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Camping near Belton Lake

361 Reviews

Belton Lake, Texas hosts several established campgrounds managed primarily by the Army Corps of Engineers, with options ranging from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV spots and cabins. Live Oak Ridge and Cedar Ridge Park offer waterfront camping with a mix of accommodation types including tent, RV, and in some cases cabin or glamping options. Most campgrounds feature covered picnic tables, fire rings, and basic amenities, with several providing electric and water hookups. The lake serves as a central recreational feature, with many campsites positioned to provide either direct water access or scenic views of the reservoir.

Campgrounds in the Belton Lake area generally remain open year-round, though summer brings higher visitation rates and advance reservations become essential, particularly for waterfront sites. Several parks feature gated entrances with specific entry codes, requiring campers to complete reservations before arrival. While most sites offer reasonable space between neighbors, weekends can become crowded, especially during peak summer months. The region experiences hot Texas summers with cooler, mild winters ideal for camping. A visitor commented, "Live Oak Ridge has beautiful views of Belton Lake with large sites that offer substantial distance from neighboring sites, giving room to bring multiple vehicles or a boat along with the RV."

Waterfront access represents a significant draw for many Belton Lake campers, though not all campgrounds offer swimming areas. Cedar Ridge, Live Oak Ridge, and Westcliff provide boat ramps for water recreation, while several sites feature direct lake visibility. Campground maintenance receives consistent praise from visitors, with many noting the cleanliness of facilities and helpfulness of camp hosts. Several reviews highlight the peaceful atmosphere and abundant wildlife, particularly deer sightings in the early morning and evening hours. Bath facilities vary considerably between campgrounds, with some offering heated showers during cooler months. The proximity to nearby towns including Belton, Temple, and historic Salado makes these campgrounds convenient bases for exploring the broader central Texas region while still enjoying waterfront recreation.

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Best Camping Sites Near Belton Lake (133)

    1. Cedar Ridge (TX)

    11 Reviews
    Temple, TX
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (254) 986-1404

    $20 - $200 / night

    "Has 30 & 50 amp hookups with water does not have sewer hookups at sites but does have dump station close by."

    "Campers next to us cleaned fish the evening we arrived and the next morning. We had awesome phone and wi fi coverage with T-mobile. We were in spot 62 and it was mostly level."

    2. Live Oak Ridge

    10 Reviews
    Belton, TX
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (254) 780-1738

    $24 - $30 / night

    "It is located on Belton Lake. It is a gated entrance and the gates locked at 11:00pm. Our site was situated at the end of the loop and it was very spacious. It had water/electric with a dump station."

    "Live Oak is a nice Corps of Engineers park on Belton Lake. The campsites are well maintained with asphalt parking, a covered picnic table, and nice gravel area."

    3. Mother Neff State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Moody, TX
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (254) 853-9044

    $12 - $160 / night

    "Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPW) goes BIG with this sweet little park! In 2015, a new Visitors Center and 20-site campground were built among the remnants of the old CCC structures."

    "Great park (first one in Texas) that has some interesting history. So well maintained. Site 007 has some great shade and a cute feral kitty that comes begging for food."

    4. Dana Peak

    13 Reviews
    Harker Heights, TX
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (254) 698-4282

    $20 - $120 / night

    "Wonderful time with the family walking the trails enjoying the views"

    "This is a nice campground with spacious sites right on the lake with covered picnic tables. The park has many miles of mountain bike and hiking trails."

    5. Military Park Fort Hood Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area

    10 Reviews
    Belton Lake, TX
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (819) 460-5507

    $6 - $18 / night

    "We ended up near the entrance with full hookups for our Trailer. The spot are decent didn’t mind the area we were at. My only thing is the area could be better maintained."

    "The lake was nice to canoe on and had a beautiful view of the sunset. The bathrooms were to far to walk so we had to drive to them ever time and there were no showers so this was a negative."

    6. Stillhouse

    6 Reviews
    Belton, TX
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (254) 939-6741

    $120 / night

    "Exploring Stillhouse Park sounds like a serene escape with clear lake waters and diverse wildlife."

    "Whether it's enjoying a picnic by the lake, taking a dip in the water, engaging in sports activities, or casting a fishing line, visitors can make the most of their time in this scenic area managed by"

    7. Belton Lakeview Park

    4 Reviews
    Belton, TX
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (254) 939-2461

    $120 / night

    "My wife and I got away from the city here several years ago. We weren't sure where to go and settled at this nice park near the lake."

    "There are several other areas in and around this park where you can explore or even do some primitive day camping."

    8. Union Grove

    6 Reviews
    Harker Heights, TX
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (254) 947-0072

    $24 - $60 / night

    "The lake is gorgeous, with wildlife all around. A must stop by and enjoy what central Texas has to offer."

