Because I am originally from Oklahoma, Texas has been a getaway destination for me for my entire life. This has carried over into RV life, and we have now visited pretty much every area of Texas in our RV—and while we do prefer wintering in Florida, we’ve also spent several winter weeks in the Lone Star State and have several favorite RV destinations in Texas.
This year, we plan to head to Texas for the entire month of January, so deciding on winter destinations in Texas has been on my mind. In this article I will share with you my family’s favorite places to winter in Texas, as well as the spots we plan to visit this time around.
From Galveston Island to Big Bend National Park: The Warmest Places in Texas for Winter RV Travel
If you live full-time in Oklahoma, like I have, or in the Texas Panhandle, for instance, chances are you’re looking for warmer weather in a place that’s close at hand. Fortunately, Texas checks all those boxes and more, with mild winter travel destinations ranging from big urban cityscapes to tranquil beachfronts where you can wear short sleeves in the heart of winter. Here are our favorites.
Galveston Island – Beaches & Mild Winter Weather
The beaches are easily my favorite part of Texas, and Galveston Island has been one of my favorite RV destination in Texas since I was a kid. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that we have visited Galveston in our RV more than once, and we absolutely adore it.
We love grabbing a cup of joe at the adorable MOD Coffeehouse, spending lazy days at the beach, and having delicious dinners at Shrimp N Stuff. Galveston Historic Seaport was amazing for a history nerd like myself, and Pleasure Pier is fun for the whole family.
Other things to do on the island include Moody Gardens, Bishop’s Palace, Schlitterbahn Waterpark, and the Galveston Railroad Museum.
Why This Destination Works in Winter
Galveston is well-known to be a beachy wonderland, no matter the month. Even in December, daily highs sit around 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Best for:
- Adventurous families
- Couples looking for a romantic beach getaway
- Anyone looking for a sandy place to celebrate the holidays
Where to Stay
I will always, always recommend staying at Galveston Island State Park while on this adorable island. The park is extremely well kept, and if you can snag one, there are even sites situated right on the beach. These are amazing because they allow you to fall asleep to the sound of waves.
South Padre Island & Padre Island National Seashore
I’ve got to be honest, I haven’t actually gotten to visit South Padre Island or its nearby National Seashore since I was a kid. That said, we plan to visit this January and I am incredibly excited. From what I remember, the beaches here feature gorgeous, soft sand and blue waters.
I’m excited about the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Trail and the other nature trails in the area, and I’m sure we’ll make time to see Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historic Site and Sea Turtle Inc. I also hope to take some sandcastle building lessons, which seem to be a thing down there.
Other things to do in South Padre Island include surfing lessons, South Padre Island Adventure Park, and Gravity Park.
Why These Destinations Work in Winter
Padre Island National Seashore allows you to enjoy the Texas shoreline without the commercialism found in some other spots. The seashore is an NPS site, meaning it is protected, so visiting allows you to see beaches in their natural state. This is the perfect place for a relaxing retreat into nature, with plenty of seaside strolls, sandcastle building, swimming, and wildlife spotting, even in winter.
While you’re in Padre Island National Seashore, be sure to visit the visitor center, attend some NPS ranger programs, and earn your Junior Ranger Badge!
Best for:
- Wildlife lovers
- Kayakers and other outdoor recreation enthusiasts
- Those looking for a minimalist Christmas
Where to Stay
We plan to stay in Isla Blanca County Park. This park plays host to a huge number of snowbirds and full time RV families every winter, and we’ve heard a lot of good things about it. Monthly rates are totally affordable, the park is right on the beach, and it sounds like we’ll have tons of fellow full timers to hang out with.
One of the coolest things about Padre Island National Seashore is that RVers are allowed to boondock on the beach for free! That said, you do so at your own risk and getting stuck in the sand is something that can happen.
For those who don’t want to take the risk, there are two established campgrounds: Bird Island Basin Campground and Malaquite Campground. Neither offers hookups, but both have restrooms with flush toilets, and Malaquite has a dump station and showers.
Big Bend National Park – Desert Winter Hiking & RV Tips
Admittedly, this is one of the RV destinations in Texas I’ve never seen for myself (though I don’t know how that happened). Therefore, I’m making it a goal to check it out in 2025. The photos I’ve seen are incredible, and I’m betting that like other remote national parks, it is absolutely stunning.
Why This Destination Works in Winter
Big Bend National Park is the perfect place to winter in Texas if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and spend your time hiking, paddling, and taking in gorgeous sunsets. That said, it does get pretty cold, so if you’re looking to escape winter weather, this probably isn’t your spot.
