Fort Worth is a pretty cool place, and so are the surrounding areas. There are fun Fort Worth day trips such as SeaLife Fort Worth (this place was pretty awesome!) and the LEGOLAND Discovery Center. It’s also a cinch to drive into Dallas for even more fun. That said, sometimes you just want to escape the city for a change of scenery. This is where weekend RV trips near Fort Worth come into play.
The good news? There are tons of amazing things to do outside Fort Worth. In fact, we’re guessing you could take a trip every weekend and not run out of things to do for quite some time. That said, choosing which things to do around Fort Worth can be a bit overwhelming. That’s where this article comes into play.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite weekend RV trips near Fort Worth. Choose from this list for your next RV getaway and you really can’t go wrong.
Dinosaur Valley State Park
Distance from Fort Worth: 1 hour
We’ll start with Dinosaur Valley State Park. This is every dino-lover’s dream come true, and is honestly pretty awesome for the outdoorsy folks out there as well. The park features beautiful hikes and a river where you can do some fishing or paddling. That said, these things are not the main attraction.
What is the main attraction? The dinosaur footprints, of course. These are found in the riverbed, so they can’t really be seen when the river is full and flowing. Instead, we recommend visiting during the dry season so you can spot the many footprints left behind by these giants of the past.
While you’re in the park you’ll also want to make sure to attend a ranger program or two in order to learn more about the park and the creatures that used to call this place home.
Where to Stay
Obviously, the best place to stay when visiting Dinosaur Valley State Park is, well, Dinosaur Valley State Park. This amazing park offers onsite camping and it is a fantastic spot to escape the hustle and bustle of the modern world. Here, you’ll find four campsites with water and electric hookups, as well as a dump station.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Distance from Fort Worth: 5 hours
The second largest canyon in the United States, Palo Duro Canyon is a sight worth seeing for sure. This amazing natural wonder is located in the aptly named Palo Duro Canyon State Park just outside of Amarillo, and it should be on every Texan’s bucket list.
Things to do in the park include tons of different hiking options as well as geocaching, bird watching, opportunities for horseback riding, and even taking Jeep tours. There are many breathtaking vista points throughout the park, and you will absolutely want to get up early to check out one of the better viewpoints at sunrise.
In addition to all the natural splendor found in this park, you can also enjoy a performance of the outdoor musical Texas while you’re in the canyon!
Where to Stay
Camping in Palo Duro Canyon State Park is definitely the way to go when visiting this amazing place. There are several different camping areas available and all of the RV sites include water and electric hookups for your comfort. The best part? The camping fee is totally affordable.
Hot Springs National Park
Distance from Fort Worth: 5 hours
RVing and national parks go hand-in-hand. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that we wanted to include a national park on this list of weekend RV trips near Fort Worth. The problem? There aren’t many national parks in this neck of the woods. The closest one is Hot Springs National Park, and even that is a bit of a trek. Still, we think it is a worthwhile drive, even if you only have 3 or 4 days to enjoy the place.
Obviously, the number one thing you will want to do is visit one of the park’s bathhouses for a soak in the naturally hot spring water. There are a few different bathhouses to choose from, and all of them offer a great experience, so take your pick or visit them all!
Other things to do include hiking and bird watching. You might also stop by a visitor center to chat with a ranger and learn a thing or two about this amazing place and the rich history of the hot springs.
Where to Stay
We will always recommend staying in the national park you’re visiting whenever possible. In the case of Hot Springs National Park, this means staying at Gulpha Gorge Campground. This campground features full-hookup sites as well as modern restrooms so you can camp in comfort.
Waco, TX
Distance from Fort Worth: 1.5 hours
Want a bit of small town charm? Waco, TX might just be your place. This adorable town is just small enough to retain its charm while still offering plenty of things to see and do during your visit.
We highly recommend a visit to the Waco Mammoth National Monument where you can see mammoth fossils in an active dig site and learn all about these awesome creatures. The tour offered at this site is fantastic and you will definitely want to make time for it.
Besides the dig site, you can also have fun in Waco exploring the Dr. Pepper Museum, learning a thing or two at the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame, or walking around the Cameron Park Zoo.
Where to Stay
John Tanner Park Campground is a great place to stay when in Waco. This is a county park and is located a little outside of town, so you get to really escape the city. There are water and electric hookups available and the camping fee is one of the lowest around.
Austin, TX
Distance from Fort Worth: 3 hours
Austin is another great pick. Yes, it is just another big city, but you can totally stay in the nearby state park to get your nature fix while also enjoying everything this fun and colorful city has to offer.
Our favorite thing to do in Austin? Well, it’s tough to pick, but watching the Congaree Bridge bats take off on their nightly hunt is a pretty memorable and unique experience. We also really love the Thinkery children’s museum if you happen to have kids in tow, and Barton Springs Pool is an excellent escape during the summer months.
