162 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Piney Woods region surrounding Gilmer, Texas features a mix of state parks, county facilities, and private campgrounds offering diverse camping experiences. Tyler State Park, located approximately 20 miles southwest of Gilmer, provides lakefront camping with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins nestled among tall pine trees. Daingerfield State Park, situated about 25 miles northeast of Gilmer, offers similar accommodations with water and electric hookups in a forested setting. Lake Hawkins County RV Park and several private campgrounds like Music Springs and Shallow Creek RV Park provide additional options within a 30-minute drive of Gilmer.
Most campgrounds in the area require reservations, particularly during summer months and holiday weekends when sites fill quickly. The East Texas climate features hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through September, while winters remain relatively mild. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable camping conditions with moderate temperatures and lower humidity. Many campgrounds provide water and electric hookups, though sewer connections are less common at state parks. Cell service varies throughout the region, with better coverage near larger towns. As one visitor noted, "This is a beautiful park with plentiful trails for mountain biking and hiking. Bathrooms are always clean and the staff is polite and helpful."
Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews across the region's lakes and ponds. Campers frequently mention the tall pine trees that provide ample shade at most sites, creating a distinctive East Texas camping atmosphere. Tyler State Park's lake is particularly praised for its clarity and recreational opportunities. "This park was one of the most beautiful places I have ever camped in East Texas. The hiking and biking trails are amazing. The lake is super clear and very pretty," commented one camper. Sites with lake views tend to book furthest in advance, especially at state parks. Visitors should be prepared for mosquitoes during warmer months, particularly at Caddo Lake State Park where several reviewers mentioned aggressive insects. Most campgrounds maintain clean facilities and offer fire rings at individual sites, though fire bans may be implemented during dry periods.
"He was very unenthusiastic about camping in Texas. Well Tyler State Park made him change his mind! He LOVED the large trees, said it was the closest he'd felt to home in quite some time."
"This is my favorite state park in Texas! Lots of options for all kinds of campers."
from $18 - $60 / night
Check Availability"Peaceful, beautiful trees surrounding you at all times, great campgrounds and all facilities were super clean at all times! There are a couple hiking trails but they are mainly easy walks."
"Its nestled in the thick pineywoods of northeast Texas - the towering pine trees, lakeside cabins and crystal clear lake all combined bring back memories of a person's childhood."
from $10 - $225 / night
Check Availability"4.5 total miles of trails and none of it difficult. You can't take a baby stroller but obey because of a few branches, it's all easy hiking."
"One morning, as I was sitting drinking my coffee, four deer walked right through our site!! We had a regular nighttime visit from some bold raccoons, so definitely put your goodies and trash away."
from $10 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Swimming pool & fishing lake. Very little shade. No dog park but lots of green walks for the pups. Great spot if you love antiquing! Gladewater has many, many, many antique shops."
from $50 - $790 / night
Check Availability"Roads make it easy to get around and get into your site. Most pads are concrete, very clean well kept campground. View of lake is wonderful, peaceful and huge spaces."
"This is one of our “go to” parks when we stay close to home."
"This was the closest place with camping near Longview. We have looked at it before, but plans feel through. We got a camping spot Mothers day weekend. It was wonderful."
from $22 / night
Check Availability"Near a heavy used road, and narrow drive in and out. Friendly and nice, we will be back."
"Clean easy drive through spots."
from $50 - $55 / night
Check Availability"This lake is situated in east Texas and is a corp of engineers lake. Every site is a concrete pad with a picnic table and fire ring. Hooks up are water and electricity only, no sewer."
"This COE campground is part of Lake O' The Pines right outside the historic town of Jefferson, TX. Our site had 180 degree views of the beautiful lake and sat amongst tall pines."
from $18 - $44 / night
Check Availability
GuideWe camped here during the Alert Academy Family Camp in October. Good little campground with all you need. Open spaces with lots of shade. It is a private campground so check the rules and make sure to communicate with staff. But we really enjoyed our stay here.
TravelerNice mowed area on river/lake. Bumpy dirt road to arrive. Several locals in and out for recreation.
TravelerWe have stayed here on multiple cross country trips and it's always been great for a quiet spot! It's well shaded and our ConnecTen Internet worked great here. Nice walking and very chill atmosphere with clean bath houses.
GuideOnly 3 campers in the whole area on a Wednesday night. Beautiful spot on the lake.
TravelerMixed Thoughts: Disappointing, “Looks Nice,” and “Oh Yeah, That Part Was Good.”
Sometimes the negative outweighs the positives!
