Campgrounds near Carrollton, Texas center around several lake systems including Lewisville Lake, Ray Roberts Lake, and Grapevine Lake, providing options for tent camping, RV sites, and cabin rentals. Hickory Creek at Lewisville Lake offers both water and electric hookups with lakeside access, while The Vineyards Campground & Cabins in Grapevine provides cabin accommodations and glamping options. Most campgrounds in the region feature amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to water, making them well-suited for family camping trips. The proximity to Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area makes these locations convenient weekend destinations while still providing a sense of outdoor recreation.
Road conditions throughout the camping areas remain generally accessible for standard vehicles, though some parks have walk-in tent sites requiring short hikes from parking areas. Summers bring hot temperatures often exceeding 90°F, while spring and fall offer milder conditions ideal for outdoor activities. "The location of this campground feels secluded from the city but close to the highway so you can be in the city within a few minutes drive," noted one camper about Hickory Creek Park. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for weekend stays during peak seasons from April through October. Many campgrounds are managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or Texas State Parks, with daily entrance fees averaging $7 per person at state parks in addition to camping fees.
Lake access represents a primary draw for campers in the Carrollton area, with multiple review comments highlighting waterfront sites as preferred options. The best campgrounds near Carrollton offer scenic lakefront camping with opportunities for fishing, boating, and water recreation. Several visitors mentioned the ability to dock boats directly at their campsites at locations like Pilot Knoll Park. Campers seeking more seclusion might consider the primitive sites at Isle du Bois in Ray Roberts Lake State Park, which require a half-mile walk from parking but offer greater privacy and lakefront access. Aircraft noise appears in multiple reviews due to the proximity to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, particularly at Hickory Creek Park. For those seeking a more remote experience, the LBJ National Grasslands approximately 40 miles northwest of Carrollton offers dispersed camping options with fewer amenities but greater solitude, though visitors note the necessity to "download maps before getting here" due to limited cell service.
$14 - $30 / night
"Location: The location is tucked away in the small lakeside town of Hickory Creek...which is surrounded by Denton to the north and Lewisville/Dallas to the south."
"I like this COE campground because conveniently located near where I live, and if I’m lucky I can snag a site with trees and lake access."
"Pros: Well maintained, great layout, great location, on the water. Cons: My only criticism is that our site positioned the sewer connection uphill from our trailer. A bit tough to use."
"Immediate access to the lake and a beautiful view! A great little escape from the city."
"Stayed here as a group traveling to the Frisco, Texas area for a college football game. We spent 2 nights in a RV. Was within close distance to where we were attending the football game."
"Being close to the lake is a big plus — you can walk right down and fish along the banks, and the view is just calm and peaceful. Although the strong wind prevented any real fishing."
"Awesome park, great lake and a discgolf course within walking distance!!"
"Family friendly and there is a lake and playground within walking distance. The staff is courteous. We did not use any of the facilities, except dump station."
$25 - $30 / night
"They offer water access, electricity, are near facilities, have tables and fire pits. Many of the sites overlook the lake or have easy access to the lake."
"Lake is nearby, and fishing permits in Tx are cheap and easy to grab online. Fairly quiet, but the sites themselves are private a shaded for the most part."
"My two boys 4/5 had a blast at the site, walking the trails, and finding spots to throw rocks into the lake."
"Lake front, kayak rentals with a great cove to paddle around in. Walking trails galore. Nice bathrooms, with showers."
$20 - $35 / night
"It’s close to my home but makes me feel like I’m camping far away from home. Lots of trees, many spots right on the water, great kayak launch, has hiking trails and decent distance between sites."
"Nice RV sites, close to the water. Campground close to town but away from the noise. Nice boat ramp/dock and day use areas too. Recently renovated bathrooms. Staff friendly."
$15 - $25 / night
"The walk-in to P07 was quite lengthy, but P11 had parking spots right next to camp."
"The lake was warm and there was a little "beach" for swimming- I would recommend water shoes and floaties! There are picnic tables and benches all over and tons of parking."
$15 - $60 / night
"In the hot month of July 2020 I loaded up Little Red and headed out to spend several days camping at the Isle Du Bois Unit of Ray Roberts Lake."
