Chris H.
Legend
LegendJohnson Branch Campsites — Ray Roberts Lake State Park
We were in the walnut loop, spot 52 and it was awesome. Plenty of room and the site backs up to the lake so we could walk a path from our site to the lake to fish.
Tent Camping near Denison, TX
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Tent camping options near Denison, Texas primarily concentrate around Lake Texoma and nearby outdoor areas, with established primitive tent sites offering minimal amenities. Willow Springs in Mead, Oklahoma and Hickory Creek in Madill provide tent camping opportunities within a short drive from Denison. Cross Timbers Texoma Hiking Trail features primitive campsites accessible via hike-in or walk-in access, ideal for backcountry camping experiences without developed facilities.
Primitive tent campsites in the Denison area typically feature minimal amenities, with most lacking drinking water, showers, or electricity. The Cross Timbers primitive campsite allows campfires and permits pets but has no toilets or trash service. Hickory Creek offers dispersed camping where visitors must create their own fire rings and pack out all waste. A review mentioned, "This place can be a bit hit or miss depending on the season because of the water levels," noting that campers should be aware of seasonal fluctuations affecting site availability.
The tent camping experience near Denison varies significantly with the seasons. Summer brings high humidity and temperatures, while spring and fall offer more comfortable conditions for primitive tent setups. "There is plenty of space to spread out and material for a campfire," noted one camper about the Hickory Creek area, though they cautioned about wildlife encounters. Tent campers should be prepared for encounters with local wildlife, including deer and potentially wild hogs. Most tent sites require proper food storage techniques to avoid attracting animals. The night skies at primitive tent areas provide excellent stargazing opportunities away from city lights, particularly at the more remote backcountry sites.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Denison (16)
1. Willow Springs
2. iGLAMP
from $119 - $129 / night
3. Willafa Woods
4. Cross Timbers Texoma Hiking Trail Primitive Campsite
5. Big Mineral COE Lake Texoma
6. Alberta Creek
7. Willow Springs Resort
8. Blue River Campground
"There is around 80 campsites nestled in the woods along the bank of this beautiful clear river. It is primitive camping. There is no electric, water faucets, picnic tables, or grills."
"Camping stops are spaced out very well. It is primitive camping. There is no electricity and there are some bathrooms but very few which doesn’t bother me bc I don’t use them anyways."
9. Erwin Park
"Erwin Park is a great place to visit if you're looking to spend a few days running or biking trails. Campsites are far enough apart that you have privacy yet close enough that you don't feel alone."
"I’ve had many great experiences at this park it’s a ways out of the way of the city noise. The only sound other than bird song is the occasional moo and some coyote yips in the distance"
10. Texoma Marina & Resort
Drive Time
- 7 min from Sherman, TX
- 1 hr 6 min from Dallas, TX
- 1 hr 50 min from Wichita Falls, TX
- 2 hrs 38 min from Lawton, OK
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Denison, TX
15 Photos of 16 Denison Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Denison, TX
386 Reviews of 16 Denison Campgrounds
Benjamin S.
GuideSanger - Denton North KOA
The KOA is clean and well maintained. There is lits of space for the pull throughs. Dog park is amazing, host are friendly and kind. They are very welcoming and the store is small, but clean with a little bit of everything for everyone! We will definitely be back!
- WWayne
TravelerWinstar RV Park
Super easy in and out. Pretty much every amenity that you would want at a very modern campground.
- Curtis L.Traveler
Red River Ranch RV Resort
Red River RV Resort (Deluxe) in Thackerville OK is a hot mess to be polite. The entire campground is covered with goathead sand burrs. It's impossible to go outside and enjoy any part of the campground. If you do go out you have to be very careful not to bring any of the sand burrs into the camper. The property owner / management knows of the campground issues but they're not doing anything to fix the issues. The pool and hot tub are disgusting, both have green slimy water with leaves, dirt and whatever else blew into it. The community room is locked and you have to ask at the office to get access. The community room has multiple TV's but none if them turn on so whats point in having them. On the good side it has two nice pool tables so its has some purpose. The gym area is packed with equipment but looks more like a storage locker than a gym.The campground has a good laundry room and okay WIFI. The showers are okay, older facilty but it all works. It has a fenced dog park but again It's covered with sand burrs so its unuseable. There's several empty/abandonded campers through out the campground. We went down the street to the local public park, sadly the park is unuseable as well due to the sand burrs being everywhere. It appears sand burrs are a bigger issue in the area and just not only at the campground. The campsites have full hook ups, some of the sewer hose tubes have caps while others don't. The neighboring campsite sewer connection didnt have a sewer cap and it has a huge wolf spider living in it.... we had planned to stay the full 14 days but leaving early due to the 8 billion sand burrs. Our dog is unable to walk in the grass, dirt, pavement without a paw full of sand burrs. I'm very disappointed C2C thinks this is a deluxe campground, I would be embarrassed to be in any way connected to it. There's other campgrounds in the area that have similar nightly cost ($40 - $50) if I was to pay outside of the C2C members rate with useable grass yards, clean useable swimming pools and community rooms. This could be an amazing campground if someone would fix the issues. As it stands now I would avoid this campground at all costs.
- HHope H.Guide
Bonham State Park Campground
Okay for an Overnight
This is a very small campground with a central bathroom/showers up the hill from the campsites. The lake means bugs. The bathrooms were not terrible. The showers were clean-ish.
David B.GuideIsle du Bois Campsites — Ray Roberts Lake State Park
Beautiful and quiet. Widely spaced sites in loops, but challenging to back in.
