RV camping options near Mentone, Texas primarily serve travelers along Interstate 20 and workers in the Permian Basin oil fields. Located at approximately 2,600 feet elevation in Loving County, this arid region experiences dramatic temperature swings with summer highs regularly exceeding 100°F and winter lows sometimes dropping below freezing. The flat desert landscape allows for unobstructed views of both sunrises and the night sky, with minimal light pollution at several campgrounds.
What to do
Sand sledding adventures: At Monahans Sandhills State Park Campground, visitors can rent discs to sled down sand dunes. "You can rent snow sleds and go sand boarding. Theres gorgeous wildflowers all over in the spring and summer and the sunsets are always 10/10 here," notes a camper who appreciated the unique landscape.
Lake recreation: Just across the New Mexico border, Jal Lake Park offers water activities and outdoor space. One visitor mentioned, "Lovely lake with FREE three day parking, mini water play area, vault potties, playground and bike paths galore."
Stargazing opportunities: The remote location allows for exceptional night sky viewing. A camper at Monahans Sandhills reported, "Stars and meteors epic. Close to the highway but secluded. Of their 20 or so sites only 3 were taken."
What campers like
Affordable overnight options: Budget-conscious travelers appreciate the value at several RV parks near Mentone. At Saddleback Mountain RV Park, a reviewer noted, "Great spot for a no frills campground. They have lots of pull thru spots, full hook ups. No amenities, but look it's only 20 dollars."
Unique desert landscape: The sandhills create an unexpected scenery. One camper remarked, "Reserved at spot at Monahan's Sandhills just because it was a good stopping place on our way from Dallas to Big Bend...When we pulled in to the campground from I-20 I was shocked by the beauty of it."
Convenient highway access: Many RV parks near Mentone provide easy on/off access to major highways. "Easy in and out. You can actually just go right to the back of the gas station there and cut left, big entrance area," explained a visitor describing access at Saddleback Mountain RV Park.
What you should know
Limited facilities at some locations: Many RV parks in this region offer basic services only. A camper at Wickett City Campground reported, "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."
Weather considerations: Extreme temperatures affect camping comfort. "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," warned a winter visitor to Monahans Sandhills.
Oil field activity: Industrial activity is visible and audible at many campgrounds. One camper mentioned, "We heard the distant songs of coyotes and smelled the oil from the fields. A very unique experience and a must for RV camping checklists!"
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Children can learn about desert ecosystems. "I was surprised to find a variety of flowers thriving amongst the sandhills. How does that happen?" noted a visitor to Monahans Sandhills State Park.
Safe recreation areas: Some parks provide dedicated play spaces away from highway traffic. At Pecos Park, "Campsites are few and far between in this part of the world, and Pecos Park is a welcome option. Plenty of sites with giant picnic tables and trash cans that seem to get emptied regularly."
Morning activities: Schedule outdoor time in the cooler morning hours. One visitor suggested, "Hiking up the dunes and watching the sunrise was definitely a once in a lifetime time experience."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Back-in and pull-through sites vary in size and accessibility. A camper at Tra-Park RV Park observed, "The sites are crammed together with barely enough room for a table between the rows. No fires here."
Hookup reliability: Water pressure and electrical service quality varies. "During our stay we had reliable power and water, no issues. Decent water pressure as well. We did hit some freezing overnights so I just filled the tanks and we ran off that until we left," reported a winter visitor.
Security considerations: Location influences overnight safety. One RVer cautioned about Jal Lake Park, "Not a safe vibe if we weren't with our son we might stay but now looking for a new spot."
