Best Campgrounds near Marfa, TX

The West Texas town of Marfa has a few good camping options within driving distance. Lost Alaskan RV Park in Alpine gives campers full hookups and clean facilities about 30 minutes away. Davis Mountain RV Park in Fort Davis sits on gravel sites with basic water and electric connections. Both parks have enough room for larger RVs without feeling too cramped. The desert around Marfa makes for a different kind of camping backdrop with big skies and mountains on the horizon. Some sites give you more distance from neighbors than others. Trees are scarce in this part of Texas, so bring a canopy or hat for shade. The air stays dry year-round, but nights can get surprisingly cold. Most campers prefer spring or fall visits to skip the harsh summer heat. From your campsite, you can take day trips to see the stars at McDonald Observatory or head down to Big Bend National Park. The town itself has some interesting art to check out between camping days. Just make sure to follow the rules and take your trash when you leave - this landscape needs protection.

Best Camping Sites Near Marfa, Texas (28)

    1. Tumble In RV Park

    17 Reviews
    Marfa, TX
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (432) 301-9860

    $15 - $35 / night

    "Tumble In is conveniently located on the out skirts of Marfa, TX. It is walking distance to the town and near the highway. You are right in the middle of both so the star gazing is amazing!"

    "Lots of Highway noise. Freight trains too. Very basic. $15 a night for dry camping no hookups. Hit me through the night. Bonus: walking distance to Marfa bars and restaurants."

    2. El Cosmico

    14 Reviews
    Marfa, TX
    1 mile
    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."

    "Punchline: super hip launchpad to check out the rest of the Marfa art scene."

    3. Davis Mountains State Park Campground

    54 Reviews
    Fort Davis, TX
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (432) 426-3337

    $10 - $25 / night

    "“The stars at night are big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas!” "

    "They have a lot of great trails, and you never know what wildlife you will see. We have seen Mule deer, Javalenas, Audad, as well as numerous birds I had never seen before."

    4. Marfa Yacht Club

    3 Reviews
    Marfa, TX
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (917) 887-0857

    $40 - $45 / night

    "This campground will be rated as a Basecamp — grounds that offer a comfortable home base that you’re happy to return to after a day of exploring the surrounding area."

    "There are structures at each site for the RVs--would definitely help with the heat in the summer and we loved having the extra space around the camper during a rain storm."

    5. Marfa Overnight Trailer Park

    2 Reviews
    Marfa, TX
    0 miles
    +1 (432) 729-4405

    $40 / night

    "Marfa, TX is one of those middle of nowhere towns that you NEED to explore, plus it is close to Big Bend National Park so if that is your destination then be sure to check this artsy little town out. "

    6. Davis Mountain RV Park

    18 Reviews
    Fort Davis, TX
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (432) 249-0327

    $20 / night

    "Very well maintained, FULL hook ups, nice views and so close to tons of trails and scenery. We even saw deer a few nights wandering through."

    "New plantings around. A bit of traffic noise but almost no traffic."

    7. Lost Alaskan RV Park

    10 Reviews
    Alpine, TX
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (432) 837-1136

    "Hiking up to see the desk on the grounds surrounding the Sul Ross campus is just one fun excursion. Also, the Big Bend Museum and Kokernot Field. "

    "I stayed here for two nights during the Texas snow and deep freeze of Feb. 14 to 16, 2021."

    8. Historic Prude Ranch

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

    "Close to Fort Davis, McDonald Observatory. Not far from Balmorhea, Marfa."

    "If you are from Texas, then you already know the legend that is Prude Ranch. I'm not sure when they added RV spots to the Ranch but you can't imagine how excited I was to find out they had."

    9. Hornets Nest

    3 Reviews
    Fort Davis, TX
    21 miles
    +1 (720) 376-9962

    $35 - $75 / night

    "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."

