Belton Lake camping offers extensive shoreline access on a 12,300-acre reservoir with 68 miles of shoreline. Campsites range from lake-level spots with minimal elevation changes to higher sites on bluffs overlooking the water. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 95°F between June and September, making spring and fall the most comfortable seasons for tent camping. Most campgrounds maintain seasonal operation from March through September.
What to do
Wildlife observation: Cedar Ridge Park hosts abundant wildlife with regular deer and turkey sightings throughout the grounds. "We saw lots of deer and birds," noted Stephanie A., who stayed at Cedar Ridge Park. Morning and evening provide the best viewing opportunities when animals are most active.
Hiking trails: Access the 26.2-mile San Gabriel River Trail directly from Russell Park for day hikes or backpacking trips. "The trail circles Lake Georgetown and passes through forests, grasslands, over some small hills and across a few tributaries," according to Troy W., who camped at Russell Park. Approximately 40% of the trail offers tree coverage while 60% is exposed to sun.
Water activities: Crystal-clear water at Dana Peak Park provides excellent swimming conditions during summer months. "The water is crystal clear, so we just went down and hopped in the water when it got too hot," reports Sheila C., who camped at Dana Peak during hot July weather.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Live Oak Ridge campground features well-separated sites with natural buffers. "Pretty much all sites have trees above, very romantic setting and enough space between site that you don't feel on top of others," writes Maxine C. about her stay at Live Oak Ridge. Most sites include a covered picnic area on concrete pads.
Convenient fishing access: Several lakeside campsites provide direct fishing opportunities. "Our site was right on the water allowing us to fish from our spot," explains Jeff H. about Cedar Ridge Park. The lake contains healthy populations of bass, crappie, and catfish.
Clean facilities: Wilson H. Fox campground maintains high cleanliness standards. "Campground very clean. C of E staff very friendly," mentions Michael C. from his stay at Wilson H. Fox. Bathrooms and shower facilities receive regular maintenance during peak season.
What you should know
Site selection matters: Many campgrounds feature significant differences between sites regarding shade, views, and levelness. "Sites that we really like with lots of shade 3,13,16,18," advises Dean H. about Cedar Ridge Park. Research site maps and reviews before booking.
Reservation requirements: Most camping areas require advanced booking through Recreation.gov. Sites typically fill 2-3 months ahead for summer weekends and holidays.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies widely between campgrounds. "We had awesome phone and wi-fi coverage with T-mobile," reports Jim P. at Cedar Ridge, but coverage may be limited at other locations around the lake.
Weather considerations: Lake Belton area experiences strong winds, particularly affecting waterfront sites. "The only draw back was the winds, they were so strong they shattered our tent poles," warns Janese W. from her experience at Dana Peak.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly areas: Cedar Breaks Park offers dedicated play areas and shallow swimming zones. "We road bicycles, played on the playground. Hiked around and fished," shares Cathy C. about her family trip to Cedar Breaks Park. Most recreation areas include playgrounds within walking distance of campsites.
Educational opportunities: Wildlife observation provides natural learning opportunities. "You will see large groups of deer, turkey etc just wandering around," notes Jeff H. about Cedar Ridge Park. Bring binoculars and wildlife identification guides.
Safety considerations: Many waterfront sites feature steep shoreline access. "It was difficult to get to the water from our site but doable if you did not mind a little workout," mentions Bobby A. about his stay at Wilson H. Fox. Scout appropriate water access points before allowing children near the shore.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Some campsites require significant leveling equipment. "Our rear bumper in site 34 is 9.5 inch higher than the hitch. Some rigs might have trouble getting level," cautions Robert E. at Airport Park. Bring extra leveling blocks for lakeside sites.
Hookup configurations: Cedar Ridge offers water and electric only. "Has 30 & 50 amp hookups with water does not have sewer hookups at sites but does have dump station close by," explains Cody D. Most campgrounds feature similar setups with centralized dump stations.
Noise considerations: Airport Park experiences aircraft noise due to proximity to Waco airport. "Waco airport aircraft departing/arriving as early as 6am and as late as 11pm. One night we counted aircraft performing touch and go maneuvers 42 times," reports a camper named Napunani. Consider noise levels when selecting campgrounds.
