Best Campgrounds near Hillsboro, TX

The Lake Whitney area near Hillsboro, Texas features multiple established campgrounds offering diverse camping accommodations. Lake Whitney State Park provides tent, RV, and cabin options with both primitive and developed sites. Nearby campgrounds like Thousand Trails Lake Whitney, McCown Valley Park, and Cedar Creek Park Campground expand the camping possibilities with lakefront locations and varying amenity levels. Several Army Corps of Engineers parks around Lake Whitney maintain campgrounds with water and electric hookups, while a number of private RV parks cater to travelers seeking full hookups and additional amenities.

Campground accessibility remains good throughout most of the year, though summer heat can make tent camping challenging from June through August. Many Lake Whitney campgrounds require reservations, especially during holiday weekends and the popular spring and fall seasons. Weather patterns affect camping conditions, with potential thunderstorms in spring and occasional flooding that impacts lakeside sites. Lake levels fluctuate seasonally, which can alter shoreline camping experiences. Winter temperatures typically remain mild but can occasionally dip below freezing. "The lake front sites are perfectly located with access to the lake but not too far from hard stand bathrooms and showers," noted one camper about McCown Valley Park.

Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors, with Lake Whitney's multiple parks offering various water access points. Campers particularly appreciate the shaded sites at Lake Whitney State Park, which provide relief during hot Texas summers. Several visitors mentioned the dark sky viewing opportunities at many of the campgrounds, making stargazing a popular nighttime activity. The region's campgrounds vary in privacy levels, with some offering well-spaced sites while others have more open layouts. A recent review highlighted that "Quiet campground with no highway noise. There is no gate closure overnight. This is an excellent dark sky campground." Fishing access constitutes a major draw for many visitors, with multiple parks featuring boat ramps, fishing piers, and shoreline access points designed specifically for anglers.

Best Camping Sites Near Hillsboro, Texas (139)

    1. Lake Whitney State Park Campground

    26 Reviews
    Whitney, TX
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (254) 694-3793

    $14 - $50 / night

    "It has been raining non stop all over Texas. I began to look for places within 2 hours of Fort Worth. Texas State Parks are a great. I settled on Lake Whitney."

    "This park is a great go-to if you live in Texas – centrally located and quick to access from most major cities."

    2. Thousand Trails Lake Whitney

    8 Reviews
    Whitney, TX
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "The lake access is not close to every hook ups but is a short driving distance. Lake access/swimming area is very nice, we had fun!"

    "Love the location, so close to Dallas! This park is so quite and very dark at night!"

    3. McCown Valley Park

    10 Reviews
    Whitney, TX
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (254) 622-3332

    $16 - $45 / night

    "The hidden gem of Lake Whitney. Tent sites are tucked in the back of the park away from foot traffic and most vehicles."

    "I had a spot right next to the lake where I kayaked, biked, and just walked with the dogs. Highly recommend!"

    4. Hill side RV Park

    1 Review
    Hillsboro, TX
    4 miles
    +1 (940) 442-8160

    $425 / night

    5. Lofers Bend West

    6 Reviews
    Whitney, TX
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (254) 622-3332

    $16 - $80 / night

    "This is one of the better COE campgrounds on Lake Whitney."

    "We stayed at site 63 which is right on lake edge. Amazing sunsets. Across inlet from boat ramp. The sites have covered picnic tables with both fire pits with grates and stand up covered grills."

    6. North Crest RV Park

    17 Reviews
    Waco, TX
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (254) 799-3963

    $45 - $65 / night

    "This is a very nice park that is located next to Interstate 35, so expect some highway noise. That doesn't bother us, and we had a lovely stay."

    "We were looking for a simple place to stop overnight after driving all day toward Brownsville."

    7. Cedron Creek

    6 Reviews
    Whitney, TX
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (254) 622-3332

    $28 - $140 / night

    "Cedron Creek park set off Lake Whitney , outside of Whitney , TX . We had lot 27 , the back of the loop. Kinda secluded. Threw out corn and the deer come in and feed along with squirrels ."

    "Some sites are a little close together and not many are close to water."

    8. Cedar Creek Park Campground

    3 Reviews
    Whitney Lake, TX
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (254) 694-3189

    "Water at most and firerings are provided next to covered picnic tables. Quiet, lots of wildlife, has boat ramp and dock as well as large shelter house with bbq for days use by larger groups."

