The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Tent Camping near Fritch, TX

399 Reviews

Free tent camping near Fritch, Texas is available at McBride Canyon and Mullinaw Creek Camp within Lake Meredith National Recreation Area. These primitive tent sites are approximately 10 miles southwest of town and offer basic amenities suitable for tent campers seeking a no-frills outdoor experience. Fortress Cliff Primitive in Palo Duro Canyon State Park, located further south, provides additional tent camping options with more developed facilities.

Tent sites at McBride Canyon feature picnic tables with shelters, fire rings, and access to pit toilets. Most areas lack drinking water, so campers must bring their own supply. The 14-day stay limit applies during regular seasons, extending to 30 days during hunting season. The access road is paved until reaching the campground, where it transitions to sand and loose gravel. Terrain is generally flat with cottonwood trees providing shade along the perimeter. Visitors should be prepared for limited cell reception and potentially dusty conditions, especially during dry periods.

The tent camping experience at these locations offers seclusion and natural surroundings. McBride Canyon provides access to the Mullinaw Trails System for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, though off-road vehicles are prohibited. Sites are spread apart to enhance privacy and provide space for multiple tents. Weather conditions vary significantly by season, with summer bringing intense heat and significant insect activity, particularly mosquitoes. The area is known for its stargazing opportunities due to minimal light pollution. A recent review noted, "This is a pretty good campground especially since it is free. You have picnic tables with shelters for the tables, fire ring, trash and a pit toilet. You have a lot of shade around the perimeter of the campground which makes it nice."

Map showing campgrounds near Fritch, TexasExplore the Map

Best Tent Sites Near Fritch, Texas (2)

Show More
Showing results 1-2 of 2 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Fritch Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Tent Camping Photos near Fritch, TX

22 Photos of 2 Fritch Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Fritch, TX

399 Reviews of 2 Fritch Campgrounds

  • Roger W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 27, 2024

    Fortress Cliff Primitive — Palo Duro Canyon State Park

    Canyon walls Supreme

    FORTRESS CLIFF Rating: 3.5 as not a lot of visual privacy from adjacent sites. However the view of cliffs is very clear Security: at park entrance Usage during visit: 50% Site Privacy: No Site Spacing: Fair Parking Pad: gravel Reservations: Yes Campground Noise: Quiet during my short visit Outside Road Noise: Some sites are near the park road. Through Traffic in campground: No Electric Hookup: No Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: Yes Potable Water Available: Scattered spigots Generators: Check Bathroom: Portable toilets Showers: At Hackberry CG Cell Service (AT&T): one bar here. Setting: under deciduous trees with canyon walls, viewable on both sides of the cg. Recent Weather: 30s to 70s Solar: Definitely Insects: None Host: not on site Sites: Sites: my favorites: 49,47, 45,43, 41* 37(close to the park Road, but on the outside perimeter of the loop.)

  • Elliott B.
    Sep. 28, 2016

    Juniper Campground — Palo Duro Canyon State Park

    Palo Duro Canyon should be listed as several different campgrounds...

    You have a lot of campground variety options. Some campgrounds can handle giant monster RVs and have hookups while others are tent only and then you have group and hike in sites.

    The tent sites are drive up and have tables and fire rings, some areas have (shaded tabled, which you may need because it's pretty open) You have some water nearby, but depending on which campground you're at you might want to make sure and pack it in.

    This also goes for restrooms and showers, as they are not everywhere....

  • Megan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 3, 2021

    Fortress Cliff Primitive — Palo Duro Canyon State Park

    Quiet and Beautiful

    Some of the other camping areas seemed less spacious and private, but we really liked our site in the tent-only Cactus Campground. It had a shade shelter, a picnic table, and a dirt tent pad. There was also a fire ring with a grill grate, but a burn ban was in place. The water faucet was just across the street and there were clean restrooms (with hot showers) up the road at the next campground. Even with some light pollution from town, the stars were beautiful.

    We only stayed for two nights--not nearly enough to explore this incredible park. We're hoping to go back before it gets too warm.

