Hords Creek Lake offers RV and tent camping options spread across multiple parks, with Coleman Dam creating a 510-acre reservoir at an elevation of 1,900 feet. During summer months, temperatures regularly exceed 95°F, making lakeside camping spots particularly desirable for cooling breezes. Winter overnight temperatures can drop below freezing, requiring campers to prepare for significant temperature fluctuations.
What to do
**Fishing spots: Water levels vary seasonally at Flatrock Park, affecting fishing conditions. "We did a hike that lead us to a wonderful water hole that we were able to jump in and swing off a tree into the water. We had such a blast," reports Isabella H., highlighting recreational water activities beyond standard lake fishing.
**Nature watching: Early mornings at Abilene State Park Campground offer wildlife viewing opportunities within 30 miles of Hords Creek Lake. "We saw feral hogs a few times at dusk. Really loved it," shares Amie M. about her 8-day tent camping experience.
**Hiking trails: The 3.5-mile trail around Abilene State Park provides accessible hiking for most fitness levels. Michael C. mentions, "Trees aren't too tall for providing shade, and there are tons of mesquite trees, so watch out for thorns while you're walking," warning of natural hazards campers should prepare for.
What campers like
**Clean facilities: The shower buildings at Tye RV Park receive consistent praise from travelers stopping near Hords Creek Lake. "They have all new laundry facilities (which are free to use!!) and new showers that look really nice," notes Tris W., highlighting amenities that complement basic camping.
**Affordable rates: Campsites with hookups at Flatrock Park can be extremely budget-friendly with passes. Katie H. reports, "With our access pass it was only $8 a night for electric and water hook ups!" making it substantially cheaper than other area options.
**Spacious sites: RV parks like Whistlestop RV Resort offer well-designed layouts preventing overcrowding. L Robert T. describes, "The grounds are pretty standard. Flat without many trees. Good crushed rock pads with paved site for picnic table," emphasizing practical features for comfortable camping.
What you should know
**Weather considerations: Summer camping requires heat preparation while winter camping demands cold-weather gear. At Abilene State Park, Jackie R. notes, "There was a burn ban on but you could definitely smell wood fires both nights," indicating fire restriction compliance issues.
**Noise levels: Highway proximity affects several campgrounds near Hords Creek Lake. JZ W. explains the situation at Tye RV Park: "I knew there would be noise from the freeway as it is just off the freeway (I-20). BUT there is also a train that blows its horn AND it's in a flight path so there are jets flying over pretty regularly."
**Reservation strategies: Popular weekends fill quickly at RidgeView RV Resort, especially for premium sites. "A variety of pull through and back-in full hookup sites. Sites are sand/gravel with an artificial grass patch for each," reports Stacey, detailing the site configuration options.
Tips for camping with families
**Shower facilities: When camping with children, check for family-friendly bathroom setups. At Abilene State Park, Amie M. discovered, "The real hidden gem was in the bathroom by the yurts. They have a disabled shower. So it's within reach and the showerhead is lower. Awesome to use to clean my toddler without getting drenched."
**Recreation options: Plan activities beyond swimming since lake levels fluctuate significantly. "There is a recreation area nearby with a playground and a swimming pool. Due to the time of year, the pool was not yet open," explains Nomadic L. at Abilene State Park.
**Weekend planning: Tim notes that weekday camping offers more peace: "Had the place to ourselves M-F, but weekends were packed with disrespectful and noisy campers who littered, cut through sites, let their children run/scream well past dark."
Tips from RVers
**Site selection: When rv camping near Hords Creek Lake, check site level information before booking. At RidgeView RV Resort, J D. warns, "Sites are large but hard to find level on many of them," suggesting potential setup challenges for larger rigs.
**Internet connectivity: For remote workers camping in the Hords Creek Lake area, 36 W Motel and RV Campground and nearby parks offer varying connectivity. At Whistlestop RV Resort, Ray & Terri F. report, "AT&T coverage was excellent, with 5 Bars of 5G service and speeds up to 10 MB/s. We had an unobstructed view of the sky and so we were able to receive all 3 SW Dish satellites and the Resort WiFi was decent with~2.5 MB/s."
**Seasonal considerations: Most RV parks around Hords Creek Lake remain open year-round but with limited amenities in winter. J D. notes, "No game room and pool is closed for winter" at RidgeView RV Resort, highlighting the seasonal variation in available facilities.
