10 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Tent campsites near Carrollton, Texas include both primitive and amenity-equipped 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.
"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."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $37 / night
Check Availability"Electric hookups for RV generally a small area first come first serve.... 5 dollars per tent....restrooms and park lights.... stores nearby..... no showers"
"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"
"Stayed there during our trip to Texas, after visiting Big Bend. Overall, pretty good spot for RVing."
"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."
"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."
"small RV park on the lake, quiet and shaded"
GuideNice park with water, electric hookups, and showers. Located right on the water. Spots are plenty large enough for multiple cars and there are two hiking trails. Solid spot for RVs and vans that want a beautiful lake view.
TravelerDisappointing and unnecessarily confrontational experience.
I booked and paid for a campsite at The Vineyards in my self-contained Sprinter camper van. I checked in without issue and had already spent one night there when the park manager, Lisa, approached me while I was relaxing inside my van to inform me that my vehicle was not welcome.
She stated that the city requires RVs to have hookups and be commercially manufactured. However, the campground’s published policies explicitly allow management to approve converted camper vans (and I am fully self-contained). It also allows for truck campers, which I suppose theoretically could have sewer hookups, but I assure you my custom converted Sprinter is more aesthetic than a truck camper, if that was her concern (no offense to my truck camper friends).
I also could not find the city ordinance she was referring to.
I understand that campgrounds have rules and that management has discretion to enforce them. What I don’t understand is why my reservation was accepted, why I was allowed to stay overnight, or why the situation needed to be handled so confrontationally.
When I offered to leave if they would refund my unused second night, Lisa told me it was too late for a refund and that I might as well stay.
So apparently my van was prohibited until refunding my money became the alternative.
I wasn’t causing a disturbance, requesting special accommodations, or asking to use facilities I hadn’t paid for. I was simply enjoying a campsite I’d reserved and paid for.
The campground itself is lovely, which makes the experience even more disappointing. A straightforward, respectful conversation about their policies would have been entirely reasonable. Instead, I was made to feel unwelcome at a place where I was already a paying guest.
If you’re traveling in a self-contained converted camper van, I’d strongly recommend getting written approval before booking, regardless of whether your reservation is accepted. And given that I am now reading other complaints of the staff being rude, I might avoid this spot altogether.
ScoutWe had a great time here. Lots of shade, privacy and great view of lake
GuideFolks want different things out of campsites. For me, it's scenic beauty, quiet for work and mental health, and nice places to take my dog. This checks all the boxes!
None of my reviews will be useful for amenities or activities because I just don't use them. I can't tell you about bathrooms, fishing, etc. I can tell you the water is very soft and feels slick or soapy even after you rinse. I have onboard reverse osmosis and wouldn't recommend drinking city water anywhere in Texas. There's too much oil production here and gas and chemicals are all over.
The staff at the gate were pleasant and said, "You must be David," when I pulled in, which was very nice and made it easy and welcoming.
Texas has many undiscovered and wonderful public lands, whether you're really camping or just working remote, watching the deer, or seeing the sunrise over a lake from your bedroom window. Get out here and come see them!
ScoutThis is a great campground. Power was good, att service is good and the grounds are very clean. The only downside is no full hookups and the dump station is outside of the gate which they lock at 10pm and don't open again until 10am. So no getting back in while locked and you can't dump except when there are lines.
TravelerCamped in site 14. Level site, beautiful view of the lake with covered concrete table. You can walk down to the lake to swim. BUT ants! Make sure you take precautions to keep them out of your rig!
ScoutQuaint campground. A army core engineers park. Very nice lake view and about half the sites are on the water.
LegendLots of different types of sites. Large sites with a lot of privacy. Be sure to look at driveway lengths.
GuideOur family had a fantastic 2 night stay. We’ve only stayed at Johnson Branch on Ray Roberts in the past, and have loved Isle Du Bois. Our site is surrounded about beautiful lush trees and overgrowth. The beach is right up the path and my two boys (4&6) loved playing in the water with the kids. Our site is also two sites from the playground and bathroom/showers, which was super convenient! Will definitely be back and eyeing a site right off the water for some fishing!
