Best Campgrounds near Bardwell, TX

Camping options around Bardwell, Texas center on Bardwell Lake, where several established campgrounds provide amenities for different outdoor experiences. The area includes Highview Park, Mott Park, Waxahachie Creek Park, and Love Park, with most sites offering water and electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings. These developed campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, while some locations like High View and Mott Park also feature cabin options. Most campgrounds sit along the shores of Bardwell Lake, providing water recreation opportunities within a short drive of Ennis and Waxahachie.

Seasonal conditions significantly impact camping experiences at Bardwell Lake. While some campgrounds like Highview Park and Waxahachie Creek Park operate year-round, others such as Mott Park have limited seasons, typically open from April through September. The area experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F, while spring and fall offer milder conditions. Heavy rainfall can affect lake levels and campsite conditions, particularly in spring. Campers should monitor weather forecasts during severe weather seasons. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area. A visitor noted, "Heavy spring rains and lake levels were on the rise flooding out the lower sites. In fact, the ACE host had me move with expected 10' rise overnight. I'd have been in trouble if I hadn't."

The lakefront setting remains the primary draw for campers visiting Bardwell Lake campgrounds. Many sites feature direct lake views or easy water access, which proves particularly appealing for fishing enthusiasts. The Army Corps of Engineers manages most camping areas, maintaining clean facilities with varying levels of privacy between sites. Campers report spacious sites at locations like Mott Park, though some mention the need for site maintenance at certain campgrounds. One review highlighted, "Another great Army Corps of Engineers Park. It is a bit neglected but still pretty awesome with its spacious sites and gorgeous views of Bardwell Lake." For those seeking urban amenities, convenience stores and restaurants are available within 4-6 miles of most campgrounds, making these sites accessible while still providing a nature retreat setting.

Best Camping Sites Near Bardwell, Texas (117)

    1. Highview Park

    6 Reviews
    Bardwell, TX
    2 miles
    +1 (972) 875-5711

    "Near Ennis, TX. Convenience stores, etc 4-6 miles away. Covered picnic table. Large combined family (private) restroom / shower."

    "Lots of room to walk the dog. Great atmosphere"

    2. High View

    5 Reviews
    Bardwell, TX
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (972) 875-5711

    $5 - $50 / night

    "We stayed in campsite 29 which is kind of elevated a bit and we had a great view of the lake. Even tho it rained quite a bit we still enjoyed ourselves."

    "Very pretty lake views and tons of grass. My dog loved going for runs through the grass (while on her leash).

    They had some showers and toilets working again when I went. Hot water was very nice!"

    3. COE Bardwell Lake Mott Park

    5 Reviews
    Bardwell, TX
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (972) 875-5711

    $5 - $80 / night

    "It is a bit neglected but still pretty awesome with its spacious sites and gorgeous views of Bardwell Lake. Our site #29 was nice and shady and panoramic view of lake."

    "Mott park is a fantastic campground for lake activities! At the time of my visit the facilities were clean. The park was well cared for and the sites were all pretty good."

    4. Love

    4 Reviews
    Bardwell, TX
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (972) 875-5711

    $100 / night

    5. Cedar Hill State Park Campground

    61 Reviews
    Cedar Hill, TX
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (972) 291-3900

    $25 - $30 / night

    "They offer water access, electricity, are near facilities, have tables and fire pits. Many of the sites overlook the lake or have easy access to the lake."

    "Lake is nearby, and fishing permits in Tx are cheap and easy to grab online. Fairly quiet, but the sites themselves are private a shaded for the most part."

    6. Northside RV Resort

    9 Reviews
    Waxahachie, TX
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (972) 908-0040

    $50 - $60 / night

    "Each shower has its own toilet and vanity behind a lockable door. Our campsite (532) was a little awkward to get in because of the corner and the speed bumps, but not impossible."

    "The park has a man made lake with jogging trails. We enjoyed our stay."

    7. Waxahachie Creek Park

    3 Reviews
    Bardwell, TX
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (972) 875-5711

    $28 - $120 / night

    8. The Range Vintage Trailer Resort

    7 Reviews
    Ennis, TX
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (972) 210-2900

    $98 / night

    "Sarah and Paul have curated a great Texas countryside campground with private well spaced sites and great amenities. Need high speed Internet for work- got it."

    "I stayed in spot #19, which gives you visibility to all the amenities around.

    The place is peaceful, I enjoyed walking my gsd around the property and checking out all the airstream rentals."

    9. Liberty Hill Park Campground

    14 Reviews
    Bardwell, TX
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (254) 578-1431

    $18 - $95 / night

    "Lake Navarro Mills is well know as the best Crappie fishing lake in Texas."

    "No trails to hike on but plenty of good roads to walk. Very peaceful!"

    10. American RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Navarro Mills Lake, TX
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (903) 872-0233

    $45 - $250 / night

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 117 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Bardwell, TX

436 Reviews of 117 Bardwell Campgrounds


  • J
    Aug. 18, 2025

    North Crest RV Park

    Great place

    We stayed there for 3 nights. The park is run by Emily and her father. Emily is friendly and there to make sure you have a nice stay. The park is filled with tall shade trees, nice to have in the summer heat. Located just off I-35 about 6 miles north of Baylor University.

  • Zoey T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Cedar Creek Park Campground

    Great space - hard to find

    We love this spot. Definitely ignore google to get here though… just follow the road to the end (no turning off) there are campsites to your right and left once you reach the water. At least 27 of them. Quiet. Spaced out. Most had grill and water access and the lake is a super clean rock bottom one. Super peaceful.

  • Morgan B.
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Steele Creek Park Campground

    free & full of nature - wonderful for nomads!