    "Most had grill and water access and the lake is a super clean rock bottom one. Super peaceful."

    9. Steele Creek Park Campground

    7 Reviews
    Whitney Lake, TX
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (254) 622-3332

    "We enjoyed this free campsite as we were making our way down to San Antonio, Texas. It had a water spicket, which was perfect for nomad living."

    "* Water facets near most sites.

    Most sites a quite private with trees between them. There are 2 bathrooms, and a porta-potty. 2 boat ramps, and pavilions over the picnic tables."

    10. Liberty Hill Park Campground

    14 Reviews
    Bardwell, TX
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (254) 578-1431

    $18 - $95 / night

    "Lake Navarro Mills is well know as the best Crappie fishing lake in Texas."

    "No trails to hike on but plenty of good roads to walk. Very peaceful!"

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Recent Reviews near Hillsboro, TX

585 Reviews of 139 Hillsboro Campgrounds


  • Keri S.
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Midway

    Showers & fishing

    They are a little bit strict here but there are friendly and the showers are always clean and fishing is good.

  • J
    Aug. 18, 2025

    North Crest RV Park

    Great place

    We stayed there for 3 nights. The park is run by Emily and her father. Emily is friendly and there to make sure you have a nice stay. The park is filled with tall shade trees, nice to have in the summer heat. Located just off I-35 about 6 miles north of Baylor University.

  • Zoey T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Cedar Creek Park Campground

    Great space - hard to find

    We love this spot. Definitely ignore google to get here though… just follow the road to the end (no turning off) there are campsites to your right and left once you reach the water. At least 27 of them. Quiet. Spaced out. Most had grill and water access and the lake is a super clean rock bottom one. Super peaceful.

  • Morgan B.
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Steele Creek Park Campground

    free & full of nature - wonderful for nomads!

    We enjoyed this free campsite as we were making our way down to San Antonio, Texas. It had a water spicket, which was perfect for nomad living. We were able to wash our hair, cookware, rinse off, and enjoy free potable water. The small things, right? 

    The site we choose was private and in close walking distance to pit toilets. It has a small trail in the back, which led to the small lake. The dogs enjoyed being off-leash and the trees surrounding us was peaceful. The fire pit was wonderful and I can see why big groups would enjoy staying here!

    There was some fast-food trash around the campsite, but we did not mind picking it up. Reminder: leave it better than you found it. Overall: wonderful experience and perfectly comfortable free campsite for nomads. 

    Our Google Maps GPS was giving us issues on the entrance location of this site, since it is tucked away behind neighborhoods, so we relied on the maps and roads to lead us there.

  • Bobbie S.
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Camp Fimfo Waco

    Not a long term place

    My husband travels for work. We stayed here nine months out of the 11 months in Tx. We endured the high cost (1,200 per month) because the rate drops in the winter. They have many rules that they enforce when and to whom they feel like enforcing them to. My site was always tidy (no pets or children) but was informed that I would be fined 40 dollars (repeatedly) for having a small outside fridge until it was removed. Most parks do not allow mini fridges outside (some more strict than others). I had this fridge for NINE months, three other people had one as well. They did not get spoken to. This was the last straw, why we moved. Also, after nine months, they no longer allowed ANY mail to be delivered there. Prior to the fridge: They had an online issue and rented our spot and told us we had to move for a week. We stayed at the spot we moved to until they decided that this spot was not available for the summer to a full time renter. We move again. I saw three copperhead snakes while there. The issue, they do not mow regularly! My neighbor bought a push mower so his dog could go out and he could see snakes. The laundry rooms were absolutely disgusting and broken most of the time (I found a local laundry mat). They got new machines and they were still breaking down and very dirty. Dirty showers. Were told no outside wood. Have to purchase it from the store on site. The store is closed all week. Only open 3 days (winter, when you have fires), Fri, Sat & Sun. Five mile an hour speed limit, staff doses 20+ on golf carts. The road noise was incredibly loud for how far from the road the park is. The handful of lovely staff members was the only reason we stayed as long as we did.

