RV Rental Texas, TX

RV Rental Texas: Motorhome, Camper, & Trailer Rentals TX

Texas has a diverse landscape that makes it an intriguing state to traverse in a camper. From its sand and mountains in Big Bend to its coastal swamps and rolling plains, the state has a lot to offer when it comes to scenic vistas and beautiful terrain. That's why RV rentals in Texas are so popular.

In addition to its natural landscapes, the Lone Star State also has an expansive cultural history. You can visit the Alamo in San Antonio or learn about the state's role in the wild west at the Frontier Texas! museum in Abilene.

If you’re an urban lover, you will enjoy the cities of Dallas, Houston, and Austin, while beach bums can relax on Padre and Galveston Islands. No matter what your inclination, there's a good chance Texas will satisfy your travel bug.

Popular RV Destinations in Texas  

King Ranch

King Ranch in South Texas is the state's largest ranch and one of its most famous. It consists of 825,000 acres and is larger than the state of Rhode Island. Captain Richard King and Gideon K. Lewis founded the ranch in 1853, and it was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2019.

You can take a tour and learn how the ranch operates on a day-to-day basis. There's an auction area, a horse cemetery, and several historic buildings, including Mrs. King's carriage house.  There are also special interest tours about cattle and horse operations, farming, and feedlot/feed mill operations, as well as a museum for visitors.

The Alamo

The Alamo in San Antonio is the state's most popular historic landmark. The Battle of the Alamo took place in 1836 between the Republic of Texas and Mexico. Texas lost, and all of its soldiers were killed inside the fort. However, Texans rallied after the defeat and several months later beat Mexico's General Santa Anna's forces at the Battle of San Jacinto.

There are several free, family-friendly activities at The Alamo as well as a variety of guided tours designed for groups and individuals. There are also several changing exhibits to explore, such as "Fortress Alamo: The Key to Texas," which details the history of the Alamo as a fort and how it influenced the formation of San Antonio.

Padre Island

Located on the southern coast, this barrier island features the Padre Island National Seashore, a protected area known for its population of Kemp's ridley sea turtles, which are critically endangered. Visitors flock to the island to swim, hike the Grasslands Nature Trail, and fish from the Bob Hall Pier on the Gulf of Mexico.

Padre Island is one of the best places in America to go windsurfing. It's also a great spot for bird watching, dolphin watching, boating, kayaking, and kiteboarding. The island has a vibrant nightlife scene, a variety of restaurants, and several events throughout the year, such as the USLA National Lifeguard Championships and the Ladies Kingfish Tournament.

Galveston’s Beaches and Strand Historic District

Galveston Island has 32 miles of beaches on the Gulf of Mexico, and due to the area's temperate weather, visitors can enjoy them throughout the year. East Beach hosts several festivals and live concerts in the summer, while Stewart Beach is great for families and Seawall Boulevard features America's longest continuous sidewalk.

If you visit downtown Galveston, be sure to check out the Strand Historic District, one of the city's biggest tourist attractions. There are a variety of Victorian-era buildings, restaurants, boutiques, and gift shops to explore. You can satisfy your sweet tooth at a candy shop, learn about local history at one of the museums, or attend a live concert.   

Space Center Houston

More than one million people visit Space Center Houston every year. The science and space exploration center is where astronauts train and is the home of NASA Mission Control and International Space Station Mission Control. The center is one of Houston's number-one attractions.

The center features over 400 space artifacts, exhibits, and multimedia experiences that immerse people of all ages in the human space flight program. It features the world's largest display of moon rocks and lunar samples. Other highlights include a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket exhibit, a NASA tram tour, films and live presentations, the Mission Mars exhibit, and a starship gallery.

Events and Entertainment in Texas  

The State Fair of Texas

The State Fair of Texas is one of America's best fairs. It takes place over 24 days in September and October, and draws more than two million visitors each year. It kicks off with a parade in downtown Dallas and an illumination show.

A gondola transports visitors around the fairgrounds, and there's a BMX bike show, dog and pig races, and puppet shows for children. The fair is notorious for its proliferation of high-fat (yet delicious) foods, including deep-fried items such as Oreos, pork ribs, avocados, and banana splits. The fair also features live music, carnival rides, livestock shows, an auto show, and arts and crafts vendors.

Plano International Festival

Every October, Plano puts on an international festival featuring food, fun, cultural events, and entertainment. The aim of the festival is to promote cultural awareness and draw attention to Plano's role as an international city. Over 100 different cultures participate and put on music and dance performances as well as cultural displays. 

There's a variety of ethnic food trucks and vendors as well as arts and crafts. There's plenty for children to do, and there's also a flag parade, an international fashion show, and an outdoor naturalization ceremony. A Fitness and Wellness Fair is held in conjunction with the festival and includes fitness demonstrations and health screenings. 

