Taylor County, Texas, commissioners have approved the Elmdale RV Park, a massive new development that will place it among the largest RV parks in the U.S. The park will feature 2,313 RV sites across 148 acres off Elmdale Road North and Mesquite Lane near Abilene, second only to South Carolina’s Ocean Lakes Family Campground, which has roughly 3,400 sites. But “If you build it, will they come?”
Ranking among the largest RV parks in the U.S.
Approved on September 23, 2025, the project includes more than just parking pads. Planned amenities feature a playground, dog park, sand volleyball area, office, and clubhouse. Each lot will measure 24 by 55 feet with a pad size of 12 by 47 feet, and the park will meet all ADA requirements. Utilities will be provided by Hamby Water, Taylor County Electric, and the City of Abilene sewer department.
Snowbird appeal remains limited
Despite its national ranking, Taylor County’s cooler winters make the area less attractive for snowbirds. Average January lows hover around 30°F, leading to frequent freezes. Unlike the Gulf Coast or Rio Grande Valley, Abilene is landlocked and not marketed as a winter destination for retirees, limiting its appeal to traditional “Winter Texan” visitors.
So why build the country’s second largest RV park here?
Elmdale RV Park is designed to address temporary housing needs, particularly for workers involved in nearby AI data center projects. While this focus may help the park succeed, some local residents have expressed concerns about noise, traffic, and other potential impacts.
Bottom line: If you’re thinking about becoming a Winter Texan, you may just want to point your boots in a slightly different direction. Unless you carry tools for building AI tech centers in your basement storage.
Sources include bigcountryhomepage.com
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RVT1228b
Looks like an absolute nightmare! Screaming kids, barking dogs, outside TV viewing, people yelling…UG!!!
I guess the one good thing… they won’t need to clear cut any trees for this development! Just remove the brush!!
Yes, Abilene is definitely too far north in Texas to be a snowbird destination. It is almost as far north as the huge D-FW metroplex and a long way from the Gulf Coast. Anywhere that far north in Texas can have frequent winter temps in the 20s, sleet, rain, and, occassionally, snow. In addition, the wind blows much of the time. We once spent a cold, windy, January night in the Lake Sweetwater campground, 30 miles W of Abilene, when the temp got down to 15 degrees. We got an electric site just so we could run the electric space heater AND the furnace to stay warm. If you want warm winter weather in Texas, you must get south of I-10, not I-20!
As a RV owner, part time traveler, and older, 77 , camper, I would not consider Abilene for a winter spot! Have traveled thru many times. Snowbirds want sunshine, balmy breezes, 70 degrees plus. Rio Grande valley is proof. This project is doomed! Hard fact,
Sites are too short for full timer snow birds rvs lengths. Built for greed not lifestyle. Abilene TX is not a destination location for sure!!! Hard pass.
Far too small for long term living- Units large enough for long term living can be as large as 45-55ft long and with slides 16-20 ft wide and where do you park your vehicle??? Campers (weekender) are the only customers you will have. I can’t imagine how you will navigate all the comings and goings. I am a Full time RVer with a bit of experience on this subject. Please reconfigure if you want long term residents.
Yeah, no thanks.
We winter closer to the north end of Texas Hill Country. About half-way between I-10 & I-20. “Winter” is typically less than a week of round the clock just into freeze territory and 2-3 more weeks of not quite freeze conditions for an hour or two near dawn. Most typical RVs are not equipped for true winter conditions. By the time you get to I-20 you best have skirting and more propane than a couple 30 pound tanks, plus supplemental heat.
I can see no long term business case to build this thing. Sure, it will benefit from a temporary building boom but Abilene just isn’t a resort destination.
Another reason not to go to Texas
This will end up serving as low income permanent housing for the growing under employed Texas population. Better than homelessness.
pad size is a joke. No RV with slides will fit.
hard pass
No way, I would not want to stay in a park that packs them in like a NASCAR event let alone with a bunch of temporary workers going in and out all hours of the day. Bigger is not better.
Too far north if they’re looking for snowbirds. Coastal South Texas is the prime location for that demographic.
This article is ridiculous. This is a quick fix for the housing shortage for workers on the massive AI project with hopes of snow bird use in the future
Yep, Jesse. That’s exactly what we said.👍 Have a good night. 🙂 –Diane at RVtravel.com
I would rather stay at an I10 truck stop and smell diesel all night.