Texas, the Lone Star State – it’s an oasis of natural beauty, with all sorts of sights, from tall mountains to sandy beaches, from lush forests to vast, dry deserts. It’s this kind of diversity that makes Texas a hotspot for RV road trips. Along with the natural beauty, the big cities of Texas, including Austin, Houston, and San Antonio, give this state a certain charm and culture that’s unlike any other place on earth. With so many wondrous adventures available to you, how can you fit it all into your trip? Well, to make deciding where to visit a little easier, we’ve created this free Texas RV travel guide. Grab a pen, mark your favorite destinations on the map, and hit the road, because Texas is waiting for you!
1.Dinosaur Valley State Park
Picnicking, hiking, fishing – these are a few of the regular park activities that are available at Dinosaur Valley State Park. It has an added activity, though, that’s what really makes this park special. You can search for dinosaur tracks! Around 113 million years ago, dinosaurs left tracks in what is now a state park. Today, visitors to that park can walk in those tracks along the Paluxy River bed. Talk about a history lesson!
Along with searching for Dino footprints, you can hike along 20 miles of trails, or if you’re not up to doing your sightseeing by foot, you can take a horse-drawn wagon ride or a guided horseback ride. Even little ones can get in on the fun with wrangler assisted Trail rides for kids age 3-14. After a long day of exploring, you can head to the par store to pick up a souvenir or two.
Dinosaur Valley State Park Information
Address: 1629 Park Rd 59, Glen Rose, TX 76043
Contact: (254) 897-4588
Price: $7 for adults, free for kids 12 and under
Website: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/dinosaur-valley
Where to Stay
If you can’t get enough of all that Dinosaur Valley has to offer, there’s no need to worry. You can simply set up camp there! For a nightly rate of $25, you can enjoy water and electric hookups, a fire ring, and picnic table. The best part, of course, is that you’re so close to all the fun!
2. Moody Gardens
If you’ve got kids, Moody Gardens is a fantastic destination to add to your Texas RV trip planner. It’s an educational tourist spot that features three main pyramid attractions. The first pyramid is a large aquarium, home to all sorts of fish species and other marine life. Next is the rainforest pyramid, which features everything from tropical plants, to animals, birds, free-roaming monkeys and more. Last is the discovery pyramid that’s dedicated to science. Of course, that’s not all that this famous destination offers guests – Moody Gardens also has a golf course, a landscaped white sand beach (and lagoon), a large 4-D theater, and a paddlewheel cruise boat, to make sure there’s never a dull moment.
Moody Gardens Information
Address: 1 Hope Blvd, Galveston, TX 77554
Contact: (800) 582-4673
Price: Prices start at $7.95 for individual attractions and $22.95 for daily combos
Website: http://www.moodygardens.com
Where to Stay
Dellanera RV Park is a great spot to stay in the area. It’s a beachfront camping site with 65 full hook-ups and day parking. Rates start at around $40 per day for a beachfront spot, pull-thru spots will run you a few dollars extra. Beach parking is from $8 to $15 per night.
3. San Antonio River Walk
This city park spans 15 miles walkways along the San Antonio River. As you walk along the banks, you’ll find a number of restaurants and attractions for people of all ages. There are spots perfect for a romantic night out with that special someone, a family-friendly outing, and everything in between! You can hitch a ride on a river taxi to enjoy the waterways to the full, soak in all the rich history and culture of San Antonio, or just enjoy the picturesque view with the people that you love.
San Antonio River Walk Information
Address: 849 E Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78205
Contact: (210) 227-4262
Price: Admission is free!
Website: https://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com
Where to Stay
You won’t have to go far to find a good place to camp- in fact, there’s an RV park less than ten minutes away! The River Walk RV Park is a high-quality park in the heart of San Antonio, with rates starting at $43. Each site comes with full hookups, free WiFi, access to clean restrooms and showers, and access to the newly renovated pool.
4. Space Center Houston
For a stellar adventure, add Space Center Houston to your Texas RV trip itinerary! This educational complex in Houston is known as the home of NASA mission control, International Space Station mission control, and astronaut training- and visitors can see first hand how all of this functions. It’s the perfect place to gain some knowledge while having fun with the family.
