Camping in southern TX

**kempert** · 01-17-2007, 03:45 PM

I'm looking for recommended campsites near the Brownsville or McAllen areas. The main thing I need is place names as I can use my Trailer Life Directory to fill in the details. I plan to head there (from Corpus Christi) this weekend.

**wbmiller3** · 01-17-2007, 04:58 PM

Unfortunately there is no camping in Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park in Mission any more, but a campground was being built just outside the gate across from the World Birding Center. It says on their website "now taking reservations" so I assume it's opening soon. http://www.bentsenpalmvillage.com/

We usually go on over to Falcon State Park, but it's on the other end of the Valley from Brownsville. We've overnighted at the winter Texan type places, but they're not really our speed.

I am thinking about trying the Cameron County park listed in this page http://www.fws.gov/southwest/REFUGES/texas/laguna.html on our next Valley trip, but I have not done much research on it yet.

Good luck!

**kempert** · 01-17-2007, 06:44 PM

I just made reservations for a week at Bentson Palm Village. That looks like a good place for a base camp. The cost is less than $23/day + electricity. A good thing about the TM is it doesn't use much "juice" to run it.

**wbmiller3** · 01-17-2007, 08:17 PM

If you get a chance, let us know how you liked Bentsen Palm Village. I'd be very interested to stay there if it's nice.

**fcatwo** · 01-17-2007, 11:29 PM

We've stayed at http://alamorvpark.com several times. It's 7 or 8mi east of McAllen. It's an older park but well maintained and has larger spaces than many of the newer parks -- and it has constant activities if you like that sort of thing. Long-stay prices are very reasonable.

They've plowed up crops and planted RV parks all over the place down there so you will find multipal choices.

**kempert** · 01-25-2007, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wbmiller3

If you get a chance, let us know how you liked Bentsen Palm Village. I'd be very interested to stay there if it's nice.

Bill -

I've spent the last week here after your recommendation. It is really nice and offers a lot of free things such as long distance calling, WIFI, bikes, and passes to the state park next door which normally costs $5/person/day. It is very quiet except for coyotes once in a while and a train horn in the distance which I probably only noticed since I'm a rail fan. All for $160/week + electricity ($13 for the week after several days of mid-40 degree weather with me using a ceramic heater).

I would be staying longer but they have no room. It looks like reservations are needed in the winter. Probably not for the rest of the year since their rates are lower then.

THANKS!

**wbmiller3** · 01-26-2007, 04:50 PM

Appreciate the review, we will give them a try on our next trip south.

TexasCamper · 08-28-2010, 07:15 PM

This old thread gave me some leads for camping in the lower Rio Grand Valley area in southern Texas.

I'm wondering if anyone has any new experiences? I'd like to avoid a snowbird RV park. Campgrounds that also offer cabin rentals would be a plus, since we may be traveling with extended family. I know there is a KOA, but I'm looking for options that look less like a parking lot.....I know, I'm being picky.

Thanks,
John

**wbmiller3** · 08-28-2010, 08:03 PM

We have now stayed in Bentsen Palm Village twice ourselves and it's pretty nice. It has good plantings and you aren't packed in there. If you have any interest in birds or butterflies, the valley is a great place to go. I took these butterfly pictures during a trip there in October 2008: http://southpointforty.blogspot.com/...rder-bugs.html