Tent campsites near Carrollton, Texas offer access to North Texas terrain characterized by rolling hills, open grasslands, and lake shorelines. Most camping sites sit at elevations between 500-700 feet above sea level, with mild winters and hot summers reaching 95-100°F from June through August. Campsites throughout the region typically remain open year-round, though availability can be limited during summer holiday weekends.
Mountain biking on maintained trails: Erwin Park in McKinney features approximately 9 miles of single-track trails managed by DORBA (Dallas Off-Road Bicycle Association). "Great easy spot for day camping or easy car camping with family. Good fire pits and great pavilion at the group site if you can get it. Best mountain bike single tracks around with lots of built features," notes reviewer Brian at Erwin Park.
Paddle sports on Lake Lewisville: Sycamore Bend Park provides direct lake access for kayaking and paddleboarding. "Really nice park right on the lake, but it does get a bit crowded. We arrived on a Saturday around noon and took what seemed to be the last spot. Really nice, secluded campground for being so close to suburbs. Great for hammocking, kayaking, paddle boarding etc," explains Hannah F. at Sycamore Bend Park.
Wildlife observation: Black Creek Lake offers opportunities to spot local animals in their natural habitat. "There are birds, squirrels, raccoons and opossums which roam the grounds so I would advise against leaving food within reach at night," states Crystal C. from her camping experience.
Convenient urban escapes: Meadowmere Park provides camping without long drives. "Close to Dallas, very clean and organized camp area," says Narly I. about Meadowmere Park & Campground. Another camper adds, "We really enjoyed this camp space. Peaceful, open, spacious and super nice management and staff."
Clean facilities: Northside RV Resort maintains well-kept bathroom and shower facilities. "The bathrooms are so clean. Each shower has its own toilet and vanity behind a lockable door," reports Angela R., who stayed in November.
Secluded spots with natural boundaries: Many campers appreciate the tree cover at Black Creek Lake NF Campground. "The temperature was soaring but a nice breeze off the lake coupled with the shady trees made for a very nice experience," writes Alan H. Another camper mentioned the "small RV park on the lake, quiet and shaded."
Toilet facility conditions vary widely: At Collin Park, a reviewer noted, "Bathrooms were centrally located but the women's restroom was flooded with an unknown liquid." Meanwhile, at Sycamore Bend, "The restrooms really stink, but are always clean and stocked in my experience."
Site accessibility limitations: Many campsites near Carrollton require carrying gear from parking areas. "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," explains Hannah F. about Sycamore Bend Park.
Weekend crowding at popular spots: Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland offers free dispersed camping approximately 50 miles northwest of Carrollton. Local visitors noted, "They had been coming to this spot for 30+ years and rarely saw anyone else there," according to Michelle T., suggesting quieter alternatives to crowded established campgrounds.
Playground access: Little Elm Park offers both camping and play structures. "Electric hookups for RV generally a small area first come first serve.... 5 dollars per tent....restrooms and park lights.... stores nearby..... no showers," explains Joshua O.
Site spacing for privacy: Meadowmere Park provides well-separated camping areas. "We stayed in spot 23 and although windy, I really enjoyed the scenery and quietness," reports Melanie G., who appreciated the "peaceful, open, spacious" layout.
Bug preparation essential: Insect repellent is crucial for camping with children. Crystal C. advises, "Bug Spray is a must!! For some reason there are HUGE mosquitos so make sure to remember your spray otherwise you will be itching all night."
Check on recent rainfall: Access roads to camping areas can become difficult after rain. At Little Elm Park, vehicles with lower clearance may struggle after wet weather. "When it rains stay on the pavement as the mud is nasty and gumbo," explains Tex B. from their RV experience.
Noise considerations: Some camping areas near Carrollton have noise from nearby roads or urban areas. "The road is very loud and there are train tracks with train horns blaring all night long - make sure your bedroom faces away from the road for the best sleep," advises Tex B.
Reserve early for electric hookups: RV sites with electricity fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. Northside RV Resort offers "Nice hard sites all with 20/30/50a, cable TV, and full hookups," though Tex B. notes that "$55-65 a night was pretty high considering there is zero to do here, no pool, no meeting rooms, no grass to walk on."
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 10 tent camping locations near Carrollton, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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