101 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Texan RV Park, located directly in Athens, accommodates pets with spacious sites and minimal restrictions. The park maintains 70 full-hookup sites with electricity, water, and sewer connections for RV campers traveling with dogs. Lake Athens Marina and RV Park enforces standard pet policies while offering waterfront camping options where dogs can enjoy lakeside walks. Sites at both locations include picnic tables and gravel pads, with Lake Athens featuring a large field where many campers safely let their dogs off-leash during extended stays. Bathhouse facilities remain clean and well-maintained for campers and their pets throughout the year.
Shiloh on the Lake provides shaded campsites under a canopy of trees where pets can escape the Texas heat while camping. The campground features designated swimming areas where supervised dogs can cool off during summer months. Purtis Creek State Park Campground, approximately 20 minutes from Athens, offers more natural surroundings with hiking trails accessible to leashed pets. Both locations accommodate tent and RV camping with pets, though sites at Purtis Creek have narrower, less level pads that may challenge larger rigs. Wildlife encounters require pets remain supervised, especially during early morning and evening hours when local fauna is most active. The proximity to water at these campgrounds provides excellent opportunities for dogs who enjoy swimming, with hard sand bottoms at designated beach areas.
"Have been camping and fishing here, never had any fishing luck though, it is a pretty nice place that I think is a good representation of East Texas. Definitely worth a try!"
"Campground Review Purtis Creek](https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/purtis-creek) is a short hour and a half drive east of the DFW metroplex. It’s easy to get to and popular with the locals."
from $10 - $20 / night
Check Availability"Activities nearly everyday. Everyone that stays here is attending a class, so everyone visits with each other. I really really like it here."
from $47 - $67 / night
Check Availability"So we chose Lake Athens, and what a treat! Location is wonderful. Right on a huge, nice lake. Very safe. Large field where we let our dogs off leash. Walking distance to the fishery."
"Great and beautiful RV park located right on Lake Athens. Very helpful office staff. I don’t have anything negative to say. All the amenities you may need are available."
from $45 - $55 / night
Check Availability"Two restaurants within walking distance. Shaved ice within walking distance. Kayaks available. There’s a nice designated swimming area in the lake, and a fishing pier."
"We had one camper behind us and they were super quiet. Super nice. Laundry at the office for reasonable price to use the washers and dryers."
from $55 - $999 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $15 - $74 / night
Check Availability"He was very unenthusiastic about camping in Texas. Well Tyler State Park made him change his mind! He LOVED the large trees, said it was the closest he'd felt to home in quite some time."
"This is my favorite state park in Texas! Lots of options for all kinds of campers."
from $18 - $60 / night
Check Availability"They have a camp store and a laundry mat and a couple of small hiking trails. There are several other amenities coming. The only con is they will move you."
from $55 - $58 / night
Check Availability"Came here because I am going to the Tech Acabemy down the road in Athens."
"Give this place a try if you’re nearby."
from $39 - $225 / night
Check Availability"Fur baby friendly and jus keep dog on leash and pick up after your fur baby the smells of the fire area in the park is outstanding. The park Hosts.. tammy and Jeff outstanding as well. "
"It’s easy to miss as the entrance is not marked for the best."
from $50 - $55 / night
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ScoutCame here because I am going to the Tech Acabemy down the road in Athens. I love the amenities here (pool, Pavillion, gas grilles, dog park and wash, pond, pickleball, other games walking trail, etc.). There are some really friendly people here. You should check it out.
GuideThis park is in a perfect spot on the outskirts of town. It’s really quiet, has a pond, dog park, walking trail and the road to town is beautiful. It’s only about 5 to 10 minutes from a fairly new shopping center and restaurants. Has a laundry facility on site. Everything is super clean. Anthony is great to work with and is very helpful. Neighbors are friendly and courteous. Wish we could stay longer.
GuideI should mention that my husband is from Canada. He was very unenthusiastic about camping in Texas. Well Tyler State Park made him change his mind! He LOVED the large trees, said it was the closest he'd felt to home in quite some time. We love the variety of types of sites they offer. Lake front, group, hike in, cabin, they have something for everyone! Only downfall is they book so quickly.
