Midland, Texas sits at an elevation of 2,782 feet in the southern plains of the Llano Estacado, surrounded by oil fields and scattered mesquite trees. The climate features hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F and mild winters, creating distinct seasonal camping considerations. Pet owners will find several dog friendly campgrounds near Midland with specific rules about leash requirements and designated pet areas.
What to do
Sand boarding adventures: At Monahans Sandhills State Park Campground, located 50 miles southwest of Midland, rent sand discs to sled down the 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 Christina H.
Stargazing opportunities: The dark skies away from city lights create prime viewing conditions. "Stars and meteors epic. Close to the highway but secluded," reports Zoey T. about her experience at Monahans Sandhills. Morning hours offer unique experiences too: "Hiking up the dunes and watching the sunrise was definitely a once in a lifetime time experience," shares Ashley R.
Swimming options: After a hot day exploring the desert environment, cool off at Park Place RV, which offers "amazing playground and pool for families," according to Stephanie K. The pool provides welcome relief from summer heat when ground temperatures can make outdoor activities challenging.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many pet-friendly campsites near Midland maintain well-kept amenities. At Midessa Oil Patch RV Park, Alysa R. found "super nice & clean & friendly" conditions. She noted, "Everything seemed clean. I showed up to after hours checkin & the fact there was spots on a map marked that was open, was convenient."
Helpful staff: Campground personnel often assist with navigation and setup. "Staff escorted me to the site and helped me back in (which was very nice)," reports Bryan W. about his stay at Midessa Oil Patch RV Park. Similarly, at The Rusty Boot RV Park, Meesh M. encountered "very friendly and welcoming staff" and found the environment to be "an overall quiet environment."
Reasonable pricing: Value for money varies across Midland-area campgrounds. Zoey T. appreciated Monahans Sandhills State Park's affordability: "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."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Desert camping near Midland means preparing for temperature extremes. "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," shares Butch K. about Monahans Sandhills.
Construction impacts: Road work can affect access to some pet-welcoming campgrounds. Erin H. at Midland RV Park advises: "Exit 134 is closed(2/11/22), take exit 135. Do NOT try any route that takes you on the entrance through town, that end of Midland Road is closed."
Site variations: Not all spaces are created equal within the same property. At Midessa Oil Patch RV Park, Bryan W. found "the lots are small. Had a back-in site... however was right by the road. The main part of the park looked very nice, but this was like the overflows area."
Tips for camping with families
Pet safety precautions: When bringing dogs to campgrounds near Midland, monitor ground temperatures. During summer, sand can become dangerously hot. At Monahans Sandhills, Ray & Terri F. advise: "Our dog loved frolicking in the sand dunes, but do watch out for goathead burrs, she found a few."
Laundry availability: For extended family stays, check which facilities offer laundry services. At Mesquite Oasis RV Park, Nomad Nurse Z notes they "have a pool and laundry area," though the campground has "no shaded area" and is "a bit pricey for what you get."
Activity planning: Time outdoor adventures strategically due to heat. "I think that it might be a good idea to not venture too far from the main campground unless you are familiar with desert navigation or are equipped with a GPS," suggests Troy W. about exploring the sandhills at Monahans.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: For larger rigs, research specific site dimensions. Christina H. at Monahans Sandhills reports: "Limited pull through sites that seem to book quickly, but plenty of open back in sites that are nicely spaced. We booked site 22, a back in site up against a large dune hill. It was not easy to back a 55ft long rig into."
Connectivity considerations: Signal strength varies by location and provider. Ray & Terri F. found at Monahans: "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."
Road navigation: RV-friendly routes may require advance planning. Some dog-friendly campgrounds near Midland have access challenges. Shalise J. notes Midessa Oil Patch RV Park is "close to the highway and railroad" while Charles A. warns about KOA Kampgrounds of America being "located next to I 20 so get used to lots of truck noise all night long."
