Campers visiting Graford, Texas experience a unique landscape of limestone hills and juniper forests within the Cross Timbers ecoregion. The area surrounding Possum Kingdom Lake sits at approximately 1,000 feet elevation, creating distinct microclimates that shift between the semi-arid western regions and the more humid eastern portions. Winter temperatures rarely drop below freezing, making off-season camping viable for visitors seeking quieter experiences at most established sites.
What to do
Rock climbing opportunities: Penitentiary Hollow at Lake Mineral Wells State Park offers unique climbing experiences for beginners and intermediate climbers. According to a camper at Cross Timbers — Lake Mineral Wells State Park, "Tent camped at site 104. Good amount of space on this site, but do your research. Some of the sites there are fairly small. Sites are spaced out well... There is rock climbing and a small swim beach on the other side of the lake and lots of places to go fishing."
Historical exploration: Visit restored military buildings at Fort Richardson State Park. A visitor notes, "A few times a year, the City of Jacksboro opens its arms to an influx of campers and schools from around the state eager to see one of the unique reinactments at the historic location of Fort Richardson State Park." Another camper mentions, "Beautiful campsite. The fort is very interesting. I was there on a re-enactment weekend and really enjoyed talking to all the re-enacters. A lot of great history."
Wildlife viewing: Look for deer and wild turkeys, especially at dawn and dusk. One visitor to Lake Mineral Wells reported, "I saw deer and wild turkey every evening, an armadillo and lots of birds." The primitive camping areas often provide better wildlife spotting opportunities away from more developed campgrounds.
What campers like
Waterfront camping spots: Many sites offer direct lake access for fishing and kayak launches. A camper at Thousand Trails Bay Landing mentioned, "We arrived late December and it was chilly. Sites with full hook up are limited, but even with annuals are still possible. One thing though, we found a great site (124) very close to the water which is a plus for us as my wife is disabled and needs a walker."
Spacious campsite layouts: Several campgrounds feature well-distanced sites with concrete pads. At Cowtown RV Park, a visitor noted, "The slips themselves were concrete and for the most part level. It took us no time to level and have our RV ready to use. The hookups were all in working order and easy to access." Another camper praised the "Level concrete spots" and mentioned "The host bends over backwards to make your stay pleasurable."
Yurt camping options: Cross Timbers Glamping Company offers modern yurt accommodations with amenities beyond traditional camping. Yurt camping near Graford, Texas has grown in popularity as travelers seek hybrid outdoor experiences with more creature comforts. The Graford area now features multiple yurt camping locations, offering bathroom facilities that traditional tent campers often don't have access to.
What you should know
Campsite selection matters: Investigate site layouts before booking. A visitor to Possum Kingdom State Park Campground warned, "If you want to really camp, and not in a 50 footer, this is not a place to do it. Maybe the sites behind the lake would be better. We have camped across the country with a 12 footer teardrop 3 times. This is my least favorite campsite! Pads are broken up almost to the point of dangerous."
Seasonal considerations: Summer brings higher occupancy and limited boat/kayak rentals. One camper noted, "It is pretty busy during early summer, when I had checked it out and more so during the holidays such as July 4th, Memorial Day and Labor Day. I decided to go during the week so there was no issue in getting a canoe from the rentals but on the more busy weekends I was told it is first come first serve."
Sound travels across water: Noise can be an issue at lakeside campgrounds. A camper staying at Lake Godstone mentioned, "One thing to note if you are camping around the lake - sound travels. If there are guests at the lodge, you WILL hear them. Luckily, when the kids at the lodge woke us up at 2am with loud music and shouting, the managers were very quick to get them to quiet down."
Tips for camping with families
Playground amenities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated children's play areas. A camper at Cowtown RV Park shared, "We stayed for a few nights while traveling through Fort Worth and enjoyed this park. It was a great location, quiet and had a playground for our kids." The park also features "a nice little pool" that stays "shallow for small children."
Educational opportunities: Schedule visits around historical reenactments when possible. A visitor to Fort Richardson State Park recommended "Ghosts of Christmas Past" as "an event set to showcase the period of the fort days and tell the story of how soldiers spent the time, what it might have been like on those cold winter nights and create a vision of fort life. It was a great educational visit."
Wildlife viewing blinds: These structures provide safe, quiet wildlife observation for children. One camper noted, "Watching the sunset from the viewing blind is mesmerizing." Another visitor mentioned, "Easy access to the docks and to deer blinds to watch the deer come out (no hunting)."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some parks have uneven sites requiring additional preparation. A visitor to Bay Landing warned, "I sprained my knee and ankle at this park because our site was so unlevel and the mud sunk our jacks a little. Our rig weighs 16,000lbs so the Class As should be careful. The ground was soft and I came out of the RV without thinking and twisted both."
Site width considerations: Some parks have narrower sites challenging for larger rigs. A camper at Possum Kingdom shared, "Only complaint is the width of the campsite. I don't know that all were as narrow as ours, but site 20 is a really tight squeeze. Went off the side a couple of times trying to get in. With that narrow width, I was forced to park in overflow parking."
Cellular service: Good connectivity is available at most established campgrounds. At Bay Landing, campers reported, "We were able to work and stream video easily with T-Mobile and AT&T." Similar reports exist across most parks within 20 miles of Graford, though service can be spotty in more primitive areas.
