Hickory Creek COE Campground
Great Park with fairly spacious sites
Nice park. Could use some updates. Especially the shower houses. Park layout and lake access is great. Several sites are water adjacent. Staff is all very friendly and helpful.
Campgrounds near Aubrey, Texas cluster around several lakes and reservoirs, providing a mix of developed and primitive camping options. Ray Roberts Lake State Park, with its Isle du Bois and Johnson Branch units, offers both tent and RV camping with electric hookups, showers, and water access. Shady Creek RV Park in Aubrey provides full hookup sites specifically for RV campers, while Hidden Cove Park & Marina on Lake Lewisville includes cabin rentals alongside traditional camping areas. The region encompasses a range of accommodations from basic tent sites to glamping options, with most campgrounds situated within a 30-minute drive of Aubrey.
Access to camping areas varies seasonally, with summer months bringing higher visitation and often requiring advance reservations. Many campgrounds in the area feature lakefront sites that fill quickly during peak seasons, particularly holiday weekends. The climate typically allows for year-round camping, though summer temperatures can exceed 100°F, making shade and water access important considerations. Most established campgrounds provide water and electric hookups, while primitive areas may require campers to bring their own supplies. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, though coverage can be spotty in some areas. According to one visitor, "The location of this campground feels secluded from the city but close to the highway so you can be in the city within a few minutes drive."
Lakefront camping represents a significant draw for visitors to the Aubrey area. Ray Roberts Lake State Park receives consistently high ratings for its spacious sites and lake views, with reviewers noting the "beautiful lake" and "great shade" available at many campsites. Several visitors mentioned the wildlife viewing opportunities, with deer sightings common at Isle du Bois. Campgrounds closer to urban areas may experience more noise, particularly from air traffic near Lake Lewisville. The primitive camping areas at Ray Roberts Lake State Park provide more seclusion, with one camper noting that "the primitive sites in the Hawthorne campgrounds are spaced a good distance apart and really give you a feel of isolation." For those seeking more amenities, the developed RV parks offer full hookups, while state park campgrounds balance natural settings with basic facilities.
$15 - $60 / night
"In the hot month of July 2020 I loaded up Little Red and headed out to spend several days camping at the Isle Du Bois Unit of Ray Roberts Lake."
"68 year-old solo camper getting ready to travel around the country, car/tent camping primarily."
$14 - $30 / night
"Location: The location is tucked away in the small lakeside town of Hickory Creek...which is surrounded by Denton to the north and Lewisville/Dallas to the south."
"The location of this campground feels secluded from the city but close to the highway so you can be in the city within a few minutes drive."
$15 - $60 / night
"One of the more expensive Texas state parks. Standard electric at 25/night. Large bathrooms and lots of trash bins. Actual pay phones (who knew those still existed?)"
"Couldn't see the parking lot due to brush, but it was a very short walk and that was nice."
"Stayed here as a group traveling to the Frisco, Texas area for a college football game. We spent 2 nights in a RV. Was within close distance to where we were attending the football game."
"Being close to the lake is a big plus — you can walk right down and fish along the banks, and the view is just calm and peaceful. Although the strong wind prevented any real fishing."
$15 - $25 / night
"The walk-in to P07 was quite lengthy, but P11 had parking spots right next to camp."
"The lake was warm and there was a little "beach" for swimming- I would recommend water shoes and floaties! There are picnic tables and benches all over and tons of parking."
$999 / night
"CrossFit is walking distance (separate business). The pool is nice. You’re right next to Frisco, Prosper, Littlr Elm, Savannah, and Denton."
"We traveled from West Texas, stayed 4 nights, had rain almost every day. The park is well laid out, small clean well maintained yards."
$20 - $35 / night
"It’s close to my home but makes me feel like I’m camping far away from home. Lots of trees, many spots right on the water, great kayak launch, has hiking trails and decent distance between sites."
"Nice RV sites, close to the water. Campground close to town but away from the noise. Nice boat ramp/dock and day use areas too. Recently renovated bathrooms. Staff friendly."
"It is directly behind the McClain's in Sanger. Our site was a full service, pull through, partially shaded site that was reserved by the dealership for new owners."
"Awesome park, great lake and a discgolf course within walking distance!!"
"Family friendly and there is a lake and playground within walking distance. The staff is courteous. We did not use any of the facilities, except dump station."
$70 / night
"Only down side is the Texas heat and none of the sites have any shade trees."












Nice park. Could use some updates. Especially the shower houses. Park layout and lake access is great. Several sites are water adjacent. Staff is all very friendly and helpful.
The site is not easily accessible. Maybe they are doing work in the area???
