Best Tent Camping near Carrollton, TX

Tent campsites near Carrollton, Texas offer a mix of established and primitive camping options within reasonable driving distance of the metropolitan area. Sycamore Bend Park in Lewisville provides primitive tent camping along the shores of Lake Lewisville with sites that require a short walk from the parking area. Meadowmere Park & Campground offers 36 tent-specific campsites with more amenities, while Erwin Park in McKinney provides a natural escape with multiple tent sites set among wooded areas.

Most tent campgrounds in the area feature basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and trash collection, though availability varies by location. Sycamore Bend Park charges $20 per night with a maximum 3-night stay and offers no electricity, water hookups, or showers. Toilet facilities are available but primitive. Meadowmere Park provides drinking water, electric hookups, and shower facilities, making it suitable for campers seeking more comfort. Little Elm Park offers electric hookups with fires allowed, while Erwin Park includes drinking water, fire rings, and toilets. Many sites are walk-in only, requiring campers to carry gear a short distance from parking areas.

Areas near Lake Lewisville and Lake Lavon provide water views and recreational opportunities for tent campers. The relatively flat terrain throughout the region makes for comfortable tent setup, though shade availability varies significantly between locations. Tree cover at parks like Erwin Park offers relief from summer heat and creates natural site separation. According to one visitor, "Erwin Park is a great getaway that feels like you're far from home but only a few minutes away when you want a spur of the moment trip." For those seeking more remote experiences, Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland offers free dispersed camping approximately 50 miles northwest of Carrollton, with primitive tent sites accessible via drive-in and walk-in routes but no facilities or amenities.

Best Tent Sites Near Carrollton, Texas (12)

    1. Sycamore Bend Park

    3 Reviews
    Lake Dallas, TX
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (469) 645-9100

    $20 / night

    "The restrooms really stink, but are always clean and stocked in my experience. Max 3 night stay, no electricity, water, or showers. Nice fire rings, flag pole, and calm park."

    "No access to drive to the actual site so I couldn’t use my RTT but it’s a short walk from where you park. Really nice park right on the lake, but it does get a bit crowded."

    2. Meadowmere Park & Campground

    2 Reviews
    Southlake, TX
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (817) 410-3939

    $35 / night

    "We really enjoyed this camp space. Peaceful, open, spacious and super nice management and staff. We stayed in spot 23 and although windy, I really enjoyed the scenery and quietness."

    "Close to Dallas, very clean and organized camp area."

    3. Little Elm Park

    1 Review
    Little Elm, TX
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (972) 731-3296

    "Electric hookups for RV generally a small area first come first serve.... 5 dollars per tent....restrooms and park lights.... stores nearby..... no showers"

    4. Erwin Park

    8 Reviews
    McKinney, TX
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (972) 547-2690

    "Erwin Park is a great place to visit if you're looking to spend a few days running or biking trails. Campsites are far enough apart that you have privacy yet close enough that you don't feel alone."

    "I’ve had many great experiences at this park it’s a ways out of the way of the city noise. The only sound other than bird song is the occasional moo and some coyote yips in the distance"

    5. Cedar Ridge Mobile Home & RV Park

    1 Review
    Lancaster, TX
    22 miles
    +1 (214) 371-9818

    "Stayed there during our trip to Texas, after visiting Big Bend. Overall, pretty good spot for RVing."

    6. Collin Park

    1 Review
    Wylie, TX
    22 miles

    7. Brockdale Park

    1 Review
    Lavon Lake, TX
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (972) 442-3141

    8. Northside RV Resort

    9 Reviews
    Waxahachie, TX
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (972) 908-0040

    $50 - $60 / night

    "Level pads. Quiet. Dog park. Play ground. Wifi. Cable. Lake."

    "Each shower has its own toilet and vanity behind a lockable door. Our campsite (532) was a little awkward to get in because of the corner and the speed bumps, but not impossible."

    9. Black Creek Lake NF Campground

    6 Reviews
    Alvord, TX
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (940) 627-5475

    "This campground has restrooms and a gravel drive to access the grounds. You will find a small playground and picnic tables at this site as well as a public boat launch."

    "Visited mid-week; hot weather, lake breeze, and shade made it pleasant. Locals fishing or grilling slightly diminished the wilderness vibe."

    10. Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland Dispersed Camping

    3 Reviews
    Alvord, TX
    46 miles
    Website

    "We stumbled upon this dispersed camping area after driving forest service roads for a while. I would NOT recommend taking any kind of trailer or motorhome down these roads and to this spot. "

    "Was transiting between central Texas toward Colorado in an off-grid TT and didn’t want to venture far off 287 for a comfortable, quiet & safe place to stay for the night."

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Carrollton, TX

11 Photos of 12 Carrollton Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Carrollton, TX

436 Reviews of 12 Carrollton Campgrounds


  • j
    Jan. 3, 2022

    Hickory Creek - Lewisville Lake

    Spacious campground near town

    Lewisville TX Hickory Creek Park COE on Lewisville Lake Open year round. Just over 100 paved sites most with lakeviews. Also have primitive walk in sites by lake. May 1 to Sept 30 14 day max stay other times can extend 14 more days!Be ware that gate closes from 10pm to 6am and there is no code access! Sites are w/e and all have new 50 amp. Grills and fire rings along with covered picnic tables. Modern bathhouse with large shower stalls. Nice boat ramp and boat trailer parking. There are several nature and walking trails as well as paved roads for bike riding. I have Verizon and was able to call and text but not use internet in camp. Town is short 5 minutes away. There's restaurants, shopping and theater close by.

