We are travelling to Texas for month of February from PA. Staying a week at Big Ben National Park then to San Antonio and South Padre Island. Any recommendations on good campgrounds is appreciated. We were going to the Keys and staying at Sunshine Key on Big Pine Key but changed our plans due to hurricane. Thank You

Have you been in contact with Sunshine Key ? We've got reservations in January. Haven't called to check on the situation yet , figured I'd give them some time. Sugarloaf KOA in Key West will be back up in November. I'm figureing Sunshine may be also. As long as they have hookups, we'll go down and help if nothing else.

Yes, Sunshine Key will be open but we were going to take our boat with us on that trip and Sunshine was not confident about having the docks and slips rebuilt. Texas has been on our list and thought a good option this year. Just not sure about what campgrounds to book - reading a lot of mixed reviews.

We've stayed at the Isla Blanca Park on South Padre. Probably the nicest on the island (IMO). Interesting though for a county park they have allowed people to book up to 1 year in advance. What I understand now they are going through some upgrades so they may not be taking reservation for this winter. You'd have to call.

The KOA on the island is really cramped.

If you are there during the kite festival that is a unique experience.

We've also spent time in Big Bend twice. It's really remote and Texas size BIG! Basically there are 2 campgrounds we would fit in in the park. One which is in essentially the visitor center parking lot that has full hook up. The other which is more shady and park like but the sites are dry. No cell signal but there is WiFi at the visitor centers and Skype will work or at least it did when we where there.

Side note, both campgrounds are 40 miles after you enter the park. Speed limit is 40mph so you can expect at least 1 additional hour drive once you enter the park before you arrive at the campground(s).

If you are asking my opinion, because the park is so HUGE (800,000 acres + it joins a 500,000 state park) the only way to really appreciate it is by air. We booked a flight with Rio Aviation and were very glad for it. Marcos the pilot is a retired park ranger and knows the park and surrounding area very well. He made the experience both informative and fun. (OK, full disclosure I'm a private pilot so anytime I can get 500' AGL I'm happy, but still....)

Safe travels.

Thanks
Will call Isa Blanca Par and Rio Aviation . Reservation made for Rio Grande RV park in the Big Ben Park

Glad I could help.

If you enjoy Big Bend you may also want to add to your "want to see" list, Palo Duro State Park.

Stunning!

In San Antonio might look at Top O the Hill in Boerne, Buckhorn rv resort in Kerrville, several parks in Fredericksburg.
If you do go to Palo Duro canyon they've had so much rain lately you may not be able to camp in the park, you DO NOT want to be there in heavy rains. Check on Oasis rv park on the west side of Amarillo or Ft Amarillo rv park, both would be 45 minutes to 1 hour from the canyon.