RV travelers to the Lons Star State will find plenty of Texas landmarks to visit while camping in Texas. Here, you can visit parks full of nature, political centers like the State Capitol, and quirky sites like Cadillac Ranch. Yes, you’re sure to find plenty to do while camping in Texas and we’re betting you’ll even want to come back for more.
Not sure where to start? You’ve come to the right place!
Top Landmarks in Texas
Texas Landmarks
Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park in southwestern Texas has activities for all adventurers. This 801,000-acre park is full of mountains, canyons, deserts, thermal hot springs, and the Rio Grande.
It’s a top destination for hikers and is full of gorgeous desert scenery. You’ll be able to find a trail that suits your experience level, whether you’re a beginner or an expert hiker. Prefer kayaking or mountain biking? There’s something for you too, and the stargazing is second to none.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Big Bend is one of the most remote national parks in America, so there aren’t many big cities nearby or attractions. That said, there is so much to do in the park itself that you really don’t ever need to leave.
You can even camp in the park! We recommend the Rio Grande Village Campground, as it is close to amenities and has some generator-friendly sites.
The Alamo
Talk about a legendary Texas landmark! The Alamo Mission in San Antonio is an 18th century Spanish mission and the site of the Battle of the Alamo in 1836.
Today, the mission offers guided hour-long tours as well as a Young Texans Tour for kids, with knowledgeable guides and living historians. You can also tour the church itself and there are living history events on the weekends.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
The Alamo is right in the middle of San Antonio, where there’s plenty to explore. We highly recommend the San Antonio Riverwalk, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, and the DoSeum, to name a few!
One of the best places to camp in San Antonio is the San Antonio KOA, which offers everything you need for a comfortable getaway.
The State Capitol
Texas’ State Capitol in Austin is one of America’s most distinguished capitol buildings. It’s 14 feet taller than the U.S. Capitol building and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. It was then designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986.
Visitors have the option of guided or self-guided tours through the building. Specialty tours, including holiday and Halloween-themed options, are also available throughout the year. There are also specific tours focusing on Hispanic and African American heritage, veterans, and women’s history.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
The Capitol is in Austin and there’s lots to see and do while you’re there. We love the Bullock Texas State History Museum and the Thinkery. If you’re there in the summer, make time to see the bats fly from under the Congress Ave Bridge.
As far as camping goes, we highly recommend setting up a site at McKinney Falls State Park. This state park is just outside of the city and makes for a gorgeous home base while RVing in the area.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Palo Duro Canyon State Park is about 25 miles south of Amarillo and is the second-largest canyon in the United States. There are hiking trails throughout the park, but much of it can be seen on a scenic drive if you aren’t one for hiking.
There are also options for horseback riding and mountain biking. To top it off, stargazing during the evenings is incredible.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
The state park is between Lubbock and Amarillo, and there are some things to do in each of these cities. We recommend checking out Cadillac Ranch (next on our list) and the Amarillo Botanical Gardens as well as the American Quarter Horse Hall of fame.
Wondering where to camp? Staying in the state park is your best bet, but be sure to reserve your site in advance, as the park does fill up.
Cadillac Ranch
Cadillac Ranch is another iconic landmark, and pops up on pretty much any Historic Route 66 must-see list. The ranch is a public art installation in Amarillo created in 1974. It’s made of 10 Cadillac cars with their noses buried in the ground and covered in layers and layers of paint and graffiti.
You can see the landmark from the highway, but taking the frontage road will take you to the installation itself. Unlike most art installations, adding paint to this display is actually encouraged! So grab a can of spray paint and start tagging the cars for a truly unique experience.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
The ranch is just outside Amarillo in northern Texas, so be sure to explore the town. The attractions mentioned above are good picks, but Don Harrington Discovery Center, Wonderland Amusement Park, and Texas Air and Space Museum are all awesome as well.
We still think Palo Duro Canyon State Park is the best place to camp in the area, but if you need another option, Big Texan RV Ranch is nice.
Space Center Houston
Space Center Houston is the Official Visitor Center of NASA Johnson Space Center. Visitors can learn about America’s human spaceflight program and see one of the largest collections of space artifacts in the western part of the country.
