The Best Camping Near Dallas, Texas

Dallas, Texas is often a hot spot (literally) during the summer months, making camping in July and August sometimes unbearable. Fortunately, fall and spring provide much more pleasant temperatures to pitch your tent and experience all that the city has to offer.

Fall brings cooler and comfortable evenings making it perfect for stargazing around a campfire, as you tell tales or just listen to nature. Springtime can provide blooming wildflowers with rolling hills of green grass as far as the eye can see. Test your luck for some wild turkey sightings too! Additionally, there’s sure to be slightly fewer people camping when compared to peak months.

Camping near Dallas presents the perfect opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy the native Texas landscape. Check out some of these great Texas state parks and areas to get your fill of nature.

Cedar Hill State Park

Just under a half-hour drive from Dallas, Cedar Hill State Park is the perfect spot to take in some fresh air and participate in outdoor activities.

From biking and hiking trails that wind through nearly 2,000 acres of grasslands and woody hills, to Joe Pool Lake that’s open for boating, swimming, and fishing, the possibilities for outdoor adventure are endless at this state park. Did we mention that bird-watching is a popular pastime here?

And that’s not even counting all the great picnicking spots so you can set up a feast for all your friends and family! Plus, it’s never very crowded so it makes for a great place to get away from it all without having to travel too far.

Whether you’re looking for a day of leisure at Joe Pool Lake or an opportunity to break a sweat, Cedar Hill State Park has got you covered!

Willow Grove Park

Willow Grove Park near Dallas is one of the perfect state parks for a weekend getaway. The park offers RV sites and primitive campsites.

Pack some snacks and head over to explore the trails, take a refreshing dip in Lewisville Lake, or enjoy an old-fashioned picnic with family and friends.

Ray Roberts Lake State Park

With plenty of hiking and mountain biking trails to explore, as well as campgrounds and boat ramps all around the lake, you’ll never be bored at Ray Roberts Lake State Park.

Ray Roberts Lake offers 29,000 acres of open water, making it perfect for those who are looking for water activities to enjoy. It also feels very “beachy,” so you can settle on the sand and enjoy those vibes on the shores.

Plus, if you want to take a break from the activities, there are plenty of areas designated for wildlife watching and bird-watching too!

Lake Tawakoni State Park

Whether you want to fish for bass and crappie, ride your mountain bike around the trails, bird watch for some truly amazing avian species, or take a peaceful kayak trip on the lake under the stars, there’s something at Lake Tawakoni State Park for everyone.

Campers can access sites with full water and electric hookups or sites with water and electricity. A primitive campsite is also available.

Eisenhower State Park

Step back in time as you explore this state park off the shores of Lake Texoma, filled with four miles of trails perfect for hiking and biking.

Fishing is a popular activity off not just one fishing pier, but two! If the fishing pier is not from you, you can also cast a line from the Lake Texoma shoreline, and visitors can rent fishing gear and use the fish cleaning station.

Plus, with boat rentals available and plenty of campsites featuring modern amenities, Eisenhower State Park is truly your perfect weekend getaway!

Dinosaur Valley State Park

If you’re looking for something different to do near Dallas and adore dinosaurs, Dinosaur Valley State Park is the place for you! Spend the day hiking along the Paluxy Riverbed and try to spot some of their famous dinosaur tracks, which are said to date back over 100 million years.

Have lunch at the picnic tables and watch for wildlife, or go rafting down a lazy river where you can take in views of spectacular sandstone bluffs. You can even go horseback riding to explore the 100-acre area and search for footprints.

Finally, don’t forget to make some time for fishing; bring the whole family out at see who can catch the biggest fish!

Lake Mineral Wells State Park

There are so many activities to enjoy at Lake Mineral Wells State Park, from walking and hiking along one of its trails, to camping and fishing in its picturesque lake. You can also take a boat ride or rent a paddleboard to explore the lake.

For those looking for something more challenging, there is rock climbing available too. But if you just want to relax, no pressure – you can simply sit back and admire the stunning natural beauty of this park.

Possum Kingdom State Park

Possum Kingdom State Park near Dallas, Texas, is the perfect place to let your adventurous side play!

Imagine yourself out on the lake in a canoe, surrounded by natural beauty. You can also go underwater on a scuba diving or snorkeling adventure at this state park.

If that’s not your speed, how about setting up camp and watching the stars come out? Or if you’re up for something more active, explore miles of hiking trails throughout the park and take in some of the amazing views. Nature also brings plenty of fun activities like bird watching and fishing.

At this state park, you’ll get water and electricity sites, water-only sites, or primitive sites.

Cleburne State Park

Cleburne State Park is the ideal place for a day filled with activities near Dallas and other nearby cities like Fort Worth. There are tons of outdoor adventures to keep everyone busy such as fishing, kayaking, and swimming in the lake.

