Best Tent Camping near Cuney, TX

Tent campsites near Cuney, Texas offer rustic accommodations at several established campgrounds within driving distance of the small community. Primitive camping options include Camp Meisenbach to the west, Mineola Nature Preserve campgrounds to the north, and Fish Hawke Point at Lake Hawkins to the northeast. These sites primarily cater to tent campers seeking basic outdoor experiences without elaborate facilities.

Most primitive tent setups in the region require campers to be self-sufficient, as amenities are limited across locations. At Fish Hawke Point, camping spots operate on a first-come, first-served basis with minimal facilities. The Mineola Nature Preserve offers several designated tent camping areas including Greer Hill, Peacock Pond, and Canoe Launch sites, all requiring reservations. Several campgrounds prohibit fires, including all Mineola Nature Preserve sites, while Fish Hawke Point does permit campfires. Few locations offer drinking water, and most have limited or no toilet facilities, making it essential for tent campers to plan accordingly.

The camping experience varies significantly between locations. Tent sites at Greer Hill in Mineola Nature Preserve provide access to multiple outdoor activities including hiking, biking, horseback riding, disc golf, and kayaking despite their basic accommodations. Fish Hawke Point offers a waterfront setting conducive to fishing and water activities. The Walnut Creek Backcountry Site presents a more secluded option for those willing to hike in with their gear. According to one visitor, Fish Hawke Point is "a great spot for kayaking and other water sports, or just relaxing in the water," though they noted the restrooms were recently removed for rebuilding. Another camper described the Greer Hill site as "barebones on purpose," explaining that while "the site itself is not attractive per-se," it offers "some basics" and serves as a good base camp for exploring the preserve's numerous activities.

Best Tent Sites Near Cuney, Texas (6)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Cuney, TX

1 Photos of 6 Cuney Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Cuney, TX

244 Reviews of 6 Cuney Campgrounds


  • Napunani
    Jun. 27, 2022

    Tyler State Park Campground

    One of our Texas Favs

    PROS 

    Texas State Park Pass discount saving $49 

    Reserved 151 days prior to arriving 

    Not charged a fee to make my own on-line reservation 

    Big Pine site #308 very shady site 

    Extra wide asphalt parking pad 

    Concrete slab that locked down the wooden picnic table 

    Metal fire pit with cooking grate which was cleared of ash upon our arrival 

    2 hook lantern pole 

    Dark sky friendly 

    Trash dumpsters near the toilet/shower building 

    Tyler Rose Garden features over 30,000 bushes and is open free to the public from sunrise to sunset…very beautiful and serene 

    CONS 

    Had to sweep for nearly an hour to clean debris from site 

    No entrance gate locked overnight 

    Never saw any rangers patrolling campground during our entire stay 

    Dogs on leashes not enforced 

    Unable to move picnic table 

    Big Pine site #308 way out of being level but manageable 

    Big Pine site #308 close to campground road 

    Big Pine site #308 tight fit for 28 ft 

    Only pine firewood for sale in Park 

    No WiFi 

    1 bar Verizon 5G

  • Rachel J.
    Nov. 3, 2020

    Fishermans Point Marina and Resort

    Limited tent sites

    We went to check this place out to reserve for a family camp trip. The grounds are clean and spacious. They have wonderful cabins and RV sites. The only have 5 tent sites. There are no tent pads and the sites are on a small hill. The picnic tables are limited and not every tent site has one. There are no fire rings so it’s a little unnerving building a fire on the grass. The lake and marina is wonderful and clean. They have all sorts of thing to do there. Kayak rentals, fishing charters, a cute little cafe. This is a place I would come to rent a cabin but not to tent camp!

  • Adam H.
    Jan. 10, 2019

    Neches Bluff Overlook Campground

    quiet and very primitive

    There's not much to this campground, although it is very beautiful with enormous loblolly pines. This is a primitive campsite. There's no water, no electricity, not bathrooms, etc. Just an area you can use to set up tents or hammocks. We met a nice older fella who said he comes there every day and builds a fire at dusk, stays for a little bit, then leaves.

    We bikes from the Ratcliff Recreational Area and we had to cache water.

  • Napunani
    Nov. 18, 2021

    Tyler State Park Campground

    Great Lakeside Campsite

    Reserved on-line 153 days prior to arrival. 

