South Texas RGV Campgrounds

[jegall]

Planning RGV this winter looking for good RV parks ?

[hermanmullins]

Tom will have the best answer to questions on the RGV campgrounds.

Welcome to becoming a Winter Texan.

Herman 

[manholt]

jegall.  Welcome to Forum!

Suggest you Google whatever area of the valley that your interested in.  Pick a Park and contact them, hope you can get a reservation and go down for 4-6 weeks.  Take your Toad and drive to as many RV parks that you like, stop and let them show you around...when you find one that suits you, make a reservation for following year.  They go fast!

Good luck.

Carl

[wildebill308]

I would also look at http://www.rvparkreviews.com/ to get a idea of what other people say. 

As noted Tom would be a good source as they winter in the area.

Bill

[montie]

Want to go through Big Bend National Park, found plenty of places to stay but nothing good close.  Suggestions please.  We are just staying 2-3 nights so we can forgo everything but 50 AMP, need AC in June I understand.

43' DP 

[wildebill308]

1 hour ago, MONTIE said:

Want to go through Big Bend National Park, found plenty of places to stay but nothing good close.  Suggestions please.  We are just staying 2-3 nights so we can forgo everything but 50 AMP, need AC in June I understand.

43' DP 

What is wrong with Maverick Ranch RV Park?

http://www.lajitasgolfresort.com/default.aspx?pg=maverickranch

Or this one, Rio Grande Village RV Campground, 

https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/rgv_hookups.htm

There is nothing "close" in the Big Bend area.

Bill

[jleamont]

Every time you guys post a CG in Texas I can't help but click on the link and browse, all the while this is my face . I really need to spend some time in Texas exploring, WOW!

[wildebill308]

We just spent from last Thursday here with the Red River Rovers at Coyote Ranch Resort, 14145 US-287, Wichita Falls, TX 76310, coyoteranchresort.com, (940) 767-6700. 

The weather was a little cool in the morning, in low 50s but warmed up to mid 70s in the afternoon. But this is north Texas in November.

Bill

[lmsooter]

3 hours ago, jleamont said:

Every time you guys post a CG in Texas I can't help but click on the link and browse, all the while this is my face . I really need to spend some time in Texas exploring, WOW!

When you get to Texas, plan a few days at Davis Mountains State Park and visit the lodge there.  Also a very short drive to McDonald Observatory - their night time Star Party is very educational 

[wolfe10]

2 hours ago, lmsooter said:

When you get to Texas, plan a few days at Davis Mountains State Park and visit the lodge there.  Also a very short drive to McDonald Observatory - their night time Star Party is very educational.

I agree,  Both excellent suggestions.   McDonald Observatory to confirm their Star Party info:  https://mcdonaldobservatory.org/visitors/programs/star-parties

[tbutler]

Well, I must not be paying attention!  I missed this post originally.  I have copied a reply I made to a similar inquiry earlier this year.  My information and advice remain the same so here goes...

Posted August 27

We've been wintering in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) since 2001.  We obviously love the area.  There are plenty of RV parks to choose from and they range from the really nice with paved parking and ready storage sheds for your outdoor supplies to simple gravel and dirt parks.  So you can go as inexpensive to as expensive as you desire.  Parks are located generally from Mission to Brownsville along US 83 and US 83/77 and also out toward Port Isabel and South Padre Island.  You can find several sources of information on parks in the RGV.   Selected RGV Parks, Many More RV Parks in the RGV, You might find other references, there are something like 70 different parks.

The cost of living in the RGV is really low.  We now have a lot for a mobile home and can park our motor home on the same lot.  Rent is less than $4000 for the year.  RV lots in our park rent for less than that but you have to pay your electric bill.  You can of course get a lot for a day, a week or a month.  Many people decide to make improvements to their lots and thus rent them for the annual fee.  You won't find that arrangement in every park but some allow individual improvements.  Another reason to go seasonal is that if you are staying for four or five months the difference becomes smaller and if you like the location, the annual is the way to guarantee your lot.

