The Best Camping Near Dallas, TX for Families

Introduction

Are you looking for the best camping near Dallas, TX? We researched the best places in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for camping.

Camping is a great way to get back to nature and enjoy the fresh air, but you also want to be sure that you can find a safe place to camp. It’s can hard to find camping areas with amenities like bathrooms or showers nearby. 

If you’re looking for more of an adventure than sleeping in your backyard under the stars, check out our roundup of locations. And don’t forget to read about all of the great road trips from Dallas you and the family can take.

Best Camping Near Dallas Texas

#1. Palo Pinto Mountains State Park (Opening Soon)

Accommodations: (Cabins and Tents)

Price: (unknown)

Distance from Dallas: (120 miles)

If you want to go camping near Dallas, check out Palo Pinto Mountains National Park.

This beautiful Texas state park is filled with canyons, plateaus, and mountains. North of the park lies a 90-acre lake.

The park is a work in progress with big plans for the future. Because of its remote location, the park will be an ideal location for hiking, camping, and stargazing.

This park is currently being built and will open to the public soon. Check for updates and be one of the first to experience this park.

#2. Fort Richardson State Park

Accommodations (Primitive Campsite, Tent, RV sites)

Price:($15-$30)

Distance from Dallas: (90 miles)

Located west of Dallas, this park offers plenty of activities such as fishing, hiking, biking, swimming pools, and playgrounds for the kids.

And with primitive campsites start at $20 and cabins for $45 per night. It’s an excellent option for those on a budget.

The park has two lakes known for bass fishing: Quarry Lake and Lake Jacksboro. 

Go for a swim or hike one of their beautiful trails.

If you love horseback riding, then this park has some fantastic trails and equestrian campsites just for you.

A fun family outing for the outdoorsy family. You can make reservations and get your trail maps here.

#3. Cleburne State Park

Accommodations (Cabins, RV, Tent)

Price: ($20-$60 per night)

Distance from Dallas: (75 miles)

Cleburne State Park is the perfect place for a fun-filled family outing. With plenty of activities to choose from, everyone in your group is sure to have a great time.

Take a peaceful hike through nature trails, or rent a canoe and explore the lake or from the fishing pier.

End the day with a picnic dinner under the stars and enjoy everything Cleburne State Park has to offer.

#4. Ray Roberts Lake State Park

Accommodations: (Primitive, Tent & RV with hookups)

Price: ($20-$30 per night)

Distance from Dallas: 60 miles

Come to Ray Roberts Lake State Park, where you can enjoy various outdoor activities on land and water.

Camp, hike, bike, ride your horse, rollerblade, and more. Or take a break and enjoy photography, nature watching, or fishing.

They also have an interactive trails map that makes it easy to find your way around. The Lone Star Lodge has group walk-in campsites and meeting rooms for your next event.

#5. Dinosaur Valley State Park 

Accommodations: (Primitive, Tent & RV with hookups)

Price:($25-$60 per night)

Distance from Dallas: 90 miles

If you are looking place to camp near Dallas, then the Dinosaur Valley State Park is a must, and it is an excellent adventure for nature lovers and families.

Located in Glen Rose along the Paluxy River, this park is surrounded by 400 acres of rolling plains and hills. The park offers the perfect environment for exploring and wildlife viewing.

Come explore the dinosaur tracks that are millions of years old. The park has plenty to offer – trails to a river perfect for fishing and swimming holes.

You will also find many campsites throughout this beautiful state park that provide visitors with comfortable camping facilities such as electricity, water hookups, and fire rings so they may relax and enjoy the beauty of nature.

They have a visitors center and a camp store at the front of the park. They also offer group campsites.

#6. Cedar Hill State Park 

Accommodations: (Tent and RV camping)

Price: ($15-$30)

Distance from Dallas: 20 miles

Cedar Hill State Park offers visitors a wealth of activities to enjoy in North Texas. Located just 20 minutes from downtown Dallas this park is sometimes referred to as the ” Urban Oasis.”

