Best Campgrounds near Jacksonville, TX

Several miles east of Dallas, Jacksonville's camping areas draw visitors to the piney woods of East Texas. Martin Creek Lake State Park Campground has level sites near the water where you can fish from a pier or launch your boat. Campers looking for quiet will like Neches Bluff Overlook Campground, which sits higher up with good views at dawn and dusk. Both places have the basics - bathrooms and tables for meals. Some campsites have trees for shade while others are more in the open. Spring and fall bring the best weather for camping around Jacksonville, as summers get hot and humid. Winter camping works too, but bring extra blankets since nights can get cold. Watch out for rough patches on some access roads after heavy rain. The Jacksonville area works well for fishing trips, day hikes, or just sitting back in camp and enjoying the Texas woods.

Best Camping Sites Near Jacksonville, Texas (118)

    1. Lookout Mountain RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Jacksonville, TX
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (903) 714-9464

    $45 - $55 / night

    "This RV park sits atop of a historic state landmark, Loves Lookout Mountain, just north of Jacksonville Texas. This park has the best view in East Texas.

    Mr."

    "This is a small RV park right off a main highway a few miles outside of Jacksonville. The first thing you notice is the amazing view! You are able to see for miles."

    2. KE Bushman's Camp

    4 Reviews
    Flint, TX
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (903) 894-8221

    "While tenting in Texas is highly variable in match, Bushmans has a unique little swatch for yents or even tents! Enjoyed Kiepersolncanned wine and best shower rooms ever’!"

    "Very nice staff and a cool little store at the entrance. Just around the corner from the Kiepersol Winery and restaurant."

    3. Shady Pines RV Park

    1 Review
    Jacksonville, TX
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (903) 586-0059

    "We arrived after the office was closed and there was a note on the door with our site location. We were thrilled with the accommodations."

    4. Lake Jacksonville Recreation Area

    1 Review
    Jacksonville, TX
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (903) 586-8268

    "Great spot , lake is very clean , we take the kids there for swimming and tubing. Also have a swimming area with a sand beach."

    5. Rusk Depot Campground

    4 Reviews
    Rusk, TX
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (855) 632-7729

    "The texas state RR train engine car came through one time in the afternoon to turn around to pull the train back to palestine...that's pretty unique and a cool thing at a campsite IMO."

    6. Rusk KOA

    4 Reviews
    Rusk, TX
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (903) 683-6641

    "This KOA is a very quiet location. Very beautiful area. Close to town. Friendly staff. Saltwater swimming pool."

    "This campground really has no outside noise from anywhere. It is wonderfully quiet. The office and other working staff are very friendly and informative about things to do in the area."

    7. Tyler State Park Campground

    59 Reviews
    Lindale, TX
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (903) 597-5338

    $18 - $60 / night

    "He was very unenthusiastic about camping in Texas. Well Tyler State Park made him change his mind! He LOVED the large trees, said it was the closest he'd felt to home in quite some time."

    "This is my favorite state park in Texas! Lots of options for all kinds of campers."

    8. Rusk - Palestine Park

    2 Reviews
    Rusk, TX
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (903) 683-5126

    $25 - $39 / night

    "Play ground small fishing lake. We stayed here so we could take the grandchildren to the Polar Express train ride."

    9. The Boulders at Lake Tyler

    6 Reviews
    Tyler, TX
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (903) 268-5880

    $55 - $195 / night

    "Great view of Lake Tyler. Also very clean. There is a store, great boat dock, and a vendor selling very good bbq. We will definitely come back if in the area."

    10. Neches Bluff Overlook Campground

    18 Reviews
    Alto, TX
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (936) 655-2299

    "We took our kids and set up camp in a spot tucked away from the main dirt road. The camp site was serene and there was a hiking trail nearby. We car camped with two toddlers and they had a blast."

    "I spent one night over there we enjoy it me and my dog had some breakfast in the morning stay until about 1 PM and then we win unexplored around, and then enjoy some off roads. I be back."

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Recent Reviews near Jacksonville, TX

272 Reviews of 118 Jacksonville Campgrounds


  • e
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Tyler State Park Campground

    Pretty park

    Tyler State Park is a pretty park. There are a number of hiking trails, but we were only there overnight. The lake and beach look lovely. Most of the camp sites look nice with water and electric. The bath house is clean with hot showers, but could use some paint and TLC. Sites 13, 14, and 15 were very nice especially if tent camping.

  • Alana B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 8, 2025

    Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area

    Magical

    Beautiful little gem. The upkeep is outstanding, you can tell it’s really looked after. The camp sites are close to each other but since it wasn’t busy it felt like we had our own private area. There is a small swim area that you should utilize because there are alligators in the lake so it’s not safe to swim by the campground. The rangers drive around a few times a day. We didn’t do the trail this time around but will try it out next time. It’s great for big groups because of all the space. They have bathrooms with a shower and plenty of toilet paper in case you forget to bring your own. It gets pretty dark at night because there are no lights except what you pack with you. There is also a water spigot and a fire pit.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2025

    Shiloh on the Lake

    Great Weekend

    We stayed for the Fourth of July weekend. It was great! Full hookups large concrete pad. Perfection!

  • P
    Jun. 1, 2025

    Rosie Jones Park

    Rosie Jones Park

    It was nice and clean they had mowed. Quiet nites overlooking the lake there is no electricity other than few street lights or water. It does have a camp permit now $6 a day. Road is rough going in. More of Boondocking adventures except has tables scattered.

  • Alyssa F.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 26, 2025

    Stillwater RV Resort

    Memorial Day weekend

    We got here at about 3 pm on Friday and were greeted by a security guard who after getting our wristbands for the weekend escorted us to our site. They really didn’t tell us anything about the place other than the gym code and to wear our wristbands the entire weekend.

