under the texas sky

Affordable West Texas park stuns as 2nd best RV destination in U.S.

RoadRunner Travelers RV Park is the No. 2 best RV destination in America.

Photo by The Dyrt camper Allison

Expert travelers won't let the Texas heat deter them from heading to the No. 2 best RV destination in America: RoadRunner Travelers RV Park in rugged Terlingua.

The desert camping park earned its prestigious ranking in the new report "2024 Best Places to RV," prepared by campground review platform The Dyrt in partnership with State Farm. Published June 25, the report examined the top 10 best RV parks and resorts around the U.S. based on the highest ratings and reviews on The Dyrt's website.

Anchor Down RV Resort in Dandridge, Tennessee was ranked the No. 1 best RV park in the U.S.

RoadRunner Travelers RV Park – located 650 miles west of Houston – provides 57 affordable RV sites for visitors of all kinds, such as "minimalist" boondocking sites, electric-only sites, and deluxe full hookups that include a gravel site pad, wifi, a private picnic table, and fire pit. Rates start at $33 per night, plus fees.

Though the park is currently closed for summer, the next camping season begins September 1, 2024 and will run through June 15, 2025, making it an appealing destination for campers who prefer trips during the breezy (and generally less hot) fall through spring seasons.

The park is situated just four miles away from Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park, meaning it's a great home base for hikers and nature enthusiasts, according to The Dyrt. The Ghost Town of Terlingua is a must-see attraction that's been featured in film and TV, boasts a delicious barbecue restaurant, and a quaint gift shop.

But for those who just want to stay and explore the 40-acre RoadRunner park, they'll get the most enjoyment out of a nightly "galactic lightshow."

"The region is home to some of the darkest skies in the Lower 48, and its status as an International Dark Sky Reserve means RoadRunner’s well-maintained sites double as front-row seats to some of the best stargazing in the U.S.," the report's author wrote.

RoadRunner Travelers RV Park, Terlingua There's something about those West Texas sunsets that look so much more beautiful than any sunset in the city.Photo by The Dyrt camper Allison

Reviews of RoadRunner on The Dyrt's website praised its dog park area, the friendliness of fellow campers, and the breathtaking views of the wide Texas sky.

"The sunset and Bee Mountain were beautiful to look at," said reviewer Marie B. "It was dark sky-friendly, so we pulled out our telescope and saw some beautiful stars. Easy drive to Big Bend National Park and the Santa Elena canyon hike which is the most famous in Big Bend."

RoadRunner Travelers RV Park was the only Texas resort to make The Dyrt's list in 2024.

The top 10 best places to RV in the U.S. are:

No. 1 – Anchor Down RV Resort in Dandridge, Tennessee
No. 2 – RoadRunner Travelers RV Park in Terlingua, Texas
No. 3 – Dark Sky RV Park & Campground in Kanab, Utah
No. 4 – Colter Bay RV Park at Colter Bay Village in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
No. 5 – Tom Sawyer's RV Park in West Memphis, Arkansas
No. 6 – Lake Pleasant RV Park in Bothell, Washington
No. 7 – Landry Vineyards Grape Escape RV Sites in West Monroe, Louisiana
No. 8 – The Views RV Park & Campground in Dolores, Colorado
No. 9 – Lake George RV Park in Lake George, New York
No. 10 – Ruby's Inn RV Park and Campground in Bryce Canyon City, Utah

The full list of campgrounds can be found on thedyrt.com.

Don't want to make the 10-hour drive to West Texas? Avid campers looking for great new places to go can make a shorter trek to explore the newly opened Camp Landa in New Braunfels, or Oak Forest RV Resort in Austin, which was declared a top spot to camp in a separate report earlier this year.

camping texas rankings campgrounds camping in texas resorts west texas

HAUTE PROPERTIES

Southern Living picks Texas Hill Country as location of 2026 Idea House

Southern Living Idea House Fredericksburg

Rendering by Jon Messer.

Southern Living Idea House will be open for tours beginning September 18.

Whether Texas is part of the South may still be an open question, but Southern Living is settling the debate with a big investment. The Birmingham, Alabama-based lifestyle magazine will build its newest Idea House in the Hill Country town of Fredericksburg.

For more than 35 years, Southern Living has drafted Southern builders, architects, and designers to build new homes that not only showcase the latest innovations in home design but are the epitomes of Southern style. This year, the magazine chose Fredericksburg's Friedën community, a 130-acre development featuring parks, nature trails, and lakes.

"We're excited to call Fredericksburg home for the year and to celebrate the distinct character of the Texas Hill Country,” says editor-in-chief Sid Evans in a release. “Surrounded by rolling hills and wide-open views, this home reflects the region's natural beauty and the relaxed spirit of the Lone Star State."

The design of the versatile home proves the modern farmhouse trend still has some legs. Southern Living’s designers update the look by ditching whitewashed everything for a more contemporary color palette that blends in with the Hill Country’s natural landscape. Floor-to-ceiling windows further “dissolve the boundaries” between the interior and the great outdoors.

To bring their vision to life, Southern Living drafted a local team, including builder Kurk Homes, architect Andrew Bray of Mustard Architects, landscape designer Melissa Gerstle, and interior designers Jean Liu, Marcus Mohon, and Paloma Contreras. But real estate gawkers will have to wait to see most of the details. The house won’t be unveiled until September 18, when public tours open and the October issue hits stands.

Southern Living, however, did tease a few details, saying the home is being built for “multi-generational” living with sustainable products and appliances, a motor court entry, and a private casita. No doubt, interior design buffs will also find inspiration in the decor's bold choices. Last year’s Idea House in Virginia mixed in everything from garden florals and African mudcloth to animal prints and kitchsy cottagecore art.

The Idea House will be open to the public for tours from September 18 through December 20, 2026. Tickets will be available beginning in April, with a portion of the proceeds supporting area charities. After the open house, the home will be available for sale at an undisclosed price.

homes home design interior design fredericksburg hill country southern living