Best Campgrounds near Alto, TX

Dispersed camping near Alto, Texas ranges from primitive forest sites to full-hookup RV parks in the East Texas Piney Woods region. The Neches Bluff Overlook Campground in Davy Crockett National Forest offers free, primitive sites with fire rings and toilet facilities while lacking water or electrical hookups. Mission Tejas State Park provides developed sites with electrical hookups, showers, and sewer connections approximately 15 miles northwest of Alto. Additional camping options include Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area with its shoreline tent sites and RV accommodations featuring water, electric, and sanitary facilities.

East Texas weather patterns significantly affect camping conditions, with humid summers and mild winters typical for the region. Many campsites feature level tent pads and picnic tables, though amenities vary widely between established campgrounds and primitive areas. A visitor commented, "The forest service road to get to the campground is pretty level and appears you could get an RV or pull behind through it. Plenty of turn around space at multiple sites." Cell service can be limited in more remote camping areas, particularly within the national forest boundaries. During summer months, high humidity and temperatures make waterfront camping locations more desirable, while spring and fall offer more comfortable conditions throughout the region.

The tall pine forests create distinctive camping environments characteristic of East Texas. Campers report particular satisfaction with shoreline sites at Ratcliff Lake, where fishing and water access add recreational value. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "East Texas weather is so unpredictable. When we arrived at camp it was nice and sunny, so my friend and I decided to walk our dogs. On our walk we got caught in the middle of a down pour!" Wildlife viewing opportunities abound throughout the region's campgrounds, with hiking trails connecting many camping areas to scenic overlooks and historic sites. Several campgrounds feature historic structures and interpretive displays highlighting the region's rich cultural heritage, including Mission Tejas State Park with its reconstructed mission and access to the El Camino Real historic trail.

Best Camping Sites Near Alto, Texas (72)

    1. Neches Bluff Overlook Campground

    18 Reviews
    Alto, TX
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (936) 655-2299

    "The forest service road to get to the campground is pretty level and appears you could get an rv or pull behind through it. Plenty of turn around space at multiple sites."

    "We took our kids and set up camp in a spot tucked away from the main dirt road. The camp site was serene and there was a hiking trail nearby. We car camped with two toddlers and they had a blast."

    2. Mission Tejas State Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Alto, TX
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (936) 687-2394

    $10 - $20 / night

    "Sites A and B are next to the day usage areas of the park, and are separated from the RV accessible areas."

    "The camping sites are all situated in the woods scattered among the hills above the Neches River Valley."

    3. Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area

    20 Reviews
    Kennard, TX
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (936) 655-2299

    $15 - $35 / night

    "Very well-maintained National Forest site just off Texas Highway 7 in the middle of the Davey Crockett National Forest. "

    "East Texas weather is so unpredictable. When we arrived at camp it was nice and sunny, so my friend and I decided to walk our dogs. On our walk we got caught in the middle of a down pour!"

    4. Rusk KOA

    4 Reviews
    Rusk, TX
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (903) 683-6641

    "This KOA is a very quiet location. Very beautiful area. Close to town. Friendly staff. Saltwater swimming pool."

    "This campground really has no outside noise from anywhere. It is wonderfully quiet. The office and other working staff are very friendly and informative about things to do in the area."

    5. Rusk Depot Campground

    4 Reviews
    Rusk, TX
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (855) 632-7729

    "The texas state RR train engine car came through one time in the afternoon to turn around to pull the train back to palestine...that's pretty unique and a cool thing at a campsite IMO."

    6. Rusk - Palestine Park

    2 Reviews
    Rusk, TX
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (903) 683-5126

    $25 - $39 / night

    "Play ground small fishing lake. We stayed here so we could take the grandchildren to the Polar Express train ride."

    7. Davy Crockett National Forest Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area

    3 Reviews
    Kennard, TX
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (936) 655-2299

    "Such a peaceful and beautiful area in the Piney Woods of East Texas. I wish we'd had more than 2 days here to explore."

    "Entertains many hike trails. One even for handicap person to follow thru. Good for horses or bikes. You can go for miles even to a dispersed camping lookout point."

    8. 566 Piney Creek Horse Camp

    4 Reviews
    Kennard, TX
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (936) 655-2299

    "Great, well marked Trail system. Be careful during hunting season!"

