Lake Mineral Wells State Park offers year-round camping opportunities within 30 miles of Azle, Texas. The park sits at an elevation of approximately 750 feet above sea level and features limestone bluffs, cross timbers woodlands, and a 646-acre reservoir. Winter temperatures average 45-60°F while summer temperatures regularly exceed 95°F. Most campgrounds in the region remain open during winter months with reduced crowds compared to peak spring and fall seasons.
What to do
Rock climbing sessions: At Lake Mineral Wells State Park, the Penitentiary Hollow area provides natural rock formations for beginners and intermediate climbers. "Great rock climbing boating, fishing, trails for walking, hiking. Separate camping loop for tents and also separate one for horses," notes one visitor who camped there in February, June, and October.
Fishing from dedicated piers: Fish for bass, catfish and crappie at The Vineyards Campground & Cabins where piers extend into Grapevine Lake. "Great fishing, kayaking, play ground, and swim area. Very well kept up. The store is well stocked," mentions a camper who has stayed there several times.
Dinosaur tracks exploration: Visit Dinosaur Valley State Park Campground to see preserved dinosaur footprints along the riverbed. The tracks are most visible when water levels are low, typically late summer. "We all loved this park! Our sites were good size and perfect for us. We stayed in 17 and 15. 17 was very large but the table was way away from the pad and people were always walking thru because it was the start of a trail," reports a visitor who also enjoyed fishing in the park.
What campers like
Private lake access: Many sites at Thousand Trails Bay Landing include waterfront access for launching personal watercraft. "We arrived late December and it was chilly. Sites with full hook up are limited, but even with annuals are still possible. One thing though, we found a great site (124) very close to the water which is a plus for us as my wife is disabled and needs a walker," explains a winter visitor.
Concrete camping pads: Cowtown RV Park provides level concrete pads throughout the property, making setup quick and stable even after rain. "The host bends over backwards to make your stay pleasurable, Larry escorted us to our pull through cement location and made sure we had everything we needed," notes one satisfied camper.
Seasonal activities: Themed weekend events at campgrounds near Azle create unique experiences throughout the year. "We went in October and they had some fun Halloween activities. Site was pull through but pretty tight and close to neighbor. Probably worth paying for premium. Nice large dog park and clean restrooms/bathhouse," shares a visitor who doesn't typically choose resort-style campgrounds.
What you should know
Seasonal water levels: River crossings at several parks may be impassable after heavy rain. "Most of the trails, and primitive camp sites, are accessed by fording the river. This can be impossible depending on recent rain," warns a Dinosaur Valley visitor.
Limited full hookup availability: At many campgrounds, the most desirable full-hookup sites are often taken by long-term residents. "There are some full hook up sites but many are partial hookups. You pick your own site which is nice but most of the full hook up sites are occupied by long term residents or annual site holders," notes a visitor at Thousand Trails Bay Landing.
Security procedures: Some campgrounds implement controlled access after certain hours. At Loyd Park, "they close the gate at 10 pm and you must have a code to enter after that. The park host is also a ranger. He and his wife were directly across from our site. The whole park seems to be heavily patrolled."
Tips for camping with families
Beach swimming alternatives: Lake beaches provide supervised swimming areas with gradual entry points. "Check-in was very easy, sites were very clean and well maintained, playground was amazing with an awesome 'roller-coaster' swing that the teenagers even loved. Bathrooms are not private but they're clean. Immediate access to the lake and a beautiful view," reports a family that stayed at The Vineyards.
Yurt camping options: For families wanting to try yurt camping near Azle, Texas, Loyd Park offers furnished yurts with electrical outlets and nearby water. "This city run park is one of our favorites, and only minutes from our home. All sites are paved, several are lake front, and the majority of them are well shaded. Beach area and playgrounds are great."
Multiple accommodation choices: Many parks offer a variety of sleeping arrangements. "We stayed in our tent, while rest of family stayed in their RV. It has been a very rainy month in Texas so some trails were closed. The camp store was awesome. We didn't take advantage of the kayak or canoe rentals, but the prices were reasonable," shares a family that visited Lake Mineral Wells.
Tips from RVers
Seasonal site selection: Winter campers should select sites with southern exposure to maximize warmth. "We camped in the Plateau this trip and was lakeside. One thing I really enjoyed about this site was the breeze off the lake. It kept a hot July weekend comfortable when sitting outside at the campsite and also seemed to keep the bugs at bay," explains a visitor who enjoyed wildlife viewing from their site.
Cell service coverage: Remote work campers report reliable connectivity at most campgrounds within 30 miles of Azle. "We were able to work and stream video easily with T-Mobile and AT&T," notes a long-term camper who stayed at Thousand Trails Bay Landing.
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds require careful navigation in larger rigs. "Roads in could use some help. The speed limit is 35mph but I didn't get over 15 or 20 mph because of the holes," cautions an RVer who stayed at Thousand Trails Bay Landing, who found the facilities well-maintained despite road issues.
