Lake Granbury, a 33-mile reservoir on the Brazos River, serves as the centerpiece for numerous camping areas near Granbury, Texas. The region features limestone outcroppings along shorelines with moderate tree cover at most campsites. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 95°F from June through August, while spring and fall provide more moderate camping conditions between 65-85°F.
What to do
Dinosaur tracks exploration: Dinosaur Valley State Park Campground offers unique paleontological attractions within 30 minutes of Granbury. Campers can walk directly to preserved dinosaur footprints in the riverbed. "This place is awesome. One of the best natural swimming holes I've found near DFW. There are dinosaur fossils everywhere. hiking is great, and even on a hot summer day you can go swim in the river or the blue hole," notes Julie W.
Fishing opportunities: The waterways around Granbury provide excellent fishing access for various species. At De Cordova Bend, visitors find free lakeside camping with easy water access. "Far enough away from town to be a peaceful quick getaway. Nice hiking trail to the bottom of the dam," explains Alejandro G., who has visited the park for over a decade.
River access recreation: Many campsites near Granbury feature direct water access for swimming and wading. "I was able to park right on the lake. I stayed one night on a trip. It was just before the heat hit. Lovely night in my van," reports JulieJay M. about her stay at a lakefront campsite.
What campers like
Free camping options: Several spots around Granbury offer no-cost camping opportunities. Rough Creek - Lake Granbury provides free sites with a 10-day limit. "Awesome place to stay. 10 day limit, FREE. Started out in a spot in the shade. Too cold. Next morning I moved to a spot in the sun, well, under a tree, so it was both, sunny and shade," explains Curtis D.
Clean facilities: Campsites with maintained amenities receive positive reviews. "Bathrooms were clean with one exception. The toilet was steel, but Free with TP," notes a camper about Rough Creek Park. Another visitor to De Cordova Bend mentioned, "Park is often very clean. Bathrooms are not always very clean. Well lit at night."
Wildlife viewing: Natural settings attract wildlife enthusiasts. "Decordova bend park is managed by the Bravos River Authority. It was very clean and there were many deer in the area all night," reports Jason about his experience camping near the lake.
What you should know
Limited shade at some locations: Several campsites around Lake Granbury feature minimal tree cover. "Lots of sun and just a little shade, arrive early for a treed spot or bring shade awnings," advises Sean B. about De Cordova Bend.
Seasonal considerations: Summer visitation patterns affect campground atmosphere. "Been told by a local, off season is best as July and August are typically overful," reports a camper about De Cordova Bend, while noting a return visit in July found "mid week haven" conditions with only "3 or 4 campsites occupied."
Restroom variability: Facility maintenance differs across locations. "The bathrooms were closed but they supplied a porta potty and the nearest gas station is only about two minutes away," reports a camper at Hunter Park. Another notes about De Cordova Bend: "Bathrooms are not always very clean."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming spots: Cleburne State Park Campground, located about 25 miles from Granbury, offers family-friendly water features. "If it's been raining, the spillway has several waterfalls and you can swim next to them! The lake is ok to paddle, but it's a little small," advises Emily M.
Educational experiences: Several parks combine learning with outdoor recreation. "We were able to fish, hike, and kayak. We got two large tents at our campsite and had plenty of room. The trees were also perfect for hanging out hammocks," Sarah J. shares about her family's experience at Cleburne State Park.
Playground amenities: Parks with play equipment provide additional activities for children. "A cute little park with lots of picnic tables, a pier, and a huge field. Very connected to civilization and it was very well kept," notes a camper about a campsite near Granbury.
Tips from RVers
Big-rig accommodations: Dinosaur Valley RV Park offers spacious sites for larger vehicles. "This is a new campground and very nice. All sites are pull thru (approx 80') with a lot of space between spaces. Grass is about 80% in for the pups," reports Bill B.
Highway access: Some RV parks provide convenient road connections for travelers. "We needed a last minute place to stay, and the lady who answered the phone was super nice. She gave us a fantastic pull-through spot with full hookups (30 and 50 amp) for a price that was the best we have ever seen," shares Alejandro G. about Midway Pines RV Park.
Park access amenities: Some RV facilities offer direct entrance to state parks. "DVRVP shares a property line with DVSP. Guests are able to purchase a day pass online through the DVSP website and access DVSP without ever having to drive through the front entrance. It was a simple 1 minute walk to access the park through DVRVP," explains Jim H.
