Ray Roberts Lake State Park offers diverse camping options near Krugerville, Texas beyond its equestrian facilities. The park spans 30,000 acres and sits at approximately 650 feet elevation, creating a varied landscape with distinct ecological zones. Winter temperatures typically range from 30-60°F while summer months often exceed 90°F, affecting camping comfort and trail conditions throughout the seasons.
What to do
Lake activities year-round: Isle du Bois Campsites provides access to swimming areas with designated safety zones. "Nice place to hike and swim, sites are decent and give a fair amount of space in between. Bring shoes though! Lots of little prickers in the grass down by the lake," notes K7 in their review.
Fishing opportunities: The lakes in this region offer bank fishing and boat access. "Sites 119-122 (maybe 123) are right on the lake so you can see ducks and do some bank fishing without needing to go anywhere," according to Christopher L. who visited Isle du Bois.
Winter wildlife viewing: December visitors often encounter reduced crowds and increased wildlife activity. "There are few campers here in December. Restrooms were clean. Campsites, large and private," reports Eric R. about his winter experience at Isle du Bois.
Hiking on varied terrain: Johnson Branch Campsites offers multiple trail networks with different difficulty levels. "Lots of hiking and biking trails, with clean restrooms! Deer will approach your campsite and you're likely to see all kinds of wildlife," according to Tony C. who camped at the park.
What campers like
Spacious sites: The campgrounds at East Fork Park are known for their generous spacing. "The sites are well spaced and are 'mostly' paved with aging asphalt," notes Ray & Terri F., who appreciated the site arrangement despite some maintenance issues.
Wildlife encounters: Many campsites across different parks report frequent wildlife sightings. "We have done a lot of Primitive camping here that requires only a half mile walk from the parking lot... each time we saw plenty of deer around camp," shares Matt S. about Isle du Bois.
Water proximity: Sites near water are particularly valued by campers. "Our site was right on the water. Level and clean. Lots of hiking trails. You really can't go wrong with Johnson Branch on Lake Ray Roberts," writes Chris P. about his experience.
Privacy between sites: Campgrounds in this region often feature natural barriers between sites. "The sites vary from being 20 feet from the parking lot to half a mile out or so, but most people flock to the more formal campsites and miss out thinking they'll have to hike in at Hawthorne," explains Gretchen N. about the primitive areas at Isle du Bois.
What you should know
Water level fluctuations: Lake levels can significantly impact camping conditions. "We went last weekend, water is high, some areas for RV flooded out. Great place to go," reports Augustin T. about Isle du Bois, highlighting how weather patterns affect site availability.
Primitive camping distances: Sites labeled as primitive may require more hiking than expected. "The trail path to the campsites is further than indicated or implied on the website, which isn't a problem if you're packed light, but if you're car camping with heavy equipment you will be surprised how far it is," warns Christopher L. about the Wild Plum camping area.
Seasonal crowds: Peak seasons bring significantly higher visitor numbers. "I've been coming to this state park for over 20 years. It's very well kept, you see deer every trip, it's just very busy. We used to come out and there would be just a few families, now it's very very busy," shares Kerry C. about the increasing popularity of Isle du Bois.
Alternative equestrian camping options: Beyond Ray Roberts, LBJ National Grasslands offers primitive horse camping opportunities. "This campground is great for hitching up a high line for your ponies and spending the weekend hitting the trails. You'll have to haul water to your site from the water trough," notes Emily T. about this equestrian camping alternative near Krugerville.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Loyd Park features designated play areas for children near camping zones. "There are several playground areas central to the various campgrounds with easy access for your family. Showers and restrooms are close by the playgrounds as well," writes Matt S. who appreciated the family-friendly layout.
Beach areas for swimming: Several parks maintain designated swimming beaches with safety features. "There is also a fantastic beach swim area for day use or to visit while your camping. Nice sand and roped off swimming areas with large playgrounds," reports a visitor to Johnson Branch.
Site selection for families: Choose sites with specific family-friendly features. "If you're picking a site in this camp area, #117 is right off the trail and nearest to the community restrooms. I did not stay at this spot but did note that it has a great natural spot for a hammock," suggests Christopher L. about Isle du Bois.
Pack for terrain challenges: The natural environment presents specific hazards for children. "Bring shoes though! Lots of little prickers in the grass down by the lake," warns K7 about Isle du Bois, highlighting the importance of appropriate footwear for children exploring the area.
Tips from RVers
RV site selection: Different campground areas offer varying levels of shade and privacy. "We stayed in the Walnut camping circle and got site 62. The site was actually pretty nice. It had the most trees over the sites around us, to give us a 'in the woods' feel," shares Chris H. about his experience at Johnson Branch.
Electrical connections: Some sites require extension cords due to hookup placement. "I backed in and used my extension power cord because the box was located midway from the rear. Since the space was so long... I could have pulled up a bit," notes Gary W. who stayed at East Fork Park.
Seasonal considerations: Extreme weather affects RV comfort significantly. "Sure, the roads have some potholes... but I would rate the entire Dallas metroplex as WORSE. There is absolutely NO REASON not to camp here," emphasizes Gary W. about East Fork Park, providing context for road conditions that concern many RVers.
Site levelness: Many campsites in the region require leveling equipment. "Our site was very unlevel on the hill, so bring your chocks," advises Cheryl D. about her experience at Lavonia Lake, emphasizing the importance of proper leveling gear for RV stability.