  • S
    Jan. 21, 2022

    Isle du Bois Campsites — Ray Roberts Lake State Park

    Great venue for first camping trip in four decades

    68 year-old solo camper getting ready to travel around the country, car/tent camping primarily. Haven't really camped since 1973, so I drove out to Lake Ray Roberts for a one-night trial for some new gear and knock off the rust. 

    This was a terrific choice – Hawthorn Area #9, wooded area, 4th on the path from the Hawthorn parking lot to the other nine campsites on this loop (150 steps from campsite to car and restrooms, a little over 100 yards). As most (maybe all) of the campsites here, this was walk-in to the campsite from a common parking lot.

    I walked around the rest of this loop and the adjoining one (16-40). Each campsite had a tent pad, picnic table, fire pit and lantern post. Mine was one of the more private in that I couldn't see another picnic table. However, with the trees and in some places tall grass, I would rate most of the sites as private. 

    The next morning there were about half-dozen deer roaming around the area between my camp and the parking lot. There was only one other car in the parking lot overnight and they camped in one of the other areas. One of the lots (I think it was #13) actually had lake front. Others had views of the water. 

    Depending on exact location you could see the dam and except for a few hours of the deepest night you could faintly hear the drone of road noise. But the near-full moon lit the area so well I walked to my car about 4:30 in the morning without a light and could see very well – it was really nice and bright. 

    The Isle du Bois unit is at the far southeast corner of the lake, near the eastern end of the dam. The Hawthorn area is one of the first sites from the entrance, maybe a 5-minute drive.

  • Ray & Terri F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 2, 2021

    Isle du Bois Campsites — Ray Roberts Lake State Park

    This is a big camping area, lots of campsites near the lake

    The campground is nice and well maintained and sites are fairly well spaced with lots of grass, trees and open areas. The park staff were very friendly and helpful. We were in site 78 for 5 days. Only a few of the sites in the Deer Ridge campground loop looked level, fortunately ours was one of them, but we saw one 5th wheel with the wheels on one side off of the ground by several inches and one Class A whose front wheels were 8-10 inches off the ground. AT&T coverage was fairly good here, generally between 1-3 Bars of LTE service, with speeds up to 4.5 MB/s. There is no WiFi, cable or sewer hookup and the dump station can get a little busy around checkout time. Restrooms and showers were clean and the shower was nice and hot. 

    If you don’t already have one, you do have to purchase a Texas State Parks Pass for$70, which did add considerably to the cost of our stay. 

    There are quite a few trails in the area.

  • Ray & Terri F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 26, 2023

    Isle du Bois Campsites — Ray Roberts Lake State Park

    This is a fairly big camping area, lots of campsites near the lake

    The campground is nice and well maintained and sites are well spaced with lots of grass, trees and/or open areas. The park staff were very friendly and helpful. This was our second stay in site 78, this time for 4 days in late March. There is no WiFi, cable or sewer hookup at the camp sites and the dump station can get a little busy around checkout time and is a goodly distance from the CG if you plan to use a portable waste cart. Restrooms and showers were clean and the shower was nice and hot. There is a nice paved 2.25 mile trail through the CG and the surrounding area.

    AT&T coverage was not as good as the last time we stayed here a couple of yeas ago, with generally 1 Bar of 5G service and speeds up to 1 MB/s. We had an unobstructed view of the sky and so we were able to receive all 3 SW Dish satellites and good Starlink coverage with speeds between 2.5 and 4 MB/s. We didn’t try to load any OTA channels. 

    You do have pay a daily$7/person entrance fee or purchase a Texas State Parks Pass for$70 if you don’t already have one, which did add considerably to the cost of our stay.

  • R
    Nov. 27, 2020

    Hidden Cove Park & Marina

    Not just for camping!

    Clean and spacious RV sites in two areas, about 100 total and several with water view. Open and tree covered sites in both. Cabins also available, again several with water views. Two designated tent camping areas separate from RVs. Dry storage and dump station on property as well. The park offers open activity areas and covered picnic tables by the water. A 3-lane boat ramp to Lewisville Lake, rental paddle boarding, full marina, and swimming area. Seasonal restaurant with indoor & outdoor eating areas. Privately owned so there is an entry fee, but 2 or 3 levels of yearly membership passes available saves a lot! Currently upgrading to full hookup for all RV sites and wifi.

  • Taylin B.
    Jun. 1, 2023

    Sycamore Bend Park

    Great PRIMATIVE stay.

    The price has gone up from $7 to $20, but that’s about average it seems now. The restrooms really stink, but are always clean and stocked in my experience. Max 3 night stay, no electricity, water, or showers. Nice fire rings, flag pole, and calm park.

