmin doesn't register it," warns Erin H. about accessing Midland RV Park.
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some camping locations. "Located next to I 20 so get used to lots of truck noise all night long. For some reason even though this is located in the desert, it is covered with mosquitos," notes Charles A. when describing his experience.
Tips for camping with families
Use local shower facilities: Midland RV Park provides clean restrooms that families appreciate. "Nice stop over. Gravel, level, all services work as expected. Staff was very friendly, bathrooms, showers & laundry are VERY clean and updated," reports Erin H.
Check for pet policies: Many campgrounds welcome furry family members. "I have lived here for 9 months. They are family friendly and pet friendly which is a big deal for me. The people in the park are respectful," shares a resident at Goldenrod RV Park & Propane.
Consider the heat factor: Summer temperatures require extra planning for children's activities. "In January, it gets pretty cold at night around freezing, but warmed up nicely every day. One day was so windy. It was rocking my fifth wheel like it's never rocked before," Butch K. explains about seasonal conditions at Monahans Sandhills.
Tips from RVers
Plan for wind exposure: The open terrain provides little protection from gusts. "The CG is clean, well maintained. The CG roads are paved, but narrow, as are the pull-through sites. The sites themselves all seemed mostly level. There isn't any shade, but we had a decent breeze, which helped," Ray & Terri F. detail about their stay at Monahans.
Watch for site navigation challenges: Some parks have tricky layouts for larger rigs. "We booked site 22, a back in site up against a large dune hill. It was not easy to back a 55ft long rig into, probably one of the worst sites for a big rig, but we still managed. We just had to park our tow vehicle weird," Christina H. explains about her experience.
Check for laundry amenities: Extended stays require access to washing facilities. "I love the fact that they have shower houses and a laundry facility. This is a great place to stay at," notes a resident about the conveniences at Goldenrod RV Park.