ScoutStayed here 5 nights waiting for our property to be ready. Called into the office like we have every morning and was told"sorry you have to leave we reserved your spot." ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!!!! Who does this??? No notice, didn't say anything all week. But sure took our money! Poop all over the grass. The dog park is nasty! They give you all the rules, very strick. LOUD, the highway is right here. Unprofessional!!!!! Never again!!!!!
ScoutThis is my favorite state park in Texas! Lots of options for all kinds of campers. For camping, lots of different sites available for RVs/Campers, Tents, etc. some along the lake, some in the woods, and also cabins and shelters available! Hiking options vary from a nature stroll, to some more serious up-downs through the hills on the outskirts of the campground. Bring your friends, family, and pets, there is truly something for everyone here, even kayak and canoe rentals at the lake!
GuideWe spent an entire month, as we typically do, in Bluebonnet Ridge RV Park in Terrell, Texas. There is a lot to really like about this campground. We would definitely stay here again.
Pros:
The park was clearly being maintained
The basketball /tennis courts had just been resurfaced
Anytime someone left, or a spot was empty, new gravel was being dumped and leveled
Even though closed for Covid, the pool was cleaned daily.
There's a small dog park area.
Doggie bags were provided in multiple places, and ample trash cans in which to drop them.
Sufficient WiFi repeaters throughout the CG
The grass is kept mowed down, good to avoid those Texas stickers getting in your shoelaces.
All but one staff member was really friendly.
Package receiving was well handled and painless.
Each visitor, even short term like us, gets a mailbox. You can go in 24/7 and check it.
There's a "swap area" where people leave magazines, etc. (Near the mailboxes.)
There's a nice little pond you can fish in, catch-and-release only, no license required.
LOTS of room to walk the dog!
There's ample overflow parking and trailer storage space so you don't have to crowd your campsite.
Laundry facility on site, we didn't utilize it since we have a W/D in the rig.
Bulletin board for posting things, we bought our W/D from another person at the campsite!
Park was pretty quiet while we were there. No ruckus or loud people. Folks walked around, talked a bit.
They have Good Sam and Passport American discounts available.
Cons:
Other:
GuideWe spent a month here. We came in to attend the NRVTA and were bummed when the adjoining park was booked. So we chose Lake Athens, and what a treat! Location is wonderful. Right on a huge, nice lake. Very safe. Large field where we let our dogs off leash. Walking distance to the fishery. There is a restaurant on site with FABULOUS food. People are relaxed... not rude, or loud, don't complain about friendly dogs off leash etc. Sites are gravel but level. We have a 44ft triple axl fifth wheel, had plenty of room (we had an end site but the middle row Sites do appear tight). The permanent residents here are nice. Clean laundry facilities, allowed all our packages/Mail. There is a community fire pit near the play ground. Small area in the back with walking trails. Can't wait to return honestly. Didnt use their wifi as we have our own. We switch from Verizon to ATT, and at times signals were weak. Other times just fine. Hit or miss depending on utilization I suppose.
TravelerWell taken care of park. All the rv spots are nice. Family and pet friendly. The bathrooms are nice. And the bait shop has everything you forgot at home. 10/10!!
TravelerIt being August in Texas, we rented a limited use cabin with air conditioning. It also has a mini frig and a microwave inside. It has a queen size bed for which campers need to bring their own pillows and bed linens. The frig was super cold, and the AC worked well. There was a wood table with four chairs. The table was really sticky, so I recommend bringing something you can use as a table cloth. There are only six of these cabins, and they have a four bathroom building at the end of the cul de sac. No tents or pets are allowed at the cabin sites. Each has fire pit and water outside cabin
The park has a very small lake with canoe, kayak, paddle board, row boat, and paddle boat rentals. Life vests are provided with rental. It was fun! There is a good sized swimming area too. There are a number of trails of varying difficulty, some for hiking only, some for home and bike. Ranger programs offered.
Purtis Creek State Park offers some of the most spacious RV camping sites near Athens, Texas. Located about 20 minutes from Athens, the park sits within the Post Oak Savannah ecoregion at approximately 400 feet elevation with rolling hills and mixed hardwood forests. Most campsites have both water and electric hookups with well-defined camping pads suitable for recreational vehicles up to 40 feet in length.
Fishing opportunities: Purtis Creek State Park Campground maintains a 355-acre lake stocked with largemouth bass. "It is also a popular fishing hole," notes James S., who visited the park and found it "easy to get to and popular with the locals."
