Whether you're tent camping with a backpacking stove, car camping with a two-burner Coleman, or rolling through West Texas in a Class A motorhome, propane is the fuel that keeps outdoor cooking — and often heating, hot water, and refrigeration — running. Here's a complete guide to propane for camping and RV use, from choosing the right tank to finding a refill when you're three hours from the nearest city.

Propane Tank Types for Camping

Not all camping propane setups are the same. The container you use depends heavily on what you're running:

• 1-lb disposable cylinders (Coleman green bottles) — The most portable option. Screw directly onto camp stoves, lanterns, and small heaters. Each holds about 0.24 gallons of propane. Convenient but expensive per BTU and not refillable (in most states). Best for backpacking, short trips, or emergency kits.
• 1-lb refillable cylinders — Refillable versions of the 1-lb bottle exist and can save significant money for regular campers. You fill them from a larger cylinder using an adapter fitting.
• 20-lb cylinder — The standard grill tank. Works with camp stoves via a hose adapter, and is the minimum practical size for a weekend car-camping setup with multiple appliances. Holds about 4.7 gallons.
• RV built-in tanks (ASME or DOT) — Most travel trailers and fifth wheels use permanently mounted 20-lb or 30-lb DOT cylinders. Class A and Class C motorhomes typically have larger ASME tanks (40–100 lbs) that can only be filled in place. These feed the RV's furnace, cooktop, water heater, and refrigerator.

How Long Does Camping Propane Last?

Burn time depends entirely on what you're running and at what setting. Here are realistic estimates for common camping appliances:

For a weekend car camping trip using a two-burner stove for meals and a small heater for cool nights, a 20-lb tank will comfortably last an entire weekend with gas to spare. For an RV running furnace, water heater, cooktop, and refrigerator, a 20-lb tank may only last 2–4 days depending on temperature and usage.

Refilling Propane on the Road in Texas and New Mexico

Texas and New Mexico have excellent propane infrastructure for travelers — the challenge is knowing where to look when you're off the beaten path.

Best places to find propane refill while traveling:

• U-Haul locations — One of the most reliable refill options on the road. U-Haul has hundreds of locations across both states, many in smaller towns, and they refill 20-lb and larger cylinders. Hours are typically consistent with business hours.
• Dedicated propane dealers — Often the cheapest per-gallon option. Find them in our directory by city.
• RV parks and campgrounds — Many offer propane refills on-site, especially larger parks. Ask at check-in.
• Farm and ranch supply stores — Tractor Supply, Rural King, and local co-ops often have refill stations. Common in rural Texas and New Mexico.
• Blue Rhino / AmeriGas exchange cages — Available at Walmart, Home Depot, and thousands of gas stations statewide. Not the cheapest option, but the most widely available when everything else is closed.

For RVs with fixed ASME tanks, you need a dealer with a fill hose — not a portable cylinder station. Look for dealers that specifically advertise "RV propane fill" or "motorhome propane." Our interactive map can help you find stations along your route.

Propane Safety Rules for RVs and Enclosed Spaces

Propane safety in an RV is significantly more critical than at a backyard grill because you're working in an enclosed space. Follow these rules without exception:

• Never run the furnace or propane appliances while driving — movement can dislodge connections, and tunnel ventilation rules often prohibit it. Most RV manufacturers advise turning all propane appliances off while the vehicle is moving.
• Turn off propane at the tank when fueling at gas stations — sparks near a running propane system at a fueling station are a serious risk.
• Install a propane/CO detector — most RVs come with one, but test it regularly. Place it low, near the floor, since propane is heavier than air and sinks.
• Ventilate before lighting — open windows and vents briefly before lighting any appliance inside the RV, especially after the vehicle has been closed for a while.
• Know how to shut off the main valve — the tank valve on your RV. Practice finding it before you need it in an emergency.
• Never use outdoor appliances inside — camp stoves, portable heaters rated for outdoor use only, and grills are not safe inside a tent or RV. The carbon monoxide risk is severe.

For more on leak detection, see our guide: How to Detect a Propane Leak.

Camping in Texas and New Mexico: Propane Context

Both states offer exceptional camping, and both have conditions that affect propane use:

• Heat and altitude — High summer temperatures in Texas (regularly above 100°F) can cause pressure buildup in propane tanks stored in direct sun. Keep tanks shaded and never store them in a hot car or enclosed vehicle. At higher altitudes in New Mexico (Taos, Santa Fe, the Jemez Mountains), propane appliances may burn slightly less efficiently due to lower atmospheric pressure — you may need to adjust burner settings.
• Wind — West Texas and the eastern New Mexico plains can be extremely windy. Use a windscreen with camp stoves and expect longer cook times in high winds. A windscreen can cut fuel consumption by 30–50%.
• Remote access — Big Bend National Park, the Guadalupe Mountains, and the White Sands area are far from major towns. Fill up before heading into remote areas — don't count on finding propane inside the park.

Saving Money on Camping Propane

• Use a 1-lb refill adapter to fill small bottles from a 20-lb tank — you'll pay roughly $0.50–$0.80 per fill vs. $3–$5 for a new 1-lb disposable
• Refill, don't exchange whenever you can — exchange tanks are filled to only 15 lbs and cost significantly more per gallon (see our exchange vs refill breakdown)
• Use a windscreen to dramatically reduce fuel consumption at camp
• Invest in an insulated camp mug — keeping drinks hot reduces how often you reboil, saving gas
• For RVs, reducing furnace use by adding blankets and insulating window coverings can cut propane consumption significantly on cold nights

Find Propane Along Your Route

Planning a road trip or camping trip through Texas or New Mexico? Use our directory to find propane refill stations along your route before you leave. Browse by city: Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, Fort Worth, Corpus Christi, and El Paso in Texas, plus Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Cruces in New Mexico. Or use the interactive map to find stations anywhere in both states.

The Bottom Line

Propane is the right fuel for most camping and RV setups — it's energy-dense, burns cleanly, and is widely available across Texas and New Mexico. Know your tank size and burn rates so you don't run out mid-trip, fill up before heading into remote areas, and follow the enclosed-space safety rules in your RV. A little planning goes a long way toward a trip where the only thing you're thinking about is the view.