The Space Center is home to more than 400 space artifacts- including moon rocks and lunar samples. A fantastic array of permanent and traveling exhibits are always on display for guests to marvel at. If you visit on a Friday, you’ll have the opportunity to meet real astronauts and learn about the adventures they’ve had. And with the Space Center Houston, you can become a part of that adventure!
Space Center Houston Information
Address: 1601 E NASA Pkwy, Houston, TX 77058
Contact: (281) 244-2100
Price: Starting at $24.95. Discount for seniors.
Website: http://spacecenter.org
Where to Stay
What better place to stay on a trip to Space Center Houston than Space Center RV Park? Located less than ten minutes from the Space Center, as well as plenty of other attractions, dining, and shops, this park is the epitome of convenience. Daily rates start at $44.99, and discounts are available for Good Sam Club members.
5. Fort Worth Zoo
When it comes to Texas RV trips with kids, the Fort Worth Zoo is a must-visit. Everyone in the family will love admiring and ogle the 540 species of mammals, birds, and ectotherms. The zoo also features attractions such as a rock climbing wall, hurricane and tornado simulators, and a shooting gallery!
There are plenty of ways to get up close and personal with the animals and to learn more about them. Visit the Texas Wild! Petting Corral to pet and groom animals including goats, chickens, corn snakes, and Texas Tortoises. Every day at the park you can get a closer look at some of the animals in the zoo’s Animal Outreach collection. During April-October, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about some of your favorite species, as the zookeepers share interesting facts and stats about the animals. Along with these, the zoo also hosts special events all the time!
Fort Worth Zoo Information
Address: 1989 Colonial Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76110
Contact: (817) 759-7555
Price: $14 for adults, $10 for children(3-12), $10 for seniors(65+), toddlers(2 & younger) are free!
Website: https://www.fortworthzoo.org
Where to Stay
Lake Worth RV Ranch is located nearby the Fort Worth Zoo, and rates start as low as $30 per night! It’s conveniently located close to stores such as WalMart and Dollar General, so you’ll never run out of supplies. A stay at this park will ensure that your Texas RV vacations will run smoothly and without a hitch!
6. Guadalupe Mountains National Park
With the beach towns and huge urban cities, it’s easy to forget that much of Texas is a sprawling desert. This National Park is the perfect way to remind you of the natural beauty that Texas holds. Located in the Chihuahuan Desert, Guadalupe Mountains National Park is famous for the bright salt basin dunes and fossilized reef mountainscapes. The combination of these features and the vast prairie lands make for diverse habitats that are a joy to explore. The canyons and mountains are a great way to humble yourself and enjoy the wonders of Mother Nature- and they’ll make for a vacation you won’t soon forget.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park Information
Address: 400 Pine Canyon, Salt Flat, TX 79847
Contact: (915) 828-3251
Price: Admission is $5 per person
Website: https://www.nps.gov/gumo/index.htm
Where to Stay
While there isn’t any camping available in the park, there are two campgrounds in the Guadalupe Mountains that you can stay at. Pine Springs and Dog Canyon both offer RV sites, with a low cost of $8 per night!
7. The Alamo Mission
In 1836, there was a famous battle held at a Roman Catholic mission and fortress compound. That battle is known today as the Battle of the Alamo. At the Alamo Mission, you can see a piece of history for yourself. Among the buildings on the grounds are the church, or “shrine”, “Campo Santo”, which is the area directly in front of the shrine, the high walls of the church, the Long Barrack, the special exhibition hall, and the Centennial Museum. Each of these aspects hold a deep history that adds charm and meaning to the Alamo.
To get the most out of the experience, you can take a guided tour of the grounds. These 1-hour long tours explore the events that made the Alamo the famous landmark that it is today.
The Alamo Mission Information
Address: 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205
Contact: (210) 225-1391
Price: Audio tours are $7 per person, guided tours are $15 per person. There is a military discount available.
Website: http://www.thealamo.org
Where to Stay
Among the great RV parks in Texas is Traveler’s World RV Resort. Only three miles from the Alamo Mission, it’s also conveniently located to many other San Antonio attractions. Rates starting at $46 per night include amenities such as full hookups, a fitness center, heated pool, and hot tub.