Of course, you will need to stop in at one or two of the awesome barbecue spots in the city, and every meal during your visit should be finished off with a cone from one of the many delicious Amy’s Ice Creams spots.
Where to Stay
That nearby state park we mentioned above? That would be McKinney Falls State Park, a gorgeous place that offers amazing waterfall hikes, beautiful shade trees, and the best camping in the area. We love to stay at this park and enjoy the beauty of nature alongside the amenities of a big city.
San Antonio, TX
Distance from Fort Worth: 4 hours
Another city you might want to consider checking out during one of your next weekend RV getaways near Fort Worth? San Antonio, of course. This is a fantastic place to visit and actually offers enough fun things to see and do to fill an entire week or more. That said, if all you have is a weekend, go ahead and go and make the most of it.
Clearly, you’ll need to make a stop at the Alamo and get a quick history lesson while in San Antonio. Those who are really into history might also want to plan on seeing the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park as well as the Historic Market Square.
Prefer theme parks over historic sites? Why not check out SeaWorld San Antonio or Six Flags Fiesta Texas? Morgan’s Wonderland is another great amusement park option that was built specifically for people with disabilities.
Where to Stay
One of our favorite places to stay when visiting San Antonio is the San Antonio KOA. Like other KOA locations, this campground is clean and well kept with amenities that keep the whole family happy. You’re sure to love the laundry room, dog park, playground, and pool.
Wichita Falls, TX
Distance from Fort Worth: 1.5 hours
Wichita Falls is another great pick for a weekend getaway. This small city is lovely, and as the name suggests, it is home to some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the state of Texas. The funny thing? The falls are totally man-made, as the original falls were destroyed in a flood.
Okay, so you will without a doubt want to stop in to see the aforementioned waterfalls at Lucy Park. River Bend Nature Center is another great place to get outside and breathe some fresh air.
The Museum of North Texas is a fantastic place to learn about the area, and Castaway Cove Waterpark is just perfect in the Texas summer heat. Other things to do in the city include checking out local eateries and doing some antique shopping.
Where to Stay
The best place to stay when visiting Wichita Falls? We like the Wichita Falls Jellystone Park. This amazing campground is chock-full of awesome amenities such as a bounce pad, a water slide, mini golf, and more. It’s so fun that your family may not ever want to leave the campground to see the rest of the town!
Oklahoma City, OK
Distance from Fort Worth: 3 hours
Want to head even further north? Oklahoma City is another of the best weekend RV trips near Fort Worth. This blossoming city has quite the art scene going on these days, and the food scene is even better!
During your time in Oklahoma City you will absolutely want to visit the Oklahoma City Zoo, which is, in our opinion, one of the best in the country. The nearby Science Museum Oklahoma is also very well put together and definitely worth checking out.
Want even more things to do in Oklahoma City? Be sure to check out the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, and the Myriad Botanical Gardens.
Where to Stay
There aren’t a whole lot of options when it comes to campgrounds in Oklahoma City. One of the best places to stay when visiting the city is Oklahoma City East KOA Holiday. This park is extremely well maintained and offers a pool and playground for the kids, a dog park for your traveling pup, and clean laundry facilities and bathhouses.
Galveston, TX
Distance from Fort Worth: 4.5 hours
Last but not least, there is the option of heading way down south to Galveston Island for a seaside escape. You really can’t beat a beach getaway during the summer season, and honestly, this little island is lovely even in springtime and well into the fall.
Obviously, you will want to spend plenty of time on the beach while in Galveston. This can be done in town, but we actually much prefer the beaches down the road a bit at Galveston Island State Park.
Moody Gardens and Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier provide even more fun things to do on the island, and local eateries such as Shrimp ‘N Stuff and Mod Coffeehouse give you lots of great food and drink options.
Where to Stay
In our opinion, the best place to stay when visiting Galveston in an RV is the aforementioned Galveston Island State Park. This is a gorgeous state park with some sites that are right on the beach. Water and electric hookups are available and there is a dump station onsite.
More Things to Do Outside Fort Worth
As you can see, there are plenty of wonderful options for weekend RV trips near Fort Worth. What’s crazy is that these are only a handful of the amazing things to do outside Fort Worth. This means you can visit all of these awesome spots and still have plenty more to explore! Some examples of other things to do around Fort Worth include Fredericksburg, Abilene, and Lake Tawakoni State Park.
Of course, before you can take any of these awesome RV trips near Fort Worth, you will need to acquire an RV. If you don’t have an RV of your own, you might want to consider one of our many Fort Worth RV rentals. These will allow you to explore in complete comfort and style without the hassle of owning a trailer or motorhome yourself.
