Camping options near Hartley are situated in the flat Texas Panhandle landscape where elevations range from 3,700 to 4,100 feet. The region experiences strong winds and significant temperature fluctuations, with winter lows reaching below freezing and summer temps climbing above 100°F. The campgrounds around Hartley offer varying levels of amenities from basic free sites to full-service RV parks catering to both short stays and longer visits.
What to do
Trail exploration: Lake Meredith National Recreation Area offers multiple hiking opportunities within an hour's drive from Hartley. "This area is GORGEOUS! The bathrooms are dated, but clean and well maintained. The park is excellent, and a total gem, especially when you consider that you can boondock, or pay for a site with hookups," explains Joshua A. about Sanford-Yake Campground.
Boat access: Fritch Fortress provides lake activities when water levels permit. "Campsites are on the cliff overlooking Lake Meredith, which is currently less than half full. Each site has two picnic tables, a grill, a large fire ring, and an awning," reports Vanessa M. about Fritch Fortress Campground.
Equestrian camping: Plum Creek has dedicated facilities for horse owners. "You will find equestrian camping with nice corrals. The area has some nice shade and a large grass area. The grass has been bush hogged so it is not very high. There is a water trough but I did not check for water," notes N I. about the facilities.
What campers like
Free camping with electricity: The city of Dumas offers a no-cost overnight option. "Appreciate the city of Dumas offering this free overnight service. Sites are paved and not overly close. The playground seemed generous in size for families & very shady. The water spigot is easily accessed," shares Michele A. about Texhoma Park Campground.
Home-cooked hospitality: Some campground hosts go beyond basic service. "This is a great little park, a gem in the middle of the nowhere plains of Texas. The park itself is nice, pull thru sites that are covered in grass & weeds, but are level. Now, the managers! If you've read the other reviews, you have read about the dinners, desserts and even breakfasts that they provide for guests!" explains Sheri K. about Walnut RV Park.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently note the maintenance level of certain facilities. "Plenty of space, pretty view, nearby hiking trail, toilet available, grill, picnic tables," reports Ashley P. about Thompson Grove. Another camper adds, "This is a bare bones campground but was a good, quiet stop on our drive. There are composting toilets, trash cans, picnic tables, and bbqs. Clean and just what we needed."
What you should know
Water limitations: Potable water access varies significantly between campgrounds. "I was under the impression this was $15/night to camp but, the sign says $30. We stayed since we were here. A sign across the way warns not potable water and I do not know if that includes the water hookups so, I did not fill my tanks here," cautions Overland 1 about Rita Blanca Lake Park.
Train noise: Railways run near several campgrounds in the region. "This is a great little overnight spot. My daughter and I tented it in the grassy area to the north of the camper spots. The train is cool at first but got old at 3am, nothing the AirPods couldn't fix though," shares Trevor H. about Texhoma Park Campground.
Site leveling challenges: RV owners report varying experiences with site conditions. "Really wanted to stay here, $15 a night for full hookup. The sites need some work. We have a 26 for class C without jacks and it was almost impossible to get even close to level, finally have up and went to another park," explains Rick D. about Rita Blanca Lake Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground availability: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Hartley feature play areas for children. "There are many positive reviews about this place and I have to say they are true. Very clean and safe for a Solo Traveler. Two places to shower, use the one connected to the office as it has better water pressure. Excellent playground for families. All pull through sights for travelers," notes Lory A. about Corral RV Park.
Free hot showers: Some campgrounds offer shower facilities included with your stay. "This camp site gives you the cliff/overlook experience," explains Philip W. about Fritch Fortress Campground, while another camper adds, "And it's free. Only two bathrooms, but they're well lit, well maintained, with flush toilets, and have showers!"
Weather preparation: The Panhandle experiences extreme temperature swings. "It gets very hot in the summer, and very cold in the winter, typically," warns Phil & Jennifer K. about camping in the region. Pack accordingly with sun protection in summer and cold-weather gear in winter.
Tips from RVers
Easy overnight stops: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near Hartley provide convenient one-night accommodations. "This RV Campground was very conveniently located on our route out of Texas. It was clean with well maintained camp sites. The staff were pleasant and helpful. Our site was at the end, away from the street, and it was quiet with some shade," reports Jeanette W. about Corral RV Park in Dalhart.
Donation etiquette: For free campgrounds, contributions help maintain facilities. "They do ask for a donation which I encourage everyone to give them a little bit that way they can keep it free. They do have a separate dog park and a playground for kids," advises Dave L. about Texhoma Park Campground.
Utility reliability: RV campers note that electrical services work well at most sites. "We probably had unrealistic expectations given the reviews about homemade pies and breakfast. There was none of that... The good was that the site was level and the utilities worked. It was quiet," shares Pam R. about Walnut RV Park.