  • J
    Aug. 9, 2022

    Blue West Campground — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

    Misleading reviews

    There are various campgrounds around Lake Meredith. Blue West is on the opposite side from the city of Fritch side. Contrary to some pictures here, it does NOT have access to the water. No docks, no ramps, no water for filling, no electricity. Those are at other spots, not Blue West. It is up in a cliff over looking the lake. That said, it was very empty in July. And being so high up, I was afraid the winds were going to tear my popup canvas. It's a beautiful spot. Nothing wrong with it at all. Just those Texas winds! Shelters have two picnic tables in them. So, there is some shade. The pics are views of the lake from my campsite. So is the video

  • Michael M.
    Oct. 31, 2017

    Juniper Campground — Palo Duro Canyon State Park

    Unexpected beauty in the Panhandle

    I had passed through the Texas panhandle so many times on my bi-yearly drives to Scottsdale Arizona from central Illinois, but had not stopped at this park until June of 2017. I found this on the Internet and having been to the Grand Canyon several times I wanted to compare it to this one.

    The canyon is amazing and I saw a wild boar, a roadrunner, an armadillo, 7 turkey's and 2 white tail deer. In the morning after spending just one night here. It cost $16 for a site with no electricity and I reserved it online for another $4. The tent campsites all have covered pavilion structures that shade the picnic table and many people hang hammocks in them. There are fire pits with grates and porto potty's that were disgusting, so I dug a cat hole in the morning, which was a much better option. I tent camped and intended to hike some after my long day driving, but was held up in a two hour traffic jam making the hike impossible before dark. The people I found having a Birthday party in my campsite said the hiking is great here and treated me to a hamburger, a beer ( not allowed ), some great conversation and a piece of Birthday cake.

    The RV campsites had shower houses and much better restrooms, so if I return here with my wife I will spring for the more deluxe campsite. I was in awe of the scenery in this canyon but surprised by the lack of groundskeeping, restroom maintenance and park management not knowing what people were doing in the campgrounds. Although I found 10 people in my reserved campsite after driving all day, I made the most of it and was happy I met this group of people.

  • Anne W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2023

    Fritch Fortress Campground

    Beautiful campground

    The spots are a good distance apart but there’s no trees or anything offering privacy. The bathrooms have jail like showers, but I didn’t use them so I’m not sure what they’re like. There are trash cans at each site, covered picnic tables and fire pits, and a spigot near the bathrooms. Much better suited for car/tent camping than for large rvs as the sites aren’t pull in. You just park in a wide spot on the road near your picnic table.

  • Neil T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2020

    Mesquite Campground — Palo Duro Canyon State Park

    Awesome canyon exploration, great campsites

    Mesquite Campground 88 

    Came to Palo Duro several times as a kid and young adult. Probably almost 20 years since my last visit. Plenty is still the same, but lots of updates, too. Well maintained. 

    Currently they are limiting access, so be sure to make sure you have reservations or check that the COVID restrictions are listed. There is a fire ban at this time, too, but propane stoves and grills are allowed. 

    We stayed in the Mesquite Camprground. Nice pad sites, each with a picnic table under a roof. Sites also have electricity and water. Restroom and shower facilities. We didn’t have hot water for the shower, but the facility was clean. Our spot was the far end from the restrooms, but it was an easy walk. Sites are well spaced with decent privacy. Spot number 88 was great, with picturesque views. 

    Very quiet. Well nature had a symphony going on, but no manmade noise. 

    Mesquite campground is on the far end of the park and the drive in is great. Plenty to see and tons of trails. Very dark and we hear the star gazing is remarkable from this campground. Unfortunately for us, the night was partly cloudy and hazy from the western fires. I’ll take the haze over the fires, though, so no complaints and prayers for those really affected by the fires. 

    Nice gift shop and interpretive center (bit dated, but its not like the info is outdated). Trading post offeres groceries, gasoline and firewood(when not banned) according to their sign. We didn’t stop. 

    No Verizon service in the canyon, but good data at park entrance and free guest wifi near the entrance and visitor center. 

    Great experience. Would definitely recommend and will return.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 27, 2021

    McBride Canyon & Mullinaw Creek Camp — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

    Country Living

    FCFS

    FREE

    This is a pretty good campground especially since it is Free.  You have a stay limt of 14 days and who doesn't need to kick back and just enjoy the simple pleasures of doing nothing.  There is no water but you will have picnic tables with shelters for the tables, fire ring, trash and a pit toilet.  You have a lot of shade around the perimenter of the campground which makes it nice.  There is no electric but who needs it.  You should have plenty of time to hike the grasslands, find a great fishing spot around the lake.  We are looking forward to a return trip to spend more time around the lake.  Hunting is another reason to check this place out.