"68 year-old solo camper getting ready to travel around the country, car/tent camping primarily."
$14 / night
"great site, just wish it was a little farther away from all the city lights. but well maintained"
"The only caveat to the site is that it is right next to a Marina, so there are boats coming and going and partying going on which didn't bother us but just be aware. "
RangerWe have stayed here twice and loved it. Make sure you tie down any kayaks or boats due to wind buy the water. Ours blew away, boo. The spots are great and amenities perfect. The gate does close at night so be careful that you dont get locked out. Learn from our mistake or you have a long walk.
ScoutStayed here for work. All the roads and pads are concrete. There is a keypad Gate. I can do all my work from here with the fiber internet. I forgot a couple of things this trip and rather than schlep down to Walmart I used the Amazon Package Lockers...pretty nice. i will stay here again.
GuideNice campsite with lots of trees and privacy. Goog picnic table with shelter. Marginal cell phone reception. Clean restrooms.
GuideVery nice park! Arriving early evening was good because the numbering of sites was somewhat confusing. There was no one available at the gate to provide a map or directions. The gate was also timed, so I had a difficult time passing through without the rail dropping onto or between my vehicle and trailer. Took me 3 tries to gain success. I had a pull-through site, so that made things easier. Other than that, it is a beautiful place next to the lake. I enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere and the pleasant people who utilized the campground. It seemed to be a busy place that is well maintained. Glad I found it!
ScoutWe have a very nice 2000 5th wheel. We had hoped to stay for a work trip and were denied because of the age of our RV. We were very disappointed. Nowhere online or in apps did we see anything saying our camper had to meet an age requirement. Also, you request a space ahead, tell who you are and what you’re bringing, then wait for a yes or no to your reservation.
LegendAbout 45minutes north of Dallas which makes easy entry and exit. Very clean amenities, spacious sites, better than average dog park, good amount of grass and walking trails around. Staff was friendly and accommodating. Even had a small fitness room that will work in a pinch.
Scout@solitaire Peaceful lakeside camping spot for a quiet getaway. The site felt calm and spacious, and it was great for relaxing and fishing by the lake. This is more of a rustic camping experience, so don’t expect full RV hookups. Access was manageable, and the natural setting was the highlight. Best for campers who want to disconnect and enjoy a simple outdoor stay.
GuideNice park. Could use some updates. Especially the shower houses. Park layout and lake access is great. Several sites are water adjacent. Staff is all very friendly and helpful.
ScoutThe site is not easily accessible. Maybe they are doing work in the area???
Carrollton area camping options include full-service facilities with water and electric hookups for RVs and primitive sites for tent campers seeking more seclusion. Campgrounds span across three main lakes—Lewisville, Grapevine, and Ray Roberts—with elevations ranging from 435 to 644 feet. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 95°F with humidity levels reaching 80%, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons.
Hiking and biking trails: Ray Roberts Lake State Park offers varied trail experiences for different skill levels. "A very nice state park, about an hour northwest of Dallas. Lots of hiking and biking trails, with clean restrooms! Deer will approach your campsite and you're likely to see all kinds of wildlife," notes a visitor to Isle du Bois Campsites.
Kayaking and paddleboarding: Twin Coves Park provides rental equipment and protected water areas. "What a beautiful park. Lake front, kayak rentals with a great cove to paddle around in. Walking trails galore," states a reviewer at Twin Coves Park.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer fishing docks and bank access. According to one camper at The Vineyards: "We boated, kayaked, rented a golf cart and more. The gold sites are worth it! All concrete sites on the water and stone encased cooking areas. Great water pressure, sewer hookups and more. Incredible sunsets and my boys caught a 12 lb and 20 lb catfish right off the fishing dock."
Lake access sites: Waterfront campsites rank as the most desired locations. At Willow Grove Park, one camper reported: "Beautiful, clean, modern campsite. The wifi is not very reliable. The bathrooms and showers work, and are clean. There is a park with slides and swings. The lake was warm and there was a little 'beach' for swimming."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-serviced amenities. "Very clean and quite. We are going back next weekend," noted a visitor to Hidden Cove Park & Marina, while another mentioned: "RV and tent sites are spacious. Lots of lake access from sites. They also have cabins for rent. The staff is friendly."
