under the texas sky

Rocky West Texas park rolls in as 2nd best RV destination in U.S.

RoadRunner Travelers RV Park is the No. 2 best RV destination in America.

Photo by The Dyrt camper Allison

Expert travelers won't let the Texas heat deter them from heading to the No. 2 best RV destination in America: RoadRunner Travelers RV Park in rugged Terlingua.

The desert camping park earned its prestigious ranking in the new report "2024 Best Places to RV," prepared by campground review platform The Dyrt in partnership with State Farm. Published June 25, the report examined the top 10 best RV parks and resorts around the U.S. based on the highest ratings and reviews on The Dyrt's website.

Anchor Down RV Resort in Dandridge, Tennessee was ranked the No. 1 best RV park in the U.S.

RoadRunner Travelers RV Park – located 480 miles southwest of Austin – provides 57 affordable RV sites for visitors of all kinds, such as "minimalist" boondocking sites, electric-only sites, and deluxe full hookups that include a gravel site pad, wifi, a private picnic table, and fire pit. Rates start at $33 per night, plus fees.

Though the park is currently closed for summer, the next camping season begins September 1, 2024, and will run through June 15, 2025, making it an appealing destination for campers who prefer trips during the breezy (and generally less hot) fall through spring seasons.

The park is situated just four miles away from Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park, meaning it's a great home base for hikers and nature enthusiasts, according to The Dyrt. The Ghost Town of Terlingua is a must-see attraction that's been featured in film and TV, which boasts a delicious barbecue restaurant and a quaint gift shop.

But for those who just want to stay and explore the 40-acre RoadRunner park, they'll get the most enjoyment out of a nightly "galactic lightshow."

"The region is home to some of the darkest skies in the Lower 48, and its status as an International Dark Sky Reserve means RoadRunner’s well-maintained sites double as front-row seats to some of the best stargazing in the U.S.," the report's author wrote.

RoadRunner Travelers RV Park, Terlingua There's something about those West Texas sunsets that look so much more beautiful than any sunset in the city.Photo by The Dyrt camper Allison

Reviews of RoadRunner on The Dyrt's website praised its dog park area, the friendliness of fellow campers, and the breathtaking views of the wide Texas sky.

"The sunset and Bee Mountain were beautiful to look at," said reviewer Marie B. "It was dark sky-friendly, so we pulled out our telescope and saw some beautiful stars. Easy drive to Big Bend National Park and the Santa Elena canyon hike which is the most famous in Big Bend."

RoadRunner Travelers RV Park was the only Texas resort to make The Dyrt's list in 2024.

The top 10 best places to RV in the U.S. are:

No. 1 – Anchor Down RV Resort in Dandridge, Tennessee
No. 2 – RoadRunner Travelers RV Park in Terlingua, Texas
No. 3 – Dark Sky RV Park & Campground in Kanab, Utah
No. 4 – Colter Bay RV Park at Colter Bay Village in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
No. 5 – Tom Sawyer's RV Park in West Memphis, Arkansas
No. 6 – Lake Pleasant RV Park in Bothell, Washington
No. 7 – Landry Vineyards Grape Escape RV Sites in West Monroe, Louisiana
No. 8 – The Views RV Park & Campground in Dolores, Colorado
No. 9 – Lake George RV Park in Lake George, New York
No. 10 – Ruby's Inn RV Park and Campground in Bryce Canyon City, Utah

The full list of campgrounds can be found on thedyrt.com.

Don't want to make the 8-hour drive to West Texas? Avid campers looking for great new places to go can make a shorter trek to explore the newly opened Camp Landa in New Braunfels, or Oak Forest RV Resort in Austin, which was declared a top spot to camp in a separate report earlier this year.

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Nonstop flight news

American Airlines nears takeoff from San Antonio to Washington, D.C.

Photo courtesy of American Airlines

Direct flights from San Antonio to Washington, D.C. via American Airlines could begin in early 2025.

San Antonio is one step closer to securing a daily nonstop flight to the nation’s capital.

The U.S. Transportation Department on October 16 tentatively awarded room for five new daily long-haul flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to five of the nation's biggest airlines, including an American Airlines route to San Antonio.

The flights would offer more options to travelers flying between Washington and major Western destinations, including The Alamo City.

The Transportation Department said it will take comments on its decision until October 30, then allow answers to the comments until November 8.

If approved, the round-trip daily flight between San Antonio International Airport (SAT) and Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) could begin in early 2025, official say.

“We look forward to DOT issuing a final order so we can begin connecting more members of Military City USA with our nation’s capital and our industry-leading global network,” says American’s executive vice president Nate Gatten in a statement.

Washington, D.C., capitol It'll soon be easier for San Antonians to get to the nation's capital. RealEstateCommunities.com

According to a release, American’s application included more than 150 letters of support from the San Antonio community, including bipartisan members of the Texas Congressional delegation, mayors, military organizations, advocacy groups, and chambers of commerce.

“We are thrilled with this announcement; SAT to DCA nonstop service via American Airlines will have so many positive impacts to our city and the entire South Texas region,” says director of airports for San Antonio Jesus Saenz in the release. “This is historic and meaningful to San Antonio and our surrounding communities and a true reflection of our partnership with American Airlines, along with the countless number of community leaders that have long deserved nonstop service from San Antonio International Airport to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.”

Many travelers prefer the convenience of Reagan National, which is a short Metro subway ride away from downtown Washington, to Dulles International Airport, located more than 20 miles (32 kilometers) west of the nation’s capital.

Flights longer than 1,250 miles (2,000 kilometers) to Reagan National are strictly limited by federal law, but under pressure from Delta Air Lines and others, Congress this year approved enough new takeoff and landing rights to support five new daily round trips.

The five winning airlines and their planned routes are:

American Airlines, to and from San Antonio International Airport in Texas.
Alaska Airlines, service to and from San Diego International Airport.
Delta, to and from Seattle Tacoma International Airport.
Southwest Airlines, to and from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.
United Airlines, to and from San Francisco International Airport.

The Transportation Department rejected a bid by JetBlue Airways to add another flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico. The department ruled that Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines weren't eligible because Congress limited the contest to carriers that already operate flights at Reagan National.

To celebrate the inauguration of the San Antonio route, the release says, American will use distinct flight numbers to honor the city’s history and ties to the military. For example, flight 1718 will commemorate the year San Antonio was founded, and flight 1947 will mark the year the U.S. Air Force was established.

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Stephanie Allmon Merry contributed to this story.

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