Texas Barbecue & Backroads: An RV Adventure In the Lone Star State

North Texas: Dallas-Fort Worth and Paris

The Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) region is perfect for RVing because it’s packed with attractions and is close to cozy campgrounds that allow you to recharge your batteries in between sightseeing and adventures!

The Dallas Arts District

Named the best art district in the country by USA Today for the last two years in a row, the 118-acre Dallas Arts District truly offers something for everyone. Here you’ll find museums dedicated to the visual and natural arts, performance venues, hotels, public squares, churches, shopping, and more. Highlights include the Dallas Museum of Art, Nasher Sculpture Center, Crow Museum of Asian Art, and nearby Klyde Warren Park. With more than a dozen restaurants to choose from, the arts district is a great place to sample international as well as local cuisine, including Freebirds, home of “Texas' No. 1 Burrito."

Dealey Plaza

Dallas was thrust into the spotlight in 1963 when then-President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on a tour through Dealey Plaza; 30 years later, the historic district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. On Presidents’ Day in 1989, the Sixth Floor Museum officially opened to the public in the former Texas School Book Depository Building, now home to exhibits detailing the life, death, and legacy of JFK.

Frontiers of Flight Museum

This Smithsonian Affiliated museum was originally located within a terminal at Dallas Love Field; today, the Frontiers of Flight Museum has its own 100,000-square-foot complex on airport grounds. What began with one aviation historian’s personal collection has since grown to comprise dozens of air and space crafts, and more than 35,000 objects—including a chair from the Hindenburg, the first private pilot's license issued in the U.S., and the only Moon rock on display in North Texas.

Pecan Lodge

Founded by a couple—and named after the pitmaster’s grandfather’s farm—Pecan Lodge began as a small catering business in 2010. Now a popular restaurant located in Deep Ellum, Pecan Lodge offers a mouthwatering variety of smoked meats, sandwiches, and sides such as mac ‘n cheese, collard greens, and West Texas pinto beans every day of the week (hours vary, but they often sell out so get there early and come hungry).

Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo

The Forth Worth Stock Show and Rodeo has been held annually since 1886, making it the longest-continuously-running rodeo and livestock show in the country. Conceived as a way to drum up interest in local ranchers’ cattle, today, the weeks-long event features horse and livestock shows, and art, food, and skill competitions.

Eiffel Tower Paris Texas

If you cannot get to the City of Love then you’re in luck on your RV-2-50 Texas road trip! Stop by and see the Cowboy Eiffel Tower that stands at a tenth of the height of the actual tower in France. It has its own red cowboy hat and LED lights at night to offer amazing photo opportunities.

East Texas: Gladewater, Henderson, & Kilgore

East Texas is made for RV travel with its quiet highways, welcoming towns, and campgrounds close to downtowns and historic sites with ample RV parking. Be sure to take a break from cooking at your RV to enjoy some of the best BBQ you can find in this corner of Texas!

East Texas Oil Museum

Step back in time to the 1930s at the East Texas Oil Museum—located at Kilgore College, this immersive museum allows visitors to feel as if they’ve struck black gold with exhibits detailing the people, places, and actual artifacts involved in the discovery of the largest oil field (by production and volume) located within the continental U.S. 

Gladwater Antique Mall and Lake Gladewater

The antique capital of East Texas brings you both the opportunity to score treasures and outdoor adventure. Hit the Gladewater Antique Mall during the morning and Lake Gladewater in the afternoon for some down time fishing, hiking, and boating. There’s plenty of RV parking at both sites.

Texas Alligator Farm and Rescue (Gator Country Adventure Park)

This small, family-ran alligator rescue park is a perfect stop for RVers because it’s unique, is accessible by less busy roadways, offers spacious RV parking, and allows you to get to campgrounds easily after a break learning about how alligators ended up in east Texas.

Some of the Best BBQ in (East) Texas

While you’re enjoying all that East Texas has to offer, be sure to enjoy some of the BBQ that Texas is known for, too. A few recommendations include:

1) Country Tavern (Kilgore) – A local favorite often cited as some of the best BBQ in the region.

2) Sunbird BBQ (Longview) – Sells out early, so plan your RV morning accordingly.

3) Boxcar Bar-B-Que (White Oak) – A low-key stop that locals swear by.