Space between sites: Campers appreciate sites that aren't overcrowded. At Hickory Creek, reviews consistently mention this feature: "A lot of space between sites, well level and paved, family oriented, very quite, beautiful lake and tree sites, lighted power supply post with all the amps available. Fire pits, bbq, picnic tables and some with gazebo."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. "Twin coves is my favorite park. It has great hiking, a nice kayak launch and new, clean bathrooms. The cabins are well equipped with granite countertop kitchens even!" states a camper at Twin Coves Park.
Seasonal crowds: Weekends from April to October see the highest visitor numbers. During busy periods, campgrounds implement quiet hours at 10 pm, though enforcement varies by location.
Security concerns: Some parks have open access points without gated entry. As one camper at Lake Park Campground noted: "Very friendly staff, clean bathrooms, Verizon 2 bar 4g. Bathrooms locked down to prevent non campers from using them. You will be given the access code on check in. Front gate get locked at 11pm. If you don't make it, you have to park outside and walk in."
Playgrounds and beaches: Several campgrounds feature child-friendly recreation areas. "Check-in was very easy, sites were very clean and well maintained, playground was amazing with an awesome 'roller-coaster' swing that the teenagers even loved," reports a visitor to The Vineyards Campground & Cabins.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many sites offer chances to see local animals. At Isle du Bois, "We have car camped on a few occasions here and each time we saw plenty of deer around camp," shares one reviewer.
Safety considerations: Some waterfront areas require extra precautions. A Willow Grove Park visitor advises: "The lake was warm and there was a little 'beach' for swimming- I would recommend water shoes and floaties!"
Hookup specifics: Electrical service varies by campground. "The electric was recently upgraded after the flooding this year. So there's 50 amp available now too. I camped at site 39 and it was an asphalt/gravel pad and fairly level. Water pressure was good and there was lots of shade and ample privacy between sites in this section," notes a Hickory Creek visitor.
Site selection strategy: Many RVers recommend researching specific site numbers. At Hidden Cove Park, "Site #33 is for tent camping so there was no electric or water. The website said no toilets but there was a port-a-potty about 40 yards from our site along with a water spigot. The site was fairly level and comes with a covered picnic table and enough trees to provide shade."
Dump station locations: Not all parks offer convenient waste disposal. One camper at Willow Grove notes: "Dump station is near the middle school outside the park so had to drive our tote 1/4-1/2 mile up the street with a decent amount of traffic."
Frequently Asked Questions
What family-friendly campgrounds are available in Carrollton?
While Carrollton itself has limited camping options, the surrounding area offers excellent family-friendly campgrounds. Isle du Bois Campsites — Ray Roberts Lake State Park is perfect for families with swimming areas and spacious sites. The park's beautiful lake setting provides opportunities for water activities during hot Texas summers. Another great option is Rock Island RV Park, which features a quaint pond where ducks and geese create a fun atmosphere for children. The park even keeps horses, donkeys, and other animals on the premises, providing additional entertainment for kids.
Are there overnight camping options in Carrollton?
For overnight camping near Carrollton, Hickory Creek - Lewisville Lake offers excellent options with spread-out campsites and great water views. Despite being close to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, it feels secluded while remaining accessible via nearby highways. Another good overnight option is Treetops RV Resort, which provides clean, quiet sites with beautiful shade trees. Their pull-through spaces make setup easy, and amenities include fire pits, picnic tables, private bath houses, and laundry services.
Where are the best camping locations in Carrollton?
The best camping locations near Carrollton include Cedar Hill State Park Campground on Joe Pool Lake, which features over 300 campsites to suit various preferences and the historical Penn Farm to explore. Pilot Knoll Park Campground is another excellent option that locals consider a hidden gem for its peaceful atmosphere and proximity to Lake Lewisville. For those seeking a more remote feel while staying close to urban amenities, Willow Grove Park offers sites with varying levels of privacy - some secluded walk-in sites and others with convenient parking access.
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