    10. Mountain View Lodge

    1 Review
    Fort Davis, TX
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (432) 426-3481

    $39 - $49 / night

    "Mountain View Lodge & Cafe)

    The Mountain View is a great place to stay while visiting the Davis Mountains / Big Bend region, convenient to McDonald Observatory, Fort Davis National Historic Site, Marfa"

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Recent Reviews near Marfa, TX

171 Reviews of 28 Marfa Campgrounds


  • S E.
    Jul. 26, 2025

    Marathon Motel & RV Park

    True hidden gem

    This place is amazing! It’s the perfect place to stop for a night or even a week if you’re in the area. The outdoor showers are heavenly, and the stars are incredible. They have tent spots, RV hookups, and little cabins. Plus a beautiful courtyard in the center of the property. There’s also the Dark Sky Park right there where you can check out some awesome telescopes.

    This place is really beautiful and the staff and residents are so kind and friendly.

    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.

  • L
    Jun. 25, 2025

    Davis Mountains State Park Campground

    Probably the most beautiful park in this part of TX

    Beautiful facilities, friendly park rangers, flat sites on asphalt. Scenic and historic location!!

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 20, 2025

    Balmorhea State Park Campground

    Impressive Showers/Bathrooms

    This place is definitely more for the swimming trip than it is camping. Nothing in particular cool about the spots themselves, but a short walk to the swimming is absolutely awesome That being said, the showers were very warm and, private, which is nice after a full day of swimming.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 12, 2025

    Elephant mountain WMA

    Great place to stay for free near Big Bend NP

    We stayed for 2 weeks, with a night out of it. We really enjoyed our time here. The views are great .. although we didn't see any wildlife, you could tell there was a lot. The sites are very well maintained.

    You do need a permit, but we found it worth it.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 3, 2025

    Davis Mountains State Park Campground

    First Visit

    It was an amazing camping site. Super clean restrooms and trails close to the site. There was a creek bed next to the site. It was dry but still super cool! Lots of cool flora and fauna! The animals are also a muck! Raccoons stole our dogs food bowl! That was my bad and the only thing I left out of our tent.

  • Clint D.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 1, 2025

    Balmorhea Lake Public Campground

    Beautiful lake view with hills in the distance

    One clean bathroom, some cool covered picnic benches very Rocky ground. You do not want to camp directly on the great for car camping and over landing.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 28, 2025

    Balmorhea State Park Campground

    Dry

    Is very southwest style. Picnic tables have shade. Bathrooms are really nice with individual showers. Super quiet. We got in late, about 8 pm. There’s a place to leave CASH for your site and the board has a list of available sites for the evening. The evening was breezy so not a lot of mosquitos.

  • Jules S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 24, 2025

    Balmorhea State Park Campground

    April 2025

    Very clean campground! Sites are nice and playground/group areas have nice green grass. 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. Also have great starlink reception here. Cell service available but spotty. Bath houses are in great condition. Very hot water available (which is so nice to have when traveling long term). Great stop passing through Texas.

  • Doug Y.
    Apr. 5, 2025

    Marathon Motel & RV Park

    Decent park

    We camped here to visit Big Bend NP, 70 miles away. We had a nice visit, Marathon was in process of a bit of a revival so I'd be interested how it ends up. We stop at the White Buffalo bar in the gage hotel, good time. The park itself was well maintained and they have outdoor showers, kinda nice.


Guide to Marfa

Camping near Marfa, Texas, offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes and quirky local culture. Whether you're pitching a tent or parking your RV, there's something for everyone in this beautiful part of West Texas.

What to do:

  • Explore the night sky: Marfa is famous for its dark skies, making it a great spot for stargazing. Many campers have enjoyed the views, with one reviewer from Davis Mountains State Park Campground saying, "The view from Davis Mountain is amazing."
  • Visit local art installations: The area is known for its art scene, including the famous Prada Marfa installation. Campers at Tumble In RV Park appreciated the funky vibe, with one saying, "The highlight was the sculpture installation which right on the edge of the campground."
  • Hiking and outdoor activities: There are plenty of trails to explore. A visitor at Lost Alaskan RV Park mentioned, "The campground is set on the outskirts of Alpine and has pine trees around it," making it a great base for hiking.

