Lake Lavon and Lewisville Lake serve as the primary water features near Allen, Texas, with camping options clustered around these reservoirs. The region maintains moderate temperatures during spring and fall camping seasons, though summer humidity can reach uncomfortable levels. Most campgrounds in the area sit at elevations between 500-600 feet above sea level, creating minimal terrain challenges for campers seeking pet-friendly accommodations.
What to do
**Lakeside fishing: Access fishing piers at COE Lavon Lake Lavonia where multiple species are available for bank fishing. Some docks require maintenance awareness as noted by one visitor: "The platforms are extremely in disrepair - literally falling into the lake...The ones we saw were actually dangerous."
**Mountain biking trails: Tackle the 9-mile trail system at Erwin Park where purpose-built features enhance the riding experience. A frequent visitor notes: "Great easy spot for day camping or easy car camping with family. Good fire pits and great pavilion at the group site if you can get it. Best mountain bike single tracks around with lots of built features."
**Watercraft activities: Launch boats, kayaks or other watercraft at Willow Grove Park where the lake offers ample room for recreation. The shoreline includes "a little 'beach' for swimming- I would recommend water shoes and floaties" according to a summer visitor.
What campers like
**Spacious campsite layout: At Hickory Creek - Lewisville Lake, campsites provide ample room between neighbors. One camper observed: "A lot of space between sites, well level and paved, family oriented, very quite, beautiful lake and tree sites, lighted power supply post with all the amps available. Fire pits, bbq, picnic tables and some with gazebo."
**Primitive camping options: Access walk-in sites at Ray Roberts Lake State Park for a more secluded experience. A camper describes the options: "The primitive sites in the Hawthorne campgrounds are spaced a good distance apart and really give you a feel of isolation. Sites on the perimeter all have lake access where you can pull a boat up."
**Established facilities: Utilize clean bathrooms and shower facilities that remain well-maintained even during busy periods. At Willow Grove Park, a visitor noted: "The bathrooms and showers work, and are clean (other than the bugs obviously). There is a park with slides and swings."
What you should know
**Grass maintenance issues: Prepare for potentially overgrown sites at East Fork Park Campground where multiple visitors report problems. One camper stated: "Great campground, electric and water. Only issue is the grass is always one high so bring a weed whip. We have family in the area, so we visit regularly and every time we stay here the grass is ridiculous."
**Road conditions: Budget extra time for arrival at some lakeside campgrounds where infrastructure needs improvement. According to a visitor at East Fork Park: "View was great and camp hosts were very friendly but the roads are horrible! The sites weren't bad and ours was pretty level."
**Site levelness: Bring leveling blocks for RVs as many sites throughout the region have uneven surfaces. A camper at Willow Grove Park observed: "Water and electric, no sewer. Dirt sites with a small amount of pea gravel. Road into park is a narrow residential street. Entry gate is narrow."
Tips for camping with families
**Playground access: Choose campsites near recreational facilities for easier child entertainment. At Ray Roberts Lake State Park, "There are several playground areas central to the various campgrounds with easy access for your family. Showers and restrooms are close by the playgrounds as well."
**Wildlife viewing opportunities: Plan early morning or evening walks to spot local deer populations at several parks. One camper at Shady Creek RV Park and Storage noted the easy access to nearby attractions: "You're right next to Frisco, Prosper, Little Elm, Savannah, and Denton."
**Bathroom considerations: Select sites with proximity to restroom facilities for families with young children. At Hickory Creek - Lewisville Lake, "Bathrooms and showers were clean and functioning. There's a bike/walking path that goes around and through the park and a beach."
Tips for RVers
**Hookup availability: Verify specific hookup types before booking as variations exist between parks. Hickory Creek offers water and electric with a camper noting: "The electric was recently upgraded after the flooding this year. So there's 50 amp available now too."
**Turning radius requirements: Plan your approach carefully at Willow Grove Park where "Road into park is a narrow residential street. Entry gate is narrow. Single loop road allows for fairly easy backing into sites."
**Pad composition: Prepare for various parking surface types across Allen-area campgrounds. One long-term visitor at Lafon's RV Park observed: "We needed to do some repairs to our truck after a hell storm...we need to be around the Dallas, Garland, McKinney area, and this is a perfect location, quiet, but yet close to everything we needed."
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