Devils River State Natural Area RV & Campground Guide
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Devils River State Natural Area spans 37,000 acres in Texas and is named after Devils River. It was once part of a privately owned ranch until 1988 when the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department purchased the land. Before that, the area was home to native peoples such as the Comanche, Kiowa, and Kickapoo tribes. There are 53 rock caves at Devils River State Natural Area, many of which feature historic pictographs, including the locally famous Buffalo Dancer. Some pictographs have been dated as far back as 3000 B.C., and visitors may view these rock drawings while in the natural area so long as they do not disturb them in any way.
Nearby Cities:
Juno, TX
Rocksprings, TX
Del Rio, TX
Comstock, TX
Spring 50-75 F
Summer 73-96 F
Fall 59-81 F
Winter 38-62F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Devils River State Natural Area
Campground Accommodations
Devils River State Natural Area Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 25 feet
Other amenities: Picnic tables, fire rings, restrooms, and shade shelters
Devils River State Natural Area Campsites
If you want to minimize the amount of driving you’ll need to do, the Devils River State Natural Area campsites are your best bet. As you might expect, all these campsites are primitive; there are no hookups or bathrooms available. Most sites offer drive-up access and come with a picnic table, fire ring, and shade shelter. Keep in mind that when you camp here, you’ll need to pack out all your trash. Sites are just $10 per night; call the park at least one day ahead of your trip to make a reservation. Nearby, there are also hike-in campsites and barracks that offer simple single bedrooms with water, electricity, showers, and toilets.
Roadrunner Flat Primitive Camping Area
Located inside Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site, Roadrunner Flat Primitive Camping Area is another simple camping option that sits about two hours from Devils River State Natural Area. Campsites here offer electricity and water hookups as well as bathrooms with hot showers. The park also has primitive sites with access to water. All sites feature a picnic table, shelter for shade, and fire ring. This area is a great choice if you’d like to camp closer to town or near other people. Sites range from $10 to $20 per night, with good discounts for weekly stays.
Broke Mill RV Park
Drive about 1.5 hours from Devils River State Natural Area to Broke Mill RV Park. If you want a campsite with full hookups and plenty of amenities, this is the closest option. Here, you’ll find well-maintained sites, paved roads, and sites that are big enough to accommodate even the biggest of big rigs—slide-outs are also welcome. Walk a few minutes from your site, and you’ll find a laundry room, fitness center, day room, shower room, and bathrooms. After a day of exploring Devils River, enjoy a dip in the swimming pool or post your photos online using the park’s excellent Wi-Fi service. The large dog park includes a pet-wash station to keep your furry friend clean. Nightly rates are $37 for a basic site and $42 for a premium site; ask about weekly discounts.
Holiday Trav-L-Park
Get some bass fishing in during your trip to Devils River State Natural Area when you book an RV site at the Holiday Trav-L-Park. It has about 150 sites, each with a grassy area and plenty of shade, and 119 of the sites offer pull-through access for convenience. With full hookups and Wi-Fi here, your stay will be comfortable and relaxing. The park’s laundry room and showers make it easy to clean up after an adventure in the desert while the playground, rec room, and swimming pool keep your family entertained. Lake Amistad and a boat launch are less than a mile away. Nightly rates start at $33.
What to Do at
Devils River State Natural Area
At Devils River State Natural Area, visitors can enjoy camping, a visitor center, and other amenities, such as a picnic area. The highlight of the natural area is the Devils River, a clear waterway that features rugged cliffs, banks with brush, and scenic canyon views. This river is an oasis in the desert and is fed by several springs, including Finegan Spring, which you can explore in the Del Norte area of the park. The river has deep pools, shallow areas, and relatively deep turbulent rapids in some sections, making it a popular destination for watersports enthusiasts.
Inside Devils River State Natural Area
Most visitors to Devils River State Natural Area come for water adventures. Take a paddle trip down the river, or simply take a swim to cool off. Be sure to check the park’s river safety advisories as currents can be strong. Fishing is also a popular activity; the river is teeming with bass. Prefer to stay dry? Bring sturdy hiking boots or a mountain bike to explore the area’s trails.
Fishing
Anglers can enjoy fishing in Devils River, particularly for black bass, carp, catfish, crappie, alligator gar, sunfish, trout, and white bass. Because Devils River is in a conservation area, there are special regulations about catch limits and what kind of fish you can harvest.
Nature Watching
Devils River State Natural Area is home to three ecosystems with diverse wildlife. Some animals you may spot are javelinas, bats, white-tailed deer, and Mexican black bears. In addition, birders may be able to add great horned owls, roadrunners, common nighthawks, black-chinned hummingbirds, and ladder-backed woodpeckers to their journals.
Stargazing
Devils River State Natural Area is classified as a Class 2 dark sky area on the Bortle Scale, meaning you can see many celestial bodies with the naked eye. You can view the night sky near the river or from the picnic area, where you can set up a telescope on a table. Or, you can attend one of the Dark Skies at Devils River programs. They are presented by a ranger in partnership with a San Antonio Astronomical Association member.
Hiking
There are four hiking trails in this natural area, ranging from easy to intense in difficulty. The Newton Loop is the most leisurely hike, and it is popular with birdwatchers who want to use the area's birding blinds. The 12-mile Loop Trail is the most challenging, and it features historic structures left behind by the Fawcett family. Other trails include Devils River Trail and Finegan Springs Trail, both of which are moderate in difficulty, about a mile long, and offer water views.
Boating
Paddling on the Devils River is the reason why many people visit this natural area, and there are nearly 48 miles of river that can be explored. Put-in access can be found at Baker's Crossing, along Highway 163, or in the Del Norte Unit of the natural area. Features you may see while paddling the riving include Game Warden Rock, Dolan Falls, and a three-tier waterfall known as the Cascades. Parts of the river have Class II and III rapids, so make sure you have the experience to navigate the waterway safely.
How to Get to
Devils River State Natural Area
To reach Devils River State Natural Area from Del Rio, travel north on State Highway 277. Drive straight for approximately 45 miles, then turn left onto Dolan Creek Road and continue for 18.6 miles to reach the entrance boundary of the natural area. Visitors are encouraged to enter with a high-clearance vehicle and be mindful of loose livestock from the local ranches.
By Car
Entering Devils River State Natural Area
There is a $5 fee required to enter for all visitors 13 and older, and parking can be found at the Del Norte day-use and campground area, which also features a visitor center.
Devils River State Natural Area Entrance Fee : $5.0
Whether you are looking to explore the Texas outdoors on land or by water, Devils River State Natural Area offers something for everyone. The park also provides ranger-led programs throughout the year if you want to learn more about the nature preserve's history and geography.
Frequently Asked Questions About Devils River State Natural Area
Perhaps the best time of year to visit this natural area is during the spring and summer when the waters of Devils River are calm and low. While paddlers may enjoy the river year-round, the water levels rise in the fall, and the local temperatures drop in the winter.
The Devils River serves as a habitat for a few rare and endangered animals, including the Devils River minnow and the black-capped vireo. There are also many native birds in this natural area, including potted sandpipers, laughing gulls, rock pigeons, white-winged doves, and many others.
There are eight drive-in, primitive campsites at the campground found at Devils River State Natural Area. These sites do not offer any hookups, although they may accommodate RVs up to 25 feet long.
You may reserve a camping spot at Devils River State Natural Area prior to your visit online or at the entrance to the natural area. The cost to camp is $10 a night.
Pets are welcome at Devils River State Natural Area so long as they are kept on a six-foot leash. They are allowed in the campgrounds, and you can bring them with you to hike the trails. You are expected to clean up after your four-legged companions.
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