Best Tent Camping near Leona, TX

Tent camping options near Leona, Texas provide several established campgrounds within driving distance, including Fort Boggy State Park and Huntsville State Park. Paradise Acres and Lawley Land offer more rustic tent camping experiences, with both providing reservable sites within an hour's drive from Leona. Lake Niederhoffer Campsite offers free tent camping with walk-in access for those seeking budget-friendly options.

Many tent sites in the region feature natural surfaces with minimal grading, requiring campers to select level spots for tent placement. Fort Boggy State Park offers primitive tent camping options alongside its cabins, though the tent sites lack drinking water and modern restroom facilities. Fires are permitted at most campgrounds near Leona, with firewood available for purchase at some locations like Paradise Acres. Most tent campgrounds have picnic tables, but amenities vary significantly between established parks and primitive sites. Paradise Acres provides toilet facilities and trash collection, while more remote options like Lake Niederhoffer lack these amenities.

The tent camping experience around Leona offers varied environments from lakeside sites to wooded settings. Huntsville State Park provides tent sites with water access and shade from tall pines, creating cooler camping conditions during hot Texas summers. The park features extensive trail networks for hiking, with some waterfront tent sites providing direct lake access. Wildlife sightings are common throughout the region's campgrounds, with Huntsville State Park known for its alligator population. Campers should exercise caution when camping near water. A camper noted, "Beautiful park with lots of sites on the water. We saw many gators swimming up close to the banks."

Best Tent Sites Near Leona, Texas (7)

    1. Fort Boggy State Park Campground

    3 Reviews
    Leona, TX
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (903) 344-1116

    $10 - $85 / night

    "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."

    "Wonderful bathrooms nearby. We hiked the trails and went and checked out the little lake. The park staff where super friendly. We had a great stay."

    2. Huntsville State Park Campground

    69 Reviews
    Huntsville, TX
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (936) 295-5644

    $15 - $60 / night

    "Huntsville State Park has over 20 miles of trails to explore along with a pretty great lake to fish, paddle or swim. Fish for crappie, perch, catfish, or bass."

    "The check-in process is a bit troublesome if you're picky about getting a good tent site- you can't reserve specific sites ahead of time."

    3. Lake Niederhoffer Campsite

    6 Reviews
    Dodge, TX
    50 miles
    Website
    +1 (936) 344-6205

    "Only 1 other group was across the lake. Lots of spots to space out even if it was crowded. Easy hike in, could have used a wagon for extra stuff."

    "Nights got a little chilly by 4-5 am The map to get there is straightforward, just use Google to drive to the gate then walk down the access road."

    4. Lawley Land

    1 Review
    Mexia, TX
    39 miles
    Website

    $20 - $50 / night

    "It has a nice lake we’re you can swim. You can pop off fire work here or shoot off guns . My kids had a great time"

    5. Paradise Acres

    2 Reviews
    Franklin, TX
    44 miles
    +1 (512) 655-3289

    $5 - $20 / night

    7. HFR Campsites & Retreats

    Be the first to review!
    Kennard, TX
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (512) 947-5525

    $20 - $30 / night

Show More
Showing results 1-7 of 7 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Tent Camping Photos near Leona, TX

29 Photos of 7 Leona Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Leona, TX

199 Reviews of 7 Leona Campgrounds


  • Elliott B.
    Sep. 29, 2016

    Stubblefield Lake Recreation Area

    Great sites, great access to Lake Conroe

    These are some great tent/trailer (small RV) only sites with no hookups (both deterring the giant RVs). You have nice open sites with pads under the tree cover with your standard table and fire ring but you then also have access to potable drinking water and flush restrooms and actually some showers. Easy access to the lake and lots of trails.