We reserved party space at Twin Lakes Tiny Home & RV Park in Mount Pleasant and rented Little House #1. The property has potential, but unfortunately our experience fell far short.
First, don’t assume Little House #1 is actually at the lake’s edge based on the professional site map. It wasn’t where we expected. Also, the office closes at 6 PM Friday, which is important when you need a key.
The people working on-site seemed nice and appeared to be trying. The bigger problems were the accommodations and lack of follow-through.
The main AC struggled to cool the house below 85+ degrees. The master bedroom AC worked, so we left that door open trying to help cool the rest of the house. The loft where some of our six kids were staying was especially hot.
Then came the insects.
The first night, our kids had ants in their beds. To their credit, someone arrived within about an hour, sprayed and changed the sheets. Unfortunately, that was basically the last maintenance assistance we received.
By the second day, the ants were back. One of us also received a nasty spider bite in the kitchen. After being away during the day, we returned to find the house even less cooled than before.
We repeatedly called the voicemail and text line seeking assistance. No response.
Before dark on the second night, we finally packed up and left.
Sunday morning, someone identifying himself as the General Manager called, apologized and said someone would contact us within a day or so to discuss the problems.
I waited a week. Nothing.
I even sent another message explaining that I write honest reviews and wanted to give management an opportunity to respond concerning our paid stay. Still nothing.
There ARE positives. The property looks nice and has potential. The party area worked for our gathering, and the staff we encountered seemed pleasant.
However, read the event agreement carefully. There are numerous circumstances where your card can be charged—someone uses a paddle boat, stays beyond the permitted time, furniture isn’t returned as required, etc. I understand rules and holding guests accountable. I simply wish we had experienced that same level of accountability when the property failed to provide what we paid for.
We paid for a weekend getaway but dealt with inadequate AC, ants in the children’s beds, a spider bite, unanswered requests for help, an early departure and a promised management follow-up that never happened.
There really is potential here, and I hope they address these issues.
Unfortunately, based on our experience, I cannot recommend staying here.
I sincerely hope your experience is different.
TravelerMixed Thoughts: Disappointing, “Looks Nice,” and “Oh Yeah, That Part Was Good.”
Sometimes the negative outweighs the positives!
We reserved party space at Twin Lakes Tiny Home & RV Park in Mount Pleasant and rented Little House #1. The property has potential, but unfortunately our experience fell far short.
First, don’t assume Little House #1 is actually at the lake’s edge based on the professional site map. It wasn’t where we expected. Also, the office closes at 6 PM Friday, which is important when you need a key.
The people working on-site seemed nice and appeared to be trying. The bigger problems were the accommodations and lack of follow-through.
The main AC struggled to cool the house below 85+ degrees. The master bedroom AC worked, so we left that door open trying to help cool the rest of the house. The loft where some of our six kids were staying was especially hot.
Then came the insects.
The first night, our kids had ants in their beds. To their credit, someone arrived within about an hour, sprayed and changed the sheets. Unfortunately, that was basically the last maintenance assistance we received.
By the second day, the ants were back. One of us also received a nasty spider bite in the kitchen. After being away during the day, we returned to find the house even less cooled than before.
We repeatedly called the voicemail and text line seeking assistance. No response.
Before dark on the second night, we finally packed up and left.
Sunday morning, someone identifying himself as the General Manager called, apologized and said someone would contact us within a day or so to discuss the problems.
I waited a week. Nothing.
I even sent another message explaining that I write honest reviews and wanted to give management an opportunity to respond concerning our paid stay. Still nothing.
There ARE positives. The property looks nice and has potential. The party area worked for our gathering, and the staff we encountered seemed pleasant.
However, read the event agreement carefully. There are numerous circumstances where your card can be charged—someone uses a paddle boat, stays beyond the permitted time, furniture isn’t returned as required, etc. I understand rules and holding guests accountable. I simply wish we had experienced that same level of accountability when the property failed to provide what we paid for.
We paid for a weekend getaway but dealt with inadequate AC, ants in the children’s beds, a spider bite, unanswered requests for help, an early departure and a promised management follow-up that never happened.
There really is potential here, and I hope they address these issues.
Unfortunately, based on our experience, I cannot recommend staying here.
I sincerely hope your experience is different.
ScoutThe camp isn’t even open drove 200+ miles for nothing DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY
TravelerHad a nice stay, peaceful, not crowded. Electricity hookup was further than I expected so had to buy 3 additional 20 foot extension cords (total of 4). Luckily there is a family dollar a mile or two away. Other than that no issues.
GuideLots of locals stay out here. Everyone is very friendly.
