Texas Hill Country + Big Bend — 10-Day RV Trip From Austin or San Antonio
Typical rate: $2,800-$3,600 all-in for two people, 10 days
Texas Hill Country and Big Bend National Park in a 10-day RV trip combines two of Texas’s most distinctive landscapes. The Hill Country offers wineries, swimming holes, and Austin/San Antonio gateways. Big Bend is remote dramatic desert national park experience.
The trip at a glance
- Length: 10 days
- Launch: Austin or San Antonio
- Distance: ~1,400 miles
- Recommended class: Class C 28-32 ft (fits Big Bend campgrounds, manageable on Texas highways)
- All-in budget: $2,800-$3,600 for two people
- Best months: October-April (avoid summer heat in West Texas)
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Austin pickup → Fredericksburg
- Morning: Pick up RV at Austin rental (see Austin city guide)
- Drive: Austin to Fredericksburg — 75 miles, 1h 30min via US-290 West
- Afternoon: National Museum of the Pacific War; Main Street
- Evening: Wine country tasting (Hill Country has 60+ wineries)
- Camp: Fredericksburg KOA or Inks Lake State Park (35 mi west)
Day 2: Fredericksburg + Hill Country wineries
- Morning: Becker Vineyards or Grape Creek Vineyards
- Afternoon: Enchanted Rock State Natural Area (granite dome hiking)
- Evening: Fredericksburg Saturday street market (if Saturday)
- Camp: Same as Day 1
Day 3: Fredericksburg → Marathon
- Drive: Fredericksburg to Marathon TX — 350 miles, 5h 30min via US-290 West and US-385 South
- Stops: Junction, TX (lunch); Sonora Caverns (optional)
- Evening: Arrive Marathon; set up at Marathon Motel and RV Park
- Camp: Marathon Motel and RV Park ($35-50/night)
Day 4: Marathon → Big Bend National Park
- Drive: Marathon to Chisos Basin (30 miles south of north entrance, 1h 15min into the park)
- Note: Chisos Basin road is winding and length-restricted to 24 ft RV; if your rig is larger, stay at Rio Grande Village RV Park
- Afternoon: Set up at Chisos Basin Campground OR Rio Grande Village RV Park ($35/night with hookups)
- Evening: Window View Trail at Chisos sunset
- Camp: Chisos Basin ($16/night) or Rio Grande Village RV ($35)
Day 5: Big Bend Chisos Basin area
- Morning: Lost Mine Trail (5 miles round-trip, moderate)
- Afternoon: Window Pour-Off Trail (5 miles)
- Evening: Chisos Basin Lodge dinner
- Camp: Same as Day 4
Day 6: Big Bend Santa Elena Canyon
- Morning: Drive Maxwell Scenic Drive to Santa Elena Canyon trailhead — 30 miles, 1h
- Hike: Santa Elena Canyon Trail (1.7 miles round-trip, easy)
- Afternoon: Mules Ears Viewpoint; Tuff Canyon
- Evening: Cottonwood Campground area
- Camp: Cottonwood Campground (no hookups, $16/night) or back to Chisos Basin
Day 7: Big Bend Rio Grande Village area
- Morning: Hot Springs Historic Trail (3 miles, riverside)
- Afternoon: Rio Grande Overlook; Boquillas Canyon Trail
- Evening: Boquillas Crossing (ferry to Mexican village, passport required)
- Camp: Rio Grande Village
Day 8: Big Bend → Marathon → Sonora area
- Drive: Big Bend to Sonora — 280 miles, 4h 30min via US-385 and US-90
- Afternoon: Caverns of Sonora tour (book in advance)
- Evening: Sonora dinner
- Camp: Caverns of Sonora RV Park ($25-35/night)
Day 9: Sonora → San Antonio (or back to Austin)
- Drive: Sonora to San Antonio — 175 miles, 2h 45min via I-10 East
- Afternoon: River Walk; San Antonio missions
- Evening: Tex-Mex dinner near River Walk
- Camp: San Antonio KOA ($55-75/night)
Day 10: San Antonio → Austin return
- Morning: The Alamo; Mission San Jose
- Drive: San Antonio to Austin — 80 miles, 1h 30min via I-35 North
- Late morning: Empty tanks, refuel, return rental at Austin
All-in budget breakdown
For two people, 10 days, Class C 26-30 ft:
| Line item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Class C rental: $175/night × 10 nights | $1,750 |
| Booking fees + insurance + cleaning | $500-$700 |
| Fuel (1,400 miles @ 8 mpg @ $3.70/gal — TX is cheap) | $648 |
| NPS America the Beautiful pass | $80 |
| Campground fees (NPS $16-35, private $35-75) | $300-$450 |
| Caverns of Sonora tour | $20-30/person × 2 = $40-60 |
| Wine tasting (4-6 wineries) | $40-80 |
| Food, propane, dining (2 people) | $700-$1,000 |
| Total all-in for 10 days | $4,058-$4,768 |
Texas fuel cost is below national average — meaningful savings on the long mileage.
Reservation timing
- Chisos Basin Campground: opens 6 months ahead via Recreation.gov
- Rio Grande Village RV Park: opens 6 months ahead via Recreation.gov; fills quickly for spring break
- Spring break weeks (mid-March): all Big Bend campgrounds fill within days of release
- Inks Lake State Park: opens 5 months ahead via Texas State Parks
What can go wrong (and what to do)
- Big Bend heat: May-September daytimes can hit 100°F+. Confirm working AC and consider winter trips instead.
- Big Bend remote services: Limited fuel between Marathon and Big Bend visitor center. Fill up in Marathon.
- Spring break crowds: mid-March driving sees massive Texas spring break traffic; book all campgrounds 6+ months ahead.
- Hill Country traffic: weekends from Austin out to Fredericksburg can be slow. Drive midweek if possible.
- Cellular gaps: Big Bend has very limited service. Plan offline maps.
Variations
Shorter 7-day version
- Skip Hill Country wineries; go direct Austin to Big Bend
- Add 1 day at Big Bend
- Compress San Antonio to half day
Extended 14-day version
- Add Davis Mountains State Park + McDonald Observatory
- Add Marfa for desert art scene
- Add Carlsbad Caverns NM extension
Off-season alternative (March or November)
- Lower temperatures
- Spring break crowd risk in March; quieter in November
- Possible cold nights at Chisos Basin (5,400 ft elevation)
Class choice math
| RV Class | Texas Hill Country + Big Bend Fit |
|---|---|
| Class B under 22 ft | Fits Chisos Basin (24 ft cap), Rio Grande Village, everywhere |
| Class C 24-28 ft | Sweet spot — fits everywhere with Chisos Basin caveat |
| Class C 28-32 ft | Rio Grande Village hookup site; Cottonwood; Chisos restricted |
| Class C 32-40 ft | Rio Grande Village RV Park only (40 ft); locked out of Chisos |
| Class A any | Rio Grande Village only; skip Chisos |
For most renters, Class C 26-28 ft is ideal.
Bottom line
The 10-day Texas Hill Country + Big Bend trip covers two distinct Texas landscapes. Budget $3,500-$4,200 for two people. Class C 26-28 ft. Avoid summer heat. Spring break weeks book months ahead.
See related guides: Texas state, Big Bend NP guide, Austin city guide.