8. SeaWorld San Antonio
Have you ever thought about the magical world that’s hiding beneath the surface of the ocean? At SeaWorld San Antonio, you can experience that magic firsthand. Merging the educational experience of a zoo or aquarium with the exhilaration of a theme park, SeaWorld is an adventure like none other.
Make a connection with the creatures of the deep as you explore the animals ranging in size from the tiniest of fish to the largest of orcas. Head to alligator alley to marvel at the ferocious power of these beautiful creatures, or make a stop at Flamingo Cove to witness the fascinating beauty of these tropical birds. In between admiring the animals, why not catch a rush of adrenaline? Hop on one of the thrill rides such as the Steel Eel Roller Coaster or Wave Breaker: The Rescue Coaster. There’s a seemingly unending avenue of fun opportunities at this amusement park!
SeaWorld San Antonio Information
Address: 10500 Sea World Dr, San Antonio, TX 78251
Contact: (210) 520-4732
Price: Single park tickets starting at $55
Website: www.seaworld.com/sanantonio
Where to Stay
Traveler’s World RV Resort that we mentioned as a great place to stay when visiting the Alamo Mission also happens to be less than a 30-minute drive from SeaWorld Antonio! As mentioned, the rates start at $46. Staying at this RV Park means you can visit two of the hottest vacation destinations in one trip! You can even pick up quality RV rentals in Texas, right in San Antonio.
9. Brackenridge Park
Brackenridge is a beautiful 343-acre public park in San Antonio. Besides grand sites and a relaxing environment, Brackenridge offers attractions like the San Antonio Zoo, the famous Witte Museum, dedicated to natural history, science, and southern heritage, and the Japanese Tea Gardens. This is definitely a place you wouldn’t want to miss out on if you’re lucky enough to travel to the San Antonio area. The best part is that most activities at the park don’t cost you a penny!
Brackenridge Park Information
Address: 3700 N St Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78212
Contact: (210) 207-7275
Price: The park itself doesn’t cost anything. San Antonio Zoo prices start at $12.99 for kids and $15.99 for adults.
Website: https://www.brackenridgepark.org
Where to Stay
Luckily, the San Antonio area is home to multiple suitable RV parks and campgrounds. However, we recommend San Antonio KOA campground as they’re usually pretty consistent. Prices aren’t listed. Another good spot is River Walk RV Park, located right in the heart of San Antonio. It’s a Good Sam rated campground that offers great amenities such as a newly renovated pool. River Walk also comes with free Wi-fi which is super convenient. Rates start at $43 per day.
10. Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
We’ll finish off the list of Texas RV travel trips ideas with the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch- an “African Safari, Texas Style!” The 450 acres of this zoological adventure contains over 500 animals from 40 species, both exotic and native. Driving through the safari trek usually lasts about an hour to an hour and a half, but you’ll never want it to end! You’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy the walk-a-bout, where you can get up close and personal with the world’s tallest animals at the giraffe barn, watch the playful creatures at Lemur Island, and be amazed by the colorful peacocks and peahens that roam freely and sometimes even pose for photos! Kids will especially love the petting barn, where they can pet and feed African Pygmy goats.
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch Information
Address: 26515 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd, San Antonio, TX 78266
Contact: (830) 438-7400
Price: $22 for adults, $20 for seniors, $13.50 for kids
Website: http://wildliferanchtexas.com
Where to Stay
Texas 281 RV Park is less than 20 minutes from Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, and it just happens to have made it onto our list of the 10 best RV parks in Texas! It offers free WiFi, multiple laundry rooms and bathhouses, and two full facility clubhouses. It’s a steal at just $38 per night!
Final Thoughts
Looking for the perfect campsite can be overwhelming, so let us introduce you to Texas Campground! With over 400 of the finest RV parks and campgrounds, exploring all the Lone Star State has to offer just got much easier. Let your Texas adventure be full of unforgetabble experiences, and avoid the stress of searching all over the web. Start planning your Texas getaway with all the resources you need here!
We can see why Texas is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the country. That’s especially true if you’re an RVer. With an almost endless amount of beautiful sights to see, fun activities to do, and high-quality RV parks to stay in, you’re sure to have a wonderful trip out in the Lone Star State. Safe Travels!
Looking for more? Check out the 10 Best RV Destinations in the United States!
