The Leona area sits at the edge of East Texas Piney Woods and Post Oak Savannah regions at approximately 400 feet elevation. Campsites near Leona, Texas offer diverse terrain from lakeside settings to wooded areas, with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 95°F with high humidity. Most campgrounds in the region are within a 30-45 minute drive of Leona and provide varying levels of water access.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Fort Parker State Park Campground, the lake provides excellent fishing access. "Big lake to enjoy with boat rentals, simple trails, clean facilities, neat historic fort right on site. Not a lot to do on site if you're not in the water," notes one camper. Fort Parker is located about 40 miles northwest of Leona.
Kayaking and paddling: Many campsites feature water access for paddling sports. "We rented a few screened shelters and brought kayaks. Great, small park for both camping and kayaking," reports a visitor to Fort Parker State Park. Most lakes in the region have designated launch areas for non-motorized watercraft.
Hiking trails: Huntsville State Park Campground offers extensive trail networks about 45 miles southeast of Leona. "Wonderful trails. Clear and well marked," says a camper. "There's plenty more to do at this park. If you want to stay on land, you will never exhaust the amount of trails this place has," adds another reviewer.
What campers like
Lakefront sites: The region's water access is a major draw. "We had a site right on the lake. Mid 70s in the day and mid 50s at night. Amazing sunsets," shares a camper at Fort Parker State Park. Many lakefront sites fill quickly during summer months.
Wooded privacy: The natural surroundings provide good site separation at Lake Limestone Campground and Marina. "The new owners are going all out to make this a family friendly RV park/campground/marina," notes a visitor. "Give them a try, as we give them a recommendation."
Wildlife viewing: The area's lakes and forests support diverse wildlife. "We took a two day break here from driving cross country. What a beautiful park. We had a site right on the lake," reports a Fort Parker visitor. Bird watchers should bring binoculars, especially during spring migration.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Summer heat makes spring and fall the preferred camping seasons. At Limestone Lake Park, visitors note: "Be prepared for a lot of bugs." The area can experience severe storms in spring, with flash flooding possible.
Navigation challenges: Several campgrounds have confusing access roads. "WARNING! if you use Get Directions & Google Maps on this page, it likely will route you to the wrong location," warns a camper at Limestone Lake Park. "The correct access point is from the SouthEast, via the town of Marquez."
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds require advance booking. "First off the name and pin don't seem quite right. It is called Limestone Lake Park. The road to the pin is gated. No worries though on the other side of the road is an awesome camping area," reports a visitor about finding free camping options.
Tips for camping with families
Cabin options: For families wanting amenities without tent camping, Fort Boggy State Park Campground offers modern cabins. "We usually tent camp but this time we decided staying at a cabin. Nice, beautiful and modern cabins. Love the enclosed porch and open porch as well. The cabin was spacious enough for our family of 6," shares a visitor.
Swimming areas: Designated swimming spots provide safer water recreation. "We got to use our kayaks, go fishing, swimming, and hike also. It was just gorgeous! We actually had our campsite in a perfect place for we could put our kayaks in and out of the water right behind our tent," notes a Huntsville State Park camper.
Playground access: Some campgrounds feature play areas for children. "The playground is nicer than expected. The trails are well-marked," mentions a Fort Parker visitor, though they note the park is more geared toward fishing than family activities.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Prepare for uneven terrain at many campgrounds. "The site is fairly level side-to-side with 2.75 inches low difference. The site is sloped front-to-back, but even with a long rig you should be fine," reports an RVer at Huntsville State Park.
Resort amenities: For full-service RV camping, Hidden Creek RV Resort provides comprehensive facilities. "They literally have thought of everything from daily trash pick-up to refilling propane tanks. All of the staff are absolutely wonderful and very friendly," notes a camper. This resort is located about 50 miles southeast of Leona.
Hookup availability: Water and electric connections vary widely between campgrounds. "We took a big group that camps every spring and fall. This was one of my favorites. The campsites are right on the water," reports a Fort Parker camper, where hookup sites are available but limited.
