Camping near Gainesville, Texas offers year-round options with summer temperatures often exceeding 95°F and winter lows around 30°F. Located in North Texas, the area features rolling hills with limestone outcroppings and is situated near the Oklahoma border. Most campgrounds are within 500-800 feet elevation with limited natural shade at newer facilities.
What to do
Hiking trails at Ray Roberts Lake: Isle du Bois Campsites at Ray Roberts Lake State Park offers multiple trail options ranging from short walks to longer hikes. "Scenic trails vary in distance but are easy to connect for longer hikes – or walk the shoreline for a nice lakeside view. Lots to explore and see here!" according to Gretchen N.
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk provide the best opportunities to see local wildlife. "We have car camped on a few occasions here and each time we saw plenty of deer around camp," notes Matt S. about his experiences at Isle du Bois.
Fishing from bank or dock: Multiple shoreline access points allow fishing without a boat. At Eisenhower State Park, visitors appreciate the combination of activities: "Great fishing on beautiful Lake Texoma. Bathrooms are always clean. Fellow campers are very friendly," writes Susan F.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Johnson Branch Campsites offers campsites designed with natural buffers. According to Joyce L., "The sites are cut in a way that gives you privacy. The sites are fairly close together but the grass makes it feel like you have your own little oasis."
Level concrete pads: Winstar RV Park receives praise for its site construction. James R. notes, "Wide roads and cement pads. Large pavilion next to outdoor basketball court and playground. Good water pressure and multiple sewage hookups per pad."
Lake access options: Eisenhower State Park provides varied water access points. "Cool beach with caves. New food trailer with great food. Great fishing on beautiful Lake Texoma," writes Susan F. The park sits higher above the water with specific access trails.
Maintained green spaces: Sites like Winstar RV Park feature well-kept grounds. Mark B. shares, "It's right next to the golf course so Bermuda grass is perfectly capped and lush. Sites are really big with large patio level and concrete pads."
What you should know
Summer heat considerations: With limited shade at some parks, summer camping requires planning. At Eisenhower State Park, a reviewer notes, "In the summer it gets very hot," though the hiking trails remain a draw throughout the year.
Facility differences between parks: Bathroom and shower quality varies. At Lake Point RV Resort, "The bathrooms/showers are very clean," according to Stephanie P., while other parks may have more basic facilities.
Reservation requirements: Peak times require advance booking, especially weekends from March through October. "We arrived late but were met by the owners with smiles on their faces. They were very helpful and got us checked in quickly," reports Stephanie P. about Lake Point RV Resort.
Walk-in distance for tent sites: Some primitive sites require carrying gear from parking areas. Christopher L. explains, "The trail path to the campsites is further than indicated or implied on the website, which isn't a problem if you're packed light, but if you're car camping with heavy equipment you will be surprised how far it is."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Look for sites near play areas to minimize walking for children. Suzanne S. says Winstar RV Park has "a great covered picnic area, horseshoe pit, basketball court and play area."
Swimming options: Thousand Trails Lake Texoma offers pool access when open. "There are multiple pools and the water appeared clear from a distance," notes Matthew, though he adds that "with COVID restrictions most were still unused" during his visit.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Deer sightings are common at Ray Roberts Lake. Tony C. shares, "Deer will approach your campsite and you're likely to see all kinds of wildlife. A gem of a getaway!"
Pet exercise considerations: Walking paths vary between parks, with some offering dedicated pet areas. Taylor V. from Winstar RV Park reports, "Husband and I stayed here over the weekend and it did not disappoint. The staff was great, all the facilities were clean and grounds well kept."
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Site layouts affect connection ease. At Old Towne RV Ranch, David T. found "pad was level and hookups well placed," making setup straightforward even for late arrivals.
Water pressure variations: Some parks experience fluctuations in water service. Will and Lucinda B. note at Winstar RV Park: "Water was great pressure. The only negative, for me, at least, was that this is SOFT water. I have never been a fan of soft water."
Cell and WiFi coverage: Connectivity differs between campgrounds. According to Will and Lucinda B., "The campground Wifi is very good, better than most any other place I've visited, in an RV or otherwise. We were never blocked for too much usage."
Free amenities: Some parks offer unexpected perks. David T. appreciated that at Old Towne RV Ranch, "free ice was a nice bonus!" after their arrival, showing how small touches can improve the camping experience.
