Best Tent Camping near Cisco, TX
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Best Tent Sites Near Cisco, Texas (2)
2. Johnson Park on Lake Fort Phantom Hill
1 Review•5 Photos•4 SavesAbilene, TexasJohnson Park allows tent camping only, and has a limit of 48 consecutive hours.
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Recent Tent Reviews near Cisco, TX
103 Reviews of 2 Cisco Campgrounds
Lindsey M.
Guide
Lake Brownwood State Park Campground
Fantastic Little Find
I car camped here while passing through TX in a tent site, and I found the peninsula-like campground gorgeous! Lake views, deer, and a well-kept bathhouse just feet away. Spots are close together with few trees around, although few others were around.
- CCynthia D.
Scout
Possum Kingdom State Park Campground
Our favorite Texas State Park!
We have been camping here for about 35 years. Started out tent camping and now prefer a RV. Love this park. Many of the campsites are directly on the water, the wind coming off the water will keep you cool in the summer. We camp here year round. We camp to relax and this is great place for this.
Ethan M.Scout
Abilene KOA
Bright lights
The tent sites are next to the motel that Is next to the koa. The lights from the motel are super bright and light up the site. You will also be right next to the highway and be able to hear it all night. Bring ear plugs!!!
Jennifer J.GuidePossum Kingdom State Park Campground
Fun for the whole family
As a kid we would come out here several times a year. We would boat, float, cliff jump, cookout, and enjoy each other's company. Twenty years later we are still enjoying these traditions.
If you like primitive, tent sites, cabins, or RV sites, there are plenty of options.
You should check out Hell's Gate while you are here.
There are also a few hike and bike trails, but this is mainly a park for boating and fishing.
- D
DarleneGuide
Possum Kingdom Lake BRA - Bug Beach: BRA Area #5
5 Public Use Camping Areas for free
Tent camping areas in all 5 with shelters, grill, and picnic tables, many waterside. Public Area 4 and 6 have RV pads (which they do charge $10 to use in the Summer) with shelters, grill, and picnic tables, and many are waterside. Public Area 5 has grass pull thru RV parking. All 5 have bathroom facilities with running water and flush toilets. We parked at #5, also known as Bug Beach and we had the place to ourselves, with the exception of a herd of deer late afternoon. Beautiful scenery and exceptionally clean campground facilities.
LaRee S.
RangerPossum Kingdom State Park Campground
Don't expect a quiet night's sleep
Tent sites are walk-in to the other side of the end of the lake, and can be pretty rickety with loose rocks getting there. Was good practice for backpacking, since parking is closeby, but not very convenient. P008 is probably the only site suitable for hammock camping. Everything else is flat and exposed, next to the shore.
We were woken up by loud boats trolling the shore and men shouting around midnight both nights we were there, and could hear conversations from the RV area.
- Laura F.Ranger
Lake Brownwood State Park Campground
Really nice state park campground
Nice RV sites and CCC built cabins on a relatively low traffic lake. There are many stone works from the CCC including benches and tables at some sites. We stayed in the Comanche trails loop which is part RV sites and part tent sites. I really liked it, compared to the other 2 RV loops we saw. There are some medium length hiking trails with lots of deer, feral hogs, snakes, skunks, raccoons, armadillo and more to see. The lake has a nice grassy shaded swimming area. We saw plenty of people fishing. Overall a very nice park that I'd visit again.
Troy W.
LegendLake Brownwood State Park Campground
Lake Brownwood State Park + Swimming + Boating + Fishing
I would rate this park 3.5 out of 5 stars. The park has a variety of facilities which earns it a 4 star rating. But the quality of the facilities only earns it a 3 star rating. So it averages out to 3.5 in my opinion.
Lake Brownwood State Park is pretty much located in the center of Texas. However, it is a bit of a drive from many of the major cities like Houston, San Antonio, Austin and Dallas. It is fairly convenient to reach from Abilene and San Angelo. If you need to pick up camping supplies there are grocery stores and sporting good stores in the nearby town of Brownwood.
The main attraction of the park is that it is situated on the shores of Lake Brownwood. There are ample opportunities to take advantage of lakeside activities like swimming, boating and fishing. There are a variety of camping options with tent sites, cabana sites and RV sites. At most of the sites there are nice oak trees that provide shade and can support a hammock. Note that Texas State Parks require 2 inch suspension straps when hanging a hammock. There are boat ramps, fishing piers and a loop hiking trail. The hiking trail is a loop trail, fairly level, but I would say moderately interesting. The real attraction of this park is the lake.
