Camping options near Roanoke, Texas extend beyond the lakeside sites to include tent camping, RV hookups, and cabin rentals within a 30-mile radius of this suburban town. The region sits at approximately 600-700 feet above sea level with warm summers where temperatures regularly exceed 95°F from June through September. Winter camping remains viable with mild daytime temperatures in the 50-60°F range, though occasional freezing nights occur from December through February.
What to do
Watercraft activities: At The Vineyards Campground & Cabins, rental equipment is available on-site for lake exploration. "We boated, kayaked, rented a golf cart and more. The gold sites are worth it! All concrete sites on the water and stone encased cooking areas," notes camper Natalie S. The swimming areas are particularly good for families with small children.
Fishing opportunities: Catfish are abundant in the lakes surrounding Roanoke. The fishing docks at The Vineyards Campground provide productive spots where "my boys caught a 12 lb and 20 lb catfish right off the fishing dock," according to one visitor. Many campsites around Lake Lewisville offer direct lake access for shore fishing without requiring a boat.
Hiking and biking: Lake Park Campground features "a couple mile walking trail at starting at the campground that is paved," according to UnnamedAdventures. For mountain biking, Twin Coves Park provides multiple trail options with varying difficulty levels and connects to additional regional trail systems.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Hickory Creek - Lewisville Lake receives consistent praise for its well-designed campsites. "A lot of space between sites, well level and paved, family oriented, very quite, beautiful lake and tree sites, lighted power supply post with all the amps available," reports Reynolds O. Sites feature fire pits, BBQ grills and picnic tables.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness stands out in reviews across multiple parks. Pilot Knoll Park earns particular praise with one camper noting, "I love this campground... most outstanding is even when it is very busy, it is quiet! I think they must enforce quiet rule very well." The shower facilities are well-maintained at most established campgrounds.
Lakefront views: Waterfront sites consistently earn the highest ratings. At Willow Grove Park, "Beautiful place and a lot of space between sites," according to Reynolds O. Sunset views across the lakes are particularly spectacular during spring and fall months, with western-facing sites providing the best viewing.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. Twin Coves Park recommends booking well in advance, especially for cabin rentals. "We've stayed at Twin Coves several times, this is an excellent site for both RV/Tent camping and Cabins," notes Walter J. Weekend reservations often require booking 2-3 months ahead during summer.
Urban proximity: Despite natural settings, most campgrounds maintain proximity to urban amenities. As Susan L. describes Hickory Creek, "I like this COE campground because conveniently located near where I live, and if I'm lucky I can snag a site with trees and lake access. But the tradeoff for convenience is proximity to civilization."
Security considerations: Access control varies between campgrounds. At Lake Park Campground, "Front gate get locked at 11pm. If you don't make it, you have to park outside and walk in," reports Scott K. Many campgrounds employ gate codes or staff patrols to maintain security.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Meadowmere Park & Campground offers "peaceful, open, spacious" sites with a well-maintained playground. "We really enjoyed this camp space. Peaceful, open, spacious and super nice management and staff," shares Melanie G. The clean facilities and organized layout make it particularly suitable for families with young children.
Swimming areas: Several campgrounds maintain designated swimming beaches with gradual entries for safer water access. The Vineyards features "a swim beach, playground, everything you could need," according to Dan W., making it ideal for families seeking water recreation without boat requirements.
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening hours provide the best wildlife viewing opportunities. Many campers report seeing deer, waterfowl, and smaller animals at dawn and dusk. Hidden Cove Park offers nature encounters with one camper noting a "family of turkey's hangs out at the campgrounds."
Tips from RVers
Hookup considerations: Northlake Village RV Park provides full hookups but primarily serves longer-term guests. "From my own observations, it looks like this particular park caters to long term rentals more than it does short term," notes Pennie. RVers should verify site length and hookup types when booking, as some parks have limited 50-amp service.
Water pressure issues: Several campgrounds report strong water pressure that can damage RV plumbing. One camper at Pilot Knoll notes, "I found the water pressure too strong for my class b as the pressure caused a link under my sink. Convinced me to purchase my own water pressure resistor gauge."
Dump station access: Not all parks offer sewer hookups at individual sites. At Hickory Creek, one camper mentions, "The only 'negative' I found is that the sewage hook up is not at the actual site. There are dump stations in different places." Some parks require leaving the campground to access dump facilities, so plan accordingly.
