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 (118)

    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

    $28 - $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

    62 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

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Recent Reviews near Bardwell, TX

441 Reviews of 118 Bardwell Campgrounds


  • aThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Loyd Park

    Quiet and Serene

    We stayed here for four nights and it was a welcome retreat after staying in mini RV parks. Our spot was number 184. Not right on the water, but we can see the water from one of our windows. If we came back here again and we couldn’t get right on the water. I would choose a site with more shade like site number 190 has lots of shade.We’re here in October so it’s pretty warm. The hookups work well and the place is very well-maintained. I haven’t tried the public restrooms as our RV restroom is fine. I would definitely come back here again.

  • janet S.
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Canton I-20 RV Park

    Easy to Get to, Cheap to Stay

    No complaints, best park I've seen in this area. 

    Very well maintained, large spaces, picnic tables, nice clean pool, clean laundry room and all machines working. 

    Good job.

    15 mins to Buccees :-)

  • janet S.
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Canton I-20 RV Park

    Easy to get to. Cheap to Stay.

    No complaints, best park I've seen in this area. Very well maintained, large spaces, picnic tables, nice clean pool, clean laundry room and all machines working. 

    Good job.

  • rspillers84
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Canton I-20 RV Park

    SUPER EASY ACCESS - VERY AFFORDABLE - CLOSE TO BUCCEES

    Canton I-20 RV Park is a solid spot right off the interstate. The sites are large, easy to pull into, and each one has a picnic table which makes it nice to sit outside. 

    It’s quiet for being so close to I-20, and the park feels open and well kept. 

    They’ve got a pool, showers, and restrooms that are clean and maintained, plus free laundry, which is a big bonus if you’re staying long term. 

    Utilities are included in the rent, so the price is straightforward. It’s not a resort, but it’s a comfortable, practical place to stay whether you’re traveling through or sticking around for work in the area.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Cedar Hill State Park Campground

    Not too impressed

    We arrived after hours after calling and instructed to just go to our campsite. The park had absolutely no signs indicating where the campground is. We were surprised to find a very sloping site with the cement bumpers missing rebar and very unsafe. No after hours phone number and no campground host. Is this any way to run a campground? We flagged down another camper who indicated that three sites were available when he checked in a couple of hours earlier. This is the first time that we encountered something like this in our years of camping. No one here to answer questions….sites in terrible disrepair still being represented as safe. We had to replace in the hopes that someone would not arrive to claim their site. In the morning we experienced pounding on our door to be challenged by armed…yes, they had guns, officers questioning why we were “squatting” Needless to say this campground is very disorganized and needs an after hours emergency phone number, campground host, safety inspections, as well as a manager who cares.

  • 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!


Guide to Bardwell

Camping sites near Bardwell, Texas center around Bardwell Lake, created by damming Waxahachie Creek in 1965. The lake spans 3,570 acres with elevation ranging from 421-431 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds in this area remain accessible year-round, though seasonal lake level fluctuations can affect site availability, particularly at lower elevations during spring rains.

What to do

Fishing from shore or dock: Waxahachie Creek Park offers prime fishing spots along Bardwell Lake. "Best fishing.kayaking," notes Elizabeth C., highlighting the park's appeal to anglers.

Kayaking on calm waters: The protected coves around Highview Park provide excellent paddling opportunities. "Very clean.well kept.mowed.very family oriented..nice camp grounds.everything you need.right there..swimming area real nice," according to Elizabeth C.

Swimming at designated beaches: Several campgrounds maintain swimming areas during summer months. At High View, one camper mentions, "We stayed for a night in site 40 on our way south. The site was large and right by the water."

Hiking nearby trails: Walk the shoreline paths at Liberty Hill Park where campers enjoy "plenty of good roads to walk. Very peaceful!" according to Jeanette H.

What campers like

Spacious sites with views: COE Bardwell Lake Mott Park gets high marks for its lakefront camping spots. One visitor appreciated "its spacious sites and gorgeous views of Bardwell Lake. Our site #29 was nice and shady and panoramic view of lake."

Clean facilities: Bathrooms and shower houses at Liberty Hill Park Campground receive positive mentions. "Extremely clean grounds and super friendly staff. Allows pets (on leash of course)," notes Randy H.

Peaceful atmosphere: The relative quiet draws many campers. At Mott Park, Wahine K. shared, "The view, electricity, water, and showers was very nice at such an affordable price."

Affordability: Most Corps of Engineers campgrounds maintain reasonable rates ($14-18/night for most sites). "Affordable" appears frequently in reviews, with Elizabeth C. noting the area's campgrounds are "very clean.cheap..well mowed."

What you should know

Gate closure times: Several campgrounds enforce strict entry hours. "When we arrived at 11pm the gates were locked with no one in site," reported ShaneB at Highview, adding there was "Not a single word about late arrivals at the gate."

Fluctuating lake levels: Water levels can change rapidly during storm seasons. Mott Park visitors should monitor weather forecasts as sites near the shoreline may flood.

Limited shade at some sites: Many campgrounds feature open layouts with minimal tree cover. Drew at Highview Park noted, "Great views, clean sites, however there's very limited shade."

Insect management: Ants can be problematic, particularly at American RV Park. At nearby Liberty Hill, one camper warned about "a serious issue with the invasive Argentian ant."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Several campgrounds provide play areas for children. Liberty Hill Park offers "a large children play area" according to Karen A., who noted the "great swimming area with beach area."

Safety considerations: Security patrols help maintain a family-friendly environment. At High View, Derrick A. appreciated that "Local sheriff's dept and park ranger made several trips through the park which made it feel secure."

Private bathrooms: Northside RV Resort offers individual bathroom units. Angela R. noted, "Each shower has its own toilet and vanity behind a lockable door."

Swimming areas: Designated swimming zones provide safer water recreation. Elizabeth C. describes Mott Park as having a "Clean lake.no broken glass.mowed grass" that's "very family oriented."

Tips from RVers

Site leveling needs: Some campgrounds require additional work to level RVs. Liberty Hill Park campers mention the "turns are extremely tight" with Michael C. adding "I do not recommend people with motorhome over 40 feet come here."

Hookup quality: Water pressure varies between campgrounds. William N. at American RV Park found "Our site was level and had some shade. Spacing between sites was fine."

Gate code access: Most campgrounds use security gates requiring codes. Iris A. appreciated that Northside RV Resort "has a gate with a code needed to enter."

Site selection for big rigs: For larger RVs, pull-through sites at American RV Park offer easier access. Lawrence P. noted "Great pull thru site. Plenty of room to leave hooked up."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Bardwell, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, Bardwell, TX offers a wide range of camping options, with 118 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.