Cedar Hill State Park provides year-round camping near Grand Prairie, Texas with multiple camping loops arranged in small clusters of 15-20 sites. The park sits along Joe Pool Lake at approximately 550 feet elevation, with mature oak trees providing essential shade during the intense summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 100°F. Several camping areas feature small peninsulas extending into the lake with sandy beaches.
What to do
Trail exploration: Cedar Hill State Park offers diverse hiking trails with varying terrain. "Very nice though and had a lot of variation. They were being used mainly as mountain bike trails but were still plenty fun for hiking and taking in the rest of the views," notes Price T. about the trail system.
Swimming access: Loyd Park features a beach area near the campground. "We stayed three days there swimming and hiking around. Great times!" reports Myc C. The beach area allows pets in designated sections and provides facilities for rinsing off after swimming.
Flea market shopping: The massive market at Traders Village operates weekends near the campground. "One of the biggest flee markets around and it's 2 days of walking and shopping," explains Alejandro G. The market features hundreds of vendors selling everything from crafts to fresh produce.
What campers like
Convenient location: Proximity to urban amenities while maintaining a natural setting ranks high with campers. "Five Star Park located just minutes from Dallas Fort Worth. The Park is extremely clean. Campsites are all level and great for the Big Rigs," shares Debbie T. about Loyd Park.
Shaded sites: Treetops RV Resort offers protection from summer heat. "The park is very clean, having done lots of updates. All of the amenities you would want in a park, plus lots and lots of trees," writes Troy. Sites remain comfortable even during July and August when temperatures regularly exceed 95°F.
Clean facilities: Campground maintenance standards are consistently high. "The bathrooms were great and as clean as I've seen. Perfect long weekend stay from Norman," mentions Justin D. about his experience at Treetops RV Resort, noting the attention to detail throughout the facilities.
What you should know
Summer insects: Fire ants and chiggers can be problematic at Cedar Hill State Park. "Fire ants and chiggers all over! But the lake was nice," reports Jill C. Bringing insect repellent specifically formulated for these pests is essential, particularly from April through October.
Campsite drainage: Some sites at Loyd Park experience water runoff issues during rain. "Our only complaint on this site is when it rains, water pours into site and erodes area quickly and will fill your mat etc with orange clay," notes TJ & Laura S. Sites numbered above 150 tend to have better drainage.
Site selection strategies: Request specific sections based on your needs. "The park is split into two sections; the side we are in is next to an airfield and the other side is by a small dog run (next time, I'll request this section bc I'm traveling with my dogs)," advises Jenifer K. when discussing pet friendly camping options near Grand Prairie.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: North Texas Jellystone offers extensive programming for children. "We are full time travelers with young kids and they love this RV park. There are sooo many fun activities (be warned, the cost can add up)," explains Kimberly D. Activities include scheduled events throughout the day.
Beach access: Several parks offer swimming areas designed for families with children. "We hopped over for a one night trip and had a blast! Our site was right off the water with a fun view (at night) of the lake Lewisville bridge," shares Joshua M. about Hickory Creek, noting how his young children enjoyed throwing rocks in the lake.
Pet-inclusive camping: Sites accommodating families with pets require planning. "Our spot was a nice lake front area that was very spacious and a beautiful view," reports Monica C. about Hickory Creek. Many campgrounds near Grand Prairie require vaccination records for pets and limit the number to two per site.
Tips from RVers
Electrical considerations: Summer heat demands adequate power. "Call ahead to see which sites have 50 amp, you'll need it in summer time," advises John B. about Loyd Park. During peak summer months, air conditioners run continuously, making proper electrical hookups essential.
Site privacy: Request areas with more separation between campsites. "The park is designed with small loops for 15-20 camp sites in each loop. Very little traffic right by the individual spots. Easy in and out of park," shares Michael C. about Cedar Hill State Park's layout, which offers more seclusion than typical urban camping areas.
Utility reliability: Water system issues can occur at some parks. "Water lines break constantly and water gets shut off to entire row to fix 1 spot," warns one camper. Keeping extra water containers filled provides backup during unexpected outages.
