Glamping close to Cuney, Texas offers visitors access to East Texas' pine forests where elevations generally remain below 500 feet, creating gentle terrain ideal for family camping experiences. The area experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters, with occasional frost between December and February. Campers will find a mix of pine-shaded sites and lake-adjacent spots within a 30-mile radius of Cuney.
What to do
Kayaking on calm waters: Tyler State Park features a peaceful lake environment where motorized boats must follow no-wake rules. "The lake was perfect and had a nice beach. We were able to rent kayaks and paddle boats. The hiking is not the greatest but it was easy enough for my toddler," notes Sarah J. from Tyler State Park Campground.
Fishing from docks and piers: Several areas provide dedicated fishing access points, particularly at The Boulders at Lake Tyler. "There is a store that sells fishing license and bait. They also have a fishing barge and kayaks and boats for rent," explains Sheila C. who visited The Boulders at Lake Tyler.
Water activities for children: Coal Mine Ranch RV Park offers a water play area specifically designed for families with young children. "There were some drawbacks to the sites, but the water area made it all worth it for us and our toddler! He had a BLAST," says Carrie I., adding that they have "a very nice little water park" where kids can cool off during hot days.
What campers like
Pine forest environments: The tall pine trees create distinctive camping experiences in East Texas. "Nestled in the piney woods, Great Lake, MTB, hiking and good facilities," says Tim H. about Tyler State Park, while another camper notes "Pine forest and beautiful lake for swimming, paddel boarding (SUP), or fishing. Lots of hiking/mountain bike trails."
Unique accommodations: Rusk KOA offers distinctive lodging options not found at every campground. "They have cabins and cool teepees as well, but have only ever camped in RV here," explains Lisa P., who adds that the campground organizes special events: "They do easter egg/candy hunts and have other events for the kids/kids at heart."
Clean, modern facilities: Visitors to Music Springs consistently mention the well-maintained amenities. "The bathrooms and shower are clean, there's a community kitchen that has a microwave, coffee maker, and refrigerator. The whole place is decorated very nicely," reports Karen M., while another camper adds, "Had access to a outdoor kitchen and awesome bathrooms."
What you should know
Reservation difficulty: Popular glamping sites fill quickly during peak seasons. "Great little lake to fish, kayak, swim and hike! Hard to get reservations because it is so popular! If you get reservations it's kinda like winning the lottery," notes Tammie L. about Tyler State Park.
Site layouts and conditions: Campsite configurations vary widely between locations, affecting privacy and access. At Jellystone Park Tyler, "The camp sites were small, with full hookup's!" according to Tammie L., while another reviewer noted, "Our site was very shady, and our ac had no issue keeping up with the temps."
Maintenance levels: Campground upkeep varies significantly between properties. At Rusk Depot Campground, one visitor noted, "It is not the most maintained campground, but it is a small loop with pull-in sites w/ full hookups," while another mentioned challenges: "Parking pad broken up by roots so very uneven surface. The firepit ring was mostly rusted away."
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Choose sites with clear views of play areas for easier supervision. At Rusk KOA, "Sites are level pull-through sites and most have a clear view of the playground, which gives the kids a sense of freedom," shares Lisa P.
Activity planning: Big Tex Campgrounds offers family-friendly amenities in a newer setting. "The sites are all large and shaded with a picnic table and a fire pit," notes Angela R., mentioning they have "a couple of small hiking trails" with additional features planned.
Swimming options: Multiple locations offer water recreation specifically suited to families with children. At Tyler State Park, one visitor mentioned "Day use swimming area can get crowded on the weekends but there's plenty of quieter access points," while another noted, "The playground is one of the best I've seen at the state parks we've been to!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Choose sites based on specific needs rather than just availability. At The Boulders at Lake Tyler, one RVer cautioned, "Their pull thru sites are right on the road. We had number #17 and it was a little tricky to get into the site deep enough that your slides don't stick out into the road."
Hookup reliability: Electrical systems can be inconsistent at some locations. One experienced RVer at Rusk Depot Campground reported, "On our last night, the 30 amp breaker kept tripping without a full load. Happened twice within an hour so we scaled back our amp use under 20 just to have some heat during the night."
Leveling conditions: Ground surfaces affect setup ease significantly. A visitor to The Boulders at Lake Tyler appreciated that "Concrete sites made setup and leveling super easy," while Big Tex Campgrounds offers "sites are all large and shaded with a picnic table and a fire pit."
