FREE CAMPING: Texas Travel Center- Amarillo, TX
FREE Camping on I-40 near Amarillo, TX (EXIT 76)
GPS: 35.19151, -101.725334
In a previous post we showed you a wonderful little public park to camp in on the side of Interstate-40 if you don’t want to drive any farther. But what if you can’t make it to San Jon, NM? Stop in Amarillo!
*Previous Post: Free Camping- San Jon City Park
Right off of I-40 and near a Flying J truck stop is the Texas Travel Center. This property is paved, well lit, has 24-hour security, and was immaculately clean when we visited in April 2018. We arrived late and there were already several trucks, motorhomes, and passenger cars there. We pulled right in, used the facilities (which were spotless and warm) and slept soundly. The noise from 40 was not very noticeable, and this was one of our more enjoyable urban camping experiences.
We camped here in our skoolie conversion and felt right at home. If you are travelling along I-40 and can’t drive much long past Amarillo, consider this stop.
BONUS: The infamous Cadillac Ranch is nearby and is a must see if you’ve never been. These mid-century automobiles were erected in 1974 by the art group Ant Farm. Each caddy is arranged at an angle supposedly in line with the pyramids of Giza and is affixed in the ground nose down. The cars are now covered in graffiti and have been recovered and re-decorated for several PR campaigns in the area.
Cadillac Ranch is FREE and open 24/7 and is a unique piece of public art that everyone should see. Also, if you see my wife, ask her how she got purple hands and purple paint all over her jacket.
Thanks for this! It was super helpful when we pulled into Amarillo late last night. I had a bit of trouble finding it so just to clarify this place is not a part of the flying J’s. It comes up on Google as the Amarillo Travel Information Center.
Glad to hear it helped! We try to post GPS coordinates so there is no confusion about where we boondocked! 🙂
Can you tent camp?
I am sure you could if you had a small enough tent and arrived at the right time of the evening. There is no designated tent camping area, however.