Some of the facilities such as the restrooms and the cabanas are a bit dated and could benefit from an update. The staff was very friendly when I visited. And the other campers were respectful.
I would like to say that I visited the park during a weekday when the park had few visitors. However, I've heard that on the weekend the park fills up quickly and can be quite busy.
- aautumnGuide
Possum Kingdom State Park Campground
1st road-trip!
This park was definitely out in the middle of nowhere, with a long peaceful drive full of wildlife. We made it to the park entrance, check in was quick. We arrived on a week day and they ranger informed us the camp store was closed until weekend and no firewood. Closest store with firewood was 30min away. They lake was beautiful. We were right beside the restroom and shower facilities which was great! We came to stay for one night, we had a roof top tent so the site we had was nice and would make a perfect side for a RV but for us it could’ve been wider for our ladder but we were close to the restroom which we wanted. The restrooms were clean, could use a little update, and water was warm but not hot. Lots of wildlife around! I would stay again but I don’t think it’s the best place to go for a winter camping trip. Thank you Texas state parks!
Lonnie B.Guide
SeaBee Park
Large camping areas!
There are several sites here. Most of the campgrounds look fairly well taken care of. I'm new to this dispersed camping, so I don't have a lot to compare it to.
I'd stay here again. Large campsites, flat area for tents. I only took one star off because I don't feel the view is all that great. At least from the mountain to one last night in New Mexico! And because it's obvious people come here to party. I'm here on a Monday. I suspect the weekend is different.
- MMeagan B.
Traveler
North D&D - Brazos River Public Use Area #4
Off-season boondock paradise
One week stay during the first week of December D&D south. Weather: highs in the 60s, lows in the 40s. Covered picnic tables, grills, fire pits, trash cans at most sites. Restrooms spaced throughout the park. Massive trail system throughout the area. Excellent service for school/remote work. Ideal for tents, vans, truck campers, and small trailers. No cost during May-September. No water or dump in the parks, but there are showers. There are sites directly on the water and up in the hills. Would return!
Jaime K.GuidePossum Kingdom State Park Campground
Beautiful Texas State Park
We had plenty of space to spread out and relax. Rented a pontoon and saw Hell's gates worth the stop. Spent most of the time swimming and fishing from shore. This is one of the clearer lakes in Texas.
Quinn Z.RangerAbilene KOA
Yeeeeaaaa, no.
Oof. Landed here back in May after a long day of driving and not having another other quick options.
Location is rough. As you can see in one of my photos, it is right next to a seedy Motel 6 and the neon light from the sign doesn't quit all night. It's loud too, as it is off a main road. Sites are smashed together and privacy isn't an option. Camp host seemed decent enough, didn't spend much time talking though, just made a reservation over the phone. All the standard KOA fixings are accounted for. Still, this is not a nice place to camp, especially if you're in a tent, and we paid a lot more than we should have for what we got.
Skip it.
- SShirly W.Traveler
Edwin King Atwood Park
Epic beach camping
Wow, such an amazing camping experience! We boondocked with our 36ft motorhome right on the beach.
$12 to get in and stay as much as you’d like. Busy on weekends but very quiet during the week.
They allow driving on the beach here from access #5 and north of it. Watch the tides, best to get in & out when the tides are low. Some areas had very soft sand. We got stuck coming in but were able to get our using our leveling jacks and shoving things under the tires but on the way out we got barrier way deeper and needed assistance getting out using a truck that pulled us with towing straps.
Good for tents, or small rigs or medium size rigs that are prepared for an adventure... not for newbies!
We spent 5 amazing nights here on the beach, and can’t really beat camping right on the sand, with the sound of the waves and lots of sunshine.
Bill B.Legend
Green Deer RV Park
Big Rig Friendly
This is a down home friendly place within minutes of anything you need in Stephenville, Texas. It has two full bathrooms complete with showers, work out room, washer and dryers and an area for meetings. An outside area under a huge pecan tree with small tables and chairs for hanging out with friends. There is a walking trail that’s not quite a half a mile. Two huge dog areas with lots of grass. The owners are super friendly and will respond to your needs.
