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    under the texas sky

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

    Amber Heckler
    Jul 8, 2024 | 3:59 pm
    RoadRunner Travelers RV Park, Terlingua

    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, TerlinguaThere'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.

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    where to travel right now

    Luxe hotel rises in Texas' tallest tower + more September travel ideas

    Amber Heckler
    Sep 2, 2026 | 11:30 am
    1 Hotel Austin guest bath
    Photo by Chase Daniel
    Rooms at 1 Hotel Austin settle in simple and natural design.

    Summer is drawing to a close, but there's still time to squeeze in a September getaway before the season changes.

    Many Texans are familiar with the buzzy State Fair of Texas making its grand return for its 2026 season, but this month offers so much more to explore. Houston travelers can book a stay at a new downtown Austin hotel housed in the state's tallest tower, travel to San Antonio for an nighttime adrenaline rush at a theme park, or enjoy a tropical escape at a luxe resort in The Woodlands.

    This is everything you need to know to plan a spontaneous September vacation.

    Houston

    The Woodlands Resort is keeping the summer spirit alive with a one-night only tropical community event called Island Escape on September 25 from 5-7 pm. The evening will feature a traditional luau, performances from Polynesian hula maidens, male warriors, live music, and more. Attendees can also feast from a Hawaiian-inspired buffet at Harrison's, take hula hoop and limbo lessons, make their own leis, enjoy snow cones, and take photos with hula dancers. General admission is free, and the buffet is $75 per adult and $45 per child (purchasable on-site). VIP tables are $375.32 and can accommodate up to four guests. Tickets can be reserved via Eventbrite.

    Austin might be Bat City, but it doesn't have anything on Houston's annual Bat Fest, a conservation and awareness-focused festival celebrating these misunderstood — and endangered — mammals. The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center will host the 2026 festivities on Saturday, September 26. The family-friendly event will have bat-themed activities and crafts for children from 10 am to 2 pm, and Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center will be on-site for a blood drive until 2:30 pm. Bat Fest is free to the public, and blood drive participants can register to donate via commitforlife.org.

    Along the Texas Coast

    The 2026 Texas Food Championship will overtake Water's Edge Park in Corpus Christi for three days of culinary showdowns from September 25-27. Over 150 chefs, pitmasters, and home cooks will compete for bragging rights and prize money across 10 different culinary contests — from barbecue to live fire cooking to junior chef competitions. Attendees are encouraged to come hungry to sample the dishes and watch the competitions unfold, with live music and craft beverages adding to the extravaganza. Weekend, single-day, and specialty passes range from $15-$495. Admission is free for kids aged 17 and under.

    Austin

    A new downtown Austin hotel is finally ready to make its debut in Texas' tallest tower. The 1 Hotel Austin is officially opening in the new Waterline building at 96 Red River St. on September 3, though reservations have been open since May. The 252-room hotel also boasts a highly regarded restaurant from Denver, called Alteño Austin, where Chef Johnny Curiel showcases Mexican cuisine from the Highlands of Jalisco. Room rates begin at $412 per night.

    The biannual Pecan Street Festival, Austin's longstanding artisan vendor market, will host its 51st event at the Hill Country Galleria in Bee Cave from September 12-13. The free festival has too many vendors to list, but its full musical schedule will include Austin rap duo Blackillac and jazz ensemble Jon Deas and DaHomies as headliners. Visitors will find anything from fine art, giftable home goods, and clothing to fried fair foods and more. The full music lineup is available on the festival's website.

    San Antonio

    After a successful trial period of extending its operating hours during the summer, San Antonio's fun-filled children's museum The DoSeum is keeping its expanded hours into the fall. This will bring additional programs and activities during the morning hours so kids can learn and play all day long. Museum members also get the perk of a members-only hour as part of their experience from 11 am to noon on Sundays. Admission is $18 per person, and free for children under one year old.

    Fright Fest at Six Flags Fiesta Texas is returning bigger and scarier than ever with new fear-inducing adventures and experiences on select nights from September 11 through November 1. Scream-worthy nightmares added to this year's lineup include a reimagined The Conjuring Universe maze and two scare zones: a sinister clown carnival-themed "Cirkus Bezerkus: Big Top Terror" and a zombiefied "Alley of the Dead." Park admission varies, and Haunted Attractions passes are an additional $30 per person.

    Loma de Vida Spa Pool The Hill Country surrounds the Loma de Vida Spa. Photo by Mark Knight

    Signia by Hilton La Cantera Resort & Spa is celebrating 10 years since the debut of its signature Loma de Vida Spa with 10 days of deals from September 21-29. Guests can receive a 10 percent discount on select services and treatments, such as osmosis facials, custom massages, manicures and pedicures, hair services, body treatments, and more. The deals will culminate with the spa's special anniversary event, "Glow: Radiance After Dark," on September 30 starting 7 pm. Services can be booked online, and tickets for the anniversary event are $125 per person.

    At home in Dallas-Fort Worth

    The State Fair of Texas is right around the corner, and this year. brings cheaper ticket prices for attendees of all ages. This year's festivities will run from September 25 through October 18 at Fair Park in Dallas. CultureMap has readers covered with all the latest additions and updates — from free concerts to food awards — in our special editorial series. And, in addition to reduced admission and parking prices, the fair is also lowering the price of games and rides at the Midway to ensure better affordability for all.

    A new "eatertainment" venue is taking McKinney by storm: The Cipher Lounge, which opened in mid-August, is an escape room, restaurant, and bar mixed into one cohesive space. While the escape room holds the most intrigue for puzzle solvers, visitors can also stop by for just a bite and a drink in the lounge. There are two one-hour escape experiences to enter, one set inside a haunted historic hotel ("Ghosted") and the other in a futuristic space station ("Airlock"). Escape experiences are $52 per person and can be booked online.

    1 Hotel Austin guest bath

    Photo by Chase Daniel

    Rooms at 1 Hotel Austin settle in simple and natural design.

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