Be sure to stop by Independence Plaza, where you’ll see a shuttle replica mounted on a shuttle carrier aircraft. You can actually go inside both the shuttle and the carrier.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
There’s plenty to discover around Houston. Children’s Museum Houston is one of the best in the country, and you’re not too far from Galveston and the beach!
One of the best camping options in the area is actually Galveston Island State Park. Here, you can camp right on the beach and you aren’t too far from all the attractions the city of Houston has to offer.
Natural Bridge Caverns
The Natural Bridge Caverns are the largest commercial caverns in Texas. They’re full of flowstone, stalagmites, and geological formations and are named for the 60-foot-long natural limestone bridge that spans the entrance.
Visitors can choose from several different tours to head underground and explore the cavern’s passages and chambers. Back on the surface, a ropes course and zipline, climbing obstacles, and a giant maze provide hours of fun for the whole family, making it easy to spend an entire day here.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
The caverns are located just outside San Antonio and are a little south of Austin. Things to do nearby include the aforementioned Alamo and Texas State Capitol as well as the many other attractions in these great cities.
Stone Creek RV Park is nearby and offers lovely campsites that you are sure to enjoy.
Padre Island National Seashore
If you’re craving the beach, head to Padre Island National Seashore. This is the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world, and it protects 70 miles of coastline. It separates the Gulf of Mexico from the Laguna Madre and is filled with sand dunes, prairies, and tidal flats.
There’s plenty to do, including kayaking, fishing, boating, camping, and even watching sea turtles hatch during certain times of the year. Plus, it’s run by the National Park Service, so you can attend ranger programs and learn from knowledgeable guides and rangers.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Most people are here for the beach, so explore and enjoy the water! That said, if you need some things to do away from the water, you’re not far from Corpus Christi. We recommend checking out the Texas State Aquarium and USS Lexington.
One of the best things about visiting Padre Island National Seashore is the fact that you can camp right on the beach. Some rigs are able to dry camp in the free boondocking areas, but many choose to camp in the paved campground that is steps from the sand instead.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is home to Guadalupe Peak, the tallest point in Texas at 8,749 feet. It also includes Frijole Ranch, a museum of ranching history, as well as stagecoach station ruins.
This park doesn’t have all the amenities of the more established national parks, so fill up on gas and bring your own lunch or dinner. However, it’s less crowded than other national parks, so you’ll get amazing views and scenery without the crowds.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Guadalupe Mountain National Park is somewhat remote, but Carlsbad, NM isn’t too far away and El Paso could be a daytrip. In any case, we highly recommend seeing Carlsbad Caverns National Park while you’re in the area.
Camping can be found in the park at one of two developed campgrounds: Pine Springs Campground and Dog Canyon Campground. We recommend staying in one of these spots if possible. Otherwise, free dry camping is available outside of the park.
Colorado Bend State Park
Don’t let the name confuse you, we’re still in Texas. Named for the Colorado River, which runs through the park, Colorado Bend State Park is full of waterfalls, springs, and caves. It’s a great place to spend a relaxing afternoon by the water or explore the 35 miles of hiking trails. There are even ranger-led cave tours, as well as fishing and kayaking!
Attractions and Camping Nearby
This state park is somewhat remote and located about two hours northwest of Austin, so you’ll want to plan to spend most of your time exploring within the beautiful natural area. Fortunately, there is plenty to see and do without leaving the park. If you do need to leave, some of the smaller towns and cities nearby include Bend, San Saba, and Lampasas.
You will, of course, want to plan to camp in the state park itself. This will allow you to immerse yourself in the beauty of the area and really enjoy your escape into nature.
Planning an RV Trip to Texas
An RV trip is an excellent way to tour the many landmarks in Texas, and we have all the resources you need to plan a perfect vacation.
Here are guides to some of the best state parks in Texas, as well as all the national parks in the country. And as always, we’re here to help when it comes to finding the best campgrounds, local guides for Texas cities, and RV rentals. Now it’s time to get planning and start exploring!