Lovely campground, not very tight to maneuver around. Mostly seasonal people and you may need to go on a waiting list. The bonus is being able to wash your RV here.
Buckle up for a long review! 😂 I stayed at Hidden Cove Park in February for 1 night with 2 kids; and I’d give it a solid 4/5. I would go back for sure.
Overall, this spot is really nice. The campsites are clean, spacious, and you’ve got plenty to choose from. Being close to the lake is a big plus — you can walk right down and fish along the banks, and the view is just calm and peaceful. Although the strong wind prevented any real fishing.
The setup is convenient too. Water spigot right at the site, table already there, bathrooms close by and decently clean. Trash dumpster is near the bathrooms so you do t have to haul your trash out.
Now Here’s the reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5…
Privacy is the biggest downside. Campsites are pretty close together, so you’re definitely gonna see and hear your neighbors. I had some loud neighbors and had to ask them to turn the music down. Then at 12:01 AM… same folks fired up an electric saw to cut firewood which for sure messed up my rest. 🤦🏾♂️
Not really the park’s fault, but the layout doesn’t give you much separation, so your experience kinda depends on who’s around you. Just hope you get quiet neighbors.
I gotta mention the price for those wondering. It’s $25/night (which is actually good for the amenities you’re getting), but parking is an additional $20. I don’t understand that but OK. With all the fees, my total was $70. Plus $5-6 firewood. Just an FYI.
Another thing — since the parking lot is close, you’ll see headlights shining through at night when cars pass. Not a dealbreaker, just something to know.
On the flip side, the closeness to the parking lot is actually clutch. I could literally see my car through the trees, and it was only like a 2–3 minute walk. Made it super easy to haul stuff. I even blew up my air mattresses at the car and just carried them over.
I also liked the concrete driveway and sidewalks — my daughter was out there skating, which was a cool unexpected bonus.
No bugs at all while I was there, which was a win. It was too windy to fish, but the kids still had a great time. They’ve got a basketball court, volleyball area, and a hiking trail (didn’t hit it this time).
The restaurant was closed — not a big deal, but would’ve been nice. They do sell firewood at the front for a good price though, which is convenient.
And honestly, one of the best parts… it’s only like 15 minutes from home, but it feels like a world away. That alone makes it a great little reset spot.
This is a GREAT place for first-time campers, and families, or even solo trips if you just want to get away for a bit.
Stayed in the Lakeside Loop. Very private patio areas. Large park. Pay close attention to site lengths. No margin for error. Swim beach, multiple boat ramps, perch pond and lots of day sites.
I stayed at Wild Plum campsite #124 at Isle du Bois and honestly… 5/5. I’d definitely go back.
The overall vibe was solid. The campsite itself was clean, spacious, and felt semi-private. You can see and hear neighbors a bit, but it’s not crowded or on top of each other. Just know it’s not fully secluded. The lake view was really nice, and there are several little fishing spots around the Wild Plum area. Plus, plenty of trails nearby if you want to get out and walk.
Each site out there has its own little vibe depending on where it sits, but they’re all pretty roomy and well laid out.
A couple things to be aware of…
The walk from the parking lot to the campsite is no joke. It’s gravel, rocks, and some incline. If you’re bringing a lot of gear, you’ll definitely want a cart. I didn’t expect that part.
The toilet situation… yeah, I didn’t use it. It’s a primitive setup with no plumbing, and it was pretty rough. That said, it’s expected for this type of campsite. If you need a better option, you can go up to the pier — those bathrooms have actual plumbing and are way cleaner.
No showers or water at the site either. There is a water spigot near the pier if you need to refill, and you’ll have to drive your trash up to the dumpsters.
Weather-wise, it was super windy when I went (early March), and campsites closer to the water definitely catch that wind. Also, not a lot of shade since the trees didn’t have leaves yet, so keep that in mind depending on the time of year.
On the positive side, I saw a lot of deer in the mornings, which was a really nice touch. No bugs during my stay (I did use a fogger), and the overall environment was peaceful. The park staff was also super duper friendly and helpful, which always makes the experience better.
Also worth noting — there are stores not too far from the park (like Dollar General), which came in clutch. I actually had to grab some super glue to fix a hole in my air mattress, so it’s good knowing you’re not too far from supplies if something goes wrong.
I went solo, and it was honestly the perfect little reset—quiet, scenic, and just enough nature without being too rough.
Good for solo campers, couples, or even families if you’re cool with primitive camping.
Free for up to 14 days! Find a spot and park! The site we found it big, nobody around and has a fire pit! We are in a class c
Great sites close to the water.
From calling and asking on good spots with my setup to how clean the bathrooms and showers are (especially for the price), giving this place 5*s!