  • TammyP The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 24, 2025

    Soldier’s Bluff

    Nice Lake view

    I found this small camping site and it’s small but has good sites and nice lake view. Can sit by lake and have covered picnic tables. The camp sites are not covered but has enough tree coverage to make it shaded and I had pretty good wind to stay cool in the 93 degree heat. Has tent camping, and two RV slots and one truck stop which I used, it did need mowed when I was there but it was not to bad great view of the dam,

  • tom H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 16, 2025

    North Crest RV Park

    Great hospitality and easy access

    We were looking for a simple place to stop overnight after driving all day toward Brownsville. One phone call and everything was handled by Emily - she even met us right at the gate and guided us to our spot. Sites are level, wide, and even shaded. We arrived around 9pm and departed 10 hours later - so level we didn’t even have to unhook. Very reasonable $55 for full hookups and a convenient place to spend the night.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 8, 2025

    North Crest RV Park

    Very nice, clean and friendly owners.

    The park is quiet and clean. The bathhouse is exceptionally clean. The camper pads are level.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 28, 2025

    North Crest RV Park

    Wide private shaded cement slips

    We loved the trees and nice wide slips. Nice not to be within 5 feet from your neighbor. Restrooms nice and clean. Appreciate the friendly management. We felt very welcome. We would look forward to staying there again and we recommend it to other travelers!


Guide to Hillsboro

Camping near Hillsboro, Texas, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From serene lakeside spots to family-friendly parks, there’s something for everyone looking to escape into nature.

What to do:

  • Fishing: Many campers enjoy casting a line. At Cedar Hill State Park Campground, one visitor mentioned, "We got a primitive campsite right on the water and we’re able to fish a little bit once we arrived."
  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Texas Dinosaur Valley State Park. A reviewer noted, "The trails are great for any exercise level, and there always seems to be something new to see while hiking."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for deer and other wildlife. One camper at Lake Whitney State Park Campground shared, "Family and pet friendly. Wind off of the lake was amazing, bathrooms were clean and nice to use."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Texas Meridian State Park said, "The bathrooms, and all other buildings are fairly new and very nice."
  • Friendly Staff: Many reviews highlight the helpfulness of park staff. One camper at Mother Neff State Park Campground mentioned, "Staff were all friendly. There were some nice shortish trails that worked well for our dogs."
  • Scenic Views: Campers love the beautiful landscapes. A reviewer at Fort Parker State Park Campground noted, "Always clean, quiet and very friendly staff."

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for spotty cell coverage in some areas. A visitor at Texas Dinosaur Valley State Park mentioned, "Pretty crappy cell service in our site."
  • Reservations Recommended: Popular spots can fill up quickly, especially on weekends. A camper at Cleburne State Park Campground advised, "It is quite busy on the weekends being so close to civilization, so make reservations in advance."
  • Weather Considerations: Be ready for changing weather conditions. One camper at Lake Whitney State Park Campground shared, "I thought the wildflowers were the greatest feature, and then we caught sight of an angelic band of pelicans just overhead on a migratory flight."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for parks with playgrounds and organized activities. A family at North Texas Jellystone said, "Well maintained, tons of activities for our 5yr old grandson."
  • Safety First: Ensure kids are safe near roads. One reviewer noted, "The playground is adjacent to the main road in the campground and vehicles do not stop at stop signs."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep everyone happy with snacks on hand. A camper at Loyd Park mentioned, "Have visited several times, we purchased a park pass as they charge a daily fee of $10 per vehicle."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A visitor at Texas Meridian State Park noted, "The sites are a bit tight for a big rig and not much space as other state parks."
  • Bring Long Cords: Some sites may require longer electrical cords. A camper at Cedar Hill State Park Campground mentioned, "Water pressure was 50 psi, sewer hookup was close, but electrical box was in the front."
  • Dump Station Availability: Check for dump station locations before you arrive. A reviewer at Texas Lake Whitney State Park Campground shared, "Dump station works great and the gal at the gate was super sweet."

Camping near Hillsboro, Texas, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Hillsboro, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, Hillsboro, TX offers a wide range of camping options, with 139 campgrounds and RV parks near Hillsboro, TX and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Hillsboro, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hillsboro, TX is Lake Whitney State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 26 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hillsboro, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Hillsboro, TX.

What parks are near Hillsboro, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 19 parks near Hillsboro, TX that allow camping, notably Whitney Lake and Navarro Mills Lake.