Tent camping sites near Addison, Texas sit within the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex at approximately 640 feet elevation. The subtropical climate features hot summers with temperatures often exceeding 95°F and mild winters, with freezing temperatures possible from December through February. Most camping areas within 30 miles of Addison require advance planning during spring and fall weekends when demand peaks.
What to do
Mountain biking opportunities: Erwin Park in McKinney maintains approximately 9 miles of trails maintained by DORBA (Dallas Off-Road Bicycle Association). As reviewer James notes, "The trail network is about 9 miles and maintained by DORBA, these trails flood easily after rain so check the DORBA website before making the trip. The trails are straight forward and not super technical."
Water activities: Sycamore Bend Park provides direct lake access for paddling. A camper reported, "Really nice park right on the lake... Great for hammocking, kayaking, paddle boarding etc." The park includes a boat launch and pier for tying off watercraft.
Equestrian access: While not a camping destination itself, Brockdale Park offers large equestrian trails for day use. A local visitor explains, "Equestrian trail and boat launch. This is big parking lot for a boat launch on Lake Lavon and a large Equestrian trail."
What campers like
Budget-friendly options: Little Elm Park offers electric hookups for tent campers at affordable rates. One visitor notes, "Electric hookups for RV generally a small area first come first serve.... 5 dollars per tent....restrooms and park lights.... stores nearby..... no showers."
Quick getaways from urban areas: Erwin Park provides a woodland escape despite proximity to McKinney. A camper shares, "The only sound other than bird song is the occasional moo and some coyote yips in the distance." Another mentions, "What a great getaway that feels like you're far from home but only a few min away for us. When you want a spur of the moment trip it's a great place to go."
Wildlife viewing: Multiple parks offer opportunities to spot local fauna. At Sycamore Bend Park, visitors report seeing "a lot of wildlife from water fowl, deer and woodpeckers" along the hiking trails. For more remote wildlife opportunities, Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland provides dispersed camping with minimal development.
What you should know
Bathroom conditions vary significantly: Facilities at the best tent camping near Addison, Texas range from well-maintained to problematic. At Collin Park, a visitor reported, "Bathrooms were centrally located but the women's restroom was flooded with an unknown liquid... one of the toilets was badly clogged." At Erwin Park, another camper warns about "no doors at all" on bathroom facilities.
Reservation and access requirements: Meadowmere Park & Campground has specific entry restrictions. A camper explains, "Closes to public after 530 and management made it easy for us to enter the gate upon our late arrival." Always call ahead to confirm current policies.
Site limitations: Several campgrounds have constraints on vehicle access. At Sycamore Bend Park, sites require "a short walk from where you park" making rooftop tents unusable. Collin Park has lost some sites due to erosion, with a visitor noting "Only a few tent areas left since erosion has left several falling into the lake."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks feature dedicated play areas. Northside RV Resort includes "a pond with a fountain and a HUGE fireplace (not fire pit) for relaxing" along with a small playground for children. Sycamore Bend Park offers "a good pavilion with a basketball hoop and good playground equipment."
Site selection strategy: For weekend camping with children, arrive early. One Sycamore Bend camper noted arriving "on a Saturday around noon" and taking what "seemed to be the last spot." Sites at Erwin Park are described as "far enough apart that you have privacy yet close enough that you don't feel alone."
Weather considerations: The Addison area experiences rapid weather changes, particularly during spring and fall. At Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland, a visitor observed, "you could tell there'd been recent rain but the wet areas were easily avoided." Have backup plans for rainy days, as trails and primitive areas can quickly become impassable.
Tips from RVers
Site conditions: Collin Park offers tent camping with "plenty of tree coverage, and each area has a picnic table, grill, and fire pit" for $25 per night. RV facilities are limited in most parks within 30 minutes of Addison.
Access restrictions: Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland offers dispersed camping but requires proper vehicles. A visitor cautions, "I would NOT recommend taking any kind of trailer or motorhome down these roads and to this spot." They specifically mention driving "a Toyota 4Runner and a small utility trailer with a roof top tent" and finding the roads challenging.