    9. Alazan Bayou

    1 Review
    Nacogdoches, TX
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (936) 569-8547

    $12 - $42 / night

    "You need a Texas parks Limited use permit. It costs as little as $12 a year. If you want to fish or hunt the price goes up a little."

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Recent Reviews near Alto, TX

139 Reviews of 72 Alto Campgrounds


  • Alana B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 8, 2025

    Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area

    Magical

    Beautiful little gem. The upkeep is outstanding, you can tell it’s really looked after. The camp sites are close to each other but since it wasn’t busy it felt like we had our own private area. There is a small swim area that you should utilize because there are alligators in the lake so it’s not safe to swim by the campground. The rangers drive around a few times a day. We didn’t do the trail this time around but will try it out next time. It’s great for big groups because of all the space. They have bathrooms with a shower and plenty of toilet paper in case you forget to bring your own. It gets pretty dark at night because there are no lights except what you pack with you. There is also a water spigot and a fire pit.

  • P
    Jun. 1, 2025

    Rosie Jones Park

    Rosie Jones Park

    It was nice and clean they had mowed. Quiet nites overlooking the lake there is no electricity other than few street lights or water. It does have a camp permit now $6 a day. Road is rough going in. More of Boondocking adventures except has tables scattered.

  • Heather S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 27, 2025

    Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area

    Convenient. Clean enough. But underwhelmed.

    We came to tent camp and wanted to be on a lake shoreline. We stayed at #11 on Lakeside Loop.

    The positive:

    • The tent pad was nice and level and the site was very roomy (we had a tent & canopy) with tons more room to stretch out.

    • We were about 200 yards from the bathroom facilities and about 30 feet from potable water for washing up.

    • The traffic was minimal because it’s off the main road, and would have been peaceful if the group of campers at #9 had been courteous and acknowledged quiet hours.

    • We had incredible weather with a wonderful steady breeze.

    Negatives:

    • We did have a lake view, but the shoreline is so incredibly overgrown making it difficult to fish. Lots of rotted wood and brush blocks a great deal of the view and access.

    • The burn circle had a grate welded at an angle to the top, so it couldn’t really be used for building up a big fire or cooking.

    • No one drove around/checked to make sure visitors are keeping to the quiet hours, which meant we were kept awake until about 12:30 am from yelling and loud music.

    • The restrooms, while near, had not been cleaned before we arrived—toilet paper on the floors and in the shower area with lots of dead june bugs and spiders on the floor the whole weekend.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 25, 2025

    Neches Bluff Overlook Campground

    Very nice

    Great view. Just a handful of spots but it was us and one other vehicle. The road up is a little rough. It’s had some washout and needs fixing but keep it slow and drive around the wash out

  • Jim P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 17, 2025

    Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area

    Very peaceful park

    Great camping area, sites are a little unlevel, but not too bad. Water is a little bit of a stretch, may need to make sure you have plenty of hose.

    Remnants of old sawmill is really cool, lots of wildlife and well maintained and marked trails to explore.

    Good fishing, and swim area is very refreshing as well!

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 6, 2025

    Neches Bluff Overlook Campground

    Simple and secluded

    I’ve been to this campground a few times now during different seasons. It can get a little rowdy and also overgrown in the spring and summer….but it is perfect during a mild winter day. Come during a weekday and you’ll almost surely have the whole place to yourself !

  • Dan G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 21, 2025

    KE Bushman's Camp

    Terrible

    Drove 1hr out of way tried calling but no answer. Got to park and doors locked, not open, gated, (it is privately owned to be fair). Tried calling from parking lot, voicemail this time, left message and waiting a bit with no response. Had to keep moving as it was almost 5pm and had no idea where to go. Cracker Barrel, yeah!


Guide to Alto

Dispersed camping options near Alto, Texas include primitive sites in national forest lands and developed campgrounds with various amenities. The region sits within the East Texas Piney Woods at approximately 400 feet elevation with clay-heavy soils that affect drainage during wet periods. Forest service roads throughout Davy Crockett National Forest provide access to many secluded camping areas not connected to the main recreation sites.