    We enjoyed this free campsite as we were making our way down to San Antonio, Texas. It had a water spicket, which was perfect for nomad living. We were able to wash our hair, cookware, rinse off, and enjoy free potable water. The small things, right? 

    The site we choose was private and in close walking distance to pit toilets. It has a small trail in the back, which led to the small lake. The dogs enjoyed being off-leash and the trees surrounding us was peaceful. The fire pit was wonderful and I can see why big groups would enjoy staying here!

    There was some fast-food trash around the campsite, but we did not mind picking it up. Reminder: leave it better than you found it. Overall: wonderful experience and perfectly comfortable free campsite for nomads. 

    Our Google Maps GPS was giving us issues on the entrance location of this site, since it is tucked away behind neighborhoods, so we relied on the maps and roads to lead us there.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2025

    Shiloh on the Lake

    Great Weekend

    We stayed for the Fourth of July weekend. It was great! Full hookups large concrete pad. Perfection!

  • TammyP The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 24, 2025

    Soldier’s Bluff

    Nice Lake view

    I found this small camping site and it’s small but has good sites and nice lake view. Can sit by lake and have covered picnic tables. The camp sites are not covered but has enough tree coverage to make it shaded and I had pretty good wind to stay cool in the 93 degree heat. Has tent camping, and two RV slots and one truck stop which I used, it did need mowed when I was there but it was not to bad great view of the dam,

  • tom H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 16, 2025

    North Crest RV Park

    Great hospitality and easy access

    We were looking for a simple place to stop overnight after driving all day toward Brownsville. One phone call and everything was handled by Emily - she even met us right at the gate and guided us to our spot. Sites are level, wide, and even shaded. We arrived around 9pm and departed 10 hours later - so level we didn’t even have to unhook. Very reasonable $55 for full hookups and a convenient place to spend the night.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 8, 2025

    North Crest RV Park

    Very nice, clean and friendly owners.

    The park is quiet and clean. The bathhouse is exceptionally clean. The camper pads are level.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 28, 2025

    North Crest RV Park

    Wide private shaded cement slips

    We loved the trees and nice wide slips. Nice not to be within 5 feet from your neighbor. Restrooms nice and clean. Appreciate the friendly management. We felt very welcome. We would look forward to staying there again and we recommend it to other travelers!

  • David S.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 27, 2025

    Highview Park

    Pay campground: $18/night

    Good experience. Near Ennis, TX. Convenience stores, etc 4-6 miles away. Covered picnic table. Large combined family (private) restroom / shower. (Regular restrooms were closed / locked during my visit - Monday night; May 27.) Not many people. Campsite # 25 faces Lake Bardwell.


Guide to Bardwell

Camping near Bardwell, Texas, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful getaway or an adventure-filled weekend, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Fishing: Many campers enjoy casting a line at Lake Whitney State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The lake is beautiful but rocky shoreline," making it a great spot for fishing enthusiasts.
  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Cedar Hill State Park Campground. A reviewer noted, "The Coyote Run hiking trail was moderately difficult and had a great view at the end."
  • Boating: If you love being on the water, check out Hickory Creek - Lewisville Lake. One camper shared, "This is a well-maintained park with friendly people and beautiful lake views."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-kept restrooms and showers. A visitor at Lake Tawakoni State Park Campground said, "The bathhouse was clean and modern, and well stocked."
  • Friendly staff: Many reviews highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. A camper at Cleburne State Park Campground mentioned, "The park rangers were efficient and helpful as most tend to be."
  • Spacious sites: Campers enjoy having room to spread out. One reviewer at The Vineyards Campground & Cabins noted, "The sites were separated with enough space that you didn't feel on top of each other."

What you should know:

  • Limited cell service: If you rely on your phone, be prepared for spotty reception. A visitor at Hidden Cove Park & Marina mentioned, "For T-Mobile, service is not good enough for work or streaming."
  • Weather conditions: Be ready for changing weather. A camper at Lake Tawakoni State Park Campground shared, "It had been raining a lot, so things were pretty muddy."
  • Reservations recommended: Many campgrounds can fill up quickly, especially on weekends. A visitor at Cleburne State Park Campground advised, "Make reservations in advance."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds or swimming areas. One camper at Hickory Creek - Lewisville Lake mentioned, "The campground was completely full, but we enjoyed our overnight stay."
  • Pack snacks: Keep everyone happy with plenty of snacks. A visitor at Cedar Hill State Park Campground noted, "The park is pretty big and there was a nice fire pit and picnic table we could use."
  • Plan for downtime: Bring games or books for quiet moments. A camper at Lake Whitney State Park Campground said, "We made a quick weekend trip to the local state park."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site amenities: Make sure your site has the hookups you need. A visitor at Purtis Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "The RV site pads are narrow and not very level."
  • Bring extra cables: If your RV's electrical connection is in the back, you might need a longer cable. A camper at Cedar Hill State Park Campground noted, "Most modern RV's electrical connection in the back (30-foot cable just reached)."
  • Dump station locations: Familiarize yourself with where the dump stations are. A visitor at Hickory Creek - Lewisville Lake shared, "The sewage hookup is not at the actual site."

Camping near Bardwell, Texas, has something for everyone, from families to seasoned RVers. With beautiful parks and friendly communities, it's a great place to unwind and enjoy nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Bardwell, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, Bardwell, TX offers a wide range of camping options, with 117 campgrounds and RV parks near Bardwell, TX and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Bardwell, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bardwell, TX is Highview Park with a 4-star rating from 6 reviews.

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

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Bardwell, TX.

What parks are near Bardwell, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 parks near Bardwell, TX that allow camping, notably Bardwell Lake and Navarro Mills Lake.