The camping areas near Bridgeport, Texas combine rolling hills and small lakes spread across diverse terrain. Located in north central Texas at approximately 836 feet elevation, the region experiences summer high temperatures reaching 100°F and winter lows around 30°F. Several camping locations offer direct water access for fishing or boating while providing access to the LBJ National Grasslands where dispersed camping can be found on Forest Service roads.
What to do
Fishing at multiple ponds: LBJ National Grasslands features numerous stocked ponds for fishing enthusiasts. "There's cattle roaming around and a lot of stocked ponds to fish in and some hiking through the different areas. Very peaceful and still close to the city if you forget anything," notes a camper at LBJ Lyndon B Johnson National Grasslands.
Historical experiences at Fort Richardson: Visit the restored hospital building and officers' quarters at this historical site. "The fort is very interesting. I was there on a re-enactment weekend and really enjoyed talking to all the re-enacters. A lot of great history. At night the coyotes sang me to sleep," shares a visitor to Fort Richardson State Park Hist. Site and Trailway.
Paddling on Black Creek Lake: The small lake is ideal for kayaking and canoeing when water levels are adequate. A camper explains, "Black Creek Lake is a smaller location and perfect for kayaks. From this area you will easily be able to launch a kayak when the waters are higher and from the hiking area just a few hundred yards from the parking area."
What campers like
Private lakeside spots: Many campsites throughout the area offer direct lake access for swimming and boating. "The camping spots are fairly large and ours was right on the water. We could park right next to our spot and put our boat in with the boat ramp that we could see from our spot," notes a visitor at Wise County Park.
Spacious dispersed sites: The National Grasslands provide ample distance between campsites. "The sites are a good distance between them. You can drive along the roads and look for them. We spotted 22 sites, there may be more. Download maps before getting here. Cell is not the best. No bathrooms, water, etc. Pack in/pack out," reports a visitor to LBJ National Grasslands Forest Road 904 Dispersed Camping.
Recreational amenities: Several campgrounds offer facilities for family activities. "They have a nice pool and club house! The staff was very friendly! This campground is not far from downtown Bridgeport, there are several restaurants and if you want a good burger try 5 boys Ranch," shares a camper at Thousand Trails Bay Landing.
What you should know
Arrival timing considerations: Some campgrounds can be difficult to navigate after dark. "Very dark at night, so if you are arriving later in the evening beware! The RV sites are not marked very well," warns a visitor about Thousand Trails Bay Landing.
Variable ground conditions: Many camping areas have challenging terrain for setting up tents. "The ground was soft and I came out of the RV without thinking and twisted both [knee and ankle]. Medical services are within a half hour of the RV Park," notes a camper at Thousand Trails Bay Landing.
Limited services at dispersed sites: Prepare for true primitive camping in the grasslands. "This is a pretty remote area of north-central Texas. The roads to the area are paved and fairly decent, though the stretch on CR 2461 is quite narrow. Forrest Road 904, where the dispersed camping is located, is hard packed gravel and in fairly good shape."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. "The camp also has a small playground that our kids enjoyed. Nearby there are a few trails that follow the Black Creek," notes a visitor at Black Creek Lake Recreation Area.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area offers opportunities to observe local wildlife. "When I pulled in I spoke to person at the entry who gave me a basic rundown of the facility which included a small restaurant, atv area, sports area including mini golf and a pool and of course the camping experience options themselves."
Educational experiences: Fort Richardson offers learning opportunities through historical reenactments. "We hosted a summer camp here, went to company picnics and came out with friends. It was the resort type feel without the huge resort style price."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose sites carefully based on amenities needed. "There are some full hook up sites but many are partial hookups. You pick your own site which is nice but most of the full hook up sites are occupied by long term residents or annual site holders."
Road conditions awareness: Some access roads require careful navigation. "The roads in could use some help. Overall the campground had a very spacious feel and they have done a really nice job of keeping the area landscaped," shares an RVer at Rock Island RV Park.
Cell service variability: Connectivity varies widely throughout the region. "AT&T coverage was fairly good here, generally varying between 1-3 Bars of LTE service, with speeds up to 4.5 MB/s," notes a camper about the Forest Road 904 dispersed camping area.