Best for:
- Those checking all the national parks off their list
- Intrepid adventurers looking for rugged, off-grid locations to explore
- Those who can handle a little bit of chill during their winter travels
Where to Stay
Big Bend National Park is surrounded by free and super inexpensive boondocking spots, but many of these are hard to reach in a bigger rig, so while we will probably choose one of these dry camping spots, we will do our research before diving in.
On top of that, it’s important to note that the Chisos Basin Campground in the park can only accommodate trailers up to 20 feet long and motorhomes up to 24 feet long, meaning we definitely won’t be staying there.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park – Winter Trails & Campgrounds
We visited Guadalupe Mountains National Park in December one year and I was actually surprised how much I enjoyed that leg of that trip. We boondocked between Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park so we could visit both, and we ended up getting snowed in one night, which was a surreal experience in the middle of a desert.
Why This Destination Works in Winter
We loved hiking the national park, and because we visited in the winter, we were almost the only people there, which was pretty neat.
Once again, I do have to note that this part of Texas gets pretty cold in winter. We were lucky that we only had a couple days of below-freezing temperatures, but this isn’t always the case.
Best for:
- Hikers and outdoor adventurers
- Snow-friendly campers
- Families teaching their kiddos about the great outdoors
Where to Stay
As I mentioned above, we chose a boondocking spot between the two national parks, and we really enjoyed the sunsets there. That said, the BLM-run Sunset Reef Campground also seemed like a good option for those who want free dry camping but don’t want to go too far off the beaten path.
Just be aware that the campground is technically in New Mexico, but still close enough to Guadalupe Mountains National Park to visit more than once.
Houston, Austin & San Antonio – City RV Trips in Winter
Camping in one of Texas’s four biggest cities can lend a fun urban twist to your wintertime or holiday adventure. I, for one, love Houston’s museum scene, which includes an awesome Health Museum that is part of the ASTC reciprocal program. Houtson ais also home to my favorite children’s museum in the country: Children’s Museum Houston, which is also part of the ASTC reciprocal program.
Austin, meanwhile, is favorite Texas city. Really, it’s one of my favorite cities in the entire country. This place is full of art and coffee and delicious foods, and I’m here for it all. Our favorite Austin attraction is the Thinkery children’s museum, but we also love the Austin Zoo, Bullock Texas State History Museum, Zilker Park, and McKinney Falls State Park.
San Antonio is another great Texas city, especially if you’re looking to learn more about the culture and history of the state. We’ve visited the Alamo more than once and always learn something new when we do. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is a fabulous place for roadschooling, and the San Antonio Riverwalk is always fun.
Why These Destinations Work for Winter
All three of these cities remain relatively mild in the winter, with daily highs in the 60s and even sometimes 70s especially toward February and March. Plus, with their many fun to-dos, there really is something for everyone in each of these towns, and each also has its own nearby wildernesses and protected natural landscapes to explore.
Best for:
- Foodies
- Urban explorers
- Museum-goers
- Families who want a little bit of everything
Where to Stay
We stay at Lake Conroe Thousand Trails any time we visit Houston. This campground is set on a lake and offers all kinds of amenities, including a beautiful pool, a playground for the kids, and planned activities. It’s also just 30–40 minutes outside of the city, making it an ideal home base. (We love Thousand Trails, so well also tend to stay at Thousand Trails Medina Lake when visiting San Antonio.)
In Austin, McKinney Falls State Park above. This park is located just outside of the city and is an excellent place for a daytrip to go on a hike or check out the falls, not to mention a spot to park your RV.
What to Expect When RVing in Texas During Winter
No matter where you go during your Texas winter RV adventure, you can expect friendly folks, blue skies, and wide-open spaces. Of course, each individual city and destination has its own flavor and features, which is exactly what makes Texas so much fun to explore! Happy trails.
FAQ: Winter RV Camping in Texas
The coastal areas around Corpus Christi, including South Padre Island and the Padre Island National Seashore, tend to be among the warmest Texas destinations year-round. Some of the state’s cities, too, like San Antonio and Austin, remain mild in the heart of winter.
While Big Bend National Park can definitely get cold in the winter, it also offers a striking, one-of-a-kind landscape to explore. It’s already one of the less-visited national parks, so when you go in winter, you’ll enjoy even fewer crowds.
Depending on traffic, the drive from Austin to Big Bend National Park is just shy of seven hours. Of course, once you arrive in the national park, there will be plenty of driving to do to see all of its beautiful features as well.
While it depends who you ask (and what they consider a gem), Big Bend National Park is a Texas destination that few ever get around to seeing, mostly because it’s far out of the way. The town of Marfa is another lesser-known Texas destination that’s quirky, artful and fun, and for a beachy destination, South Padre Island might be your best bet.
