The Flint area of East Texas sits within the Piney Woods region, approximately 15 miles southeast of Tyler. Characterized by tall pine forests and nearby lake access, camping options near Flint range from full-service RV parks to more rustic settings with limited amenities. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly reaching the 90s and mild winters that can still bring occasional freezing temperatures.
What to do
Kayaking on nearby lakes: Tyler State Park Campground offers easy access to a 64-acre spring-fed lake where visitors can rent equipment. "Pine forest and beautiful lake for swimming, paddel boarding (SUP), or fishing. Lots of hiking/mountain bike trails," notes Peter F. in his review of Tyler State Park Campground.
Fishing from multiple access points: The Boulders at Lake Tyler provides various fishing opportunities including boat rentals and a fishing barge. According to Brianna B., they offer "boat ramp and docks and a fishing barge. The bait shop has a variety of supplies and snacks." The Boulders at Lake Tyler makes fishing accessible for both experienced anglers and beginners.
Mountain biking on established trails: The trail system at Tyler State Park receives consistently positive reviews from cyclists. As Jill C. states, "Sites are good but trails for biking and hiking are great!!" The park maintains dedicated mountain biking trails ranging from beginner to more advanced technical routes.
What campers like
Shaded campsites: The mature pine trees throughout the region provide natural cooling during hot Texas summers. At Tyler Oaks RV Resort, sites are arranged to take advantage of the established trees. One camper mentioned their overnight experience: "Site was very easy to find in the dark and easy to pull into. The camp host even came by to check on us."
Lake swimming areas: The Boulders at Lake Tyler maintains clean swimming areas with concrete access points. Kathy H. noted, "Great view of Lake Tyler. Also very clean. There is a store, great boat dock, and a vendor selling very good bbq."
Diverse camping options: The Trails at Lavender Road offers various accommodation types including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins. According to Paul C., "The area is quiet and well maintained. Easy location to access from I-20. Verizon works great." The Trails at Lavender Road provides options for different camping preferences within the same property.
What you should know
Reservations needed in advance: Popular campgrounds like Tyler State Park fill quickly, especially during weekends and summer months. One camper at Tyler State Park noted, "Great little lake to fish, kayak, swim and hike! Hard to get reservations because it is so popular! If you get reservations it's kinda like winning the lottery."
Wildlife encounters: Raccoons are common throughout camping areas near Flint. A camper at Tyler State Park observed, "Be careful for raccoons saw a lot of them while here!" Proper food storage in secure containers helps prevent unwanted visits.
Variable site quality: Some RV parks have uneven sites or limited amenities. At Lake Palestine Resort, one camper reported, "Our site was a grass pad, full hookup and directly next to the store and parking lot. The lot was very muddy and full of boats for a tournament."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks maintain dedicated play areas for children. At Tyler State Park Campground, Becca H. shares, "My family and I enjoy the trails and lake at this park. The playground is one of the best I've seen at the state parks we've been to!"
Kid-friendly water activities: Shallow swimming areas and boat rentals cater to families with young children. Sarah J. notes about Tyler State Park, "The lake was perfect and had a nice beach. We were able to rent kayaks and paddle boats. The hiking is not the greatest but it was easy enough for my toddler."
Easy hiking trails: Many camping areas feature shorter, less challenging trails suitable for young hikers. Wesley D. mentions, "I tent camped and there were alot of trails, alot of activities to do and the water was alittle on the chilly side but was still nice!"
Tips from RVers
Level sites with full hookups: KE Bushman's Camp offers concrete pads that simplify setup. According to Emily B., "We stayed in a pull through here. Nice concrete pads, average size for the site for a privately owned park. Great little fishing pond, but not much else to do."
Easy access from highways: The Trails at Lavender Road provides convenient locations for overnight travelers. Kathy H. shares, "Nice little park. Good for overnight. Friendly staff. Did laundry and it had clean machines. Peaceful surroundings. You can hear the traffic noise. Didn't have to unhook with 43 foot 5th Wheel."
Pull-through availability: For larger rigs, finding adequate pull-through sites saves time and hassle. Marc T. says about Lookout Mountain RV Park, "The name drew us in, the convenience, friendly staff, large spaces and the usual amenities will bring us back."