  • K
    Apr. 25, 2021

    Fort Parker State Park Campground

    Peaceful place

    We tent camped in a primitive spot #47. Overall the spot was nice but not very level making the best placement of our large tent a bit of a challenge. Vault toilets were clean and had hand sanitizer. The nature and hiking in this park was our favorite part. Even rented a canoe and paddled across the lake to the river. Park staff were friendly and helpful. Some primitive tent sites are right on the edge of the lake and after a big rain were very swampy. I believe all sites had partial shade and some have more privacy than others. We did spot some full hook up sites in the RV section that have good space for a tent set up and we may try that next time cause we definitely will be back.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 28, 2022

    Stubblefield Lake Recreation Area

    Really nice, wooded campsites

    Old campground, nicely maintained. Wooded; big pines. Two restroom/showerhouses; old, but clean. Camped for 2 nights in a camper van at site #24. It was a very large site surrounded on 3 sides by a thick forest of trees & shrubs. Private. Water faucet on site. No electric. The Lone Star Hiking Trail conveniently located in the campground. Nice hike through a thick forest. Canpground road & campsite driveways are paved. Sites have tent pads & appear pretty much level. Sites have a table, fire ring & lantern poll. The road toward the campground is paved, but broken up in places with several potholes. AT&T service is okay, but no T-Mobile service. This campground is great for tent campers, campervans, car campers & truck campers. I don't recommend this campground for large RVs.

  • GoWhereYouAreDraw N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 30, 2019

    Huntsville State Park Campground

    What you'll need to know....

    You’ll find Huntsville State Park six miles southwest of Huntsville, TX in Walker County in the Sam Houston National Forest. Huntsville State Park has over 20 miles of trails to explore along with a pretty great lake to fish, paddle or swim. Fish for crappie, perch, catfish, or bass. Lake Raven also has a boat ramp, fishing piers, and fish cleaning stations. Bring your own canoe or rent one from the little supply store. The supply store also has miscellaneous supplies and bait for purchase.

    Campsites are spaced modestly except those in the full hookup loop. If you are looking for full hookups, book in advanced as those are in high demand at this location. All sites have a two-day minimum on Friday and Saturday.

    Available sites:

    • Full hookup campsites - pull-through, picnic table, fire ring, water hookup, lantern post, restrooms & showers nearby 20/30/50-amp hookup
    • Electric sites - picnic table, fire ring, water hookup, lantern post, restrooms & showers nearby 20/30/50-amp electric hook up
    • Campsites with water - picnic table, fire ring, water hookup, lantern post, & restrooms & showers nearby
  • Sarah M.
    Jun. 27, 2016

    Huntsville State Park Campground

    Beautiful Piney Woods Campground

    We went Thursday - Saturday, and will go again during the week to avoid crowds.
    The check-in process is a bit troublesome if you're picky about getting a good tent site- you can't reserve specific sites ahead of time. Also, your visit will cost you more than listed on the website because they charge entrance fees for each person on top of the campsite rental. That was an unpleasant surprise. The only other unpleasant surprise is that the campground store is closed on Thursdays. Lesson learned- bring your own Snickers!
    However, the scenery, quietness, and availability of rental boats was wonderful. We camped in tent site #70, and I would grab that one again in a heartbeat. The 70's sites have water access and beautiful views, and are generous with their square footage. Plenty of trees down there to hang hammocks and clotheslines on, and more than one flat spot for tents on each site.
    I normally would not devote a whole paragraph to restrooms at a state park, but I will this time. These were the CLEANEST restrooms I've ever seen at a state park, and the most updated. The stalls had modern dividers, the toilets all had clean, functional seats, the showers had separate bench areas with lots of hooks, plus normal faucets you could just turn on once (as opposed to having to push a button every minute), and the sinks also had great faucets with good pressure and reliable water temperatures. Very easy to use.
    All our issues with this park were related to unexpected costs and logistics, but the park facilities were fabulous. We will definitely be back!

  • A
    Feb. 10, 2021

    Stubblefield Lake Recreation Area

    Very quiet here in the Sam Houston National Forest!

    28 campsites! Not too close together either! They fixed the water spigots throughout the camp just recently. Bathrooms get cleaned daily, super clean during the week, but gets crowded on weekends. So bathrooms get kinda overused. The showers are hot! Many places have luke warm, but they turn up the heat here which is great. New host Robert is cool AF. Nice guy, doesn't bother anyone who isn't being a nuecince. Walker County has many fire bans, so check before you head out. First come first serve. No reservations. Gets overcrowded on weekends. Fishing, kayaking, the LSHT ( Lone Star Hiking Trail), all are great fun. Dogs are welcome , but forest workers come regularly, like 2xs a day drive by to check if people got them on leash. Alcohol permitted, but not publicly. Only on your site. Verizon service is great here! Sprint sucks. Att was marginally working. You may stay up to 14 days at a time here. I actually love it here, been back 5 times! $15 a night, if you have Americas Beautiful Pass, its half off! $7.50 a night folks! Pass is $80 annually online at National Forest. Just Google it.

