The best camping near Amistad National Recreation Area

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Amistad National Recreation Area adventure.

Explore the edge of the nation here at this beautiful park on the U.S./Mexico border.

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Stay at a public campground in Amistad National Recreation Area

Top-rated campgrounds near Amistad National Recreation Area

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Fort Clark Springs

11 sites · Tents2700 acres · Brackettville, TX

Fort Clark began as a US Army Post in 1852; built beside the Las Moras Springs, to defend settlers along the Pecos Trail. In service until 1947, Fort Clark was a cavalry fort and home of the famed Black Seminole Indian Scouts; as well as every historic Buffalo Soldier regiment in the US Army. During WWII, it was headquarters for the 2nd Cavalry Division and it housed more than 3000 German POWs. The old Army Guardhouse is now a museum. MOVIE BUFFS: Movies filmed on the fort and in the surrounding area include: The Alamo (John Wayne), Lonesome Dove, Streets of Laredo, The Good Old Boys, Barbarossa, Arrowhead & more!Fort Clark Springs is now a 2700 acre leisure living community bordering US Hwy 90 at Brackettville, Texas; approximately 140 miles due west of San Antonio, Texas.The Fort sits at the head of the Las Moras Spring which has been generating millions of gallons of pure, cold sparkling water for over 12,000 years. It also sits on a portion of the Great Comanche War Trail between Naciamento, Mexico and Oklahoma. The spring has always been a lifeline for a multitude of cultures and wildlife. Some of these include a number of different tribes, buffalo, deep antelope and large herds of native mustangs. The spring forms a stunning little valley and creates a natural habitat that allows native semi-tropical vendure and the finest specimens of Live Oak, Pecans and White Oak trees to flourish. Today, it also home to large herds of axis and whitetail deer, turkey, javelinas, feral hogs and is a birders' paradise as well; as it sits on the western migratory bird path.Learn more about this land:Pitch your tent along the Las Moras Creek under 150+ year old oak trees - exactly where the famed Black Seminole Indian Scouts lived and rode with the US Cavalry; defending settlers and travelers from Comanche along the Pecos Trail. Explore Fort Clark - home to every historic buffalo soldier regiment in the US Army, the Black Seminole Indian Scouts; as well as almost every US cavalry regiment. After almost 100 years in service, the army post closed (1852 - 1947) and was eventually rehabilitated into a 2700 acre leisure living community, at the edge of West Texas. Historical markers dot the 21+ miles of hiking/biking trails on the Fort.The original US Army Guardhouse is now a museum; and along with the largest privately owned historic district west of the Mississippi River, it awaits your exploration. 6 State Parks/National Recreation Areas - all within an hour drive - also await you. Visit the millions of freetail bats at Kickapoo Caverns, the wilds of the Pecos River and Seminole Canyon, tube the Frio River, bass fish at Lake Amistad, explore 21+ miles of hiking trails on the Fort, or just relax by the 3rd largest spring-fed pool in Texas. (68 degrees year round). NOTE: Over 100 movies/TV shows/music videos have been filmed on the fort and in Kinney County including: The Alamo (John Wayne) , Arrowhead, Two Rode Together, Bandelero, The Good Old Boys and Bad Girls. Campsites are named after movies made here and in Kinney County.Although located directly next to the RV Park, the campground is separate, with its own bathhouse and has its own vibe of quiet peacefulness. Axis and whitetail deer walk and graze through the campground year round, as well as large turkey flocks. Picnic tables, fire rings and shower rooms are also available.Campers may fish the Las Moras Creek (catch & release) with no license needed. Tent camping here at Fort Clark is very relaxed with large unstructured campsites and a very peaceful relaxed feel to the entire campground.

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Apache Rock Wilderness Lodge

3 sites · Lodging, Tents425 acres · Brackettville, TX

Welcome to our outdoor enthusiast's paradise! With multiple hiking and ATV trails, as well as numerous spots for rock climbing, there's no shortage of adventure to be had here. The terrain ranges from moderate to steep, offering challenges for all skill levels. For accommodations, we offer several options. Choose from camping in the valleys with tents or stay in our 6-room lodge, which features beds for 4 to 2 people, one shower, two bathrooms, and an outdoor kitchen. Please remember to bring bottled water for drinking and cooking, as we are off-grid in the higher elevations. Cool off in our large cistern converted into a swimming pool, or simply take in the breathtaking views. From the Southwest, you can admire the Sierra Madre mountains in Mexico and catch a glimpse of the silhouette of the laying lady on clear days. At night, marvel at the lights of Del Rio, located 37 miles away, and enjoy unparalleled stargazing opportunities. While we're off-grid in the higher elevations, phone service is available for AT&T and T-Mobile users. Escape the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse yourself in the natural beauty and tranquility of our remote haven.