It sits right on Joe Pool Lake, a stunning 8,000-acre lake notorious for largemouth bass fishing.

You can bring your family for a day or weekend visit, hike, bike, picnic, rock climbing, geocache, and mountain biking.

If swimming, mountain biking, fishing, boating, or paddle boating is more your thing, the park sits on the shore of Joe Pool Lake.

There are also over 300 developed campsites. There are primitive camping sites and RV camping with water, electric, and sewer connections at 150 locations.

Cedar Hill State Park is the perfect overnight camping trip.

#7. Colorado Bend State Park

Accommodations:( Primitive and Group)

Price: ($15-$75)

Distance from Dallas: 3 hours

If you are camping near Dallas, check out Colorado Bend State Park. It is a beautiful camping experience in Texas Hill, about 3 hours from Dallas.

You might even want to try out backpacking with your family or friends!

Colorado Bend features the headwaters of the Colorado River and is home to many waterfalls, including Dog Slaughter Falls.

Dog Slaughter Falls is one of many excellent hikes at Colorado Bend State Park in Texas.

The terrain varies significantly throughout the park showing the true beauty of the native Texas landscape.

#8. Eisenhower State Park 

Accommodations: (Cabin, RV sites, and Tent)

Price: ($12-$23)

Distance from Dallas: 80 Miles

Eisenhower State Park is definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for a great place to camp in Texas. With over 8,000 acres of pristine land to explore, there’s plenty of room for everyone to find their perfect spot.

Families will enjoy a wide variety of activities, from fishing and swimming to hiking and biking or kayaking down the Brazos River.

Go fishing in Lake Texoma. They have boat ramps and a fishing pier, and this place is known for its Bass and Catfish. 

The park features over 120 campsites, each containing outdoor tables. These campsites also provide campers with great amenities such as fire pits, restrooms, and showers. Many even offer water hookups and electricity!

The Pavilion Pool is heated during cool weather, and there’s a diving board available at that pool! All pools are open 10 AM until 8 PM during the summer months and cost $1 per person. Visitors can also explore the park’s great nature trails and simultaneously take advantage of the beautiful scenery!

This park is a great place to enjoy nature if you like camping, swimming, or just spending some time outdoors.

Eisenhower State Park features over 100 miles of trails that range from easy walks along river beds to strenuous hikes up steep mountain paths.

#9. Willow Grove Park

Accommodations: (Primitive and RV Sites)

Price: ($15-$25)

Distance from Dallas: (35 miles)

Camping at Willow Grove Park in Texas is a great way to experience the outdoors. The park offers campsites with water and electric hookups and primitive camping areas.

There are also restrooms, showers, and a dump station on site. The various camping options allow campers to find suitable accommodations for their stay.

Camping at Willow Grove Park in Texas is a great way to experience the outdoors. The park offers campsites with water and electric hookups and primitive camping areas.

There are also restrooms, showers, and a dump station on site. Between activities like swimming, hiking, fishing, biking, or golfing, there’s always something to do at Willow Grove Park. Like all parks managed by Brazos County, it is open daily from sunrise until 11:00 PM, with gates locked after closing.

This is a great spot to enjoy a sunset over Lake Whitney. This county park has modern facilities, including water and electric hookup sites and restrooms with showers.

The park offers campsites with water and electric hookups and primitive camping areas. There are also restrooms, showers, and a dump station on site.

#10. Cooper Lake State Park 

Accommodations:(Tent, RV, and Group Camp Sites)

Price: ($15-$75)

Distance from Dallas: (90 Miles)

There are also plenty of activities, from fishing and swimming to hiking and biking. IF you are looking for a relaxing getaway, consider camping at Cooper Lake State Park.

Between activities like swimming, hiking, fishing, biking, or golfing, there’s always something to do at Cooper Lake State Park.

Like all parks managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife, it is open daily from sunrise until 11:00 PM, with gates locked after closing.