For more of a challenge, hike up the trails or go mountain biking. Whether it’s adventure, relaxation or some friendly competition you’re after, there’s something for everyone at Cleburne State Park!

Colorado Bend State Park

Just over three hours from Dallas, Colorado Bend State Park is a fantastic place to explore and adventure. With over 5,000 acres of hills, streams, canyons, and limestone bluffs to explore, there’s plenty to see and do here.

Hiking is one of the park’s most popular activities—from easy peasy trails near the Colorado River to more remote trekking that rewards travelers with stunning views. Fishing and kayaking are also great ways to discover the beauty of this diverse landscape.

Oh, and if bird watching is your jam, prepare for some serious twitching! Kingfishers, bald eagles, sandhill cranes—you name it, they’re out there ready to show their feathers. Whatever you do while visiting Colorado Bend State Park is sure to make beautiful memories that will last a lifetime.

Campers can access drive-up sites, walk-in tent sites or hike-in primitive campsites.

The Vineyards Campground & Cabins on Grapevine Lake

The Vineyards Campground & Cabins on Grapevine Lake near Dallas offer truly unique and memorable experiences.

With RV hookups, tent camping, and quaint cabins, there’s something perfect for any kind of traveler. Enjoy boating, fishing, biking, wildlife viewing, and peaceful walks along the shoreline. Or for a more rustic experience, venture out into the fields to discover wildflowers in bloom.

Of course, no trip is complete without sampling some of the best wine grapes straight from the vineyard! That way you can truly have it all, located conveniently close to Dallas at the campground, but a thousand miles away from reality.

Whether you’re a seasoned camper or you’re heading out on your first-ever camping trip, planning ahead is essential! Traveling to Dallas for your camping trip means packing items that are up to the task in hot summer months.

Rolling up your jeans and swaying in the breeze won’t cut it if the temperatures dip at night, so be sure to include some warm layers in addition to your favorite shorts and tees.

Protect yourself from Mother Nature with a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, a good pair of hiking boots, and of course, insect repellent!

Don’t forget to slide a reusable water bottle into your bag—hydration is key as you explore all that new terrain.

On top of all that, think snacks (no adventure is complete without them!), any necessary medications, phone chargers and tech accessories, toiletries…you name it.

With just a few items ticked off this list you’ll be ready to embark on an epic journey through Dallas’s best campgrounds.

Camping near Dallas should be an exciting and unforgettable adventure, but it’s important to know the things you should avoid in order to make the most of your time spent out there.

Forgetting to Check the Weather

One of the worst things you can do, for example, is to forget to research the seasonal temperature variations. An unplanned trip on a cold winter night may not turn out to be as enjoyable as a summer weekend getaway.

Not Packing Efficiently

Another poor choice while camping near Dallas is overloading yourself with supplies. Not only will this add unnecessary weight to your hike or drive, but it also takes away from making full use of natural resources in the area.

Check for Wildlife

Although it’s fun to observe animals from afar, it is important to keep a safe distance as they can be unpredictable.

Again, Remember the Heat

Finally, an often overlooked mistake is trying to “tough it out” when sitting around a campfire. The Texas heat can reach unbearable levels, even during cooler months and dressing accordingly prior to sitting outside goes a long way towards maximum comfort!

If you’re looking to experience Texas culture at its finest, there’s no better place than Dallas to bookend your camping trip. With so much to experience, it can be hard to narrow down just a few of the best things to do in the city, but here are a few of the top contenders.

The Katy Trail

Stretching 3.5 miles through Uptown Dallas, the trail offers up some of the best views in town as well as a perfect opportunity for picnic-goers and joggers alike.

It was originally built in a former Misssouri, Kansas, and Texas (“Katy”) Railroad corridor that was provided by Union Pacific. This popular trail is usually teeming with runners, walkers, cyclists, rollerbladers, you name it.

Corky’s Gaming Bistro

Corky’s Gaming Bistro is an epic spot where thrill-seekers can try their hand at virtual escape rooms—with themes spanning horror, action, and mystery—as well as get their axe-throwing fix.

Klyde Warren Park

Klyde Warren Park is an outdoor oasis sprawled out over 5.5 acres right in downtown Dallas, great for relaxing and breathing a little fresh air away from the hustle and bustle. Its sustainable landscaping includes has transformed a former freeway into a stunning urban oasis with plants and trees.

Going camping near Dallas is an absolute blast. Not only do you get to experience the natural beauty that Texas has to offer, but there are plenty of great activities and attractions around the area as well. Whether you want to visit museums and art galleries, explore the diverse landscape, or just relax in nature, you can find something fun to do whenever you go camping in Dallas. Plus, with stellar starry skies and some of the best barbecue in the region nearby, you’re sure to have a break filled with incredible memories. So pack your tent and get ready for an adventure like no other—because camping near Dallas will always be an awesome experience!