Looking for an adventure where you can explore Mentone and then fall asleep in your tent? Find the best information on tent campgrounds near Mentone, including sites, reviews, and tips. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of Mentone, Texas's most popular destinations.
Scout
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 a woman got and got into a truck so we parked one spot over after 15 minutes they returned and she got back in her car pretty sure she was a “professional” wink wink lol then two trucks pulled in parked next to each other in opposite directions one passed cash to the other then was handed a small bag. Not a safe vibe if we weren’t with our son we might stay but now looking for a new spot
Guide
We stayed 2 weekday nights in early November and there were only a few others that were camping so it was quiet and peaceful. Campsites were well taken care of with water and electric at all sites. Bathrooms were clean. The showers were great- free and hot water!
ScoutGood time management and quick reactions are essential to overcome the challenges in https://houseofhazards.com.
GuideI always stop here on my to North TX from Southern New Mexico. Gorgeous dunes and sunrises and sunsets from anywhere at this camp. The bathrooms are always super clean and there are even showers!
GuideGood service on the park. No privacy, close each campsite. Great for walking and sunset views
GuideA wonderfully unique campground amongst the dunes. Besides boondocking in the desert I'm not sure of very many other places where you can do that. Facilities are acceptable, nothing really to complain about. Had a sandstorm whip through our last couple days and that was rough, not only was it hard to be outside, but the dunes encroached on certain sites, including ours. But we survived just fine and it was cool experience!
Legend
There was no problem finding this campground(CG) as it is right off I-10 adjacent to a Valero gas station. We had paid online, and per the emailed instructions, we went and chose an empty site. After driving through and looking at sites that didn’t have trees that would interfere with our slide-outs, we went into pull-through site 29 with FHUs. As we were only staying overnight, we did not use water and sewer. The CG’s sites are all pull-throughs with FHUs. About 1/4 of the sites are transient workers or full-timers. When we were here towards the end of January, there were plenty of sites to choose from. Our site was plenty long enough for our 40’ 5th wheel and F450. 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. There’s also an unmanned office with instructions and a drop box for campers without a reservation. There were plenty of sites that have clear shots to the sky for satellite. We got 3 bars on Verizon. We should have used our sound machine as there’s a lot of road noise from I-10. There’s no formal dog park, but there is plenty of room to walk your dog. Other than the price, one of the reasons we stayed here was the raving reviews by other campers on the Saddleback Steakhouse and Saloon, especially their ribeyes. Boy, were we disappointed. We were expecting a big Texas-style steak. The steak was maybe 1/4 inch thick, and the hand-cut fries were greasy. This may be the only place in the US that still allows smoking inside. They live by their own rules here. On the bright side, this dive-type bar was interesting and somewhat entertaining depending on your views as this establishment is clearly pro-Trump and anti-Biden.
GuideWell, I normally mark down campsite for having the spaces too close together. This park does not really have the options for white separation between sites. The scenery is stunning and beautiful pull through and back in sit, as well as electricity and water facilities are excellent. Well maintained in the showers are nice.
Scout
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. Lots of trash and broken glass on the perimeter. It’s right on the highway, so bring your earplugs.
Guide
You can pay at the courthouse or just see the county commissioner who works at the maintenance shed at the park.
GuideEvery picture tells a story, don't it.
GuideWe actually stayed here for a week, part of relocating from Texas over to the desert for the winter.
The Pros:
• Easy in and out. You can actually just go right to the back of the gas station there and cut left, big entrance area, though going to the right of the Saloon and restaurant does put you going the right way for....
• Large, long spots. Now, some have a cone in them, I'd guess some problem with one of the three hookups, but I don't know. Some of them are also overgrown.
• Plenty of room, really. This isn't a place people stay for long, being next to the highway, I would guess. So when you're trying to "reserve" a spot on the phone, it'll pretty much be "just come on".
• 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. I didn't actually hook up to the sewer at all.
• The onsite bar and restaurant isn't bad.
The Cons:
• Not really a problem for me, but you ARE next to a truck stop and a highway, but honestly, I didn't hear them really at all during the night unless I was listening for it.
• There was someone with loose dogs. As a former traveling-with-dog RVer, that annoys me to a VERY great deal. I don't know your dog, mine always seemed to get attacked. Keep your dog on a leash, please.
