Camping in the Irving area centers around several Corps of Engineers and city-managed parks on major reservoirs, including Lake Grapevine, Lake Lewisville, and Joe Pool Lake. These bodies of water form the backbone of the region's outdoor recreation system, with campgrounds situated at elevations between 500-600 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 95°F between June and September, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons.
What to do
Water activities on multiple lakes: Lewisville Lake offers numerous access points for swimming, fishing and boating. At Hickory Creek - Lewisville Lake, visitors can enjoy the extensive shoreline. "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," notes Joshua M.
Mountain biking trails: Several campgrounds connect to trail systems suitable for various skill levels. The Twin Coves Park offers "great hiking, a nice kayak launch and new, clean bathrooms," according to Susan T. Many trails connect directly to campsites or have trailheads within the parks.
Golf cart rentals: Several parks permit motorized transportation around their grounds. At The Vineyards Campground & Cabins, visitors can rent golf carts to explore. As Michelle P. explains, "This is actually our second stay at this campground and I cannot say enough great things about it. Well kept, thoughtful hosts, a cute little campstore, an amazing playground for our kids, a beach, golf cart rentals, cabins, and you can easily pull in a giant RV."
What campers like
Spacing between sites: Compared to many urban campgrounds, several parks in the area provide good separation between campsites. At The Vineyards Campground & Cabins, Andrew B. notes the "Large Sites with covered Picnic tables. Sites spread nicely with no one on top of you." Similarly, at Hickory Creek, one camper mentions "a lot of space between sites, well level and paved, family oriented, very quite, beautiful lake and tree sites."
Security features: Many campgrounds implement security measures that campers appreciate. Andrew B. mentions "Great security visible as well as a coded gate after hours" at The Vineyards. Lake Park Campground also employs security measures with Scott K. noting, "Bathrooms locked down to prevent non campers from using them. You will be given the access code on check in. Front gate get locked at 11pm."
Shade availability: While some lakefront sites feature limited tree cover, several campgrounds offer well-shaded options. Treetops RV Resort particularly stands out, with Jessica F. commenting, "The trees are beautiful and add great shade. Most of spaces are pull through and very easy to setup at." Troy agrees, calling it "one of our favorite in the Metroplex" with "lots and lots of trees."
What you should know
Airport noise impacts: Due to proximity to DFW International Airport, some campgrounds experience regular aircraft noise. At Hickory Creek, one reviewer notes, "The only downside is the overall air traffic that you hear and see over the park from the Dallas-Fort Worth airport(it's cool initially but after a few nights it does get old)."
Seasonal flooding concerns: Water levels at the area lakes fluctuate significantly. Cedar Hill State Park occasionally closes sections due to high water, with Mendy S. noting it was "Partially closed due to flooding." Several campgrounds have had to rebuild facilities following flood events.
Wildlife encounters: Expect to encounter various wildlife at campsites near Irving. At Cedar Hill State Park, Jill C. warns about "fire ants and chiggers all over our campsite!" Lake-based campgrounds also attract waterfowl, snakes, and other creatures. Monica C. reports from Hickory Creek: "Plenty of ducks to feed, but they were not interested or just didn't like the boat. To our surprise, there was also plenty of snakes! We crossed one on the road as we drove in and saw several swimming in the lake."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly swimming areas: Look for campgrounds with designated swim areas and beaches. Twin Coves Park features "a lake with a mini beach" where "Super beautiful, clean, modern campsite" creates an ideal setting for families, says Summer A., who recommends "water shoes and floaties!"
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature modern play equipment. At Loyd Park, Myc C. shares, "We spent three days there swimming and hiking around. Great times!" The Vineyards earns praise for its "amazing playground" with Joie S. highlighting "an awesome 'roller-coaster' swing that the teenagers even loved."
Proximity to urban conveniences: Family campers appreciate the blend of natural settings with nearby services. At Treetops RV Resort, Jessica F. notes the "Easy access to Target just around the corner, Parks mall is close by and Arlington Highlands shopping is really nice!" This allows families to quickly replace forgotten items or escape extreme weather.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for big rigs: At Loyd Park, John B. advises, "Larger rigs are more accommodated next to the lake. But call ahead to see which sites have 50 amp, you'll need it in summer time." Many parks segregate their 30-amp and 50-amp sites into different camping loops.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups at each site. Luis notes at Twin Coves: "The only 'negative' I found is that the sewage hook up is not at the actual site. There are dump stations in different places." This requires planning for longer stays or when departing with full tanks.
Wi-Fi considerations: Connectivity varies significantly between parks. At Treetops RV Resort, Jessica F. shares, "WiFi worked for my family of 5 the majority of the time for simple things. Hubby works remotely and went to Panera for stronger/faster service." Digital nomads should research connection options before booking at a campsite near Irving, Texas.
