Best Tent Camping near Denton, TX
Tent camping options around Denton, Texas range from primitive lakeside sites to managed campgrounds with basic amenities. Sycamore Bend Park on Lake Lewisville offers primitive tent camping with fire rings and picnic tables but no utilities. The Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland, approximately 30 miles northwest of Denton, provides both established campgrounds and dispersed tent camping opportunities in a natural grassland setting.
Most tent sites in the area require campers to carry gear short distances from parking areas, with many locations featuring walk-in tent sites 50-300 feet from vehicle access. Primitive tent setups are common at Sycamore Bend Park, where sites cost $20 per night with a three-night maximum stay. Toilet facilities at these locations are typically basic and unheated, with no showers or running water available. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, though most established sites include fire rings. Several locations operate on self-registration systems with cash payment required, including Black Creek Lake Campground which charges $2 per night for primitive tent camping.
The tent camping experience near Denton offers a mix of lakeside and forested settings within relatively short drives from urban areas. Erwin Park in McKinney provides tent campers with access to approximately 9 miles of maintained trails popular with mountain bikers and runners. Sites at Sycamore Bend Park offer proximity to Lake Lewisville with opportunities for paddling and fishing. In summer months, campers should prepare for mosquitoes and heat, particularly at lakeside locations. A reviewer noted, "Though the temperature was soaring, a nice breeze off the lake coupled with the shady trees made for a very nice experience."