    Pros 

    Area 2 campground night sky friendly with good dark sky viewing

    Site 211 has fantastic views of the lake

    Mid afternoon Sunday check in at entrance station very busy but processed quickly Utility hookups in good condition 

    Sites with grass neatly maintained 

    Campground mostly quiet except for Interstate 20 traffic noise 

    Showers were individual entry on opposite side of the building from the toilets 

    Campsite and entrance fee discount with Texas State Park Pass 

    Not charged a fee to make my own on-line reservation 

    EXXON station directly outside of State Park sold oak firewood 25 pieces for $20 

    Cons 

    Raccoons very aggressive and tried to take food that we were eating from our hands!!! Area 2 Lakeview sites require leveling side-to-side 

    Area 2 campsite parking pads are narrow with trees and large boulders close to parking pad. 

    ery narrow roadway in Area 2 with limited space to maneuver into backin sites. 

    One pull-thru site was so tight to the roadway, their trailer was partially on the road! Area 2 campground sites have no privacy from any other camp sites 

    Site 211 table, fire pit with cooking grate and lantern pole are located opposite side of the trailer door 

    Area 2 restroom/shower building serves 58 campsites and it shows it! Restroom facility badly needing some TLC, cleaning and maintenance Women’s restroom had 3 toilets and 2 sinks; men’s had 2 toilets and 1 urinal 

    Firewood for sale in Area 2 was only pine wood

  • Heather S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 27, 2025

    Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area

    Convenient. Clean enough. But underwhelmed.

    We came to tent camp and wanted to be on a lake shoreline. We stayed at #11 on Lakeside Loop.

    The positive:

    • The tent pad was nice and level and the site was very roomy (we had a tent & canopy) with tons more room to stretch out.

    • We were about 200 yards from the bathroom facilities and about 30 feet from potable water for washing up.

    • The traffic was minimal because it’s off the main road, and would have been peaceful if the group of campers at #9 had been courteous and acknowledged quiet hours.

    • We had incredible weather with a wonderful steady breeze.

    Negatives:

    • We did have a lake view, but the shoreline is so incredibly overgrown making it difficult to fish. Lots of rotted wood and brush blocks a great deal of the view and access.

    • The burn circle had a grate welded at an angle to the top, so it couldn’t really be used for building up a big fire or cooking.

    • No one drove around/checked to make sure visitors are keeping to the quiet hours, which meant we were kept awake until about 12:30 am from yelling and loud music.

    • The restrooms, while near, had not been cleaned before we arrived—toilet paper on the floors and in the shower area with lots of dead june bugs and spiders on the floor the whole weekend.

  • Andrew A.
    Aug. 29, 2021

    Greer Hill - Mineola Nature Preserve Campground C

    Barebones on purpose.

    Set up your basic base camp near a picnic table and fire ring the. Go out into the park to hike, bike, horseback ride, frisbee golf, kayak and observe nature. The site itself is not attractive per-se but there are some basics and an outhouse. The park also has an RV/Equestrian trailer area near the highway and some even deeper woods camping for equestrians or backpackers. No frills at all in those spots and too dark to enjoy IMO. Greer Hill is the best balance. Also there is an incredible winery on premises too. Grand Oaks Winery https://www.gowinerymineola.com

  • Missy S.
    Apr. 26, 2019

    Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area

    Quier, beautiful space to relax.

    The campground is located in the Davy Crockett National Forest, with spots located around the edges of a small lake. Although we could occasionally hear noise from the highway, it was mostly peaceful and quiet. The campgrounds are spacious, with tent platforms, poles to hang trash, and large picnic tables. The bathrooms were amazingly clean and with camp hosts and park rangers on site, we always had help with anything we needed. We hiked and kayaked (with our own boats) and it was all just lovely. I would go back for sure!

  • James_TrueZoneCoaching
    Sep. 19, 2021

    Tyler State Park Campground

    Great camping 2 hours from Dallas

    I visited the Shortleaf camping area in the Tyler State Park for the weekend to participate in a 50k trail race. Each campsite in this area has a sheltered cabin, picnic table, fire pit and 2 parking spots. Tent camping is also permitted on the site but I used my iKamper Roof Top Tent as my primary place to sleep. The sheltered cabin has screens on the windows to keep the bugs out and electricity. I used this area primarily for storage of the food & gear that I used during the weekend. My campsite was located at the bottom of a hill and had a path to the restrooms and showers. These facilities were very clean and had 2 shower stalls and 3 toilet stalls along with 2 sinks. This location had access to the lake via a short hike. This type of camp site is the best of both worlds, you can camp via tent/car and still have a cabin like experience via the sheltered cabin. 

    In September it is still pretty warm in Tyler, humidity was 100% when I visited without rain. I'll visit again in October when the cooler temps arrive and undoubtable have an even better experience.