  • Debbie J.
    Feb. 24, 2021

    Huntsville State Park Campground

    Good Weekend Getaway Close to Houston

    I like Huntsville State Park campground for a long weekend getaway.  It is about an hour north of Houston not far off Interstate 45, so very easily accessible.  They have a large campground section which is only campsites, and also another section on the other side of a cove that is more of a recreational section which has a swimming beach, cabins, screened shelters, etc.  This state park gets very crowded in the summertime, with campers as well as lots of day use folks enjoying the water.  It is hard to get a campsite reservation, so plan ahead!  

    The sites are spacious as in most Texas state parks, and there are many shaded sites.  The waterfront sites are tiered.  The upper tier is where you park your rig.  Then there is a retaining wall and steps to walk down to the lower tier where the picnic table, fire ring, lantern post, etc.. are located.  We really didn't ever go down to the lower part of our site because it was inconvenient.  It was a good place to walk the dogs though.  The campground does slope slightly and the sites are not all real level, so be sure to bring your "legos" if you don't have a leveling system on your rig.  The grounds did not seem to be as well maintained as some other state parks I've been to.  We couldn't use the picnic table because it was surrounded by tall weeds and had a lot of spider webs under it.  Bath house was not well maintained and kind of dingy.  It was also not ventilated well and felt like a sauna as it was so humid in July. 

    There is a nice fishing pier and several places to fish off the bank.  A ranger told me there are alligators in the lake, so be careful.

  • Rebecca
    Jan. 6, 2021

    Huntsville State Park Campground

    Our home away from home

    This is our favorite local (2hous from home) park. We’ve been coming here almost every year for close to 20 years. We’ve done primitive tent camping, tent camping with power, shelter camping and just recently became glampers!😂 Site 142 in the prairie branch loop is our favorite site. It’s on the water and at the trailhead. It’s recently been designated Accessible so our last two trips we chose the shelter sites 10 and 11. These sites are also on the water and have lots of space. The showers on this side are individual rooms as opposed to the semi private (too small shower curtain) ones in the big restroom. The water is nice and hot but I suggest bringing a broom or you will be sharing with some pretty big spiders. Overall the restrooms are clean but the campgrounds are busy lately so I’m sure it’s difficult to keep up. Staff are super friendly. Firewood is on a suggested donation basis and is available most days before 5pm.

  • Tim H.
    Dec. 9, 2020

    Sam Houston National Forest Cagle Recreation Area

    Peaceful and very relaxing

    So this was my first time staying here and I promise won’t be my last! First off the camp hosts were very friendly and informative. The hiking trail although wasn’t very long at around 2-3 miles max were a pleasant walk in the woods and along the lake shoreline. There’s a very nice boat ramp toward the back of the park with a very nice pier and plenty of parking. Campsites were very nice with fire ring, picnic tables and full hook ups including sewer for the RVs the atmosphere was very quiet relaxing and I will definitely be going back.

    Edited Came back to Cagle with my son for 3 nights and we absolutely loved it. My son enjoyed the trails and walked all over the park and I wasn’t worried about him getting lost since the parks not that big and the layout is pretty easy to follow. Birding was awesome and so were the sunsets .


Guide to Leona

Tent camping options near Leona, Texas allow visitors to experience the East Texas Piney Woods ecosystem with its distinctive mix of shortleaf pines and hardwoods. The region features moderately rolling terrain with elevations ranging from 300-500 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures commonly reach 95°F with high humidity, while winter nights can drop below freezing between December and February, requiring appropriate seasonal gear.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Lake Niederhoffer Campsite provides secluded fishing experiences for small bass and bluegill in a tranquil setting. A camper noted, "Emerald water on sunny days. Bluegill and small bass. Quiet and serene. Couldn't ask for more..."