- CCathy J.Guide
Possum Kingdom State Park Campground
Bet it’s great in summer!
We stayed here January 26 -31, 2021 on the first stop of a 3 month escape from Northern Wisconsin winter. I’m guessing it’s great when it’s warm and you have a boat. It was always windy. Concessions store closed for remodeling. Construction on cabin near our site. Nice bathrooms, shower water not super hot. Nice trails and tons of birds. A bunch of guys cleaning their catfish at a cleaning station near our site. Left a ton of carcasses that the rangers cleaned up. If you plan to use Texas state parks, get the pass as it will save you lots of money!
Eat · See · RV L.Guide
Press Morris Park
Nice park on a lake
We randomly stayed here overnight after making a detour to the cute town of Coleman (about 20 minutes away). It's clearly a local spot but was a great option for a stop over out of Texas. There's several sites right next to the lake with water and electric for $10 a night. Other sites not water front but are full hookups at $20 per night. There's a boat ramp there as well. The sheriff came by after we parked to collect the fee and gave us a receipt.
Good cell connection and a quite place and beautiful place to stay. No showers in bathrooms and they were rather old and a bit dirty. Other than that, it was a great stay!
- PPam J.Traveler
Copperas Creek at Proctor Lake
Copperas Creek COE
Copperas Creek COE in Comanche, TX (Lake Proctor) Site #63 50 amp Full hook up Back-in site March 2024
Beautiful park! The lady working the gate should have her picture in the dictionary under customer service. Very pleasant & welcoming!
The site has lots of shade trees with a view of the lake (not lakeside). Sites are not on top of each other, but no type of barrier between sites. Water had a terrible smell.
Despite it being the beginning of spring break in Texas & the amount of people here, it is fairly quiet.
If you’re camping with others, there are 3 double RV sites on this end of the park.
Would definitely come back here again. — at Copperas Creek Park.
Shari G.LegendLake Brownwood State Park Campground
Gorgeous CCC Cabins & Nice Campground
The remarkable area of this park lies not in it's campground loop. The loop is pretty, lovely even, and it looks like a lot of other campgrounds on a beautiful lake. But take a walk along the lakeshore trail and see the cabins, dance hall, and steps constructed by the CCC and you'll be transported back in time. In 8.5 years on the road, I've never been more tempted to go inside than by these simple, lovely, stone structures. Just a bed, small kitchen, table, and a bathroom complete with vintage rustic decor, and that's all you'll think you ever need. So adorable!
But this is a campground review so let's get back to it. The campground seems like the perfect bustling summertime holiday vacation spot. It's set up more like a city park with lots of open space and grass, than individual sites carved out of the woods. Walking around during winter, you can imagine the families gathering at the water, renting stand-up paddle boards, playing volleyball, or chasing a frisbee into the water. It has a reputation for being a place where families gather year after year, and I can see why. There are electrical/water sites as well as tent only sites right by the water, which really have the best location in the park. The bathroom is a little dated, but functional and clean with hot showers.
Brownwood is within a 20 minute drive and has all the services of a modern suburban city. There are several trails throughout the park, but getting out on the water seems to be the focus of this park.
- JW S.Scout
Sowell Creek at Proctor Lake
The WORST place you could plan to camp ... ever
This camp ground was atrocious and we left several days early. Site#2 had a profound odor of sewage coming from the restroom. The restrooms were dirty and several faucets were broken and leaking. Flies were swarming everywhere from trashcans and trach bins that did not have properly fitting lids. People outside the park have dogs that bark ALL NIGHT LONG, and that is no exaggeration. If you are in a tent you will get NO SLEEP. We had a next-door-neighbor in site#3 who showed up and immediately began to start a fire even though there was a burn ban in effect. We called the front desk to inquire if perhaps the burn ban had been lifted and were told no, and that the camp staff would come to take care of this. The camp staff did come by, only to actually laugh and joke with the people in site 3, who stopped their fire, but then continued to have the open pit fire after she left. These same people also allowed their dog to run loose with no leash. The next day these people left their dog in their camper while all of them drove off and exited the park around 11:30 a.m. They left the windows of the camper down and the dog barked for 2.5 hours. We called the camp staff again after the first 30 minutes of solid barking, and the woman who answered actually stated,"I don't know what I can do about that, as we have never had anyone complain about a loud dog before." During this time we heard repeated gun shots close by the park perimeter, and then we heard one round actually whiz over our head. So that was enough for us, and we left at 2:30 p.m., two nights early. NEVER AGAIN. We will NEVER stay at at COE campsite again. They are filthy, dirty, UNSAFE and the staff absolutely do not care about your enjoyment or safety, nor do they follow county ordinances. We will be informing the Corps of Engineers office about this visit, so perhaps the staff can be properly reprimanded. This review will be posted EVERYWHERE that Sowell Creek Park has an internet presence.
