Tent campsites near Forney, Texas are located within a 40-minute drive radius, offering varied terrain from lakefront spots to wooded areas. The region experiences hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 95°F from June through August, making spring and fall more comfortable for camping. Most primitive camping sites in this area require advance booking during peak weekends, particularly at parks adjacent to Lake Lewisville and Lake Lavon.
What to do
Hiking and biking trails: Erwin Park in McKinney features approximately 9 miles of trails maintained by DORBA. "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. The trails are straight forward and not super technical," notes James from Erwin Park.
Wildlife viewing: Sleep Under The Pecan Trees offers unusual wildlife encounters across its 100-acre property. "Wild, yet docile horses will approach you. You can pet them and feed them by hand. Tall trees and gorgeous campsites. Donkeys hee-hawing, birds singing, and fire flies glowing. Scattered ponds throughout this 100 acre plot," reports Aaron W. from Sleep Under The Pecan Trees.
Water activities: Little Elm Park provides shoreline access for fishing and kayaking on Lake Lewisville. "Electric hookups for RV generally a small area first come first serve.... 5 dollars per tent....restrooms and park lights.... stores nearby..... no showers," mentions Joshua O.
What campers like
Secure camping environment: Northside RV Resort offers security features not commonly found at other area campgrounds. "The park was very clean with four bathroom/shower rooms and laundry room as well. We visited in November and it was quiet with a nice view of the water. The park also has a gate with a code needed to enter," writes Iris A. from Northside RV Resort.
Private, well-spaced sites: Erwin Park provides adequate separation between camping areas. "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," explains James.
Clean facilities: Meadowmere Park & Campground maintains exceptionally clean bathroom facilities. "We really enjoyed this camp space. Peaceful, open, spacious and super nice management and staff. Porta potties were incredibly clean and a main bathroom area featured showers and very clean as well," reports Melanie G. from Meadowmere Park & Campground.
What you should know
Camping costs: Pricing for primitive tent sites varies significantly. Little Elm Park charges $5 per tent, while Sycamore Bend Park has increased rates recently: "The price has gone up from $7 to $20, but that's about average it seems now," notes Taylin B. from Sycamore Bend Park.
Site access limitations: Many campgrounds restrict vehicle access to actual tent sites. "No access to drive to the actual site so I couldn't use my RTT but it's a short walk from where you park," explains Hannah F. about Sycamore Bend Park.
Bathroom conditions: Quality varies widely between parks. At Collin Park, "Bathrooms were centrally located but the women's restroom was flooded with an unknown liquid (it didn't smell, but one of the toilets was badly clogged and we haven't had that much rain lately)," reports Aaron C.
Weather considerations: Tent sites near Forney experience extended heat during summer months, with limited shade at some locations. Parks with abundant tree cover like Sleep Under The Pecan Trees provide better summer camping conditions than exposed lakefront sites.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife experiences: Sleep Under The Pecan Trees offers exceptional kid-friendly wildlife encounters. "Beautiful camping grounds!! Took my 6 year old daughter for her first camping trip and she loved it. The horses came into our camp and she was mesmerized by their size and beauty. Most amazing experience. She caught her 1st bass in the pond as well," shares Mike J.
Playground access: Multiple parks feature playground equipment for children. Sycamore Bend has "a good pavilion with a basketball hoop and good playground equipment," according to Chris K.
Grocery proximity: Most camping areas near Forney maintain reasonable access to supplies. Sleep Under The Pecan Trees is "about 12 minutes away from the nearest Walmart, in case you forget some camping supplies. We had to go there to buy more carrots for the horses (40 pounds of carrots)," notes Aaron W.
Seasonal insect conditions: Mosquito presence varies by location and season. Sleep Under The Pecan Trees reports "minimal mosquitoes, so that was certainly a relief," according to Aaron W.
Tips from RVers
Utility connections: Electric hookups are available at select parks but limited in number. Little Elm Park offers "electric hookups for RV generally a small area first come first serve," according to Joshua O.
Site dimensions: Few campgrounds accommodate large RVs. Erwin Park has both drive-up and walk-in sites, but space constraints limit RV options.
RV access roads: Northside RV Resort provides well-maintained access. "The sites are large and easy to pull in and out," notes Marilea G. from Northside RV Resort.
Seasonal rental options: Campground availability varies by season. "We stayed here in November so didn't have any bug problems. It is a new park and very well laid out," reports Marilea G. about Northside RV Resort.
