Ray Roberts Lake State Park offers a variety of camping options near Aubrey, Texas, ranging from 30 to 45 minutes north of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The park's elevation averages around 650 feet above sea level with approximately 8,500 surface acres of lake access. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F from June through September, making early spring and late fall the most comfortable seasons for tent camping.
What to Do
Bank fishing and boating: Most campsites at Isle du Bois Campsites offer lake access for fishing. "Sites on the perimeter all have lake access where you can pull a boat up. We have car camped on a few occasions here and each time we saw plenty of deer around camp," notes Matt S.
Swimming at designated beaches: While many lakeside camping areas allow water access, the main swimming areas are regulated. "Isle du Bois features a fantastic beach swim area for day use or to visit while your camping. Nice sand and roped off swimming areas with large playgrounds," according to Matt S.
Hiking varied terrain: The park maintains several interconnected trails for different ability levels. "Scenic trails vary in distance but are easy to connect for longer hikes – or walk the shoreline for a nice lakeside view. Lots to explore and see here!" says Gretchen N.
What Campers Like
Spacious, well-designed sites: The camping areas at Hickory Creek provide ample room between neighbors. "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," reports Reynolds O.
Diverse camping options: From primitive to full-hookup sites, each camping area offers different experiences. "If you want to avoid crowds, stay in the Hawthorne 'primitive' area. The sites vary from being 20 feet from the parking lot to half a mile out or so, but most people flock to the more formal campsites and miss out thinking they'll have to hike in at Hawthorne," recommends Gretchen N.
Clean facilities: Most campgrounds maintain reliable amenities. At Willow Grove Park, "The bathrooms are clean, signal is great for Verizon and T-mobile. There are showers but I wasn't brave enough to try them," notes Joyce L.
What You Should Know
Weather considerations: Summer temperatures require planning for shade and cooling. "Super, super windy. 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)," cautions Joyce L. about Willow Grove Park.
Campsite selection matters: Different camping loops offer varying experiences. At Johnson Branch Campsites, "We stayed at site 136 in dogwood canyon, and it was lovely. Next time I'd stay at 137 for a bit more isolation, as you could see the boardwalk from our campsite as the area is sparsely wooded," suggests Grace B.
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. "I've been coming to this state park for over 20 years. It's very well kept, you see deer every trip, it's just very busy. We used to come out and there would be just a few families, now it's very very busy," observes Kerry C. about Isle du Bois.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated children's areas. At Pilot Knoll Park, "There is a playground for the kids, and even a Little Free Library. We did not have to pay the additional entry fee for day use, it was included in our price of renting the RV slot," shares Jessica H.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Kids often enjoy the regular wildlife sightings. "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," reports Joshua M. at Hickory Creek.
Pack for water activities: Lake access makes swimming and water play a central activity. "Nice place to hike and swim, sites are decent and give a fair amount of space in between. Bring shoes though! Lots of little prickers in the grass down by the lake," advises K7 about Isle du Bois.
Tips from RVers
Pet-friendly amenities: For campers with pets, Waggin Tail Ranch RV Park offers specialized facilities. "Nice sites most are fenced in with big yards. A few pull thru sites unfenced. Nice big dog park with a pond, also a grooming and dog wash area," describes Jamie S., making this an excellent choice for pet-friendly camping near Aubrey.
Hookup quality: RV sites vary in power and water access. "The electric was recently upgraded after the flooding this year. So there's 50 amp available now too. I camped at site 39 and it was an asphalt/gravel pad and fairly level. Water pressure was good," notes Susan L. about Hickory Creek.
Site accessibility: Most campgrounds accommodate large rigs but have varying site layouts. "Large concrete spaces with plenty of room for a 44' 5th wheel, tow vehicle and extra vehicle," reports Rachel P. at the Sanger-Denton North KOA.
Ranger
