Tent camping near Coppell, Texas offers several options within an hour's drive in all directions. Situated in the North Texas plains at approximately 500 feet of elevation, this suburb experiences hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 95°F from June through September. Winter camping presents milder conditions with daytime temperatures typically ranging from 50-65°F, though occasional freezing nights occur between December and February.
What to do
Fishing and water sports: At Meadowmere Park & Campground, campers can enjoy fishing and boating on Grapevine Lake. A reviewer noted it's "Close to Dallas, very clean and organized camp area."
Mountain biking: Erwin Park offers extensive trail systems popular with cyclists. According to one review, it has "Great mountain bike single tracks around with lots of built features" and another mentions it's "great for hiking, mountain biking and camping."
Wildlife watching: Visit Black Creek Lake NF Campground for bird watching and wildlife spotting. A camper reported, "There are birds, squirrels, raccoons and opossums which roam the grounds so I would advise against leaving food within reach at night."
Sunset viewing: The dispersed camping areas at Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland provide excellent sunset viewing opportunities. A reviewer described finding "a pretty great vista view from which the spectacular sunset was just a great bonus."
What campers like
Peaceful atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the quiet environment at tent camping sites near Coppell. One visitor to Northside RV Resort mentioned it was "Gated. Level pads. Quiet. Dog park. Play ground. Wifi. Cable. Lake."
Clean facilities: Campground maintenance receives positive feedback. A camper at Meadowmere Park & Campground wrote, "Porta potties were incredibly clean and a main bathroom area featured showers and very clean as well."
Lake access: Direct water access ranks high on camper preferences. At Sycamore Bend Park, a reviewer described it as a "Really nice park right on the lake" and "Great for hammocking, kayaking, paddle boarding etc."
Escape from urban areas: Tent campers value the rural feel despite proximity to city areas. A reviewer at Black Creek Lake mentioned that "a nice breeze off the lake coupled with the shady trees made for a very nice experience."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Some campgrounds require advance booking while others operate first-come-first-served. At Northside RV Resort, one camper advised reviewing terms carefully, noting "Throughout the online reservation process nothing is disclosed regarding the terms and conditions."
Site access limitations: Several tent camping areas have restricted vehicle access. At Sycamore Bend Park, a reviewer mentioned, "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."
Facilities vary significantly: Bathroom availability and quality differ between sites. At Little Elm Park, a camper noted, "Electric hookups for RV generally a small area first come first serve.... 5 dollars per tent....restrooms and park lights.... stores nearby..... no showers."
Seasonal weather considerations: Summer heat impacts the camping experience. During summer months, a camper at Black Creek Lake advised, "rattlesnakes are around in taller grass so avoid unmaintained areas."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer recreational facilities for children. At Northside RV Resort, a reviewer mentioned they have "a small play ground for kids."
Bathroom planning: Consider facility access when camping with children. An Erwin Park visitor cautioned, "The only thing I would change is the bathroom facilities, there are no doors at all!"
Accessibility considerations: Factor in walking distances from parking to campsites. At Collin Park, a camper shared, "Each area has a picnic table, grill, and fire pit. Bathrooms were centrally located."
Wildlife education opportunities: Use wildlife sightings as teaching moments. A camper at Erwin Park mentioned, "The only sound other than bird song is the occasional moo and some coyote yips in the distance."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Prepare for varying pad quality at different campgrounds. At Northside RV Resort, a reviewer noted, "Nice hard sites all with 20/30/50a, cable TV, and full hookups."
Facilities access: Plan for limited bathroom facilities at some locations. One RVer at Northside RV Resort mentioned, "There are 4 washer and dryers and showers for all 124 spots. So it's iffy getting one."
Electricity availability: Check in advance for power options. At Erwin Park, electricity is limited with one camper noting some sites have "drinking-water" and "electric-hookups" while others are more primitive.
Weather preparation: Be ready for mud and flooding issues after rain. A reviewer at Northside RV Resort cautioned, "When it rains stay on the pavement as the mud is nasty and gumbo."
