The desert landscape surrounding Mentone, Texas features primarily RV-oriented camping options, with several established parks serving as convenient overnight stops for travelers. Monahans Sandhills State Park, approximately 40 miles east of Mentone, stands out as the premier natural camping destination in the region with its unique sand dune environment. Most local accommodations cater to long-haul travelers and oil field workers, including Tra-Park RV Park in Pecos, Saddleback Mountain RV Park near Balmorhea, and various highway-adjacent facilities. While tent camping is technically permitted at some locations, the region's infrastructure predominantly supports RVs with full hookup services.
Extreme weather conditions significantly impact camping experiences in this West Texas region. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F, making spring and fall the preferred seasons for outdoor recreation. Winter nights often drop below freezing, as noted by one camper at Monahans Sandhills: "In January, it gets pretty cold at night around freezing, but warmed up nicely every day." Strong winds are common year-round, with potential to disrupt camping setups. Most campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis with self-registration systems. Cell service is generally reliable near highways but can be spotty in more remote areas, with Verizon typically providing the strongest coverage.
Travelers consistently highlight the dramatic desert sunsets and night skies as standout features of camping in the region. At Monahans Sandhills State Park, visitors appreciate the well-maintained facilities and unique recreational opportunities. According to one reviewer, "Sand dunes are probably best enjoyed during cooler months and definitely best after rain! We picked the perfect time in April!" Highway noise affects many of the commercial RV parks, though several reviewers note it's less disruptive than expected. Most campgrounds in the area serve primarily as convenient overnight stops rather than destinations themselves, with one camper noting, "Campsites are few and far between in this part of the world." For those seeking camping near Mentone, the available sites provide essential facilities with varying levels of amenities depending on your chosen campground. Basic amenities like showers, laundry facilities, and dump stations are available at most established sites.
$15 / night
"Close to the highway but secluded. Of their 20 or so sites only 3 were taken. Electric and water hook ups, trash, friendly staff, clean bathrooms."
"A must stop at this unique place in west Texas. Beautiful sunsets and well kept campground."
"Keep in mind this is a no cost location that has power, water and a dump station next to a pond where fishing is allowed."
"No sewer but dump station is pretty close by with clear signs. There’s 6 spots for RVs to park. Enough space for big rigs and can park additional car on the side."
$20 / night
"Despite being adjacent to the truck stop and interstate, there was surprisingly little noise."
"This park is just off the exit and you drive through the gas station entrance to get here, but the park is remarkably quiet and scenic for being in the middle of the desert and right next to the highway"
GuideKeep in mind this is a no cost location that has power, water and a dump station next to a pond where fishing is allowed. It does however border a main road so it is extremely noisy and it is a public park that is very busy in the afternoons…. At night there was some untoward activity 🙈….
GuideThis is a fun place to stay. The dunes are cool and the campground is clean. We actually stayed here 39 years ago and remembered how much we liked it so returned again.
ScoutSuper hot when I was here in April, but I arrived at dusk and it cooled off enough for a sand dune walk under the stars. Quiet and peaceful.
GuideI was happy to find this campground because it did offer electric, water, and sewer amenities. I arrived at night and had a difficult time locating the lot, even with GPS. The lot was stark—simply a large open gravel lot with plug ins lining the outside perimeter. I was one of three other campers. The most disturbing problem was the odor omitted by the surrounding petroleum industry. So invasive, I couldn’t wait to leave.
GuideThis is kind of quirky because of the sand dunes, but quite welcome! The campground has numbered spots with electric and water for a really good price!
LegendWe have a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and stayed in site 28 for 5 nights in early/mid September. 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. The CG was very quiet and peaceful. There were only 3 or 4 other campers in the CG while we were there. Our site, 9, was a pull-through, as were several, but some were back in. There isn’t any shade, but we had a decent breeze, which helped. Our dog loved frolicking in the sand dunes, but do watch out for goathead burrs, she found a few.
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.
