USA / Texas
Rent a Camper in Texas Big Bend, Hill Country and Gulf Coast
Texas is massive — 268,000 square miles with dramatically different landscapes from east to west. Big Bend is one of the least visited and most spectacular national parks in the system. Hill Country between Austin and San Antonio is perfect for a long weekend. The distances are real though — budget for serious driving time.
Texas Rental Pricing
| Platform | Pricing | TX Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoorsy | $75-$275/night | Strong in Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio |
| RVshare | $70-$250/night | Good statewide, trailer delivery popular in DFW |
| Cruise America | $100-$240/night | Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin area |
| Escape Campervans | N/A | No Texas location — nearest is Denver or LA |
Pickup Cities
Austin
Best starting point for Hill Country. Outdoorsy is headquartered in Austin so the local listing quality is strong. 1-2 hours from Pedernales Falls, Enchanted Rock and Fredericksburg wine country. 6 hours to Big Bend if you're willing to commit to the drive.
Dallas-Fort Worth
Biggest metro in the state with good rental inventory on all three available platforms. Not the most exciting camping nearby — you'll need to drive. Palo Duro Canyon is 6 hours northwest. Big Bend is 8+ hours southwest. Best for renters who want to pick up and head somewhere specific.
Houston
Third option. Closest to the Gulf Coast and Padre Island National Seashore (4 hours south). Galveston Island is 50 minutes for a quick beach trip. Cruise America has a Houston area depot. Good P2P selection.
Best Texas Road Trips
Big Bend National Park
6-8 hours from any major Texas city. 3-5 days minimum once you arrive. Chisos Basin campground is the crown jewel — mountain views at 5,400 feet. Rio Grande Village has RV hookups. The remoteness is the point — zero cell service, dark skies, solitude. Bring everything you need. November through March is ideal. Summer temps hit 110°F in the lowlands.
Texas Hill Country
Weekend to 4 days from Austin or San Antonio. Fredericksburg for wine tasting, Enchanted Rock for hiking, Hamilton Pool for swimming. State park campgrounds at Pedernales Falls, Garner and Guadalupe River are affordable and beautiful. Wildflower season in April is peak — bluebonnets everywhere. Book 2 months ahead for spring weekends.
Palo Duro Canyon
6 hours from Dallas, 2 hours from Amarillo. The "Grand Canyon of Texas" — 120 miles long, 800 feet deep. Rim campgrounds and canyon floor sites available. Much less crowded than western national parks. Fall colors in November. TEXAS Outdoor Musical plays summer evenings in the canyon amphitheater.
Padre Island National Seashore
4 hours from Houston, 2 hours from San Antonio. 70 miles of undeveloped barrier island beach. Beach camping is allowed (4WD needed for the southern stretches). Malaquite campground has developed sites. Sea turtle nesting season runs April through July. Bring mosquito protection — island bugs are fierce.
Texas-Specific Tips
- → Distances are no joke. El Paso to Houston is 750 miles — 11 hours of driving. Budget for mileage overages on peer-to-peer rentals. West Texas has long stretches with no services.
- → Summer heat kills trips. June through August is brutal everywhere except far west Texas at elevation. AC is mandatory. Plan for spring (March-May) or fall (September-November) for the best experience.
- → Gas is cheap. Texas gas prices are among the lowest in the US. A nice offset to those long driving distances.
- → State parks are excellent and affordable. Texas Parks & Wildlife runs a solid system. Campsites run $15-$30/night with water and electric at most sites. Reserve 2 months ahead for popular parks.
Back to US hub · all regions · platform rankings · budget tips