  • Chantyl
    Mar. 14, 2024

    Rusk Depot Campground

    Family trip

    First & foremost, This park is not well-maintained, and the camping sites are right off of the highway. The splash pad does not work, and the bath house was terribly dirty and freaked of sewage. The group sites are basically a big parking lot- zero grass space between site numbers, although there is shared grass areas along the rows. We moved site numbers within the group sites so that our kids would not be playing right beside the highway (there is a gate, however it’s still concerning), and to slightly distance ourselves from the traffic noise. Beware there is also a large wedding venue directly across the highway & our kids were woken to the sounds of fireworks at night on the weekend. There were large fire ant mounds all along the concrete, and we had to purchase fire ant killer ourselves, as well as deal with some broken glass & the trash can for our site that wasn’t emptied before our stay. I spoke with the staff member working in the office and all she could say was “i will let management know.”

    As far as the good: we had 6 kids and 4 adults staying, so despite the concerns and annoyances, we still were able to relax enough and enjoy our break from the daily grind. The kids played outside all day- making walking sticks, fishing a lot, catching bugs (spotted some really neat moths, too), and making up games.

    The best: the nearly-daily trains coming right through the campground for various reasons (loading new cars or taking passengers on a local trip). My son is an avid train-lover and this was the main reason we booked our stay here.


Guide to Cuney

Tent camping near Cuney, Texas ranges from primitive backcountry sites to basic established campgrounds within a 50-mile radius. The region sits in the Piney Woods ecoregion at elevations between 300-500 feet, characterized by dense pine and hardwood forests. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 95°F with high humidity, while winter nights can drop below freezing, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: At Fish Hawke Point at Lake Hawkins, campers can enjoy shoreline fishing or launch small boats. "Great camping and fishing," notes Chris, highlighting the site's primary recreational draw.

Outdoor activities: The Greer Hill - Mineola Nature Preserve Campground serves as a central hub for multiple activities. "Go out into the park to hike, bike, horseback ride, frisbee golf, kayak and observe nature," recommends Andrew A., who visited the preserve and found it offered diverse recreational options despite basic amenities.

Water recreation: During summer months, Lake Hawkins provides cooling relief. Kevin S. describes Fish Hawke Point as "a great spot for Kayaking and other water sports, or just relaxing in the water," making it suitable for hot weather camping trips.

What campers like

Peace and quiet: Several campers mention the tranquility at Walnut Creek Backcountry Site, which requires a hike-in approach that limits crowds and noise. The secluded location makes it ideal for campers seeking solitude.

Waterfront views: The shoreline positioning at Fish Hawke Point appeals to many visitors. "This point is first come first serve, find any spot you like," explains Kevin S., highlighting the freedom to select prime waterfront locations.

Event viewing: Lake Hawkins offers seasonal entertainment opportunities. Kevin S. adds that Fish Hawke Point is "a great place to watch 4th of July fire works show put on every year," providing campers with special occasion viewing.

What you should know

Limited facilities: Most camping areas near Cuney have minimal amenities. Vanessa M. describes Fish Hawke Point as having "spots are first come first serve, primitive, and lack amenities. Toilets are winterized," indicating year-round facility limitations.

Reservation requirements: While Fish Hawke Point operates first-come, first-served, Peacock Pond and other Mineola Nature Preserve sites require advance reservations through their municipal system.

Fire restrictions: Fire policies vary significantly between locations. Fish Hawke Point permits campfires, but all Mineola Nature Preserve campgrounds prohibit fires regardless of season or conditions.

Tips for camping with families

Access considerations: When camping with children, site accessibility becomes important. Vanessa M. notes that at Fish Hawke Point, "the campground is not far from town," making it convenient for families needing quick access to supplies or emergency services.

Activity options: Canoe Launch - Mineola Nature Preserve provides water access for family paddling adventures, though the site itself lacks amenities. The preserve offers multiple camping areas connected to various activities suitable for different age groups.

Seasonal planning: Summer heat in East Texas can be uncomfortable for children. Spring and fall weekends offer milder temperatures while maintaining access to water activities, making them ideal for family camping trips to best tent camping near Cuney, Texas.

Tips from RVers

Site limitations: Most primitive tent camping areas near Cuney prohibit RVs or have access restrictions. Andrew A. points out that Mineola Nature Preserve does have "an RV/Equestrian trailer area near the highway," which offers alternative camping options for vehicle-based campers while the tent sites remain separate.

Hookup availability: Among tent camping areas near Cuney, Texas, only Fish Hawke Point offers any electrical hookups, though they're limited and not guaranteed. Visitors with equipment requiring power should bring alternative sources or reserve sites in nearby towns with full hookups.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Cuney, TX is Camp Meisenbach with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 6 tent camping locations near Cuney, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.