TravelerWould of gotten 5 stars, not having wifi impeded work (mine is down)
GuideThis was perfect. Stars and meteors epic. Close to the highway but secluded. Of their 20 or so sites only 3 were taken. Electric and water hook ups, trash, friendly staff, clean bathrooms. Epically quiet - cool at night. $15 camp fee plus $4 per person unless you have a Texas park pass.
RangerNice fully gated park with full hook ups. No facilities yet. Big grassy area with gazebos.
The camping options near Mentone, Texas include several basic facilities serving travelers across the vast West Texas desert landscape. At an elevation of around 2,700 feet, this remote region experiences temperature extremes with winter lows often below 20°F and summer days frequently exceeding 105°F. Cell service can be unpredictable away from major highways, with coverage gaps common in the canyons and valleys surrounding the area.
Sand sledding at Monahans Sandhills: $4 equipment rental at Monahans Sandhills State Park Campground, where visitors can rent sleds for sand boarding down dunes. "You can rent sand discs and sled down the mountains. Definitely recommended to check out for a night or two!" reports Nicole K.
Sunset viewing near lake areas: Best from 7-8pm at Jal Lake Park where open skies create optimal conditions. "There is a lake beside close by with a beautiful sunset which was a plus and the best part is, it's FREE!" notes Christie C.
Morning wildlife watching: Dawn hours recommended for spotting desert creatures. "I did see very small prints in the freshly blown sand," shares Butch K. at Monahans Sandhills, suggesting active wildlife in the early hours.
Clean, maintained facilities: Sites with electric and water are appreciated at The Rise at Monahans - Lodge and RV Park, which offers basic but reliable hookups. "Great 'no frills' stopping point... It's a big rock parking lot with full hookups. Helpful host," writes Gus S.
Budget-friendly options: Under $20 per night at many locations. "For $20, we have water, sewer, and electricity," reports G.F. at Saddleback Mountain RV Park, making it an economical choice for travelers.
Uncrowded camping: Off-peak privacy is common at most sites. "When we were here towards the end of January, there were plenty of sites to choose from," notes MickandKarla W., highlighting the typically uncrowded nature of camping in this region.
Highway noise varies by location: Prepare for traffic sounds at several campgrounds. "There is some medium road noise that we found to be of no consequence," mentions Chris S. about Jal Lake Park.
Limited amenities at most sites: Plan accordingly with supplies and water. "This is a basic CG with no internet, but they have a laundry room on the back of the Saddleback Steakhouse and Bar that has seen better days," warns MickandKarla W.
Thorny plants pose risks to pets: Check paws regularly when walking dogs. Sean & Holly H. caution about "lots of goatheads (thorns) that get in your dog's paws" at Saddleback Mountain RV Park.
Bring sand toys for children: Morning dune play works best at Wickett City Campground as a base camp. "Nice city park right off I-20. Easy to get to and full hook ups for $16.75 a day," notes Dave L., making it convenient for families.
Pack extra water for all activities: 1 gallon per person daily is recommended due to extreme dry conditions. "The smell of Creosote this morning was amazing," mentions Ted N. at Saddleback Mountain RV Park, indicating the dry desert environment.
Plan indoor afternoon activities: 1-4pm heat avoidance during summer months. "Sand dunes are probably best enjoyed during cooler months," reports a camper, suggesting timing activities around temperature fluctuations.
Secure loose items from wind: Stakes and tie-downs essential for awnings and outdoor equipment. "One day was so windy. It was rocking my fifth wheel like it's never rocked before," shares Butch K. about Monahans Sandhills.
Level blocks required: Uneven terrain at many sites. "Our site was plenty long enough for our 40' 5th wheel and F450," mentions MickandKarla W., but notes terrain challenges at Saddleback Mountain RV Park.
Security considerations: Varied locations require different precautions. "Clean, secure location... Nice fully gated park with full hook ups," reports Ryan M. about Out West RV Resort, one of the best places to camp near Mentone, Texas for security-conscious travelers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Mentone, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mentone, TX is HWY 285 RV Park with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.
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