Lake Texoma draws campers to the Denison area with its 89,000-acre surface spanning the Texas-Oklahoma border. The lake sits at an elevation of approximately 617 feet and experiences hot summers with average July temperatures reaching 94°F. Camping options include both Texas and Oklahoma sides of the lake, with varying fee structures and amenities between the two states.
What to do
Fishing from shore or boat: Lake Texoma offers excellent fishing for striped bass, catfish and crappie. At Burns Run West, one visitor noted, "We caught nice catfish off the big rocks. The sunsets and stars are beautiful. This is such a peaceful relaxing place."
Hiking lakeside trails: Several campgrounds maintain trails with lake views. At Lake Texoma State Park, there are "miles of equestrian trails and a four mile hiking trail" according to a reviewer. The park also features "large day use facility with electricity."
Beach swimming: Many campgrounds offer sandy beaches for swimming. At Burns Run West, one camper mentioned, "Nice swimming area for the two young kids. Water hookups right next to campsite." The sand quality at some beaches is notable, with a reviewer describing Paradise on Lake Texoma as having "pieces of metal, glass, and garbage all over the place."
What campers like
Shaded campsites: Trees provide welcome relief during hot Texas summers. At Thousand Trails Lake Texoma, "Sites range from full sun to full shade" and are described as "big with lots of trees." One reviewer noted it's "one of top TT locations."
Waterfront camping: Sites directly on the water are highly sought after. At Riverview RV and Recreational Park, campers enjoy "nice level pads, full hookups and a view of the river." The park offers "gated security, general store, propane and shower houses."
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting provides opportunities to observe local fauna. At Platter Flats, "Half of the campground is an equestrian camp. There are great hiking trails and beautiful views. Good shady spots. We had two kids with us and we loved walking around the campground and seeing all the horses!"
What you should know
Campground security varies: Some campgrounds provide gated access while others remain open. At Damsite Texas, one camper reported not feeling safe: "As this park is not gated there is a no stop flow of cars crusing by checking out your setup, that really ubn nerved me."
Bathroom conditions fluctuate: Facility cleanliness and maintenance differ across campgrounds. One camper at Burns Run East mentioned, "The bathrooms were not well maintained. If you don't need to go to town for anything you will need to go back to Texas. Cartwright, OK appears to be very high poverty."
Summer crowds can impact experience: Holiday weekends bring noise and crowds. A visitor to Lake Texoma State Park reported: "The whole campground was over crowded with some family reunion going on with live music fireworks and general pandemonium going on the whole time we were here. It was fairly quite during the day while it was sweltering heat but after it got dark no consideration for anybody else until after 11:00 pm."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with play areas: Some sites offer amenities specifically for children. At Thousand Trails Lake Texoma, "Mini golf, shuffle board, horse shoes and playgrounds are available."
Consider beach quality and access: Sandy beaches with gradual entries are best for children. A camper at Paradise on Lake Texoma noted, "The beaches. It was nice the only people who had access to the water were the people who had booked a site, this is because there is a gate into the campground you must have a code for."
Reserve waterfront sites early: Prime locations fill quickly during summer months. At Lake Texoma State Park, "Our site was right on the lake. Luckily no one was in the site next to us, so we enjoyed a gentle slope down to the water. The water was fantastic for swimming right off our site!"
Tips from RVers
Check campsite surfaces: Not all pads are created equal. At Lake Texoma State Park, "The RV section has both full hookups and water/electric hookups. The prettiest sites are the ones without sewer, and the next time we go for just a weekend we'll pick one of those. Most of the RV sites have nice, level concrete pads (except the one we choose ... spot 11 ... crushed granite)."
Verify hookup locations: Water connections can be surprisingly distant. At Paradise on Lake Texoma, a reviewer warned: "Fair warning, the water hookups are FAR from the site. Do not under estimate how far these things are. With 75ft of hose - we were barely reaching the nozzle."
Test electrical pedestals before setup: At Thousand Trails Lake Texoma, "The first spot I chose had a bad pedestal, so I had to pick up and choose another spot. I would definitely recommend checking the pedestal before unpacking. There were a ton of spots closed off because of the bad pedestals."
