Camping near Belton, Texas offers access to multiple lakes in the region, including Belton Lake, Stillhouse Hollow Lake, and Leon River. Summer temperatures in the area regularly exceed 95°F during July and August with high humidity, while winter nights can drop below 40°F from December through February. Primitive campsites in the area generally start at $10-15 per night while full hookup sites range from $24-40 depending on location and amenities.
What to do
Hiking trails at Dana Peak: The park features several miles of trails suitable for both hiking and mountain biking with varying difficulty levels. A camper noted, "Wonderful time with the family walking the trails enjoying the views," while another mentioned that the park has "many miles of mountain bike and hiking trails."
Water recreation at Union Grove: Located on Stillhouse Hollow Lake, this park offers boating, fishing, and swimming opportunities. "Words can't describe the beauty this little camp area had. The lake is gorgeous, with wildlife all around," wrote one visitor. Access to the water may require a short walk due to the "craggy nature of the shore line."
Wildlife viewing at Cedar Ridge: The park is home to numerous deer and wild turkeys that frequently visit campsites. A visitor observed, "You will see large groups of deer, turkey etc just wandering around," making it an excellent spot for nature photography, especially during early morning and evening hours when wildlife is most active.
Historical exploration at Mother Neff State Park: As Texas' first state park, it offers both natural and historical attractions. "There is an old Indian cave and wash pond. One of Texas' first and nicest state parks," noted one camper. The park includes CCC-built structures and a new visitor center following renovation after flooding damage.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds in the Belton area feature well-designed sites with adequate space. At Cedar Ridge, "The sites along the water give amazing sunset and sunrise views. Our site was right on the water allowing us to fish from our spot."
Clean facilities at Dana Peak: Visitors consistently mention the well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities. "This is a beautiful, well maintained and very clean park. We were a little concerned about camping here in July with no shade. The breeze off the lake really helped make the 100 degree days better," wrote one reviewer.
Lake views and access: Waterfront sites are highly sought after in the Belton camping area. A Union Grove camper remarked, "We stayed at Union Grove 5 days. Would come back in a heart beat. Our site was a pull through. Asphalt with grass all around." Sites with direct water views typically book faster than non-waterfront locations.
Shaded campsites at Live Oak Ridge: Several campgrounds offer sites with good tree coverage for shade. "Pretty much all sites have trees above, very romantic setting and enough space between site that you don't feel on top of others," noted one visitor. Loop 4 at Live Oak Ridge is noted for having "the best shade."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Some parks in the area have limited operating seasons. Dana Peak operates from March to September according to one reviewer who noted: "They have it listed on their website, but they are only open from March 2nd to September 30th for the year of 2022."
Wind conditions at waterfront sites: Lakeside camping offers views but can present weather challenges. A camper at Dana Peak warned, "The only draw back was the winds, they were so strong they shattered our tent poles. So i would definitely recommend to check the weather before selecting a date."
Limited water access at some sites: Despite being lakeside campgrounds, not all sites offer easy water access. A visitor to Westcliff mentioned, "The views were beautiful and everyone was super nice, it's gated as well so it felt very safe there."
Cell service variations: Mobile coverage differs significantly between providers and specific campground locations. At Live Oak Ridge, "I had good enough service with AT&T to work with my phone's hotspot, but Verizon was pretty poor and even streaming videos was choppy, though you can call and text as usual."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and recreation areas: Several campgrounds feature designated play spaces for children. At Live Oak Ridge, there's "a better-than-typical playground set in a great interior place for all to enjoy," making it suitable for families with younger children.
Swimming opportunities: During hot summer months, access to swimming areas becomes crucial. Dana Peak offers a solution as "The water is crystal clear, so we just went down and hopped in the water when it got too hot." Some parks have designated swimming areas while others require using boat ramps for water access.
Safety considerations: Most Corps of Engineers parks in the area feature gated entrances that close at specific times. Live Oak Ridge has "a gated entrance and the gates locked at 11:00pm," providing additional security for families with children.
Wildlife encounters at Military Park Fort Hood Belton Lake: Children often enjoy observing the abundant deer population. "Our kids enjoy to watch the deers that come close in the evening," noted a family camper. The wildlife viewing opportunities make for natural educational experiences.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Most Belton area campgrounds offer water and electric hookups, but full-service sites are limited. At Gather Campground, "Campground is paved, sites are spacious and level, and shower/bathroom facilities are some of the nicest we've seen."
Level sites and pad types: RV campers should note the variety of pad surfaces available. Mother Neff State Park features "full hook-ups and very level. Clean bathrooms and facilities." Most Corps of Engineers parks have asphalt or concrete pads that accommodate larger rigs.
Site selection for shade: During hot summer months, finding shaded RV sites becomes essential. At Cedar Ridge, a camper advised, "Sites that we really like with lots of shade 3,13,16,18," providing specific location guidance for future visitors seeking tree coverage.
