Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Presidio, TX

Nestled right next to the entrance of Big Bend Ranch State Park and only 8 minutes from Presidio, this park has tons of spaces with plenty of room to have your own little slice of the desert. We stayed in spot 69 because we are immature, but all of the spots offer great views and peace and quiet. Maxine was the one running the show when we stayed and she keeps the bath house and laundry room spotless. She knows a lot about the nearby area so be sure to ask if you have any questions. We stayed 2 non-consecutive nights and will be back again when we are in the area :)

This place was the crème de la crème imo. Nice big sites with full hookup, picnic table and fire ring. A really nice pool area with free towels provided and very nice bathrooms with hot showers. There was a huge laundry facility as well. The dog park has water and two picnic tables with sun shades. Multiple poo bag stations around the park and very clean. There’s a trail/dirt road to walk from the campground to the Lajitas General Store (very good breakfast sandwiches). You also get access to the golf resort amenities: fitness center, 3 restaurants, and spa. I treated myself to a Deep Tissue massage and it was incredible!

We stayed in Lajitas at their Maverick Ranch RV park, which is right across the road from the resort. We stayed here for a few days while on a 10 day camping trip (left DFW, went out west to Ft Davis, down to Big Bend and back up through the hill country).

This park is about a 30 minute drive to the entrance to the national park, but just a few minutes from the state park. There’s a lot of great amenities, which normally we don’t care about. However, since this was halfway through our 10-day trip, we were able to do all of our laundry, which made me happy. The RV park has a clubhouse with games, books, laundry, showers and a pool. You also have access to the resort amenities.

The RV park is a dark sky park, so camera are supposed to have exterior lights off after 9 or 10pm so everyone can enjoy the stars.

There’s also a dog park with grass, which our dogs were happy about!

Big Bend National Park had no open campsites, like none, but Big Bend Ranch State Park (right next door) had multiple options, all with good road access. We were surprised and delighted!

The information on the State Park website is confusing at best. Much of the park lies along poor dirt roads leading into the interior of the park. Backcountry campsites there are numerous and offer those willing to bounce along the 27 miles of dirt road exactly what they want, seclusion and beauty. This park is stunning. 

What the website doesn’t make clear, at least we couldn’t find it, is that several camping areas lie right off the perfectly paved road that follows the Rio Grande from Lajitas to Presidio, TX.  Just a note about HWY 170, there is one major incline and decline, just west of Madera Canyon at a 15% grade that is not for the faint of heart or an underpowered towing vehicle. 

We camped in site 6 of Lower Madera Canyon, and simply loved it. Each site has a picnic table, with sun shade, and a campfire ring. The composting pit toilets were well maintained, and didn’t smell at all. 

Hiking and biking options are close by, and Big Bend Ranch is a famous location for Mt. Biking and float trips down the Rio Grand. The campground has access to the river so be sure to plan a float trip. Permits are available at the park’s visitor’s center, or you could also go with an outfitter located in Terlingua. 

Potable water was only available at the Park’s Visitor Center, so plan accordingly.  No electrical hook-ups, so bring your solar panel!

The towns of Terlingua and Study Butte offer options for groceries, gas and restaurants. Just outside the park there are a few options in Lajitas, or TX as well. To the west lies the larger town of Presidio which has the normal selection of services of any good-sized town, USA.

Guy Foli (owner of the property and the campsites) is a true jack of all traits! Him and his wife,Pat, own and run Rancho Topanga campgrounds. Every spring break me and a group of 8 friends go down to Big Bend for the week. We always stay at Guy's campground. It's an easy 20 minute drive into Big Bend and you hit the gas station and grocery store along the way.

You are aloud campfires as long as they are controlled. Drinking is fine as long as there is no public intoxication. Pets are welcome! And there are even showers and flush toilets.

You are staying in the desert, so expect strong winds during the night and scorching sun rays during the day. There is a near my plato that you can climd, we found several shell fossils and cool rock on one of our excursions to the top. Also, the sunsets and sunrises are beautiful!!!

Reserve campsites months in advance if you can. Rancho Topanga fills up quick!

I hope you enjoy this mom n pop campsite as much as I do! :D