Best Tent Camping near Franklin, TX

We tent camped in a primitive spot #47. Overall the spot was nice but not very level making the best placement of our large tent a bit of a challenge. Vault toilets were clean and had hand sanitizer. The nature and hiking in this park was our favorite part. Even rented a canoe and paddled across the lake to the river. Park staff were friendly and helpful. Some primitive tent sites are right on the edge of the lake and after a big rain were very swampy. I believe all sites had partial shade and some have more privacy than others. We did spot some full hook up sites in the RV section that have good space for a tent set up and we may try that next time cause we definitely will be back.

Beautiful small state park. We usually tent camp but this time we decided staying at a cabin. Nice, beautiful and modern cabins. Love the enclosed porch and open porch as well. The cabin was spacious enough for our family of 6. The new family restroom close to the cabins was great, nice and clean. I will be back.

We camped at spot 1, right up from the lake. Very spacious spot to fit three tents. Dog friendly. Very quiet, everyone courteous. Two great fishing spots: down on the lake by the campsite and by the marina (both super close to the campsite).

We stopped here overnight on the way home from Renfest in October 2017... it was rustic, we saw a couple of wild hogs on the way to our campsite.

Like the other state parks we had been to, there was running water, tent pads & a nearby restroom. Since we were only there for one night, we didn't get a chance to explore the park.

In early March of 2020, right at the beginning of the Covid 19 Pandimic, I had the opportunity to visit Fort Parker State Park is located next to the town of Mexia Texas and sits on the banks of Fort Parker Lake. This great Texas State Park was built by the CCC starting in 1935 and finishing in 1942. The CCC Company 3807(C) that constructed the park and for recreation was an an all African American CCC Camp. Old Fort Parker was rebuilt by the CCC in preparation for a Texas Centennial Observance in 1936, the rest of the constructs were completed over 6 years. Fort Parker State Park was dedicated in May 1941. Fort Parker State Park provides an excellent location for family camping trips, great family reunions or just a fun day hiking and exploring. Come along with me as I explore Fort Parker State Park!

https://youtu.be/9JDt7QTb-Ps

We stayed here long term for work, in our camper trailer. This is a great place, for long or short stays. All sorts of rigs, maybe not quite the place for tents. The owner is very kind. The property is well maintained. Gravel pads, with all the hook ups. It's great not having to move to drain the tanks. There is a community area called the scale house, indoor and outdoor chill spots to enjoy the scenery. A small shower/laundry house, and overflow parking for boats, extra vehicles, etc. The creek runs along side the campground, and herds of sheep roam across the creek with friendly and protective sheep dogs. You can fish in the creek and in the pond located within the sheep field. We really enjoyed this spot.

The front guardhouse/entrance is extra campy. Low light and decorated with 69 yo 74lb catch pictures. This is by far the most fisherman geared Texas State Park we have been to and it's our 12th!

The playground is nicer than expected. The tr ails are well-marked.

A quirk of this park are the neighbors. You drive by 8 plus mailboxes while inside the State Park. An abandoned home half collapsed is seen from the roadway. So that's unique.

Beautiful and generally well kept. It's an older style but they have a newer playground area next to the old one.

For a family I give this a 2. For Fisherman a 5. For everyone else a 3.

This park is not as great as other reviews lead you to believe. I'll break it down:

1. They don't allow campfires. As in, none. There are no fire rings. That right there takes it off the list for me.
2. It’s your typical park in a lot and haul stuff to your campsite. Texas really needs to get with the program that car camping is a huge thing.
3. Most of the picnic tables are uncovered. There are some that are and I managed to get one, but if it’s busy they'll be taken quickly.

It is a nice area and a good view of the lake. It’s fairly close to the water but the lake it low so you'd have to jump down a bit in order to get to it currently.

All in all not terrible but the no campfire thing is puzzling. I wouldn't come back. There are better places- Possum Kingdom I'm looking at you.

There is nothing I like more than finding a nice place to retreat from a city which allows the comfort of the outdoors and relaxation with the convenience of the neighboring city amenities. It is the perfect blend of both worlds.

This can be a bit difficult for a tent camper however, so again I was able to find an ideal location for my RVing friends at this site. Normally that would instantly lower my rating because I cannot personally utilize the location at this time without a rig, however this site was so impressive I couldn't steer away!

Pulling up to the park the gate is grand. The park itself sits a short 5 minutes away from the city on a quiet road. The park is expansive and the accommodations rest several hundred yards away from the traffic of the small country road. It is so peaceful!!

Sites seemed to be spread nicely to have the sense of community but not being to close to form crowding. Each space is separated by a grassy area which accommodates a picnic table and has enough room for a little stretching room.

When I visited all of the units there seemed to be very well maintained and even though they do have both overnight and long term stay options, nothing seemed to have the "moved in" look (no underpinnings, no long sewage hoses typical of long term parks).

I was very excited to see the large area for walking your dogs, area which allowed space to play and roam, a pond to fish in or to enjoy, a fire pit for community use and very nice shower and laundry facilities.

The roads around the park were wide and well maintained, the green spaces were manicured well and as I visited people were all very friendly. It made me want an RV just so I could visit!

Tips:

• To stay at this park make sure you make reservations ahead of time. While there is plenty of space, they do fill up and reservations will ensure your stay especially during the more populated seasons.

• Take advantage of the free wifi when here, just pulling in I checked it out and noticed it was pretty decent from all areas of the park.

• Bring your fishing poles! This park has a variety of fish in the stocked pond perfect for a relaxing day at the park.

One of those, you get what you pay for kind of places. The facilities are there. They aren't great, but at least they are permenant. The lake is there, it's not super pretty but it's also closer to college station and Bryan than anywhere else.