    LNT

    tRAVEL SAFE.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 30, 2021

    Harbor Bay — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

    Amazing Sunsets

    FCFS 

    FREE 

    The boat ramp is open and great for "small" boats. Beautiful sunsets, picnic table, shade shelters, grills, trash cans, fire ring. There is no water, no flush toilets. This campground is more suited for tents but there is an area by the boat ramp where folks could boondock. 

    Thank you Texas, you are amazing. 

    LNT 

    AIS Clean, Drain, Dry 

    Travel safe

Guide to Fritch

McBride Canyon and Mullinaw Creek Camp lie within Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, approximately 10 miles southwest of Fritch, Texas. The area sits at around 3,000 feet elevation in terrain characterized by rugged canyons and rolling plains. Camping spots can experience temperature extremes, with summer highs frequently exceeding 100°F and winter lows dropping below freezing, requiring appropriate seasonal preparation.

What to do

Hiking and mountain biking: Access the expanded Mullinaw Trails System directly from McBride Canyon for various difficulty levels. "This trail system is open to hiking, biking, and horseback riding. NO OFF ROAD VEHICLES ALLOWED," notes a reviewer from McBride Canyon.

Stargazing opportunities: Take advantage of the minimal light pollution. "Very dark out here though! Would definitely visit again," shares one camper about their experience at McBride Canyon.

Wildlife observation: Watch for local species throughout the canyon. "Wildlife and traffic are heavy due to it being hunting season. But the traffic wasn't a bother. Usually early in the morning and late at night," reports a McBride Canyon visitor.

What campers like

Spacious, secluded sites: Many tent sites offer good separation from neighbors. "This is the perfect place for quiet, secluded tent camping. The sites were spread apart a nice distance, each with a picnic table," writes a reviewer about McBride Canyon & Mullinaw Creek Camp.

Canyon views: The dramatic landscape creates memorable vistas. At Fortress Cliff Primitive, "Sites are spacious and shaded making this still a great site," according to one visitor who appreciated the natural setting.

Basic amenities: Simple facilities meet essential needs. "The shelter was good. Water quality was good. Three porto-potties; these were pretty clean & had tp. Trash dumpster also on site," notes a camper who stayed at Fortress Cliff.

What you should know

Weather extremes: Temperatures fluctuate dramatically by season. A reviewer at Fortress Cliff Primitive reported, "Aside from the heat (about 104°F when I arrived in June), the main downside here is the flies. They bite. Through clothing."

Road conditions: Access varies significantly between sites. "The road is fairly nice and paved the whole way out until you reach the camp. No big ruts or pot holes. It turns into sand and loose gravel after entering the campground," explains a McBride Canyon camper.

Limited facilities: Prepare for primitive conditions. "Porta potties only whereas some have full showers and flush toilets," mentions a visitor about Fortress Cliff, highlighting the importance of bringing supplies.

Tips for camping with families

Bug preparation: Pack appropriate insect protection, especially in warmer months. One McBride Canyon visitor warned, "Beware of the massive number of insects, especially the wasps. They actually bit my dog. Keep in mind that you are at the bottom of a dried up lake if you are there in the summer."

Wildlife encounters: Prepare children for natural sounds and sightings. A camper at Fortress Cliff shared their experience: "Wildlife at camp - saw roadrunner and heard coyotes at night (eerie but also magical)!"

Water planning: No reliable drinking water exists at most sites. "No drinking water," reminds a McBride Canyon visitor, making it essential to calculate family needs before arrival.

Tips from RVers

Size limitations: Large rigs face challenges on certain roads. "Definitely wouldn't recommend driving big RVs past the campsite. Steep unpaved grades. I didn't travel too far down though," advises a visitor to McBride Canyon.

Road navigation: Canyon access requires careful driving. A camper at Fortress Cliff warns, "It's an amazing hairpin turn drive down into the canyon. Awesome views on the way! I followed a large class A into the canyon and they were able to make it down."

Alternative facilities: Consider nearby campgrounds with better amenities. "If I planned to come back, I will try to pay the extra money & get a site in the park's Mesquite Campground down the road; very nice campground. The campground had hot showers & a clean restroom," suggests a recent visitor to Fortress Cliff.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Fritch, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Fritch, TX is McBride Canyon & Mullinaw Creek Camp — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area with a 3.7-star rating from 12 reviews.

Keep Exploring