Trails exploration: Huntsville State Park Campground offers extensive hiking and biking trail networks through pine forest terrain. According to one visitor, "If you want to stay on land, you will never exhaust the amount of trails this place has. I have a lot of great memories at this park, including group hangouts, fishing, hiking, and swimming."

Wildlife observation: The region hosts diverse wildlife viewing opportunities with minimal light pollution enhancing night sky visibility. One Lake Niederhoffer visitor shared, "Heard a lot more than that at night, entire forest seemed to be alive, with coyotes howling, something snorting, footsteps all over the place, a donkey making noise, the air being pushed by flying birds."

Water activities: Multiple tent camping areas provide water access for swimming and paddling during warmer months. A visitor at Lake Niederhoffer mentioned, "The lake was clear and whether or not it was a good idea, we swam in it as did all our dogs. Great temperature water."

What campers like

Stargazing conditions: The rural setting around Leona creates optimal dark sky conditions for astronomical observation. A Paradise Acres camper commented, "Very quite and loved looking up at the stars!"

Secluded camping spots: Lake Niederhoffer offers walk-in tent sites around a small lake away from developed areas. One camper described, "Plenty of spots to space out even if it was crowded. Easy hike in, could have used a wagon for extra stuff."

Pine forest environment: The towering pines create natural shade and distinctive camping ambiance. A camper at Huntsville State Park observed, "We tent camped and we weren't too close to the people around us. Completely surrounded by huge trees. The bathroom had a lot of spiders but I'd expect that."

Budget-friendly options: Free camping at Lake Niederhoffer Campsite provides cost-effective wilderness experiences. A visitor shared, "Accessed by a 1-2 mile hike down some old Forrest service roads... Out in the middle of Sam Houston National Forrest this spot is truly a hidden gem."

What you should know

Access limitations: Some sites require moderate hikes with gear. A Lake Niederhoffer visitor advised, "Just pull up to the gate, park at the side and it's about a 1.3 mile hike to the lake. DON'T forget to turn right when it's time, the trail is a little overgrown where you turn."

Seasonal considerations: Summer months bring intense heat and humidity requiring extra hydration and cooling strategies. A Huntsville visitor noted, "A nice cold front (and storm) came in during the night and blew out the humidity and it just got that much better."

Facilities variance: Restrooms range from none at primitive sites to basic facilities at developed campgrounds. A Fort Boggy State Park Campground camper mentioned, "The new family restroom close to the cabins was great, nice and clean."

Cell coverage: Most remote camping areas have limited or no cellular service. One Lake Niederhoffer visitor reported, "Very spotty cell signal, but great spot to get away and forget about the world."

Tips for camping with families

Cabin alternatives: When weather conditions aren't ideal for tent camping, consider cabin options. A Lawley Land visitor mentioned, "We want to get some survival wilderness experience and this was definitely the right place for that. It has a nice lake we're you can swim. You can pop off fire work here or shoot off guns. My kids had a great time."

Activities planning: Plan diverse activities for different ages and interests, particularly during summer months. A Fort Boggy State Park guest shared, "Beautiful small state park. 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."

Wildlife preparation: Prepare children for potential wildlife encounters with appropriate safety guidelines. A Huntsville State Park visitor advised, "Check yourself for ticks after hiking the trails though. Its a thick forest."

Water safety: Establish clear water safety rules for lakes and swimming areas. A Huntsville visitor noted, "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."

Tips from RVers

Site leveling: RV campers should bring leveling blocks as many sites have natural slopes. A Huntsville State Park camper noted, "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."

Facility expectations: Verify amenity availability before arrival as facilities vary seasonally. One Fort Boggy visitor mentioned, "I would give it 5 stars, but the park does not have RV sites. Cabins and primitive camping only."

Weekend planning: Book well in advance for weekend stays during peak seasons. A Huntsville visitor observed, "Nice little lake, good escape from Houston, pine trees, kayaking, quiet, clean, loads of trails. Hillier than expected but we found plenty of great places to hammock so it was ok."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Leona, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Leona, TX is Fort Boggy State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Leona, TX?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 tent camping locations near Leona, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.