Folks want different things out of campsites. For me, it's scenic beauty, quiet for work and mental health, and nice places to take my dog. This checks all the boxes!
None of my reviews will be useful for amenities or activities because I just don't use them. I can't tell you about bathrooms, fishing, etc. I can tell you the water is very soft and feels slick or soapy even after you rinse. I have onboard reverse osmosis and wouldn't recommend drinking city water anywhere in Texas. There's too much oil production here and gas and chemicals are all over.
The staff at the gate were pleasant and said, "You must be David," when I pulled in, which was very nice and made it easy and welcoming.
Texas has many undiscovered and wonderful public lands, whether you're really camping or just working remote, watching the deer, or seeing the sunrise over a lake from your bedroom window. Get out here and come see them!
Andy M.LegendPreston Bend - Lake Texoma
Great view out on the peninsula.
Got here after Labor day weekend and mostly all to ourselves.
Glen W.TravelerClear Lake Park
So pretty
Camped in site 14. Level site, beautiful view of the lake with covered concrete table. You can walk down to the lake to swim. BUT ants! Make sure you take precautions to keep them out of your rig!
- SShannon H.
ScoutPlatter Flats
Platter Flats campground
Great place to camp for a few nights. Boat ramp, clean showers, Lakeview, swimming, fishing, campfires. Clean, safe place to enjoy yourself.
Guide to Denison
Tent camping near Denison, Texas offers varied terrains for outdoor enthusiasts, with options ranging from Lake Texoma's shoreline to wooded inland areas. Most sites sit at elevations between 600-700 feet above sea level, creating moderate terrain suitable for novice campers. The region's clay soil can create challenging conditions during rainy periods when ground saturation affects campsite selection.
What to do
Wildlife viewing: At Cross Timbers Texoma Hiking Trail Primitive Campsite, primitive camping provides opportunities to observe native Texas wildlife. The area supports diverse bird species, deer populations, and occasional armadillo sightings.
Mountain biking: The trail system at Erwin Park provides approximately 9 miles of maintained paths for cycling enthusiasts. "Great easy spot for day camping or easy car camping with family. Best mountain bike single tracks around with lots of built features," notes Brian, who frequently visits the trails.
Fishing access: Bank fishing from tent camping areas offers productive catches, particularly for catfish species. The shoreline access points fluctuate with seasonal water levels, requiring adaptability from anglers. James noted, "Erwin Park is a great place to visit if you're looking to spend a few days running or biking trails. Campsites are far enough apart that you have privacy yet close enough that you don't feel alone."
What campers like
Night sky viewing: The minimal light pollution at Hickory Creek creates superior stargazing conditions. "The night skies here are vast on a clear night and you will hear a lot of animals moving around this area as there are large populations of deer and other smaller animals," reports Crystal C.
Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate the spacing between designated camping areas. Riley W. mentions about Erwin Park, "I've had many great experiences at this park it's a ways out of the way of the city noise. The only sound other than bird song is the occasional moo and some coyote yips in the distance."
Quick accessibility: The proximity to urban areas makes these campgrounds convenient for weekend trips. "What a great getaway that feels like you're far from home but only a few min away for us. When you want a spur of the moment trip it's a great place to go," Amy L. shares about her experience at Erwin Park.
What you should know
Limited facilities: Most tent camping locations have minimal or no amenities. "The park has several covered pavilions as well as restrooms but lacks shower facilities," explains James about Willow Springs, where preparation for self-sufficient camping is essential.
Seasonal challenges: Water level fluctuations impact site availability, particularly at shoreline locations. Crystal C. advises, "Do not go here without some kind of protection against those if staying overnight" when referring to wildlife encounters at Hickory Creek.
Trail conditions: Weather significantly affects trail quality for hiking and biking activities. "The trail network is about 9 miles and maintained by DORBA, these trails flood easily after rain so check the DORBA website before making the trip," recommends James regarding Erwin Park.
Tips for camping with families
Bring portable lighting: No outdoor lighting exists at most primitive sites. "Bring a headlamp or lantern because there is no outdoor lighting whatsoever," advises Crystal C. about camping at Hickory Creek.
Bathroom considerations: Facility limitations require planning for family needs. Amy L. points out about iGLAMP, "The only thing I would change is the bathroom facilities, there are no doors at all!"
Wildlife awareness: Educate children about appropriate wildlife behavior. "Do not leave food out at your camp because of the amount of wild animals in the area or you will be overrun by morning," Crystal cautions about camping in the Hickory Creek area.
Tips from RVers
Weather preparation: The clay soil common around Denison becomes problematic after rainfall. "This place can be a bit hit or miss depending on the season because of the water levels," notes Crystal C. about access conditions at Hickory Creek.
Trail traffic awareness: Weekend congestion affects camping experience for RVers seeking quieter conditions. Jimbo E. observes, "Located just outside of McKinney, it has become a popular spot with mountain bikers. That can create issues on the weekend when the trails are teeming with cyclists. It just gets crowded and parking can be a challenge."
Site selection strategy: RVers should consider proximity to water access points when selecting campsites. "A few of the campsites are drive up but most are park and haul. Each site has a picnic table, fire pit and trash can and some of the sites are more shaded than others," explains James about the layout at Erwin Park.
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Which is the most popular tent campsite near Denison, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Denison, TX is Willow Springs with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
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What is the best site to find tent camping near Denison, TX?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near Denison, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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