Houston and Southeast Texas

Houston’s size can feel overwhelming — unless you’re traveling by RV. Staying just outside the city lets you explore world-class attractions by day, then retreat to green space at night.

The Pit Room

Kingwood native and University of Houston alum Michael Sambrooks co-owns the Pit Room with his family. At the restaurant’s two Houston locations, hungry BBQ aficionados will find something to love at any time of day, including breakfast tacos, brisket, sausage, several sides, and special holiday menus.

George Ranch Historical Park

The George Ranch Historical Park welcomes more than 25,000 students every year to explore 100 years of Texas history at this 20,000-acre working ranch. Founded in Fort Bend County in 1824, George Ranch provides myriad educational programs and workshops in addition to public (trick-or-treating, Easter egg hunts, Mother’s Day tea) and private events (weddings and corporate retreats) year round.   

Beer Can House

Beer and BBQ go well together, but what do you do with all those leftover cans? If you’re John Milkovisch, you flatten them and use them to transform your Houston property into a folk art icon. Milkovisch began his project haphazardly in the late 1960s; over the next two decades, he transformed his house with glittering garlands, bottle caps, 50,000 flattened cans, and other beer ephemera. Today, the Beer Can House is owned by the nonprofit Orange Show Center for Visionary Art, and open to the public for free Wednesday through Sunday.

San Jacinto Museum and Battlefield

Built in 1939 to commemorate the Battle of San Jacinto, this 567-foot-tall, reinforced concrete structure is the tallest masonry column and war monument in the world (taller than the Washington Monument or Statue of Liberty). In the base, visitors will find a museum and theater; at the top you can take in sweeping 360-degree views of a reflecting pool, Houston Ship Channel, and the battlefield which played host to the decisive fight for Texas Independence.

Truth BBQ

Since its humble beginnings in 2015, Truth BBQ has consistently been named one of the top BBQ joints in the Lonestar State. With a second location in Houston Heights open until they sell out, Truth offers classics such as the “Texas Trinity” (one pound each of brisket, smoked pork ribs, and smoked sausage), weekly specials, and—if you somehow still have room—a full dessert menu.

National Museum of Funeral History

Open since 1992, the 35,000-square foot National Museum of Funeral History’s tagline is “Any day above ground is a good one.” While a museum dedicated to the funeral and death care industry may seem dark, the exhibits are truly to-die-for: Where else can you learn about the history of cremation and embalming, see artifacts from several presidential funerals, and trace the evolution of funeral service vehicles from horse-drawn carriages to a 1916 Packard funeral bus and beyond?

Need an Outdoor Reprieve?

Outdoor lovers can unwind at Buffalo Bayou Park, Hermann Park, or bike shaded trails before heading back to camp.

Texas Gulf Coast: Galveston & Corpus Christi

With beachfront and barrier island campgrounds and state parks, the Texas Gulf Coast is one of the best regions in the state for RV travelers. RVers can experience the rich history of Texas while also enjoying some of RVers favorite pastimes including fishing, birding, and hiking. Into birding? Check out another recent RV-2-50 travel itinerary that features incredible birding spots for RVers along the Gulf Coast between Texas and Florida.

Galveston

Explore Juneteenth history, stroll the historic seawall, tour The Bryan Museum, or visit Galveston Island State Park. You can also relax and enjoy coastal breezes without ever leaving your campsite.

Corpus Christi

Further south, Corpus Christi offers access to Padre Island National Seashore, kayaking, horseback rides on the beach, and birding hotspots — the city proudly hosts the Birdiest Festival in America each spring.

San Antonio / Austin

Central Texas is the perfect place to allow your creativity to meet your love for the outdoors because you can have both here!

The Gas Station

In the opening scene of 1974’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, a group of teenagers pull up to the Last Chance Gas Station to ask for directions (based on the title alone, you can guess what happens next). Now known simply as The Gas Station, this Bastrop County icon is dedicated to the film’s fans who still flock here more than fifty years after its release for souvenirs, movie memorabilia, and—if being horrified makes you hungry—a full BBQ menu.

Cool Crest Miniature Golf

San Antonio is home to one of the world’s oldest miniature golf courses: originally opened in 1929, Cool Crest now features two historic 18-hole courses and was designated as a historic landmark in 2010. Whether you choose from the 1929 course or the 1959 course, you’ll be joining thousands of people who have played putt-putt here over the past century, and making history with every swing.

