The piney woods of East Texas surround tent camping in Ace, Texas, with average summer temperatures often exceeding 90°F and high humidity levels from June through September. Winter brings more moderate conditions with daytime temperatures in the 50s-60s and occasional freezing nights. The terrain consists primarily of gently rolling hills covered in loblolly and shortleaf pine forests that provide natural shade at most tent camping areas.
What to do
Kayaking and fishing: At Huntsville State Park Campground, campers can enjoy water activities on Lake Raven. "We got to use our kayaks, go fishing, swimming, and hike also. It was just gorgeous! We actually had our campsite in a perfect place for we could put our kayaks in and out of the water right behind our tent," notes Melanie C.
Wildlife viewing: The forests around Ace provide excellent opportunities for spotting native species. At Lake Niederhoffer Campsite, one camper reported, "Saw an otter and a little snake. Heard a lot more than that at night, entire forest seemed to be alive, with coyotes howling, something snorting, footsteps all over the place, a donkey making noise."
Trail hiking: Multiple trail systems connect camping areas throughout the region. Bear T. at Lake Niederhoffer mentioned, "The trees were nice to get lost in and the nature sounds at night were pleasant," while hiking the access trails and exploring the surrounding forest.
What campers like
Secluded camping spots: Many tent campers appreciate the privacy available at sites like Bouton Lake Campground, which one reviewer described as a "Nice, small dispersed campground with several picnic tables, with room for more parking w/o tables. On a small pretty pond. Open field, large pines."
Natural water features: Lakes and ponds serve as focal points for many camping areas. At Lake Niederhoffer, Joey G. remarked, "I went out here for the day after seeing the reviews and holy cow what a hidden gem. I went out on a Friday and not a soul it is so quiet all you hear is a plane every once in a while."
Camping diversity: The area offers varying levels of development. At Slay Creek, David S. noted, "It has an initial appearance of being basically a parking lot, but is actually pretty cool if you venture off into the woods a bit more. I followed the road/trail in for a while. Probably a game management route, but there were a number of good spots off on the side where you can set up."
What you should know
Limited facilities: Most primitive tent sites around Ace lack modern amenities. At Slay Creek, Daniel L. mentioned it's a "Primitive hunting camp area" while David T. added, "There are no water or electrical hook-ups, but they do have two port-o-potties."
Access considerations: Some camping areas require short hikes to reach. At Lake Niederhoffer Campsite, Heston T. advised, "Easy hike in, could have used a wagon for extra stuff," while another camper noted the approximately 1.3-mile hike from the parking area to the lake.
Weather preparedness: East Texas weather affects camping comfort significantly. Bear T. reported, "It was pretty hot and humid for most of it. Nights got a little chilly by 4-5 am," emphasizing the need for appropriate clothing and gear for temperature variations.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Lakes provide entertainment for children during hot months. At Huntsville State Park, Joe S. found "excellent facilities, great mountain bike trails, fairly clean bathrooms, good fishing, nice swimming hole," making it suitable for family outings.
Safety considerations: Wildlife awareness is important when tent camping with children. Amy H. at Huntsville State Park advises, "Check yourself for ticks after hiking the trails though. Its a thick forest."
Space requirements: Families need adequate room for setup. At Lake Niederhoffer, Nathan M. found it a "Terrific site to bring a small boyscout or Trail life troop. Fishing in the lake, hiking on Lonestar Trail. Many good locations to pitch a tent."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: For RV camping near Ace, careful site selection is essential. At Huntsville State Park, Steven B. notes, "The site is fairly level side-to-side with 2.75 inches low difference. The site is sloped front-to-back, but even with a long rig you should be fine."
Amenities access: RV campers should verify hookup availability. Adam C. at Huntsville State Park found "Well maintained camping sites with lots of space to each site. Wonderful facilities and activities around the park."