• Again, not a problem for me, but the bar/restaurant is very right wing Republican. F*** Biden flags, Trump Won, etc. Just warning you. The patrons and staff didn't say or do anything untoward, but if this kind of stuff bothers you and you're easily offended, just be aware.
• It took me second time to realize that my chicken fried steak wasn't just awesomely tender, but rather I'm pretty sure it was hamburger. The batter and gravy was good, really, all the food was good. (Though we did feel a little ripped off at 5 or 6 small onion rings for $6.99.) There is a great Mexican restaurant in town (as much as there is any town to Balmorhea), too, be sure to check hours and such. It's called La Cueva de Oso.
Legend
Okay CG for our overnight stay. Level gravel spots. FHUs were in good order. Road noise from I-20 - not a bother for us. Rec center across the street is noisy for 10-15 minutes at night when it closes. And, there's a lot of traffic first thing in the morning. We would stay here again for an overnight.
Scoutit was $10 and I showed up at 8 PM and there was plenty of spots available even without a reservation.
GuideWe stayed here two nights while we swam in balmorhea. We pulled in late at night and we just placed $20 in the office , picked a spot and slept. The next day we swam all day and returned to a different spot. Same easy process, leave $20 in the office with your spit number. All spots are open and have full hook ups. Some are overgrown with weeds and the water isn’t accessible so choose wisely. Gravel and level spots, next to a gas station and diner.
TravelerThis is a no frills campsite, but it met our basic requirements for an overnight stay. We arrived at 8 pm on a Friday and decided to eat at the on-site restaurant/ bar. Despite the rustic outdoor appearance, the food was homemade and quite tasty. I’d have no issue staying here again.
GuideWe pre booked our stay (paid on line). Received an email and text on the day we arrived. It’s an open RV park which is nice as we chose our spot. Closest to the mountains (although they are in the distance). Smell of Creosote this morning was amazing. Only here for a night but loved this site. Very basic no pool or hot tub or even a shuffle board court but definitely fit the bill. Restaurant next door circle bar and saloon. Great bar and food is great and reasonable. Highly recommend a stay here if you like basics and friendly people.
RangerThis park is very cool. It’s not as interesting as White Sands or Great Sand Dunes, but what it does have that those National Parks don’t is the ability to camp right on the dunes. Spectacular sunsets and night skies.
GuideGreat spot in what seems to be an area without a lot of camping. Stayed one night passing through. A bit windy. Super close to interstate and train, but noise wasn't an issue. Super clean facilities. Gorgeous dunes. The sunrise and sunsets are special!
LegendStayed one night at this campground located just off I20. In a nutshell, It is like camping at the beach without the ocean. Strong winds and sand dunes everywhere! Fun for kids to slide down the dunes. No shade. Was an interesting stopover.
GuideOverall good experience. Plenty of vacancy - no reservations needed. $20 cash in an envelope gets you full hookups (50/30 amp - powerpoles in good shape), water (good quality/ pressure), and sewage. No picnic tables or bbq/fire. Nice access to store, gas, ice, and steakhouse/bar (I didn't visit). Nice landscape, but lots of goatheads (thorns) that get in your dog's paws. Quiet nights, despite popular truckstop adjacent.
TravelerLovely lake with FREE three day parking, mini water play area, vault potties, playground and bike paths galore. There is some medium road noise that we found to be of no consequence
LegendStopped in for a night. Pretty dunes but not my cup of tea but I can appreciate it.
GuideVery convenient state park. Very clean and well kept. Sound seems to carry so you can hear all the conversations in the campground.
LegendNice and quite campground. Sand dunes are cool and o see but hard to walk in with the sand so soft. Sites are spacious and have a picnic table. Good for a day or 2 stay. Only downside is no sewer hookup at site but does have a dump station close by.
Ranger$20 for FHU. All utilities worked great. Campground has been beautifully landscaped with various cacti. Despite being adjacent to the truck stop and interstate, there was surprisingly little noise. They even taken a large plot of land next to the campground and filled it with various native plants and cacti with a nice walking trail through it (perfect to stretch your legs after a long drive). We definitely would stay here again when passing through.
ScoutGreat place. It is a small campground but all the pads are level. Bathrooms are clean. It’s quite, sand dunes and sky are a sight to see. We enjoyed our two day stay.