Campsites near Gilmer, Texas offer diverse terrain across elevations ranging from 350 to 500 feet above sea level. The region features mixed pine and hardwood forests characteristic of East Texas, with sandy loam soils that drain quickly after rainfall. Winter temperatures typically range from 35-60°F, with occasional freezing periods from December through February.
Paddling opportunities: Tyler State Park's 64-acre spring-fed lake provides calm waters for kayaking and canoeing. "Pine forest and beautiful lake for swimming, paddel boarding (SUP), or fishing. Lots of hiking/mountain bike trails. Day use swimming area can get crowded on the weekends but there's plenty of quieter access points," notes Peter F. at Tyler State Park Campground.
Family-friendly biking: The trail systems in the region offer routes for cyclists of varying skill levels. "Sites are good but trails for biking and hiking are great!!" states Jill C. at Tyler State Park. Most trails are under 5 miles, making them suitable for half-day excursions.
Fishing spots: Daingerfield State Park offers accessible shoreline fishing with common catches including bass, catfish, and sunfish. As Dianne C. explains, "The lake is perfect for kayaking and fishing from one of several docks. Tranquil, peaceful, clean and easy access from I-20 N. of Tyler."
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds in the area have natural buffers between sites. At Daingerfield State Park Campground, Anne P. shares, "Privacy if that's your thing, it is for us and our three dogs. However, there is an awesome pavilion, swim dock, picnic area and paddle boat area. Something for everyone."
Waterfront access: Sites with lake access are particularly valued for their recreational potential. "This is a beautiful park with plentiful trails for mountain biking and hiking. Bathrooms are always clean and the staff is polite and helpful," as one visitor observed at Lake Hawkins RV Park.
Well-maintained facilities: Campers regularly mention the upkeep of amenities. At Lake Hawkins County RV Park, Cindy S. notes, "Great local park. Small but well maintained. Owned and operated by a really great family. This is one of our 'go to' parks when we stay close to home."
Reservation requirements: Most parks require advance booking, especially for weekend camping. At Tyler State Park Campground, Tammie L. explains, "Great little lake to fish, kayak, swim and hike! Hard to get reservations because it is so popular! If you get reservations it's kinda like winning the lottery."
Weather planning: East Texas has high humidity even outside summer. Late fall through early spring offers more comfortable camping with less insect activity. "This is definitely one of my favorite campsites. Stayed on a Sunday night in February so the campground was empty," reports Hannah B. at Daingerfield State Park.
Wildlife encounters: Prepare for encounters with local wildlife, particularly at night. "Great spot found a week out from trip. Just wanted to spend a night there to check it all out. Great trails and swimming area. The shop was closed while I was there and the boat rentals as well. Be careful for raccoons saw a lot of them while here!" warns Myc C.
Playground access: Several parks have dedicated play areas for children. Becca H. from Lake Bob Sandlin State Park Campground shares, "My family and I enjoy the trails and lake at this park. The playground is one of the best I've seen at the state parks we've been to! We love our SP so close to home!"
Swimming areas: Designated swimming spots with gradually sloping entry points provide safer water recreation. "The lake was perfect and had a nice beach. We were able to rent kayaks and paddle boats. The hiking is not the greatest but it was easy enough for my toddler," remarks Sarah J. about Tyler State Park.
Educational opportunities: Wildlife observation opportunities abound with early morning being optimal for spotting deer. "Kayak launch isn't easy to get to but the have provided a slide for yaks to get from the parking area to/from the launch. Once you're there though its like you're transported somewhere else and you weave your way through a winding canal to reach the lake (very cool)," describes Becca H. at Lake Bob Sandlin.
Site selection considerations: Many campgrounds have variable site conditions. At Music Springs, David T. notes, "This was the closest place with camping near Longview. We have looked at it before, but plans feel through. We got a camping spot Mothers day weekend. It was wonderful. Hosts are great and its well kept."
Power management: Most parks offer electricity, but amperage varies. "Concrete pads, lots of shade, many with views of the lake (very clear water for the area) great little campground store with necessities. Very spacious sites!! Nice metal picnic table and fire ring," explains Emily B. at Lake Hawkins County RV Park.
Leveling requirements: Some parks require significant leveling equipment. "Sites are semi level, full hookup, some shade! Great little lake to fish, kayak, swim and hike!" advises Tammie L. when describing Tyler State Park Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Gilmer, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, Gilmer, TX offers a wide range of camping options, with 162 campgrounds and RV parks near Gilmer, TX and 6 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Gilmer, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Gilmer, TX is Tyler State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 60 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Gilmer, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Gilmer, TX.
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