Steve & Ashley G.LegendEdwin King Atwood Park
Awesome Beach Camping
This is one of my favorite places to camp in South Texas. Cameron County recently made this into Edwin King Atwood Cameron County Park. The site is just a few miles north of the convention center on the northern end of South Padre Island. They have a controlled gate at the access #5 gate and charge a $10 fee. Before you drive onto the beach they have bathrooms and a picnic facilities at this entrance. You can camp anywhere north of this entrance. We like to camp here in the off-season during the week to avoid the busy periods. We have a 4x4 which can come in handy for the soft sand areas. You can access with a truck or higher clearance passenger vehicle. This is dispersed camping without designated sites. They provide trash barrels but no other amenities. We like this setup and appreciate the freedom of camping at this type of site. You will need to pack everything in to this site and bring your water, food, and toilet. You camp along the beautiful seashore next to tall sand dunes with incredible views up and down the beach. They have been making efforts to pickup trash on the beach which has been an issue in the past. You can drive for miles down the beach which eventually ends at a jetty. Beach drivers should monitor tide levels and check the NOAA tide tables. We have been trapped after dark once with rising tides. The sun and wind can be unforgiving along this beach. So you need to time your visit and have the right equipment to protect against the elements. The Laguna Madre is just to the west. This is great for kayaking, kite surfing, fishing, and bird watching.
Matt T.GuideEdwin King Atwood Park
The beach camping destination with something for every level of camper.
Beach camping on South Padre Island (NOT to be confused with camping in one of the several campgrounds and resorts located ON South Padre Island) is free/fee camping (depending on time of year) available and unrestricted on the gulf side of the island, from Beach Access #5 and Beach Access #6, to any point north. There are about 24 miles of beach from Beach Access #6 to the northern terminus of the island at the Port Mansfield Channel (aka East Cut or North Jetties). This is a popular fishing destination. Depending on the recent weather and the beach condition, usually the first 3-5 miles of the beach are accessible by 2 wheel drive, trailers, campers, etc. North of that, the sand is less packed and generally requires 4x4 to access. In the days after hurricane Harvey I was actually able to drive all 24 miles in 2 wheel drive because the storm surge had leveled and packed down the beach, but that is extremely rare. Count on needing 4x4 if planning to camp north of the first few miles. Why go that far? During the on-season especially, and many weekends in the off-season, there are many people at the beach also camping, barbecueing, etc, and for the camper that enjoys a more secluded and wild experience, going just a few miles north gets you away from the crowds, and you can find your own stretch of beach to set up and enjoy nature.
Do not confuse South Padre Island with the Padre Island National Seashore - South Beach. Padre Island National Seashore is only accessible from Corpus Cristi, and has no direct access from South Padre Island because of the Port Mansfield Channel.
In addition to the normal stuff, always take a shovel and extra water. I have started taking traction boards, I have never had reason to use them myself, but every time I go I end up helping someone who is stuck, and since I have started carrying traction boards I rarely have to use my recovery strap.
It’s not hard to keep from getting stuck though - air down your tires, don’t stop moving when you start to bog down, know the limits of your vehicle, and try to stay on packed sand. DO NOT drive up on the dunes. This is illegal, even if you see others doing it. Also be aware of and watch for sea turtles and their nests, and report any you see and the closest mile marker.
Don’t forget to air back up to normal tire pressure once you’re back on the road or at the first service station in town just south.
Bugs come out in force for a short period as the sun sets if the breeze dies down in the summer, but this usually only lasts for about 30-45 minutes until the night breeze picks up from the gulf and sends them back into hiding. Depending on the time of year, it can get VERY windy at the island, especially there at the north end, so check conditions before you go.
