Starter Park in RGV

You might as well come down to the Valley, half of Iowa already does. I bet you meet "somebody that knows somebody back home" in the first day. Parks range from unbelievably cheap to believably cheap, at least compared to Florida. Warmer last winter than Arizona, cooler the year before. Or maybe the other way around. In other words, about the same. I don't necessarily agree with a park in the middle. That means you are not close to the Gulf, or Mission, or Brownsville. Better to check out the whole area and park near your interests. It is fairly easy to get around, but why set yourself up for a lot of driving?

We went to the RGV 6 years ago for 3 months. We stay at Bentsen Grove Resort in Mission. They have a lot of things to do at the park, and a lot of friendly people. We have been happy there.

I too would suggest staying somewhere in the middle of the Valley, probaby between Wesleco and Pharr, lots of things going on in this area. We are at Winter Ranch on the north side of Alamo it is a nice park and there are a lot of people from Iowa there.

I do not think any of the parks get full in the valley so you can always get a place to stay, so come on down and explore.

In the town of Guthrie, OK there is a small RV park behind the Best Western motel just off (west, then immediate south) the exit ramp. Make sure you drive PAST (do not turn into) the motel to get to it. Watch out for the narrow drive opening into the RV spot if you're pulling something.

Makes for a very nice place to start or end the day along that stretch of I35. Also makes for a good place to wait for good weather in tornado alley. Free breakfast and takes most hotel discounts (AAA)

Google Map Link

You may have to move it around some, and zoom out.

We have explored quite a bit of north and west Texas on our way to and from Arizona. When I mentioned a slow trip south that's what I meant except for the fast acceleration out of the snow belt. We intend to take our time and explore other areas and follow the warm weather.

Reading what you wrote I think you'll enjoy Texas once you get onto it. Just something to remember, nobody in Texas goes to the RGV for a vacation. Most snowbirds go there because they have permanent places, or maybe in the beginning to get the cheaper price on lot rent based on a long length of stay. For the Texas newbie, that is a very bad way to save money.

Texas is a big state with lots of great camping spots/parks/towns. Texas is so big you can view it as upper, middle, and lower Texas and move with the temps during the winter months. Each of those sections have their own unique flavor, you only have to slow down to enjoy them. Spend a month in the Rockport/Fulton area, another in Hill Country, A few weeks up around the border enjoying the wild flowers in spring. Galveston Island is nice place to kick back, maybe hop on a cruise ship even for a week in the western Caribbean. Then there are all the places that don't get talked about on the internet, but kept secret.

On your drive south from Iowa try to hit Fort Worth on a Sunday morning. Take hwy 77 as others have suggested. Winstar Casino and RV park on the OK/TX border is a great spot to regroup and get things all washed up. Lots of nice COE parks in Texas, with a golden age passport they are very cheap even. Go with the idea of checking out Texas, and not just the RGV and/or Rockport.

Thanks for all the replies. Hiway 77 looks like a good route as we have been down I-35 as far as San Antonio. Think I can get a feel for the parks now so on with the research.

As far as going to Arizona versus the RGV I can't judge that yet. But I can tell you that in 11 years going to western AZ (Yuma Area) I have driven every possible route to get there and it has become a very long boring three day trip.

I second taking Hwy 77 south from Waco. You avoid the big city traffic of San Antonio & Austin. Good road and relaxing ride on this route.

Heritage Square in Mission or Four Seasons in Zapata

If you like salt on everything, stay near the coast.