  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 23, 2018

    Black Creek Lake NF Campground

    Improved Camping With Boat Ramp Access

    There are two areas at Black Creek Lake that you can camp: this side, the improved side with amenities, and the back side, which does not have any amenities.

    Typically you will find those wanting to camp on this side and those wanting to fish off the shore on the other side which has a gated entrance which is not always open.

    This campground has restrooms and a gravel drive to access the grounds. You will find a small playground and picnic tables at this site as well as a public boat launch. A lot of people, depending the on the lakes level will also use this side for swimming.

    This site is tent only primitive camping with an honor system at the kiosk for payment. $2 per nIght includes a fIre rIng and pIcnIc table at 14 official sites.

    When I have been to thIs locatIon I have noticed a lot of small john boats launchIng especially durIng sprIng. There are birds, squirrels, raccoons and opossums which roam the grounds so I woukd advise against leaving food within reach at night.

    During summer rattlesnakes are around in taller grass so avoid unmaintained areas. Most areas are well kept however there are outlying areas and some primitive trails which I would avoid during these times.

    As a part of the LBJ Grasslands you will occasionally see someone patrolling the area however it is not as often as a National Park.

    A unique marker of LBJ Grasslands is the green gates you will see, if you are entering this area you will notice the green gates and many times cattle guards if you are thinking you are entering this area but do not see one of these you are more than likely in the wrong area and because cell signal can be a little iffy out here this is a great way to have a landmark without access to online directions.

    TIPS:

    • Bring your own firewood for fire rings. Though there is plenty of downed wood in the area, sometimes it is not easy to break down and can be a bit difficult to keep inside the rings when to large. Better safe than sorry when it comes to wildfires.
    • Bug Spray is a must!! For some reason there are HUGE mosquitos so make sure to remember your spray otherwise you will itching all night.
    • Pack A Tarp.- I usually don't endorse needing a tarp to lay below your tent, but during certain times of year small burrs can be out in this area and a tarp can keep these from poking into your tent base and make for a more comfortable stay.
    • Bring cash because the kiosk does not accept cards it is a cash only system with no ATM within 10 miles.
  • Layla D.
    Jul. 25, 2020

    Cedar Hill State Park Campground

    One Night Stay

    We stayed here on the last night of a two-week journey visiting national parks in the West. This just happened to be on our route back home to Louisiana and looked like a pleasant place for us to spend one night.

    We arrived at the campground around 8:00 on a Friday night and had to wait in line to enter the park. The park ranger was very friendly and thorough (albeit slow giving directions for road-weary travelers such as us). We found site 123 in the H Loop easily (sites are clearly marked) and set up camp. We were impressed with the spacing and privacy of the sites. We had a slight peekaboo view of the lake and a beautiful sunset from the trailer. It took us a while to get our trailer leveled as the site was on a pretty big slant (four inches off left to right and eight inches front to back); however, the pad was concrete and quite wide.

    A bathhouse and dumpster were nearby, which was a nice convenience. Hookups were in good condition as well. There was a small back yard with a covered picnic table, fire ring, and lantern post which we thought would be nice if we would have been here longer. This little area was very private from the road and a neighboring site. We would definitely stay here again when our travels take us this way in the future.

  • C
    Oct. 26, 2020

    Murrell Park

    Tent Site 33, Hippy Point

    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 and hang a couple of hammocks. The folks that work there are wonderful.  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.  At 10:00 p.m. all that stopped and it got quiet. Unfortunately it was hotter than hell Labor Day Weekend  when we set up on Friday and slept overnight so we picked up and went home on Saturday. Nothing to do with the site.  There are similar sites to the left and right of this site,  They are staggered so you are not right next to someone which was nice.


Guide to Carrollton

Tent camping near Carrollton, Texas, offers a variety of scenic spots where nature lovers can unwind and enjoy outdoor activities. From well-reviewed parks to unique amenities, there’s something for everyone looking to escape the city.

Tent campers should check out Erwin Park

  • Erwin Park features a network of trails perfect for biking and running, making it an ideal spot for active campers.
  • The park allows pets and has picnic tables, fire pits, and trash disposal, ensuring a comfortable stay.
  • With its peaceful atmosphere, you can enjoy the sounds of nature, including bird songs and distant wildlife.

Tips for tent camping near Carrollton

  • Meadowmere Park & Campground is known for its cleanliness and organized camp areas, making it a great choice for families.
  • Sycamore Bend Park offers primitive camping right by the lake, perfect for those who enjoy kayaking and fishing.
  • Little Elm Park provides electric hookups for RVs and is conveniently located near stores, making it easy to stock up on supplies.

Some prices for tent camping range from $7 to $20

  • Sycamore Bend Park charges around $20 per night, which is quite reasonable for a lakeside experience.
  • Erwin Park has no specific fees listed, but it’s a popular choice for those looking for a quick getaway without breaking the bank.
  • Meadowmere Park & Campground offers a well-maintained area for $25, providing great amenities for a comfortable camping experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Carrollton, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Carrollton, TX is Sycamore Bend Park with a 3.7-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Carrollton, TX?

TheDyrt.com has all 12 tent camping locations near Carrollton, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.