Winter is well on its way, and if you haven’t already, you really should make a plan for where you will spend the cold months. The vast majority of full time RVers head south for the winter. A huge number of them head to SoCal or Arizona, and even more of them head to Florida, but one winter RV destination that isn’t talked about as much is Texas.
In this article, we will dive into the subject of winter RVing in Texas to help you understand why this might be a good fit for your family, and where you might want to go once you arrive in the Lone Star State.
Why Head to Texas for the Winter?
First, let’s take a minute to talk about why people enjoy winter RVing in Texas. There are several reasons for this, and when you add them all together, they do make a pretty compelling argument.
Warm Weather
Warm weather is probably the biggest benefit of winter RVing in Texas. While there are some parts of the state that do see some chilly weather, the southernmost parts of Texas are warm and sunny all year long.
Really, even the places that do see some cold weather are warmer than most of the rest of the country, so even if you don’t spend the entire winter in the far southern reaches of the state, you will still stay relatively comfortable while winter RVing in Texas.
Plenty of Friends
Because so many RVers flock to Texas in the winter months, you can expect to find plenty of friends while you’re down there. This is fantastic because it gives you the opportunity to create a nomadic community, something that is incredibly valuable to us full time RVers.
To ensure you are parked near other Fulltime Families members, we recommend reaching out on the Facebook groups to see who will be where.
Friendly Residents
On top of a thriving RV community, Texas also plays host to some of the most friendly and welcoming residents in the country. This is fantastic because it makes it easy to feel at home and befriend people who live in the area.
We find this especially nice if you happen to return to Texas year after year, because it gives you an opportunity to visit your Texas friends every winter season and create deeply rooted relationships.
Free and Low-Cost Camping Options
If you’re on a tight budget, you’re going to love Texas for its many free and low-cost camping options. There are city parks that offer camping with hookups for free, a few good boondocking posts, plenty of Thousand Trails parks, and some wonderful RV parks that offer amazingly low monthly rates.
Because of this—and the fact that Texas has a relatively low cost of living in general—you could easily use your winter in Texas to save big bucks that can be put toward your summer adventures.
The Best Places for Winter RVing in Texas
Wondering where you should go winter RVing in Texas? You have a lot of options, and as we mentioned before, most parts of Texas will be warmer than a lot of other places. That said, there are certain areas that have especially good weather, or at least some super amazing things to see and do. Some even have both!
Big Bend National Park
While it is probably the coldest spot on this list, Big Bend National Park is easily one of the most beautiful spots in Texas. Honestly, we don’t recommend spending your entire winter in the park because it really does get cold, and you’d be pretty far away from things like shopping and dining. That said, if you can squish in a visit to Big Bend during your time in Texas, you won’t be disappointed.
South Padre Island
A huge number of Fulltime Families members head down to South Padre Island for the winter. This is probably the warmest place in the Lone Star State during the winter months, and the fact that it boasts some amazing beaches is a major bonus as well.
On top of all that, the island is home to Isla Blanca County Park, which offers surprisingly low monthly rates for full-hookup camping within walking distance of the beach.
Padre Island National Seashore
Many people get South Padre Island and Padre Island National Seashore confused, or think they are the same place. They aren’t.
While South Padre Island is a relatively bustling place with plenty of shopping and dining, Padre Island National Seashore is 100% natural. The reason we adore visiting the national seashore in an RV is that it offers miles of free beach boondocking. Not a bad way to spend a few weeks of winter!
San Antonio
One of the best Texas cities, San Antonio is a beautiful place with some amazing history and culture. It’s far enough south that it rarely sees a truly cold day even in the middle of winter, and the city offers all kinds of amazing things to see and do.
We highly recommend visiting the Alamo of course, as well as the DoSeum, an amazing children’s museum. There aren’t any super inexpensive RV parks in San Antonio, but there is a Thousand Trails not too far away.
Austin
Austin is another fantastic Texas city that could be worth checking out while winter RVing in Texas. While you’re there, make sure to try some of the amazing barbecue, as well as Amy’s Ice Cream. The Texas State Capitol is fun to visit, as is the Bullock Texas State History Museum.
Our favorite place to stay is McKinney Falls State Park, which is also an excellent place to do some hiking.
Houston Area
The Houston area is another good pick. The Lake Conroe Thousand Trails is very popular with Fulltime Families members and makes a great homebase. From there, you can drive into Houston to use your reciprocal membership at the many amazing museums like the Houston Children’s Museum and the Health Museum. Alternatively, you can keep driving down to Galveston for a beach day.
Winter RVing in Texas is a great way to escape the cold and have an amazing time with other RVers for the entire winter season. Ready to check it out yourself? Make your reservations and start heading that way!