American Campground RV and Mobile Home Park

101 sites · Lodging, Tents10 acres · Del Rio, TX

Located moments away from beautiful Lake Amistad, American Campground features tent, cabin and RV camping as well as one of Del Rio’s few Mobile Home parks. Due to its sprawling acreage, the park boasts plenty of room to enjoy all the fun of the camping and RV’ing lifestyle without disturbing the peaceful community of our mobile home residents. On the camping side, we have tent grounds, 9 cabins and 88 RV pads, some covered. We offer daily, weekly and monthly rates. We have a separate fenced area for dry storage. Our mobile home park (with its own separate driveway entrance) has 48 lots. American Campground truly has something for everyone. Our amenities include: Well-maintained, sparkling pool with sun chairs and covered eating area Full kitchen facilities with recreation and dining area Laundry facility Large, separate restrooms with showers WiFi Access Points throughout Park WiFi in kitchen & recreation area Pets are welcome American Campground is located in Val Verde County, minutes from Del Rio, home of Laughlin Air Force Base. Our park is on Hwy 90, across from Black Brush Boat Ramp, Amistad National Recreation Area and Diablo East Boat Ramp, home to world class bass fishing and tournaments. Val Verde Winery, minutes away in historic downtown Del Rio is the oldest, continuous-running winery in Texas.

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Deerview Ranch

25 sites · RVs, Tents100 acres · Lake View, TX

Perfect spot to view the April 2024 Eclipse, with little to no light pollution. Perfect view of the Lake Amistad from your camp site. With 100 acres of rolling desert hills, mesquite trees, sage brush and cactus the scenery will be sure to revive you. Situated 8 miles from town and 8 miles to our favorite swimming hole at Lake Amistad - perfect for boating, swimming, and record breaking fishing. Yet still close enough to get to the rodeo.

Rancho Los Venados

2 sites · Tents20 acres · Lake View, TX

In the path of the April 2024 Eclipse. Perfect view of the sleeping lady from your camp site. With 20 acres of rolling desert hills, mesquite trees, sage brush and cactus the scenery will be sure to revive you. Situated 12 miles from town and only a 1/4 of a mile to Lake Amistad dam. You'll be less than a mile to Lake Amistad for boating, swimming, and record breaking fishing. And still close enough to get to the rodeo.

The best camping near Amistad National Recreation Area guide

Overview

About

Water-based recreation is the connecting theme at this national park on the Rio Grande. The Grande is joined by the Pecos River and Devils River here. That means plenty of waterways for fishing, water skiing, swimming, and scuba diving.

Unfortunately, you won't be able to rent boats or water skis here. If you have your own there are launch ramps in Box Canyon and Diablo East. You don't necessarily need a craft for fishing, though.

Hit Rough Canyon or Blackbrush to find some convenient courtesy fishing docks. Catfish, stripers and black bass are particularly common catches in Amistad Reservoir itself.

This region is right on the U.S./Mexico border. For that reason, it's a good idea to bring your passport with you. Some shared areas, including Amistad Dam, require a passport for entry.

Finally, when driving into the area, make sure to hit scenic Viewpoint Road at Diablo East. A picnic by the lake here is a visual treat not to be missed!

When to go

The ideal time to visit Amistad National Recreation Area is during the spring and fall when temperatures are moderate, making outdoor activities more enjoyable. Summer can be extremely hot, so if you visit during this season, be prepared for high temperatures and intense sun.

Know before you go

Check the weather forecast and park alerts before your visit to stay informed about current conditions.
Remember, safety is paramount; always wear life jackets when on the water and be cautious of wildlife.
Accessibility varies across the park, so plan according to your needs and check available facilities.
While there are no entrance fees, some activities like boating and camping may have associated fees.
Help protect the park by learning about and preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species.