Johnson Branch Campsites — Ray Roberts Lake State Park
We were in the walnut loop, spot 52 and it was awesome. Plenty of room and the site backs up to the lake so we could walk a path from our site to the lake to fish.
4 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Ray Roberts Lake State Park includes equestrian campsites with horse pens at the Isle du Bois unit, setting it apart from other camping options near Lewisville Lake. The equestrian campsite area features built-in horse pens at each site, providing secure containment for horses while camping. Visitors enjoy direct lake access, clean grounds, and well-maintained facilities while camping with their horses. The park offers both RV and tent camping options with water and electric hookups. Campers report the sites are well-spaced with good surrounding trees, creating privacy between equestrian campers. Trail riders can easily access multiple trail systems from their campsite, with convenient trailer parking nearby.
The equestrian trails at Ray Roberts Lake State Park connect to the larger Cross Timbers region trail system, allowing for varied riding experiences through oak forests and lakeside terrain. Riders frequently encounter wildlife including deer that sometimes wander into campsites. The park maintains several miles of dedicated bridle paths with concrete hike and bike trails providing additional riding options. Water access points along the trails offer horses drinking opportunities during rides. Lake winds can be quite intense at times, affecting riding conditions, so bringing appropriate gear is recommended. Reservations for equestrian sites fill quickly, particularly during weekends and peak seasons, making advance planning essential for horse owners seeking to camp at this location.
"Roberts Lake State Park has two main campgrounds, the Isle du Bois unit and Johnson unit. These are what I would call twins. They are very similar in layout, scenery and activities."
"Bring your horses for a equestrian trail as well. Great beach for some sand castles and swimming. And don't forget to hit the Dam store and get the dam special. Good burgers there."
Available this weekend
from $15 - $60 / night
"Many spots are have direct access to the lake to launch a kayak or SUP, boat launch in the day use area."
"One of the more expensive Texas state parks. Standard electric at 25/night. Large bathrooms and lots of trash bins. Actual pay phones (who knew those still existed?)"
"Couldn't see the parking lot due to brush, but it was a very short walk and that was nice."
Available this weekend
from $15 - $60 / night
"They offer water access, electricity, are near facilities, have tables and fire pits. Many of the sites overlook the lake or have easy access to the lake."
"Lake is nearby, and fishing permits in Tx are cheap and easy to grab online. Fairly quiet, but the sites themselves are private a shaded for the most part."
from $25 - $100 / night
"We had a nice view of Lake Lavon. Grills and tables vary by site, some are very old, but many have been replaced."
"I avoided any rough spots in the road and arrived at a LONG and roomie site with a beautiful view of the lake."
from $14 - $150 / night
"The park at lakeside had recently flooded but we were not there to go to the water and our site was not effected at all."
"Larger rigs are more accomdated next to the lake. But call ahead to see which sites have 50 amp, you'll need it I summer time. Beach is great."
from $17 / night
"My boys jumped in the pool even though it was 55* outside and said it was a fun experience."
"Truly a great place for the money and close to anything you would ever need."
"They also were doing drive in concerts while we were there!"
"Nothing to knock you socks off, but it’s a great campsite close to home and nice for a quick getaway. Has the feel of being somewhat remote since it’s out by the lake."
"Doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles but does have sewer, lake views, wide open spaces, and clean! Great food places nearby."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $14 - $30 / night
from $80 / night
We were in the walnut loop, spot 52 and it was awesome. Plenty of room and the site backs up to the lake so we could walk a path from our site to the lake to fish.
Folks want different things out of campsites. For me, it's scenic beauty, quiet for work and mental health, and nice places to take my dog. This checks all the boxes!
None of my reviews will be useful for amenities or activities because I just don't use them. I can't tell you about bathrooms, fishing, etc. I can tell you the water is very soft and feels slick or soapy even after you rinse. I have onboard reverse osmosis and wouldn't recommend drinking city water anywhere in Texas. There's too much oil production here and gas and chemicals are all over.
The staff at the gate were pleasant and said, "You must be David," when I pulled in, which was very nice and made it easy and welcoming.
Texas has many undiscovered and wonderful public lands, whether you're really camping or just working remote, watching the deer, or seeing the sunrise over a lake from your bedroom window. Get out here and come see them!
This is a great campground. Power was good, att service is good and the grounds are very clean. The only downside is no full hookups and the dump station is outside of the gate which they lock at 10pm and don't open again until 10am. So no getting back in while locked and you can't dump except when there are lines.
Lots of different types of sites. Large sites with a lot of privacy. Be sure to look at driveway lengths.
Our family had a fantastic 2 night stay. We’ve only stayed at Johnson Branch on Ray Roberts in the past, and have loved Isle Du Bois. Our site is surrounded about beautiful lush trees and overgrowth. The beach is right up the path and my two boys (4&6) loved playing in the water with the kids. Our site is also two sites from the playground and bathroom/showers, which was super convenient! Will definitely be back and eyeing a site right off the water for some fishing!
This was easily one of the most beautiful campgrounds we stayed at during our trip. The view over the water is absolutely stunning, and because there’s plenty of space between the campsites and large trees provide shade over many of them, the whole place feels incredibly welcoming and peaceful. We were really disappointed that we could only stay for one night. The only small downside was the bathhouse. It was reasonably clean, but very warm inside because there was no air conditioning, or at least it didn’t seem to be working. The showers were also a bit inconvenient since they didn’t have proper showerheads. On the positive side, each shower area was spacious and included its own private toilet, which was nice. Aside from this minor issue, this is a truly beautiful campground, and it’s definitely a place where we would have loved to spend a few more nights.