All campsites are first-come, first-served on weekdays (except Labor Day through mid-March), but reservations are available on weekends.

There are two drive-in campsites with water and 30-amp electric hookups on a first-come-first-serve basis.

All campsites are first-come, first-served on weekdays (except Labor Day through mid-March), but reservations are available on weekends. Two drive-in primitive sites do not offer hookups.

Also offered at the park is one hike/bike site near the trailhead for hiking and biking trails.

The site is located adjacent to the parking lot for the trailhead, which provides access to 6 miles of hiking and biking trails.

#11. Lake Texoma 

Accommodations: Multiple Options 

Price: ($15-$150)

Distance from Dallas: (90 miles)

There are various types of camping available at Lake Texhoma. Here are some specifics about what to expect when coming out here.

Each one varies in price, the number of people allowed per site, bathrooms, showers, etc.

RV parks have full hookups with water, electric, sewer, and dump stations available to use free of charge. As well as general camping, which has some amenities such as bathrooms and running water, electricity or sewer systems are not currently available.

The lake is excellent for all water recreation activities, including swimming paddleboats, and you can even scuba dive. Fishing is a major attraction at this lake, and there is a boat ramp in several locations around the lake.

Lake Texhoma is considered to be one of the best lakes in the state of Texas.

#12. Inks Lake State Park

Accommodations: (Tents and RV Sites)

Price: ($10-$30)

Distance from Dallas: (200 Miles)

Inks Lake is one of the best Texas State Parks. It is an excellent experience for both the seasoned camper and beginners. Devil’s Waterhole, waterfalls, swimming beach

Inks Lake is the perfect place for a weekend fishing getaway. There’s something for everyone with 198 campsites, 22 cabins, and two ADA-accessible cabins.

The park has multiple fishing piers, fish cleaning stations, and a boat ramp, so you can spend your days out on the lake. And if you don’t have your own gear, no problem!

You can borrow rods, reels, and tackle boxes with hooks, sinkers, and bobbers from the park. So come on out and reel in some fun!

#13. Beavers Bend State Park

Accommodations:

Price:

Distance from Dallas:

Camping at Beavers Bend State Park is a great way to experience the natural beauty of Oklahoma. 

There are also several campsites available, which include water and electric hookups. Many sites are set away from each other, so you’ll have plenty of privacy.

You can also camp in large groups with the site’s group area of up to 200 people. 

Primitive campsites have no amenities, and there are no restrooms available, but they offer free firewood.

#14. Lake Grapevine

Accommodations: (Tent and RV Park)

Price: ($35)

Distance from Dallas: (30 miles)

Camping at Lake Grapevine in Texas is an excellent experience for seasoned campers and beginners.

The park has beautiful amenities that will make your stay pleasant, including campsites with water and electric hookups campsites without water or electric hookups.

They also have a group camping area for up to 50 people, large RV spaces with full hookups, picnic tables, and shade shelters throughout the park.

There are also hiking trails available for those looking to enjoy nature on foot.

For those interested in fishing, there are boat ramps where you can access the lake, as well as bait shops nearby to purchase any supplies you may need while out on the water.

If you’re not into fishing, why not try your hand at kayaking? You’ll find rentals are available as well.

#15. Lake Whitney

Accommodations: (Tent and Rv with Full Hookup)

Price: ($14-$24)

Distance from Dallas: (85 miles)

Camping at Lake Whitney in Texas is a great way to spend your next outdoor vacation! 

These include campsites with water and electric hookups, restrooms, showers, dump stations, boat ramps, swimming areas, and fishing piers.

There are also several group camping areas where you can camp with up to 100 people each. If you’re not into boating or fishing, there are still activities for you to enjoy around the lake.

Hiking trails for those who enjoy nature of foot, horseback riding trails for those who are interested are on horseback or on their own two feet but want to explore the great outdoors on something other than just by foot.

