Camping recommendations in Texas

[Texasmommy]

We just purchased our new 2015 Sport 22fb and are hoping to take a couple of quick weekend camping trips before it gets too cold. We'd like to stay in the north Texas area for the weekend trips. We prefer camping near lakes and areas with a lot of trees. We would also like some privacy, not an RV park. Any suggestions?

[Protagonist]

Eisenhower State Park, Denton, TX is the only one I've stayed at in that area. Right on Lake Texoma. The hiking trail partly goes along the edge of a cliff with a gorgeous view of the lake. I stayed there a week because I couldn't take any more time than that off from work.

[jrudd1968]

The state park system in Texas has everthing you want! Try it out!

[terryV]

There are great places all over Texas, it's a whole 'nother country.

You can take the girl out of Texas, but you can never take Texas out of the girl.
(My lovely bride, Joyce says that)

[Rjpuckett]

Inks lake state park.

[extiger]

May be a little south of what you are looking for, but Ft. Parker State Park may meet your specifications. It is about 50 miles east of Waco. One of my favorite places to camp. If you go, refresh your Texas history by doing a little research on Cynthia Ann Parker and then visit Ft. Parker that is down the road from the State Park.

[Rjpuckett]

Ft Parker if you are into seeing stars. Think McDonald observatory.


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[mimiandrews]

I'll second the recommendation for Inks Lake State Park, but it's not exactly in North Texas. Check out the Texas Parks & Wildlife website--all the parks have webpages there, and that's where you make reservations. Weekends in the state parks are quite popular.

Texas Parks & Wildlife Department

[To Gulls]

Palo Duro Canyon just outside Amarillo! GORGEOUS! Was just there 2 weeks ago! Known as the Grand Canyon of Texas and rightfully so!!!

[2Tex4Fun]

Totally agree about Palo Duro Canyon--great views and hiking. We also recently camped at Ft. Richardson near Jacksboro--some history and pretty nature trail for hiking-try for sites 13-23.

The Texas State Parks offer wonderful campgrounds. Also, check out some of the COE Parks.
Victoria

[Texasmommy]

Thanks for all of the great suggestions! I had looked at many of the state park websites but they aren't always as they seem online. I appreciate the recommendations and can't wait to check them all out! Still trying to decide where we will take the new AS for its maiden voyage. I'm interested in hearing more about any of the COE campgrounds in TX. We've had great experiences at the COE sites in other states.

[2Tex4Fun]

You might also want to check out the Heart of Texas Camping Unit--an Airstream group in your area. The group usually has a campout every month--mostly at state or local city parks. Contact Lance for more info.

Lance.mcewan@icloud.com

Victoria

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Texasmommy

I'm interested in hearing more about any of the COE campgrounds in TX. We've had great experiences at the COE sites in other states.

The only CoE park I've stayed at is Mill Creek Park on Sam Rayburn Lake, in the eastern part of the state. I attended an AirForums rally there. I've stayed at about a dozen CoE parks in other states, though, and haven't found a bad one yet.

[HAschner]

These are all Texas state parks:
If you are looking for N. Texas and trees: Can't beat Daingerfield. Tyler is beautiful also, but can fill up. If you are going mid-week you should be able to get a spot in the Lakeview campground.
When you are ready to expand your horizons westward Palo Duro and the equally beautiful Caprock Canyons parks are not to be missed. (do these BOTH in the same trip, they are close together and both are spectacular)
Ft. Davis in SW Texas is very nice also.
I could make a long list, but these are a good start.

[frechettec]

I second the Palo Duro Canyon. We had a breakdown in Amarillo and spent a few days down in the canyon. Nice warm place to be in the winter, especially if you're from Maine like us.

[Rjpuckett]

Buy the Texas parks pass. You will save money.

[Lumatic]

Another vote for Palo Duro. There is an off road outfitter just out side the park that will take you down into undeveloped areas of the canyon I would recommend,

[Goal15]

We can highly recommend Cooper Lake State Park just north of Sulphur Springs. While the lake, Jim Chapman, is low like many North Texas lakes... the rest of the park continues to be a great weekend getaway and it's only a little over an hour from Dallas.

We are headed over there on the 14th for a couple of days and would love to see another AS pull in for some great fall camping

Edit: Just googled where you are and it looks like it might be a bit more of a drive to get over there... so alternately I can recommend Mineral Wells State Park. When my parents were full timers it was one of their favorite Texas state parks, and our son just camped over there three weeks ago and thoroughly enjoyed it as well.



Dana

[Goal15]

Lake Ray Roberts State Park is about an hour east of you just north of Denton. It gets some mixed reviews on campground review sites but I think most of those are from folks who thing rules on alcohol and noise are for everyone except them. I asked one of the local AS folks up there about it and he said he had never heard of any problems there...

[Someday'59]

We stayed at Tyler State Park a few years ago. We loved the SHADE there.