What to do

Hiking forest trails: Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area offers multiple hiking paths through pine forests with varying difficulty levels. A camper noted, "They have really clean it up over the years. Even thin out more by the swimming area and boat ramps." The recreation area includes remnants of an old sawmill that can be explored.

Wildlife photography: The pine forests around Alto support diverse wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the year. At Neches Bluff Overlook Campground, a visitor shared, "Great view in mornings and nights 10/10," making it ideal for dawn and dusk wildlife spotting when animals are most active.

Historical exploration: Visit reconstructed structures that showcase regional history. According to a camper at Mission Tejas State Park Campground, "More than meets the eye here. Texas was founded on this spot and the Caddo natives lived in the area. They are putting in a bigger interpretive center soon to commemorate the importance of this region."

What campers like

Off-season solitude: Winter camping offers quieter experiences in normally busy areas. A reviewer at Neches Bluff Campground explained, "I've been to this campground a few times now during different seasons. It can get a little rowdy and also overgrown in the spring and summer...but it is perfect during a mild winter day. Come during a weekday and you'll almost surely have the whole place to yourself!"

Natural water features: Davy Crockett National Forest Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area provides lake access for fishing and paddling. One visitor commented, "Such a peaceful and beautiful area in the Piney Woods of East Texas. We fished off of one of the docks in the evening and caught a little few perch. Would have loved to be out on a kayak at sunset on that little lake."

Natural spring water: Some areas offer natural water sources. A camper at Neches Bluff Campground discovered, "There is a creek nearby that we hiked up and down, even found what appeared to be a natural spring feeding the creek. We used the creek as our water supply, and the water was delicious."

What you should know

Limited phone service: Cell coverage is inconsistent throughout the Alto area camping locations. Many sites in the national forest have minimal to no signal, requiring advance planning for navigation and emergencies.

Campsite selection timing: Popular sites fill quickly during peak seasons. One visitor at Neches Bluff advised, "I'd suggest getting here with some daylight to find a site if coming on a weekend."

Firewood availability: Some campgrounds provide firewood while others require you bring your own. A Neches Bluff camper suggested, "I would suggest getting firewood in Alto (15 minutes away) at Custom Cut Lumber. You can get pine firewood at 20 bucks a pickup load. It's self load but a really great deal."

Permit requirements: Certain areas require permits for camping. At Alazan Bayou, a camper explained, "You need a Texas parks Limited use permit. It costs as little as $12 a year. If you want to fish or hunt the price goes up a little. Can be used to stay at any National Forest or Wild Management area."

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly activities: Rusk KOA offers numerous amenities specifically for children. A parent shared, "Super nice staff and full Saturday breakfast. Pool, jump pad, playground, trike rentals, Rock/gem mining slough, movies/events, etc. Sites are level pull-through sites and most have a clear view of the playground, which gives the kids a sense of freedom."

Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer designated swimming areas that provide safer water recreation than open lake access. A visitor at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area mentioned, "There is a small swim area that you should utilize because there are alligators in the lake so it's not safe to swim by the campground."

Trail difficulty assessment: Before hiking with children, verify trail conditions. At Mission Tejas State Park, a visitor reported, "Most trails I went on were hilly and I wasn't expecting that! Restrooms looked brand new! Don't expect to have signal in or 20 min outside the park area so prepare for that."

Tips from RVers

Site leveling challenges: Many campsites in the Alto area require leveling equipment. A camper at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area noted, "Sites are a little unlevel, but not too bad. Water is a little bit of a stretch, may need to make sure you have plenty of hose."

Access road conditions: Forest service roads vary in quality. For Neches Bluff Campground, a visitor reported, "The forest service road to get to the campground is pretty level and appears you could get an RV or pull behind through it. Plenty of turn around space at multiple sites."

Hookup availability: Full-service sites are limited to specific campgrounds. At Mission Tejas State Park, a reviewer observed, "For Tents, the pad sizes vary so be sure to check your tent dimensions. We saw a few sites our 4 person tent wouldn't have fit onto."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Alto, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, Alto, TX offers a wide range of camping options, with 72 campgrounds and RV parks near Alto, TX and 4 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Alto, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Alto, TX is Neches Bluff Overlook Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 18 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Alto, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Alto, TX.