Like most of our stops, we only spent one night here, but it was a really nice campground. The sites are large, and being right by the water makes the whole place feel peaceful and relaxing. A big plus was the covered picnic tables and benches at each site, which made it much more comfortable to eat outside without sitting in the direct sun. The only small downside was the bathhouse. It was nice to have your own private bathroom with both a toilet and a shower, but the shower only produced a small stream of water with fairly low pressure. Upgrading the showerheads would definitely improve the experience. It's also worth knowing that you can't access the campground after 10 PM, apparently not even with an access code. Other than those minor issues, this is a really beautiful campground and a great place to stay.
Nice campsite with lots of trees and privacy. Goog picnic table with shelter. Marginal cell phone reception. Clean restrooms.
Very nice park! Arriving early evening was good because the numbering of sites was somewhat confusing. There was no one available at the gate to provide a map or directions. The gate was also timed, so I had a difficult time passing through without the rail dropping onto or between my vehicle and trailer. Took me 3 tries to gain success. I had a pull-through site, so that made things easier. Other than that, it is a beautiful place next to the lake. I enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere and the pleasant people who utilized the campground. It seemed to be a busy place that is well maintained. Glad I found it!
Ray Roberts Lake State Park offers diverse camping options beyond the equestrian sites at Isle du Bois unit. The park spans over 29,000 acres with elevations ranging between 620-670 feet above sea level. Winter camping provides unique opportunities with temperatures averaging 40-60°F during the day and fewer campers occupying the grounds.
Wildlife viewing and hiking trails: At Ray Roberts Lake State Park Johnson Branch, visitors can spot abundant wildlife including deer that often approach campgrounds. "Very nice state park, not near as busy as Isle Du Bois. Both of these campgrounds at Luke Ray Roberts are very well kept," notes Kerry C. The park offers miles of trails connecting to the broader regional system.
Fishing and boating access: Pilot Knoll Park Campground provides excellent water access for anglers and boaters at Lewisville Lake. "Lots of large back in spots with 50/30 amp plugs, water hook ups, fire pit and picnic table. Many spots have direct access to the lake to launch a kayak or SUP, boat launch in the day use area," reports Michael H.
Beach swimming areas: Ray Roberts Lake State Park includes designated swimming beaches with sand and roped-off areas. "The beach area at Johnson Branch is not as nice as Isle Du Bois, but everything else is very similar," explains Kerry C. The swimming areas provide a refreshing option during hot Texas summers.
Privacy between sites: Cedar Hill State Park offers well-designed camping loops that minimize traffic noise. "The park is designed with small loops for 15-20 camp sites in each loop. Very little traffic right by the individual spots," says Michael C. This layout creates a sense of seclusion despite proximity to urban areas.
Large tent camping areas: Many campgrounds near Lewisville Lake accommodate various tent configurations. At Ray Roberts Lake State Park Isle du Bois, "The tent pad was big enough for a 6 man tent and a four man tent, with room to spare, which was nice," according to Christopher L. who stayed at the Wild Plum primitive camping area.
Winter camping options: Lewisville Lake area campgrounds remain open year-round with fewer crowds during colder months. "There are few campers here in December. Restrooms were clean. Campsites, large and private," reports Eric R. about Isle du Bois. Winter camping provides a different perspective on the landscape and greater campsite availability.
Primitive camping for seclusion: For those seeking distance from other campers, several options exist beyond the equestrian sites. At Loyd Park, "The primitive sites in the Hawthorne campgrounds are spaced a good distance apart and really give you a feel of isolation. Sites on the perimeter all have lake access where you can pull a boat up," explains Matt S.
Weather considerations: Lake winds can affect camping comfort beyond the equestrian areas. "Lake winds can be quite intense at times," reports a camper at Pilot Knoll Park. This affects tent stability and can create challenging conditions during storms.
Reservation requirements: Most developed campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. "Reservations for sites fill quickly, particularly during weekends," notes a frequent camper at Johnson Branch. For popular holiday weekends, bookings should be made 2-3 months in advance.
Accessible playgrounds: LBJ Lyndon B Johnson National Grasslands provides open spaces for children to explore. "Great for hikes, outdoor skills and group. Scouts go often for primitive overnights," shares W P. The grasslands offer a different experience from the more developed lakeside parks.
Kid-friendly swimming options: Several parks feature designated swimming areas suitable for children. "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," notes Matt S. about Ray Roberts Lake State Park.
Wildlife education opportunities: Children can observe deer, waterfowl and other animals at most campgrounds. "Deer will approach your campsite and you're likely to see all kinds of wildlife," reports Tony C. about Isle du Bois, making it ideal for informal nature education.
Pad levelness varies: At many campgrounds near Lewisville Lake, RV site levelness can be inconsistent. At East Fork Park, "The pad has definitely broken up over time and isn't level. The fire pit is also sitting at an angle," reports Melanie and Doug G. Bringing additional leveling blocks is recommended.
Utility placement considerations: At some campgrounds, hookup locations require planning. "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," explains Gary W. about East Fork Park. Extension cords and longer water hoses may be needed.
Weather protection options: Given the lake winds and open sites, RVers should secure awnings and outdoor equipment properly. "Lake winds can be quite intense at times," notes a Johnson Branch visitor. Having tie-downs and storm preparation plans is essential when camping near Lewisville Lake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Lewisville Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Lewisville Lake is Isle du Bois Campsites — Ray Roberts Lake State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 38 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Lewisville Lake?
TheDyrt.com has all 21 equestrian camping locations near Lewisville Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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