You will find parks that have many organized activities to keep you a busy as you want to be.  Likewise, if your idea is to relax, enjoy the sun and warm weather and maybe make a few friends, you don't have to go all out chasing every activity.  Some parks have heated pools, others have dance halls with a regular schedule of dances.  There are parks located near state parks and parks located right near the beach on South Padre Island.  Some parks are located in or near cities and others are in rural areas.  The RGV is a major metropolitan area with plenty of shopping, dining, entertainment and recreational activities within an easy drive from almost anywhere.

We play golf once a week almost all winter.  There are always a few days when it is too cold for us (but not the Canadians).  If you play golf you'll benefit from the experience you have gained with windy days.  You will have no problem finding people to join you in golf, tennis, instrumental and vocal music, theatrical performance, and a host of other activities.  Fishing opportunities abound with the ocean fishing out of South Padre Island being the deluxe version. 

If you are interested in wildlife, the RGV is a major destination for migrating birds.  They come from all over North America, some winter here others pass through in fall and spring as they journey to Central and South America.  In addition there are quite a few birds that come from Mexico and are found nowhere else in the United States.  Numerous nature centers as well as the State Parks feature the wonderful variety of birds and people come from all over the world each fall for the RGV Birding Festival in Harlingen.  The RGV also features the National Butterfly Center in Mission.  Butterfly enthusiasts journey to the RGV as well and the wide variety of North and Central American butterflies can be see

There are several college campuses, multiple quality hospitals with many specialists in senior care.  The valley is definitely multicultural and as far as we are concerned, this is a delightful experience.  There are many immigrants from Mexico here, some have been here for generations and others have very recently arrived.  You will find several languages spoken almost everywhere. 

I always recommend that you come south without reservations or with reservations for a short period of time in one park.  Use your time at the first park to go out and explore the valley and visit several other parks to get an idea of what is available.  In recent years parks saw a decline in visitors with the increased prices for fuel but that has now passed and there are more visitors.  The peak time is in January and February, at other times, most parks have some spaces available. 

The hot summer weather begins to abate in early October.  We usually return sometime in late October, family schedules dominate our timing or we would be there in early October.  Our winter months are December and January.  During those months temperatures will frequently be in the 50's and 60's during the day with night temperatures in the 40's and 50's.  There are usually a few days when the temperature drops below freezing by a few degrees.  Last year we had no freezing temperatures and several years ago we had three periods of freezing temperatures for two or three days.  We even had snow one Christmas Eve, about 3 or 4 inches that melted by the next afternoon!  February usually sees temperatures starting to warm and by March days are usually around 80 degrees and nights in the 60's.  April and May it warms up by the end of May we are long gone for the summer.  April generally begins the real retreat of the snow birds, Easter and tax schedules drive people back to their northern homes.  We pack the motor home and head for cooler weather, family visits and exploring the USA and Canada.

If you have specific questions, don't hesitate to message me or post your question here for all to discuss.  If you would like to read more about the RGV and what others have to say or recommend, use the search box at the top right of this page and simply type in Rio Grande Valley.  You will get quite a few links to related discussions.

[manholt]

MONTIE.  I was down there 4 weeks ago, with a chapter of Escapees...we stayed in Lajitas at Maverick RV Park, Black Jack Spa and Golf Resort...$35 per night!  It is well worth the visit, especially if your in a coach over 36 foot.  It's located between Big Bend National Park (best done by toad) and Big Bend State Park.  Each park entrances is about 40 miles away.  Since DP's are not fond of lots of dust and sand, I would stay away from Rio Grande Village...but, your choice.  Each Park has a RV primitive camp ground for rigs under 36 foot.

There are 2 good ways in...Hwy 385 out of Marathon, thru Big Bend National Park (45 mph limit in Park) or Hwy. 118 out off Alpine.  Definitely  go to Mt, Davis and there is a campground there, with full H/U.

Do not attempt to take your coach West of Lajitas...very narrow,  sharp curves and 15% up/down hills!  The toad is good for that run, 40 miles to entry of Big Bend State Park!

Carl