Alpine Big Bend Balloon Bash

Alpine has been hosting the Big Bend Balloon Bash since 1987. The event includes balloons of course, as well as lots of food, entertainment, and arts and crafts vendors. People from all over the state attend the three-day event over Labor Day weekend to see as many as two dozen pilots launch their balloons

There are plenty of nearby campgrounds for RVers, including Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park. Alpine also has a lot of art galleries, antique stores, and restaurants, and the balloon festival is held at the same time as the nearby Marfa Lights Festival.

Sports

Texas is not shy about its love of sports, and several professional teams are based in the state. If you plan on traveling to Dallas, you have a lot of choices. You can catch a Cowboys, Mavericks, Stars, or Wings game. Nearby Arlington is the home base of the Texas Rangers, while Houston teams include the Astros, the Rockets, and the Texans.

Down in San Antonio are the San Antonio Spurs, which has won multiple NBA championships. And it's not just professional sports that draw crowds. High school football is also a pretty big deal, and it's a popular Friday night pastime for many locals.

Campgrounds and Parks in Texas 

Big Bend National Park

Big Bend is one of Texas's most popular vacation spots and sees about 450,000 visitors each year. People are attracted to its scenic landscapes, historic sites, and wildlife. It's full of huge canyons, rivers, mountains, and desert expanses. Points of interest include the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, the forested Chisos Mountains, Santa Elena Canyon, and the Castolon Historic District.

The park has four campgrounds, including the Rio Grande Village RV Campground, a full hookup RV camping area operated by Forever Resorts. There are 25 sites on open paved lots, and most of these sites can be reserved in advance.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Located east of El Paso, this park features Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas. It's the perfect place for hikers and features over 80 miles of trails that cross woodland canyons and rugged wilderness. It's a great park for backpacking, wildlife viewing, and bird watching.

Other points of interest include the Pine Springs Visitor Center and exhibits, and trails such as the Smith Spring Trail, Devil's Hall Trail, and Guadalupe Peak Trail.

The park has two campgrounds. The Pine Springs Campground accommodates 20 RVs up to 50 feet, while the Dog Canyon Campground has just four RV sites with a 23-foot maximum length.

Palo Duro Canyon State Park

Palo Duro Canyon State Park in the Texas Panhandle features the country's second-largest canyon. There are over 30 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, but you can also explore the canyon from the comfort of your RV. 

The park includes a visitor center, trading post, and guided tours of the canyon floor. There are several camping options for RVers, such as those in the Mesquite and Sagebrush areas. Some can accommodate motorhomes up to 60 feet and feature 30- and 50-amp hookups, picnic tables, restrooms, showers, and fire rings/grills.

RV Storage and Dumpstations in Texas  

There may come a point when you need to store your RV for a certain period of time. Texas has a variety of storage facilities that include covered and uncovered spaces as well as surveillance cameras, 24-hour access, and dump stations. Some options are:

• Alamo Storage, San Antonio
• American Eagle RV Storage, Boerne
• Arons Boat & RV Storage, Round Rock
• Oasis RV Boat Storage, Georgetown

Regardless of where you choose to camp, at some point you will need to get rid of your wastewater. Most campgrounds have dump stations, which are often free if you're staying on site, but there are also many other options available.

• San Jacinto Riverfront RV Resort, Houston
• Oasis RV Park, Amarillo
• Love’s Travel Stop and Country Store #331, Hutchins
• Pilot Flying J Travel Plaza #729, Houston

FAQs

1. What are RV rentals?

When you rent a camper or motorhome, it allows you to experience the life of an RVer without making a big financial commitment. You have the flexibility of traveling around the country without the responsibilities involved in RV ownership.

2. How much are RV rentals?

Typically, rentals cost between $75 and $250 per night, depending on the size of the RV, trailer, camper van, or motorhome. If you rent for a longer period of time, such as a week or a month, you can pay as little as $60 per day.

3. Do I need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Texas?

In general, you need to be 25 to rent an RV; however, some companies may rent those aged 21 to 24. An extra fee may be tacked on.

4. Do I need insurance when I rent an RV?

Yes. Insurance is required when you rent an RV in case you're involved in an accident.

5. Do I need to return my rental RV with a full tank?

Refer to the rental policy. Many owners/companies may require a full tank upon your return, so make sure you check before you embark on your trip.

6. Are RVs pet-friendly in Texas?

Usually. However, you may have to pay a deposit or an extra fee should you decide to take your pet with you on your trip. 

7. Are there RV rentals with unlimited mileage?

Yes. Some owners and companies let people rent an RV without a mileage limit. Others have a base rate and charge extra for additional mileage.

8. How many people can sleep in an RV?

Smaller campervans and trailers may sleep just two to four people, while big rigs and motorhomes can accommodate as many as 12 people.