The Tejano Monument

At the Texas State Capitol in Austin, the longhorns aren’t BBQ but bronze: In 2012, The Tejano Monument, sculpted by Texas-native Armando Hinojosa, was erected on the 22-acre grounds. Featuring 10 life-size bronze statues (including two longhorns, a pioneer family, a Mexican cowboy, and Spanish explorer) standing atop a base made of Texas granite with five surrounding plaques, the monument tells the story of the Tejanos (Spanish for “Texan”), Spanish and Mexican settlers who were integral in the founding of the Lone Star State.

Pinkerton’s BBQ

Grant Pinkerton—the pitmaster at his eponymous restaurant—is a Houston native and University of Texas at Austin alum. With two locations (and a third on the way), Pinkerton’s has been featured on the Travel Channel and Food Network, and received “Bib Gourmand status” in the 2024 Texas Michelin Guide. Their extensive menu features the classics alongside Pinkerton’s specials such as “Man Bear Pig Sandwich,” “Grant’s Potato Salad,” and “Aunt Ruby’s Blueberry Cobbler."

Texas Music Museum

After taking in all that the “Live Music Capital of the World” has to offer, dive into the history behind the music at Austin’s Texas Music Museum. With exhibits dedicated to the contributions of African-American gospel, jazz, and blues musicians, and Texas’ music pioneers, this non-profit, volunteer-led museum is located six blocks east of the Capitol and open Monday through Friday with free admission.

Barbs B Q

Started as a series of pop-ups, Barbs B Q now has only one location, open Friday through Sunday (11am until sell out)—but it’s well worth the wait. The proprietors behind Barbs infuse their meats and sides with a Mexican twist; try anything on their limited menu which includes “Molotov Pork Ribs,” “Green Spaghett” (in a creamy roasted poblano sauce), and “Charro Beans” topped with queso fresco, and you won’t wonder why Barbs B Q has been named one of the best restaurants in the U.S. by The New York Times, Eater, and Bon Appétit.

Texas Hill Country

Hill Country is tailor-made for RV travel with its rolling hills, short drives between towns, and campgrounds near the action. You can experience wineries, cowboys, and backroads that offer scenic views.

Fredericksburg

Here you can explore Texas Wine Country, the National Museum of the Pacific War, and nearby Enchanted Rock.

Bandera

Also known as the Cowboy Capital of the World, you can catch a rodeo, visit the Frontier Times Museum, or saddle up at a dude ranch.

West Texas: Big Bend Country

This is where RVing shines bright like a star in the dark sky because you can easily venture to dark sky areas (where you may just see orbs that resemble UFOs), ride along desert roads, adventure in the outdoors in state and national parks, surf on sand dunes just outside your RV, and find quirky art that makes this part of Texas memorable.

Big Bend National Park

Drive scenic routes through the Chisos Mountains and along the Rio Grande and RV camp beneath some of the darkest skies in North America.

Marfa and El Paso

Stop in Marfa for contemporary art, Prada Marfa, and the mysterious Marfa Lights that are unexplained glowing orbs that appear over the desert horizon in the night sky. Continue west to El Paso, blending Mexican and Southwestern culture, with access to the El Paso Mission Trail and Franklin Mountains State Park. These stops have wide shoulder pull-offs making it easy for RVs to get in and out.

Texas’ Tallest Waterfall…in the Desert?

Capote Falls should be on every adventure-seeking RVer’s list! Standing between 150 and 175’ tall and on private ranch property, RVers can request permission to hike in to see this pristine piece of off-grid Mother Nature.

Panhandle Plains

Tap into the Route 66 Centennial while touring Texas, check out some of the Texan canyons, and experience some legendary Texas cuisine while enjoying the comforts of your RV after each day’s adventures.

Amarillo

In Amarillo, celebrate Route 66 at Cadillac Ranch and tackle the legendary steak challenge at The Big Texan. Nearby Palo Duro Canyon State Park — the “Grand Canyon of Texas” — offers hiking, horseback riding, and even a scenic drive through the canyon itself. You might even find yourself in a limousine to The Big Texan so you can do it up “The Big Texan Way."