Ray Roberts Lake State Park offers excellent fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing opportunities near Aubrey, Texas. The lake spans over 29,000 acres with multiple camping units including Isle du Bois and Johnson Branch. Winter temperatures average between 35-60°F while summer temperatures commonly reach 95-100°F. Campsites at most parks require reservations and many fill quickly during holiday weekends.
Waterfront activities: Lake Lewisville provides multiple swimming and boating options. At Hickory Creek, there's a small sandy beach area for swimming. "The lake was warm and there was a little 'beach' for swimming- I would recommend water shoes and floaties," notes one visitor.
Wildlife watching: The parks around Aubrey attract diverse wildlife. At Johnson Branch, trails wind through wooded areas where you can spot deer and waterfowl. One camper described her experience: "We learned what native plants we can eat!"
Hiking trails: Multiple trail networks connect through the area's parks. The primitive nature trails at Lake Lewisville are perfect for collecting firewood. "There is a couple mile walking trail starting at the campground that is paved," mentions one camper about Lake Park Campground.
Fishing spots: Bank fishing is accessible from multiple campsites. Many sites at Johnson Branch have water access with small coves that "look like they would be great fishing spots," according to one visitor.
Space between sites: Many campers appreciate the privacy at Willow Grove Park. As one reviewer notes, "Beautiful place and a lot of space between sites." The campground offers both wooded and lakefront options.
Clean facilities: The parks maintain their amenities well. At Isle du Bois, "Restrooms were clean. Campsites, large and private," according to a December visitor. This makes off-season camping comfortable.
Natural settings: Despite proximity to urban areas, the parks maintain natural environments. Johnson Branch has "great camp sites with lots of trees. Fall is wonderful," mentions one frequent visitor who compares both Ray Roberts units.
Lakefront views: Many sites offer direct water access. One camper at Hickory Creek described their experience: "A lot of space between sites, well level and paved, family oriented, very quite, beautiful lake and tree sites."
Weather considerations: Summer storms can be intense. At Willow Grove, one camper reported: "Got hit by two really bad lightning and thunderstorms and had to sit in my car for a while during the worst of it (certain parts had tornados and hail)."
Noise factors: Despite natural settings, some parks experience noise pollution. At Hickory Creek, "The only downside is the overall air traffic that you hear and see over the park from the Dallas-Fort Worth airport."
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. For Pilot Knoll Park, a regular visitor advises: "It can be difficult to get a reservation but it is so conveniently located basically in the middle of the Metroplex."
Walk-in distances: At Johnson Branch, prepare for longer walks to some sites. "Most campsites have a lengthy walk-in distance so be prepared! Bring a cart; it'll speed things up massively," recommends one visitor.
Playground access: Several parks offer play areas within walking distance of campsites. At Hidden Cove Park, "There are several playground areas central to the various campgrounds with easy access for your family."
Swimming options: Ray Roberts Lake has designated swimming areas. At Isle du Bois, "There is also a fantastic beach swim area for day use or to visit while your camping. Nice sand and roped off swimming areas with large playgrounds."
Kid-friendly sites: Choose sites strategically for family convenience. One family at Hickory Creek shared: "We hopped over for a one night trip and had a blast! Our site was right off the water with a fun view (at night) of the lake Lewisville bridge. Our 5 & 4 year old boys loved running around, throwing rocks in the lake."
Wildlife encounters: Many children enjoy the animal sightings. At Johnson Branch, ranger programs sometimes include edible plant identification that kids find fascinating.
Hookup locations: Check the placement of utility connections before setting up. At Lake Park Campground, "Connections for water and electric aren't in best spots but able to reach. They offer extension cords."
Site surface types: Different parks offer varying pad materials. At Shady Creek RV Park, "The pads are gravel and almost level. A few guests have been here a while, did see several arrivals and departures."
Water pressure issues: Monitor incoming water pressure at some parks. At Pilot Knoll, one RVer found "the water pressure too strong for my class b as the pressure caused a link under my sink. Convinced me to purchase my own water pressure resistor gauge."
Dump station access: Not all parks have sewer hookups at individual sites. At Hickory Creek, one camper noted the "dump station is near the middle school outside the park so had to drive our tote 1/4-1/2 mile up the street with a decent amount of traffic."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Aubrey, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, Aubrey, TX offers a wide range of camping options, with 213 campgrounds and RV parks near Aubrey, TX and 6 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Aubrey, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Aubrey, TX is Isle du Bois Campsites — Ray Roberts Lake State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 36 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Aubrey, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Aubrey, TX.
What parks are near Aubrey, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 parks near Aubrey, TX that allow camping, notably Lewisville Lake and Caddo National Grassland.
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