Wildlife I have seen camping out there: Dolphins, Seabirds, Crabs (especially fun to find at night with a flashlight), Nilgai (an Asian Antelope that now lives wild in south Texas), Sting Rays, and Sea Turtles. I have seen the tracks of Coyotes, Jack Rabbits, Snakes, mice, and Lizards. There have also been sightings of Foxes, Deer, and very rarely, Bobcat. It’s very safe, but as mentioned above, keep your pets with you. This is common sense when camping anyway.
Campfires and bonfires are allowed, but you must pack in and out your own wood. Make sure to dig a hole, be aware of the wind, and most importantly, make sure the coals are completely put out with water and any logs are removed from the hole before completely covering the area back up when you’re done. Hot coals buried under sand remain hot for hours, and can significantly burn someone that steps on the spot later. Additionally logs left under the surface are a hazard to other vehicles.
When the fee booth is open, it is $12 entry, and they give you a trash bag. If you bring back the trash bag with trash and receipt before 7pm, they refund you $2. This is irrelevant if staying overnight, since they don’t redeem for prior days. Military and Veterans are $6 to enter with ID. In the off season the fee booth is closed and access is free.
There are (outdoor beach style) showers and restrooms at Beach Access #5, at the newly built E.K. Atwood Park, and a large dumpster at both exits. No hookups or dump sites though, until you get back to the city of South Padre Island.
If you drive all the way north to the Channel, there is a trail that turns left and crosses the dunes, following the channel most of the way west across the island before entering restricted Laguna Atascosa NWA land (vehicle traffic is barred, and fines are heavy) and the track disappears beyond that in tidal flats. This area is more specifically what is referred to as the east cut, and while there is an awesome hidden camping site that is second to none, access is tricky, and it is VERY remote. These tidal flats have been the end of many trips, and are known as the 4x4 graveyard. They appear dry on the surface, and have thick watery silt and mud underneath. Once you’re stuck, water begins to fill in from the surrounding ground and it’s extremely difficult to self recover. Cell signal from a few miles north of the access is spotty or non-existent as well. Tow trucks do service even this far north, but the bill is usually $600-$1000+. Not worth it. If you’re going to go, be sure to be traveling in a group of more than one 4x4 high clearance vehicle, and the skills and equipment to self-recover. Stay on the path, and don’t trust how dry the ground make look off the path (except for the area immediately next to the Jetties, where you will want to camp).
That’s a book, but hopefully it’s enough to get started. Have fun and embrace the wild of it (take a portable toilet) and if you’re like me, you’ll become addicted and go back every chance you get for the opportunity to wake up to the sound of the waves, seabirds, and feeling of sand in your toes.
Keep in mind normal primitive camping rules, pack in and pack out everything, and leave the beach looking nicer than when you arrived, and we will continue to have this resource for years to come.
Ashley F.Legend
Flying Cow Ranch
Immersive Ranch Experience
Ashley here with The Dyrt, extending a warm welcome to Lisa, your host! Participate on the ranch or just hang out and view the wildlife. Schedule a private yoga or Reiki session with Lisa on their website! Book your stay today and come back here to leave them some love.
- BBob W.Traveler
Hubbard Creek Public Recreation area
Hubbard Creek Reservoir
Stayed her for three weeks. It really is a nice spot for being free, but because the locals don't pick up their trash, it may not be available because of it. There is new manager taking over, and according to the one worker I talked with, I am not sure how much longer this will be available for us nomads.
- CClaudia H.Traveler
Hubbard Creek Public Recreation area
Hubbard Creek Reservoir
This place was a pleasant surprise. Not a soul here at 5pm. Shade spots, or on grass. Picnic tables and trash bins, swimming area and a boat launch. Bit of washboard on the road, but nothing drastic. Probably busy in summer but a great stop for us in late January.
- Ashley F.Legend
The River Bottom
New Listing!
Ashley here with The Dyrt. We're so happy to welcome this new listing to our platform. Check them out and come back here to leave them some love.
- MMarkGuide
Buck Creek RV Park
Decent overnight stop. Easy access to I-20.
FHUs, many level sites. Decent spacing between sites, a very basic, but clean campground. Less than 1 mile from I-20, so some road noise, but not overwheming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Cisco, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Cisco, TX is Lake Daniel City Park with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.
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