Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site
RV Guide
Introduction
Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site is a rare gem for the family exploring the country by RV. The park not only brings you to a remote corner on the nation's southern frontier but to the furthest frontier of human history. Park your rig in the well-equipped campground and discover the prehistoric rock paintings at Panther Cave and Fate Bell Shelter. The landscape around Seminole Canyon is stunning but be prepared, temperatures can rise above 100 in the summer. In winter, expect lows of 40.
Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site is located a mile north of the Rio Grande, about 40 miles northwest of Del Rio, Texas. The historic Amistad Dam and reservoir are also nearby. The park is also home to other important Native American archaeological sites and remnants of the Southern Pacific Railroad. The Seminole Black Scouts, known for their cunning and bravery, patrolled the area. The campground features 46 campsites rich in amenities, including water, electricity, shade shelters, picnic tables, fire rings, restrooms, and showers. Some sites are ADA-accessible. There is a dump site and limited Wi-Fi access.
RV Rentals in Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site
Transportation
Driving
Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site is located a few hundred meters off US Route 90, about 40 miles west of Del Rio, Texas and about seven miles from the village of Comstock. Route 90 is a relatively flat and straight three-lane highway. The area is remote and it is unlikely to get lost or confused at the rare intersections. The closest things to obstacles are the long two-lane bridge across the Amistad reservoir from Del Rio and the odd armadillo.
Parking
Seminole Canyon is a popular day trip and therefore parking abounds, both near the campground and at the Visitor's center. The paved access road is easily navigable, with just a couple of not very tight curves. The campground is organized around three ring roads, which make it easy to get in and get out with minimal backing-up, especially for sites numbered under 32. The access road and campground are all above the canyon, meaning there is little incline to deal with.
Public Transportation
Campgrounds and parking in Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site
Campsites in Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site
Reservations camping
Desert Vista Camping Area
The maximum length of a camper is 67 feet, although most sites are a bit smaller. The amenities are excellent. Eight sites have water but no electricity and 23 have both. The other 15 are primitive. Each site has a fire ring with a grill, a shade shelter, and a picnic table. There is also a handy lantern post. Restrooms and showers are always nearby. All sites accept pets.
The campground is open every day, year-round. The busy season is March, April, and May. The dump station is located in the parking lot in the middle of the campground. The campground is half a mile from the visitor's center and about seven miles from the nearest services at the town of Comstock. There is a trailhead at the campground that will take you past some scenic outlook points all the way to the bank of the Rio Grande.
Seasonal activities in Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site
Off-Season
Volunteering
Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site encourages guests to volunteer to help preserve the park's treasures and artifacts. The type of tasks will depend on the time of year and what the park staff needs help with at the time. You may end up helping with maintenance, special events, conservation education or various other service projects. Just ask at the park's visitor center for all the information you need about contributing to the state park.
Wildlife Viewing
This remote region is home to a rich array of wildlife so don't forget your binoculars in your camper or trailer. Get away from the crowd around Seminole Canyon and you have a great chance to see whitetail deer, javelina, and armadillos. You can consider yourself extra lucky if you manage to spot a puma, black bear or badger. There are snakes in the area, so watch your step, but don't be afraid. Luckily the RV electric hookup means your phone will always be charged to catch those wildlife shots.
Taking Guided Tours of the Cave Paintings
The rock paintings at Seminole Canyon enjoy global significance and fame. As such, the area is under protection by the parks service. RV visitors may only visit the paintings at Panther Cave, Fate Bell Shelter, and other sites as part of a guided hike. This gives you the chance to be inspired by some of humanity's earliest art and to enjoy the stark yet stunning Texas landscape. The Upper Canyon Tour also includes insights into the park's railroad and military history.
In-Season
Picnicking
Fire rings with grills are available at all campsites. Some even feature a special raised design to be ADA-accessible. Each site also has a shade shelter which you will be thankful for in the blazing Texas sun. The water and electric hookups mean that if you need to do any food prep in your rig, you should have everything you need. Plus, the town of Comstock is only seven miles away if you need to pick up some extra weenies.
Hiking
Besides the guided-only routes, the park features over 12 miles of trails on which you can enjoy hiking freely. Summer temperatures reaching up to a 100 degrees can be hard to handle, so be sure to bring enough water and a way to keep the sun off your head. The rocky canyon scenery can be truly stunning and is well worth exploring. Discover for yourself the majesty of the southern Texas environment steeped in rich history.
Mountain Biking
The Canyon's landscape provides the ideal terrain for mountain biking. Be sure to stick to the park's designated trails. The rangers are vigilant in their pursuit to protect the park's artifacts. Although possible in the summer, the spring and autumn weather is most clement for the exhilarating workout you will get. Mountain biking provides a great way to see more territory than you would on foot without separating yourself from the environment with a car window.