    The site was clean. You will need to do some leveling. Another thing, make sure you bring a lot of sewer hose! We had our 20ft and had to go to Walmart to get an extension, they put it nearly at the front of the site! There are no trees and it is straight sun almost all day. They list that they do trash pick up at 9 and 5, you put it tied up on the gravel area on your site, but I guess with it being a holiday weekend they came by more often. There is a clean large bathhouse with showers and laundry right near a playground, basketball court, pickleball court and two dog runs. There is no fire pits, so make sure you bring a self contained one (solo stove or similar,) or they have them for rent in the office. They also have golf carts for rent which if you’re at one of the back sites you may want one!

    The pool and lazy river was nice, crowded at times but that is to be expected during a busy holiday. There isn’t a lot of seating or shade. I did see people bring camp chairs and just setting up where they could. They do have cabanas for rent, and for this weekend they were $130/day. One downside is the don’t allow outside food or drinks, which I get that they don’t want people bring in alcohol, but it would have been nice to have our own bottles of water with it being over 90 degrees. They do have a cooler with tiny styrofoam cups that they did keep filled. Our son did the WiBit inflatable obstacle course and LOVED it. It was an extra charge though, which I thought was kind of ridiculous and should absolutely be included in your stay.

    They had a bunch of activities for the holiday weekend which were fun! Duck races on two days (extra fee cash only and the only thing they take cash for), firework show (very good and free,) bingo, chalk contest, find the flags, etc!

    The report is a little pricey but all in all it was really a fun weekend! I will say, come ready to spend money!

  • Heather S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 27, 2025

    Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area

    Convenient. Clean enough. But underwhelmed.

    We came to tent camp and wanted to be on a lake shoreline. We stayed at #11 on Lakeside Loop.

    The positive:

    • The tent pad was nice and level and the site was very roomy (we had a tent & canopy) with tons more room to stretch out.

    • We were about 200 yards from the bathroom facilities and about 30 feet from potable water for washing up.

    • The traffic was minimal because it’s off the main road, and would have been peaceful if the group of campers at #9 had been courteous and acknowledged quiet hours.

    • We had incredible weather with a wonderful steady breeze.

    Negatives:

    • We did have a lake view, but the shoreline is so incredibly overgrown making it difficult to fish. Lots of rotted wood and brush blocks a great deal of the view and access.

    • The burn circle had a grate welded at an angle to the top, so it couldn’t really be used for building up a big fire or cooking.

    • No one drove around/checked to make sure visitors are keeping to the quiet hours, which meant we were kept awake until about 12:30 am from yelling and loud music.

    • The restrooms, while near, had not been cleaned before we arrived—toilet paper on the floors and in the shower area with lots of dead june bugs and spiders on the floor the whole weekend.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 25, 2025

    Neches Bluff Overlook Campground

    Very nice

    Great view. Just a handful of spots but it was us and one other vehicle. The road up is a little rough. It’s had some washout and needs fixing but keep it slow and drive around the wash out

  • Jim P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 17, 2025

    Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area

    Very peaceful park

    Great camping area, sites are a little unlevel, but not too bad. Water is a little bit of a stretch, may need to make sure you have plenty of hose.

    Remnants of old sawmill is really cool, lots of wildlife and well maintained and marked trails to explore.

    Good fishing, and swim area is very refreshing as well!


Guide to Jacksonville

Camping near Jacksonville, Texas, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor lovers. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family getaway, there are several campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Enjoy the many trails available at Tyler State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "Beautiful walk around the lake to watch the sunrise," making it a perfect spot for nature lovers.
  • Fishing: At Martin Creek Lake State Park Campground, you can find a nice fishing pier. A camper shared, "There is a nice fishing pier, boat launch, and fish cleaning station."
  • Swimming: If you're looking to cool off, Purtis Creek State Park Campground has a lovely swimming area. One review noted, "The park is maintained very well. Great hiking and great place for tents."

What campers like:

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for spotty cell service in some areas. A visitor at Martin Creek Lake State Park Campground noted, "No cell service from Verizon."
  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially on weekends. A camper at Tyler State Park Campground advised, "Highly recommend this park," indicating it’s a popular spot.
  • Primitive Sites: Some campgrounds, like Neches Bluff Overlook Campground, offer more primitive camping experiences. One camper mentioned, "Very primitive and off the beaten path."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with amenities for kids. At Jellystone Park™ Tyler, one parent said, "Kids loved every minute of our stay! Had plenty of things to keep them busy!"
  • Space for Play: Choose campgrounds with spacious sites. A review for Lake Hawkins County RV Park noted, "Lots of places for kids to play or ride bikes."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring food or check if the campground has dining options. A visitor at Stillwater RV Resort mentioned, "The burger I had at the restaurant was good."

Tips from RVers:

  • Level Sites: Make sure to check if the sites are level. A camper at Stillwater RV Resort noted, "Most sites not level."
  • Full Hookups: Look for campgrounds that offer full hookups for convenience. A review for Texan RV Park & Campus stated, "The park itself is immaculate."
  • Community Feel: Many RV parks have a friendly atmosphere. A visitor at Texan RV Park & Campus shared, "Everyone that stays here is attending a class, so everyone visits with each other."

Camping in Jacksonville, TX, provides a mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With various campgrounds to choose from, you can find the perfect spot for your next adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Jacksonville, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, Jacksonville, TX offers a wide range of camping options, with 118 campgrounds and RV parks near Jacksonville, TX and 3 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Jacksonville, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Jacksonville, TX is Lookout Mountain RV Park with a 5-star rating from 4 reviews.

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

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Jacksonville, TX.