What campers like:

  • Friendly atmosphere: Campers often mention the welcoming vibe. One reviewer at Prude Ranch noted, "Staff was very friendly," which adds to the overall experience.
  • Clean facilities: Many campgrounds, like Lost Alaskan RV Park, are praised for their cleanliness. A camper said, "Exceptional laundry facilities and a very clean park."
  • Variety of camping options: From tents to RVs, there's something for everyone. A visitor at Davis Mountains State Park Campground mentioned, "In west Texas lots of site variety- tents, trailers, rvs."

What you should know:

  • Limited cell service: Many areas, including Davis Mountain RV Park, have little to no cell signal. A camper warned, "Definitely noisy and unpleasant," indicating that it might not be the best for those needing constant connectivity.
  • Noise from trains and highways: Campers at Tumble In RV Park noted, "You will hear and feel the trains," so be prepared for some background noise.
  • Permit requirements: Some areas, like Elephant Mountain WMA, may require permits for camping. A camper mentioned, "It's very hard to tell if a permit is needed," so check ahead.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose family-friendly campgrounds: Look for places with amenities like playgrounds. Campers at Lost Alaskan RV Park appreciated the "pet park, gift shop, pool/playground and cabins."
  • Plan for activities: Make sure to have a list of local attractions. One family at Marathon Motel & RV Park enjoyed the "beautiful sunrises and sunsets," which can be a great way to start or end your day.
  • Pack for the weather: Be prepared for temperature changes, especially at night. A camper at Davis Mountains State Park Campground noted, "The park is fairly clean," but also mentioned the need for warm clothing.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check for full hookups: Many RV parks, like Lost Alaskan RV Park, offer full hookups, which can make your stay more comfortable. A reviewer said, "The site I was in was level and had full hook ups."
  • Be ready for some dust: Campers at Tumble In RV Park mentioned the rustic conditions, saying, "They could clean up the grounds a lot," so be prepared for a bit of dust.
  • Explore nearby towns: Don't miss out on local dining and shopping. A visitor at Marathon Motel & RV Park highlighted the "French Grocer," a great spot to grab a bite.

Camping near Marfa, Texas, is a unique experience filled with beautiful landscapes and a vibrant local culture. Whether you're looking for a quiet getaway or an adventure-filled trip, this area has something to offer everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there free or paid camping options available near Marfa?

Marfa offers both free and paid camping options. For budget travelers, Marfa Lights Viewpoint Rest Area provides free overnight parking between Marfa and Alpine, perfect for watching the mysterious lights phenomenon. Paid options include Marfa Overnight Trailer Park, which offers basic accommodations at reasonable rates with the advantage of being within walking distance to town. For those exploring the broader region, the surrounding Davis Mountains area has additional camping options with varying fee structures. Most campgrounds in the immediate Marfa area require payment, with prices typically ranging from $15-35 per night depending on amenities and location.

Where are the best camping spots in Marfa, Texas?

Marfa offers several excellent camping options. El Cosmico stands out as a unique destination with diverse accommodation options including traditional tent camping, safari tents, yurts, and vintage RVs in an artistic desert setting that complements Marfa's creative vibe. For RV travelers, Tumble In RV Park provides convenient access to town with excellent stargazing opportunities and serves as a great base for exploring nearby attractions like the McDonald Observatory. If you're looking to experience the famous Marfa Lights phenomenon, camping options near the viewing areas make for a memorable West Texas experience.

What amenities are available at Marfa camping sites?

Marfa Yacht Club offers comfortable basecamp amenities for explorers, with good value for the cost. For a more unique experience, El Cosmico provides access to indoor showers, potable water, communal hammocks, and grounds to explore, though amenities vary by accommodation type. Most Marfa area campgrounds offer basics like restrooms and showers, with RV parks typically providing hookups. WiFi availability varies by location, with some parks like Tumble In offering serviceable internet even in tent camping areas. Common areas are a feature at several sites, with Tumble In providing a communal kitchen and barn hangout space. While amenities tend toward the basic side, they support the desert camping experience that draws visitors to this artistic West Texas destination.