Best Tent Camping near Hillsboro, TX
Lakes and waterways surrounding Hillsboro, Texas offer several tent camping options with varying amenities and access types. Cedar Creek Park Campground near Whitney provides walk-in tent sites with mature oak tree shade and open fields. De Cordova Bend in Granbury, managed by the Brazos River Authority, offers primitive tent camping with lakeside access. Hackberry Hills, located south of Hillsboro, features dedicated tent-only camping with just two sites, making it ideal for those seeking backcountry tent camping experiences with minimal crowds.
Most tent campsites in the Hillsboro region feature basic amenities suited for self-sufficient campers. Cedar Creek Park provides drinking water at most sites, fire rings, and covered picnic tables, but only vault toilets and no shower facilities. Sites are first-come, first-served with no reservation system. De Cordova Bend allows camping for up to 10 days but lacks drinking water, requiring tent campers to bring their own supplies. The terrain varies from open fields to partially wooded areas, with minimal site preparation. During summer months, early arrival is recommended to secure spots with adequate shade, as noted by frequent visitors.
In early July, tent campers report that De Cordova Bend becomes a "mid-week haven" with only 3-4 occupied campsites despite busy day-use traffic for boating and fishing. According to reviews, Cedar Creek Park offers "quiet camping with lots of wildlife" and clean grounds. The area features a hiking trail leading to the bottom of the dam at De Cordova Bend, providing additional recreational opportunities for tent campers. Wildlife sightings are common, with one camper noting deer presence throughout the night at De Cordova Bend. The region's tent campgrounds generally remain peaceful even on weekends, though July and August can become crowded, making spring and fall ideal seasons for primitive tent camping near Hillsboro.
