Camping sites near Langtry, Texas sit within the Chihuahuan Desert at elevations ranging from 1,000-1,500 feet, where summer temperatures frequently exceed 105°F. The region marks the confluence of the Pecos and Rio Grande rivers, creating a unique landscape of limestone canyons and desert plateaus. Most campgrounds feature gravel sites with minimal natural shade, requiring campers to bring shade structures during warmer months.
What to do
Explore ancient rock art tours: At Seminole Canyon State Park Campground, guided tours provide access to remarkable prehistoric paintings. "Cave paintings in the desert. Definitely do the main tour. It's the reason to come here. No trees. The river has carved its way through. Makes for quite a sight when hiking the trails. Don't do this trip when it's very hot," advises Emily M.
Hike canyon rim trails: Several camping areas offer hiking routes with panoramic views. "We did the 8 mile hike around the park and it was easy, beautiful views of the Rio Grande river looking into Mexico. We also took the rock art/painting guided tour (8.00 per person for adults). Sunsets were beautiful," notes Deborah C. about her experience at Seminole Canyon.
Experience stargazing: The dark skies provide exceptional stargazing conditions due to minimal light pollution. As one camper at Governors Landing Campground observed, "Sunsets and sunrises are gorgeous, stars are fantastic. Only downside is the noise from the highway is quite loud and there's some light pollution from the highway as well."
What campers like
Crystal-clear water access: The blue-green waters of Amistad Reservoir attract campers seeking swimming and fishing. "We woke up to beautiful views of the blue/green water and took a morning hike down to walk right out onto one of the natural jetty's that goes right out into the middle of the water," reports Brodie D. about their stay at Governors Landing.
Covered picnic areas: Many campsites feature important shade structures with picnic tables. At San Pedro Campground, "Each is set up with a grill, picnic table and shade shelter. A large group campsite is available for reservation, but not during COVID. There are no electrical hook-ups (bring your solar!), and no water available at this campground."
Affordability: Most campsites in the area are inexpensive compared to other recreational areas. "Just $6 ($3/night with senior or access pass). Only one other camper during our stay. Dry camping only. Vault toilets. Nice covered picnic tables and grills. No ground fires allowed," notes Phillip C. about San Pedro Campground.
What you should know
Limited facilities: Most campgrounds offer minimal amenities. At Devils River State Natural Area, "All of the campsites are offgrid, no electric, no water, no shade. Just a picnic table. Bring a canopy or umbrella because it can get very hot in the summer. There are no trees near the campsites as this is a borderline desert ecosystem."
Challenging access roads: Many camping areas require travel on rough roads. "The park is about 1hr off a highway, back on gravel and dirt roads. A 4x4 vehicle is recommended but not necessary. First time I went I had a 2x4 ford explorer and it was fine.. however there are certain mud holes along the way to the park," warns a Devils River visitor.
Bathroom conditions vary: Toilet facilities can be hit-or-miss throughout the area. "The bathrooms were clean. TV signal was great and there was 5G cell service with T-Mobile. The park was very clean as well. As the camping areas were really clean. I enjoyed my stay here," notes Red S. about Seminole Canyon State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Plan water activities carefully: The rivers and reservoir provide swimming options, but conditions vary. At Rough Canyon Campground, "We tent camped at Rough Canyon around New Years 2010 when the lake was high. There were no other people camping. Simple campground at the end of the paved road on the edge of the lake."
Bring comprehensive supplies: The remote location requires thorough packing. "Top off your gas tank before you go to the park... there is no gas station within 1.5hrs or so of the park itself. Bring extra gas with you if you can. Again, cell service is almost non-existent around the park area... traffic is light, so you will be in a pickle if you run out of gas."
Consider weather timing: Extreme heat limits family activities in summer months. "We tent camped two nights here in November, 2018 and were very pleased. The campsites were great, close proximity to bathrooms with showers, very clean," shares Deborah C. about camping at Seminole Canyon during a cooler month.
Tips from RVers
Access to dump stations: While most campsites lack hookups, some areas provide dump facilities. At San Pedro Campground, "No dump station (but free dump station 4 miles away at devils river day use)," notes Phillip C., providing valuable information for RVers planning longer stays.
Site selection for privacy: Some campgrounds offer more secluded options for RVs. "The San Pedro campground has a few sites that offer more privacy away from the main campground, and dozens in the larger, more open area," notes Shari G. about Spur 406 Campground, which offers similar privacy opportunities.
Bring solar power: The best places to camp near Langtry for RVs often lack hookups but offer ample sunshine. "Slept in my cargo conversion. Had to use my Starlink to get internet and used my power station for electricity," explains Jordan P. about staying at Pecos River Overlook Rest Area, highlighting the need for power solutions.