Paddle sports: At Lake Athens Marina and RV Park, water activities dominate. "Great and beautiful RV park located right on Lake Athens. Very helpful office staff," shares Chris P. The marina offers kayak rentals and direct lake access from waterfront sites.
Swimming areas: Shiloh on the Lake provides designated swimming spots with natural sand bottoms. "The swimming area is well marked and nice hard sand bottom," reports Angela R., who appreciated the maintained beach area during summer visits.
Hiking trails: At Purtis Creek, the network of trails winds through wooded areas. "Fun park with a lot of options for hiking, fishing and kayaking! Had an awesome primitive camp loop," says Becca H., highlighting the park's natural appeal beyond water activities.
Shaded sites: Shiloh on the Lake stands out for its tree cover. "This is a great, non-parking lot style campground. Every site is covered with trees, and though they are a bit close together you feel connected with nature," notes Brett B., appreciating the natural setting.
Spacious layouts: At Tyler State Park Campground, about 45 minutes from Athens, campers find well-designed sites. "Nestled in the piney woods, Great Lake, MTB, hiking and good facilities," remarks Tim H., highlighting the park's forested environment.
Water activities: Coal Mine Ranch RV Park offers unique water recreation options. "Nice clean gravel sites, though a little sandy & not a ton of shade. Full hookups, bath house, and a very nice little water park," says Carrie I., describing the family-friendly environment.
Community amenities: Lake Athens Marina provides social spaces for campers. "Large field where we let our dogs off leash. Walking distance to the fishery. There is a restaurant on site with FABULOUS food," shares Heather H., who stayed for a month.
Reservation difficulty: Popular parks fill quickly during peak seasons. At Tyler State Park, "Great little lake to fish, kayak, swim and hike! Hard to get reservations because it is so popular! If you get reservations it's kinda like winning the lottery," Tammie L. explains.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience road noise. At Purtis Creek, "The only real drawback is how close it is to the main roads. Car noise can be heard at almost all hours," according to James S.
Seasonal challenges: Summer heat affects camping comfort. At Big Tex Campgrounds, "The sites are all large and shaded with a picnic table and a fire pit," notes Angela R., highlighting the importance of shade during Texas summers.
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies between parks. At Shiloh on the Lake, "The bathrooms leave much to be desired (like air conditioning for one) but the park more than makes up for it," according to Angela R.
Water play areas: Coal Mine Ranch offers structured water recreation. "The water park kept my kids happy the entire weekend. Only drawback was not open past 5 pm but I understand why (they do private parties)," reports Kayla L., who visited with children.
Playgrounds: Tyler State Park provides dedicated children's areas. "The playground is one of the best I've seen at the state parks we've been to!" says Becca H., who appreciates the family-friendly amenities.
Organized activities: Structured entertainment keeps children engaged. "Stayed here to get away for the weekend and the park staff had activities for the kids. Very big camping spots," notes Wesley D. about his experience at Purtis Creek State Park.
Dog friendly options: Many campgrounds near Athens welcome pets. At Texan RV Park & Campus, "This park has full hookups, spacious sites, amazing staff!" according to Karen K., making it suitable for families camping with dogs.
Site selection: At Lake Athens Marina, "We have a 44ft triple axl fifth wheel, had plenty of room (we had an end site but the middle row Sites do appear tight)," advises Heather H., noting the importance of requesting specific sites for larger rigs.
Extended stays: Dog friendly campgrounds near Athens often accommodate longer visits. "We spent 5 weeks here for my husband to attend the the Tech classes. The staff was beyond wonderful," shares Ashley S. about Texan RV Park, though she noted it was "very expensive to camp here."
Leveling challenges: Some parks require additional preparation. "Campsites are nice, but pretty close together," mentions Shelby W. about Purtis Creek State Park, suggesting RVers bring leveling blocks.
Utility connections: Full hookups vary between parks. "Sites are semi level, full hookup, some shade!" reports Tammie L. about Tyler State Park, highlighting the complete connections available for RVers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Athens, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Athens, TX is Purtis Creek State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 25 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Athens, TX?
TheDyrt.com has all 101 dog-friendly camping locations near Athens, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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