    "Asphalt with grass all around. The roads are one way, so it’s a hike to the dumpster. The sites sit on the lake but there is really limited lake access due to the craggy nature of the shore line."

    9. Westcliff

    3 Reviews
    Belton, TX
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (254) 939-9828

    $20 - $30 / night

    "Great access to water for fishing.swim area.clean bathrooms and showers.friendly staff.quiet peaceful.great place to take your family.boat ramp too.we love it."

    "Was possible they were waiting to mow until right before the weekend but the grass even around the campsites was about 8-10 inches and over a foot the rest of the way near the bathrooms."

    10. Gather Campground - Bell County

    2 Reviews
    Belton, TX
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (254) 236-2866

    $32 - $82 / night

    "The exercise room was particularly impressive, and the spacious and clean lots added to the overall positive experience."

    "We don’t have pets, but there are pet areas around the campground that the guests used frequently."

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Recent Camping Photos near Belton Lake

65 Photos of 133 Belton Lake Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Belton Lake

361 Reviews of 133 Belton Lake Campgrounds

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 29, 2025

    Mother Neff State Park Campground

    Beautiful Campground, No Motorcycles

    Nice little state park with level concrete parking pads and full hookups. Clean very nice bathrooms.

    SpaceX rocket testing site 6 miles away that will shake your camper. The park website doesn’t give you any heads up about that.

    Not very motorcycle friendly. Best to just keep rolling.

  • P
    Oct. 20, 2025

    North Crest RV Park

    Spacious lots; quiet; fabulous hosts!

    This is a five star stop for sure!  It is right off of I-35, so there is highway traffic noise but it is forgivable.  The hosts were so friendly, and Ranger the RV resort boss poodle was awesome!  My Australian Shepherd loved him.  By-pass the massive nearby RV park in favor of this gem if you want to have an RV camping experience that we all signed up for when we purchased our rigs!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 20, 2025

    Waco Creekside Resort

    Relaxing Stay

    We had a wonderful stay at Waco Creekside Resort! Our pull-through site was spacious, level, and easy to access—perfect for our setup. The grounds are beautifully maintained with plenty of room to relax. The amenities were top-notch, and the staff went above and beyond to make sure everything was just right. We’ll definitely be back!

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2025

    North Crest RV Park

    Emily's Shady Grove

    It's a great place to stop and spend the night or spend the day !! This family owned place is covered with trees and is very shady! Emily (Owner) goes over and above to meet your needs during your stay!!!! We stayed two separate nights because we enjoyed it here !!!

  • P
    Aug. 22, 2025

    Shady River RV Resort

    Excellent Location

    We stayed here for 1 weekend in early August. Great location. Very peaceful.

  • Keri S.
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Midway

    Showers & fishing

    They are a little bit strict here but there are friendly and the showers are always clean and fishing is good.

  • Eddie H.
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Winkler Park Campground

    Catfish

    This is a great tent camping spot has water no electric they do have showers and a restroom there is 11 camps spots camp host is very helpful and respectful. Good place for catfishing bring your kayak

  • 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.

  • Bobbie S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Camp Fimfo Waco

    Not a long term place

    My husband travels for work. We stayed here nine months out of the 11 months in Tx. We endured the high cost (1,200 per month) because the rate drops in the winter. They have many rules that they enforce when and to whom they feel like enforcing them to. My site was always tidy (no pets or children) but was informed that I would be fined 40 dollars (repeatedly) for having a small outside fridge until it was removed. Most parks do not allow mini fridges outside (some more strict than others). I had this fridge for NINE months, three other people had one as well. They did not get spoken to. This was the last straw, why we moved. Also, after nine months, they no longer allowed ANY mail to be delivered there. Prior to the fridge: They had an online issue and rented our spot and told us we had to move for a week. We stayed at the spot we moved to until they decided that this spot was not available for the summer to a full time renter. We move again. I saw three copperhead snakes while there. The issue, they do not mow regularly! My neighbor bought a push mower so his dog could go out and he could see snakes. The laundry rooms were absolutely disgusting and broken most of the time (I found a local laundry mat). They got new machines and they were still breaking down and very dirty. Dirty showers. Were told no outside wood. Have to purchase it from the store on site. The store is closed all week. Only open 3 days (winter, when you have fires), Fri, Sat & Sun. Five mile an hour speed limit, staff doses 20+ on golf carts. The road noise was incredibly loud for how far from the road the park is. The handful of lovely staff members was the only reason we stayed as long as we did.

