Governors Landing Campground — Amistad National Recreation Area

Everything you would want out of a cheap campground. This was our first stop in our week long van-camping trip. We swung by the dispersed site past the reservoir going west on 90, but it was occupied by a large family with very little room left. Right before crossing the reservoir we noticed a campground overlooking the water and it looked somewhat open. The map showed it to be Governor’s landing and guided us into a sketchy road off the highway under the bridge, but once we entered the campground you can see Amistad Reservoir in all its glory.

$10 a night and first come first serve so you should get there early enough to find a spot facing the the water. You can hear the highway for sure but I didn’t mind it. The wind, on the other hand, was a challenge. I learned it’s more efficient to cook in a charcoal grill than a gas stove with high winds. The winds were so high, the overhang of my roof top tent lifted up taking the ladder up with it. By the way, if you ever get into that situation, tie down your tent to your vehicle. You’ll thank me later.

Come to find out, that wind fed a storm that freaked both us out inside our tent! We’ve weathered a storm before in the tent, but the added high winds had us holding on all night.

Concluding my review of this place, we went back as a bookend to our trip because we did love the place and learned how to deal with high winds since. Then, of course, we were hit with a storm. Again. Same camp. Same time. Same day of the week. But this time we sealed up the tent tight and hung out in the van watching movies on an iPad using the car stereo to over power the thunderous storm.

We see you Governor’s Landing. We’ll be back. We still love you.

Ok. On to the next. Its just north of Del Rio, TX...named the nations friendlist boarder town. Crime rate is reportedly almost non existent around here. I did notice a TON of boarder patrol agents and police cruising everywhere around here......anyway, this is yet another campground maintained by the national park service and they do a great job. Not quite boondocking perse..... but 10 bucks a night, 5 If your a senior. First come, first served. Only 15 spots. Can stay 14 days. Was talking to one of the park service workers and he gave me the scoop on a couple other nice spots around here and still part of this national recreation area....ill stay a couple night here, than I'll check them out.. (big bend will just have to wait). No hook ups but I don't need them. My solar is cranking away. There are several potable water stations, trash cans and vault toilets if ya need them. Some sites are level, some aren't. Vzw and att Cell/data service are both strong. Laughlin Air Force base is about 20 minutes south of here and is the largest air force training base in the country. ~350 air force pilots graduate from there every year. More planes take off and land there everyday than any other airport in the country....when I was driving in on rt 90...there was a steady stream of Talons coming and going....right over the road. I hear them buzzing around the lake too. This lake...is really a reservoir. Lake Amistad was a joint project between the US and Mexico. The damn was completed in 1969. Amistad means "friendship". It was made from both the Rio grande and the Devils Rivers. It covers almost 65,000 acres, 851 miles of shoreline (574 in Texas...rest in Mexico) and has a max depth of 217' and like many bodies of water in the SW water levels are low, however it is still a popular rec area and is well known for fantastic bass fishing. Several televised Pro tournaments are held here each year. It is the 2nd biggest lake in Texas. Pretty impressive right? Yeah...glad I stopped! Quiz to follow later...lol.

This small campground sits high above the banks of the Amistad Reservoir, but unfortunately, a little too close to HWY 90. The campsites enjoy a stunning view of the Chihuahuan Desert landscape and the water. The sites are spacious with lots of room for bigger rigs, and enjoy a shade structure over the picnic table area. 

With potable water and clean pit toilets this campsite is worth the inexpensive fee.  Bring your solar panel because there are no electrical hookups.  With water recreation opportunities just a stone’s throw away, the boat launch is just below the campground, you can escape the heat of the day. There are just a few hiking trails nearby for more land-based recreation. 

We spent just one night at the campground and it was an easy drive in and park situation. But we found the numerous trucks along the highway a little disruptive of our sleep starting around 4 am, when they begin to hit the road. There are other campgrounds along the Amistad Reservoir that are not as impacted by the road, and they are definitely worth a look. 

The city of Del Rio, TX is a short drive away where you can get anything, including a Starbuck’s coffee – which has become, for us, the indicator of modern suburbia. Be sure to check out some of the amazing Mexican Food of this well-integrated, bi-lingual, boarder town.