#16. Tyler State Park

Accommodations: (Tent and RV)

Price: ($18-$30)

Distance from Dallas: (100 Miles)

Camping at Tyler State Park in Texas is an excellent experience for seasoned campers and beginners.

There are plenty of amenities to make your stay pleasant, including showers, restrooms, pet-friendly campsites, boat ramps, bait shop on-site, picnic tables, and more!

For fishing enthusiasts, there are several pay lakes within the park where you can try your hand, or if you’re looking to fish without having to purchase a permit, then Lake Palestine is only 10 minutes away from the park.

You can also enjoy a variety of water sports or try your hand at kayaking. There are spots throughout the park for those interested in hiking where tents are allowed, and you’ll have free access to firewood.

After an eventful day, relaxes with your loved ones under the stars in one of several campsites available at Tyler State Park!

#17. Possum Kingdom State Park

Accommodations (Primitive, Tent and RV sites)

Price: ($10-$30)

Distance from Dallas: (140 Miles)

Possum Kingdom State Park in Texas is an excellent place to camp with your family. The park offers campsites for RV’s, tents, and backpacking.

There are also cabins available for rent. A wide variety of water recreation activities can be enjoyed at the park, including boating, fishing, swimming, and canoeing/kayaking on the river or lake.

Bird-watching enthusiasts will enjoy seeing more than 160 species of birds that visit the Possum Kingdom during their spring migrations each year.

Hikers will find miles of trails to explore around this beautiful state park as well as an 18-hole golf course open from April through October 1st every year.

Possum Kingdom State Park has been ranked one of the top 10 parks in Texas by Texas Monthly Magazine.

#18. Lake Tawakoni State Park

Accommodations: (Tent and RV with full hookups)

Price: ($20-$40)

Distance from Dallas: (60 miles)

If you’re looking for a great place to camp in Texas, Lake Tawakoni State Park is definitely worth checking out.

With plenty of campsites available, as well as some lovely nature trails to explore, this park is perfect for a weekend getaway.

There’s also a lake where you can go fishing or swimming, so make sure to bring your fishing rod and sunscreen!

There’s also a marina right on the lake if you’d like to rent a boat or kayak for an afternoon, as well as a bait shop where you can pick up any essential supplies.

Lake Tawakoni State Park also has several cabins available for rent. These sleep six people and have electricity and air-conditioning, so they make excellent accommodation if your family is looking for a more comfortable stay.

If you’re staying in one of these cabins, make sure to bring some board games – there isn’t Internet access here!

#19. Lake Mineral Wells

Accommodations: (Tent, Rv and Equestrian sites)

Price: ($10-$30)

Distance from Dallas: (80 Miles)

Lake Mineral Wells is a great place to camp. The camping site has all the basic amenities, including picnic tables, fire rings, showers, and toilets.

There are also playgrounds for children of various ages. You can even rent bicycles or boats to explore the park with your family too!

For those visitors who want to try more challenging activities, Lake Mineral Wells has an excellent 18-hole golf course for you to enjoy. Lake Mineral Wells State Park is a beautiful place to visit and spend the day with your family.

The park offers many amenities that will make your stay pleasant for seasoned campers and beginners alike! There are several pay lakes within the park for those interested in fishing.

#20. Loyd Park

Accommodations: (Cabins, Tents, Yurts, and Lodge)

Price: ($150-$250 for Cabins, Tent Camping Unknown)

Distance from Dallas: (28 miles)

Finally, a place to get away from it all that’s still close to everything! Loyd Park is the perfect spot to camp and enjoys nature.

With plenty of room to spread out, each campsite comes with all the amenities you need for a relaxing getaway. So pack up your tent or RV and come discover what makes Loyd Park special.

And don’t forget the amenities – each campsite comes with its own pavilion, grill, picnic table, and fire ring!

Conclusion

The DFW area is a great place to camp, with plenty of hiking, biking, and swimming options. One of the most popular spots in Dallas-Fort Worth is White Rock Lake Park, an extensive trail system that makes it easy to explore on foot or bike.