Guide to Belton Lake

Camping near Belton Lake, Texas, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Fishing: Belton Lake is known for its great fishing spots. Campers at Wilson H Fox rave about the fishing opportunities, with one reviewer noting, "You wonder what this lake is best for fishing; it’s crappie."
  • Hiking: Explore the trails around the lake. At Dana Peak, one camper mentioned, "The park has many miles of mountain bike and hiking trails," making it a great spot for outdoor enthusiasts.
  • Swimming: Enjoy a refreshing swim at designated areas. Campers at Live Oak Ridge appreciate the access to water, with one saying, "The swimming area was great."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Mother Neff State Park Campground said, "Everything was clean and tidy," highlighting the park's upkeep.
  • Spacious sites: Campers enjoy the roomy sites at Cedar Ridge. One reviewer noted, "The campsites are located on small loops which limits the traffic past the individual camp sites."
  • Wildlife: Many campers love spotting deer and other wildlife. A camper at Jim Hogg - Lake Georgetown mentioned, "We saw a few deer run through our campsite during breakfast!"

What you should know:

  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds, like Tejas Park, have fewer amenities. A camper pointed out, "There’s no posted or briefed quiet hours, so people were up and loud all night."
  • Noise from nearby roads: Campers at Midway have noted that traffic noise can be an issue, with one saying, "It’s close enough to SpaceX to hear rocket testing."
  • Check-in process: At some campgrounds, like Airport Park, the check-in process can be a bit informal. One camper mentioned, "No one ever greeted us nor checked us in."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose family-friendly sites: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities. Live Oak Ridge has a nice playground, making it a great spot for kids. A reviewer said, "A better-than-typical playground is set in a great interior place for all to enjoy."
  • Plan for shade: Some sites can get hot, so pick a campground with tree coverage. A camper at Cedar Breaks Park noted, "Most have decent privacy with lots of trees."
  • Bring outdoor games: Campers at Mother Neff State Park Campground enjoyed short trails that worked well for their dogs, so consider bringing games for the whole family.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check for hookups: Make sure your chosen campground has the necessary hookups. Campers at Dana Peak appreciated the "large covered picnic tables" and easy water access.
  • Look for spacious sites: RVers enjoy sites that offer plenty of room. A visitor at Wilson H Fox mentioned, "Spots are spacious, some large."
  • Be aware of road access: Some campgrounds, like Airport Park, have specific entry times. One camper noted, "Gates close at 10pm and you cannot get back in until 6am."

Camping near Belton Lake, Texas, has something for everyone, from families to seasoned RVers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best campgrounds at Belton Lake?

Belton Lake offers several excellent campgrounds, with Live Oak Ridge being a standout option. This Corps of Engineers park features spacious sites with water/electric hookups, covered picnic tables, and well-maintained facilities. Many sites offer beautiful lake views, though not all have direct water access. Another top choice is Cedar Breaks Park, which provides spectacular lakefront camping with shaded shelters over tables and clean facilities. Both campgrounds have gated entrances for security and offer convenient access to hiking trails and water activities. Other solid options include Dana Peak, Westcliff, and Cedar Ridge, each offering different amenities and views of the lake.

Is Belton Lake open for camping year-round?

Yes, Belton Lake camping is generally available year-round, though specific campgrounds may have seasonal variations. Belton Lakeview Park remains accessible throughout the year, offering beautiful lake views and convenient proximity to amenities. Located near Belton Dam, it's less than 10 minutes from stores and gas stations, making it practical for off-season camping. Tejas Park is another year-round option with more primitive amenities but beautiful surroundings. Weather in central Texas is typically mild enough to support camping in all seasons, though reservations are highly recommended during peak summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly.

Are there RV camping facilities at Belton Lake?

Belton Lake offers excellent RV camping facilities at several locations. Blue Sky I-35 RV Park provides clean, well-maintained sites with easy interstate access and amenities like a dog park and walking paths. For those wanting a more natural setting, Military Park Fort Hood Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area offers RV sites with scenic views. Many Corps of Engineers campgrounds around the lake feature RV-friendly sites with water and electric hookups, paved parking pads, and dump stations. Most accommodate big rigs and provide spacious sites with amenities like covered picnic tables, fire rings, and easy lake access. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak seasons.

Is there an entrance fee to access Belton Lake?

Access to Belton Lake typically involves day-use or camping fees rather than a general entrance fee. Corps of Engineers parks like Union Grove and Dana Peak charge day-use fees (approximately $5-10 per vehicle) for access to boat ramps, swimming areas, and picnic facilities. Camping fees generally range from $20-35 per night depending on the campground and amenities provided. Some areas may offer annual passes for frequent visitors. Specific recreation areas might have different fee structures, and some boat ramps may have separate charges. It's advisable to check the official Corps of Engineers website or call ahead for current fee information for your specific destination at Belton Lake.

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