Isle du Bois Campsites at Ray Roberts Lake State Park offers spacious tent sites with shoreline views. Primitive camping areas in the Hawthorne campground provide secluded spots for tent campers looking to avoid crowds. The park maintains several campgrounds with varying terrain and amenities across its 29,000 acres of land and water. Most campsites are within a mile of water access points.
What to do
Fishing from the bank: Isle du Bois Campsites at Ray Roberts Lake State Park provides lake access for anglers without boats. "Sites on the perimeter all have lake access where you can pull a boat up," notes Matt S. The park's fishing piers make it convenient for families looking for pet-friendly fishing spots.
Primitive hiking: The trail systems at Eisenhower State Park offer varied terrain for different skill levels. "Great hiking park," mentions Alice R., though she cautions "in the summer it gets very hot." The trails lead to limestone cliffs and water views unique to Lake Texoma.
Winter camping: December visitors will find significantly fewer crowds at parks near Caddo National Grassland. "There are few campers here in December. Restrooms were clean. Campsites, large and private," reports Eric R. from Isle du Bois. This makes winter an ideal time for visitors seeking quiet camping with pets.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Johnson Branch Campsites at Ray Roberts Lake State Park provides ample room between sites. "The sites are cut in a way that gives you privacy. The sites are fairly close together but the grass makes it feel like you have your own little oasis," writes Joyce L. This extra space is particularly valuable for those camping with pets.
Clean facilities: Paradise on Lake Texoma maintains well-kept grounds and buildings. "This place is beautiful and the staff is wonderful! Bathrooms are very clean," reports Jacob C. Natalie S. adds, "We came here for a fishing tournament... The sites are clean, full hookups and lake views."
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings offer the best animal sightings. "Deer will approach your campsite and you're likely to see all kinds of wildlife," mentions Tony C. about Isle du Bois. Matt S. agrees: "We have car camped on a few occasions here and each time we saw plenty of deer around camp."
What you should know
Site accessibility: At Johnson Branch, "Most campsites have a lengthy walk-in distance so be prepared! Bring a cart; it'll speed things up massively," advises Joyce L. Some campgrounds require more planning than others for gear transport.
Limited shade: "Definitely bring a canopy or tarp; there isn't much cover here," notes Joyce L. about Johnson Branch. This becomes especially important during summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 95°F.
Water hookup placement: At Paradise on Lake Texoma, "The water hookups are FAR from the site. Do not under estimate how far these things are. With 75ft of hose - we were barely reaching the nozzle," warns Taylor V. This requires bringing extra-long hoses for RV users.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds near campsites: Erwin Park offers convenient recreational facilities. "The park has several covered pavilions as well as restrooms but lacks shower facilities," explains James from TrueZoneCoaching. This public park has fire pits and trash cans at each site.
Swimming options: Eisenhower State Park features designated swimming areas. "Cool beach with caves. New food trailer with great food," reports Susan F. The beach areas are accessible for both pets and children during most seasons.
Trail difficulty: For families with younger children, consider timing and trail selection. "Hiking also isn't as safe" when mountain bike traffic is heavy at Erwin Park, warns Jimbo E. Weekday mornings typically offer the lowest trail traffic for safer family hiking.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Good Shepherd RV Park & Storage, "Wide gravel sites, wide enough to put out the mat and still park the truck next to that," reports Dick M. This extra space is important for RVers traveling with pets.
Amenities verification: Check if facilities are operational before booking. "Might have given 5 stars but both pools are shut down and it's HOT!" warns Tom C. about Thousand Trails Lake Texoma. This is particularly important during peak summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 100°F.
Power pedestal testing: "The first spot I chose had a bad pedestal, so I had to pick up and choose another spot. I would definitely recommend checking the pedestal before unpacking," advises Emerson F. about Thousand Trails Lake Texoma. This simple check can prevent frustrating setups.
