Camping opportunities near Kermit, Texas center on a combination of state parks and city-operated campgrounds throughout the Permian Basin region. The area sits at approximately 2,900 feet elevation with limited natural shade and predominantly flat terrain interspersed with occasional sand dune formations. Summer temperatures in the region regularly reach 105°F during daytime hours, dropping to the 70s at night.
What to do
Sand sledding at Monahans Sandhills: Rent discs at Monahans Sandhills State Park Campground to sled down dunes. "You can rent snow sleds and go sand boarding. There's gorgeous wildflowers all over in the spring and summer and the sunsets are always 10/10 here," noted Christina H.
Watch meteor showers: Clear desert skies make for excellent night sky viewing when temperatures cool off. "Stars and meteors epic. Close to the highway but secluded. Of their 20 or so sites only 3 were taken," reports Zoey T. about her experience at Monahans Sandhills.
Sunrise hiking: Morning temperatures provide the most comfortable conditions for exploring dune landscapes. "Hiking up the dunes and watching the sunrise was definitely a once in a lifetime time experience," writes Ashley R. who visited during Easter weekend.
What campers like
Well-maintained facilities: Many campers mention the cleanliness of campgrounds despite harsh desert conditions. "Campsites were well taken care of with water and electric at all sites. Bathrooms were clean. The showers were great- free and hot water," reports Kara S. about Monahans Sandhills State Park Campground.
Affordable hookups: Several campgrounds offer full utilities at reasonable costs. "Nice city park right off I-20. Easy to get to and full hook ups for $16.75 a day. It only has 30amp but that's ok," notes Dave L. about Wickett City Campground.
Free camping options: Budget-conscious travelers can find no-cost options with basic amenities. "Lovely lake with FREE three day parking, mini water play area, vault potties, playground and bike paths galore," comments Chris S. about Jal Lake Park.
What you should know
Limited shade protection: Desert conditions mean minimal natural cover from the sun. "There isn't any shade, but we had a decent breeze, which helped," observes Ray & Terri F. at Monahans Sandhills.
Wildlife considerations: Desert ecosystems include various critters. "Our dog loved frolicking in the sand dunes, but do watch out for goathead burrs, she found a few," warns one camper at Tra-Park RV Park.
Seasonal temperature fluctuations: Winter nights can be surprisingly cold despite hot days. "In January, it gets pretty cold at night around freezing, but warmed up nicely every day," reports Butch K. about winter camping at Monahans Sandhills.
Security concerns: Some free camping areas require extra vigilance. "Initially we thought the place was great after dinner we decided to go for ice cream when we came back there was a car parked in our spot... then two trucks pulled in parked next to each other... one passed cash to the other then was handed a small bag," reports Chris H. about overnight safety issues.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds feature playground equipment and recreational facilities. "Amazing playground and pool for families beautiful shower facilities, lots of washer and dryers. Full hook ups," describes Stephanie K. about Park Place RV.
Short stays recommended: The limited activities and extreme temperatures suggest briefer visits with children. "Loved this campsite! It was so cool to see all of the sand dunes. Definitely recommended to check out for a night or two!" advises Nicole K.
Morning excursions: Plan activities with children during cooler morning hours before temperatures climb. "We stayed 1 night on our way through. Went sledding down the sand dunes. All spots are blacktop. Park staff were very friendly at check in!" reports Mary G.
Tips from RVers
Wind preparation: Secure loose items and prepare for potential gusty conditions. "One day was so windy. It was rocking my fifth wheel like it's never rocked before," cautions a camper at Monahans Sandhills.
Narrow sites: Some campgrounds have limited space between units. "The sites are crammed together with barely enough room for a table between the rows," notes Butch K. about The Rise at Monahans.
Connectivity options: Cell service varies throughout the region. "AT&T coverage was pretty good with 2 bars of LTE service and speeds up to 17 MB/s. We had a clear view to the N at the site, so Starlink was fine with speeds up to 20 MB/s," reports Ray & Terri F. about their connection at Monahans Sandhills.
