Camping areas around Little Elm, Texas cluster primarily along the shores of Lewisville Lake and Ray Roberts Lake, providing accessible outdoor recreation within 30-45 minutes of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The region features relatively flat terrain with elevations around 600 feet and moderate tree cover that creates natural site separation at many campgrounds. Weather patterns include hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 95°F between June-September, making waterfront sites particularly valuable during peak season.
What to do
Waterfront activities: Sycamore Bend Park provides direct lake access for kayaking and paddleboarding. "Really nice park right on the lake... Great for hammocking, kayaking, paddle boarding etc.," notes Hannah F., though she warns "we arrived on a Saturday around noon and took what seemed to be the last spot."
Mountain biking trails: Erwin Park offers approximately 9 miles of maintained trails. James explains they're "straight forward and not super technical. Runners, hikers, walkers go one direction and bikes go the opposite." The trail system is maintained by DORBA (Dallas Off-Road Bicycle Association) and can flood easily after rain.
Fishing opportunities: The coves around Johnson Branch at Ray Roberts Lake State Park provide prime fishing spots. Grace B. observed "if you're a fisherman there's easy access to a couple of coves that look like they would be great fishing spots," adding that sites in the Dogwood Canyon area offer a mix of privacy and convenience.
What campers like
Space between sites: Hickory Creek on Lewisville Lake receives consistent praise for site spacing. Reynolds O. describes "a lot of space between sites, well level and paved, family oriented, very quite, beautiful lake and tree sites, lighted power supply post with all the amps available."
Wildlife viewing: The natural settings support diverse wildlife sightings. At Isle du Bois, Kerry C. mentions "you see deer every trip," while at Erwin Park, Riley W. says "the only sound other than bird song is the occasional moo and some coyote yips in the distance."
Beach areas: Multiple campgrounds feature designated swimming areas. Summer A. described Willow Grove Park's facilities as having "a park with slides and swings. The lake was warm and there was a little 'beach' for swimming- I would recommend water shoes and floaties!"
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most lakeside campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer weekends. For Pilot Knoll Park, Courtney B. warns "this isn't a large park and it can be difficult to get a reservation but it is so conveniently located basically in the middle of the Metroplex."
Park security varies: Some campgrounds lack controlled access, affecting security and noise levels. At Willow Grove Park, Reynolds O. mentions "no 5 stars because anybody can access in and out at anytime, that makes it not very quite do to traffic driving around."
Site selection factors: Waterfront sites provide views but often have less privacy. At Hickory Creek, Susan L. explains "sites on the point have few trees and wide open spaces, but the lake view is expansive. In my opinion a few of the best sites are on a little peninsula (sites 91, 92, 93 looked prime) with a little sandy beach and access into a cove of the lake."
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. Jessica H. describes Pilot Knoll as having "lots of shade, and many spots are very close to the water. The camping area has lots of shade, and many spots are very close to the water...There is a playground for the kids, and even a Little Free Library."
Wildlife education: The natural area provides opportunities for nature learning. Sarah E. shared her Cub Scouts experience at Johnson Branch, noting "We learned what native plants we can eat!"
Consider primitive vs. developed sites: Choose sites based on your family's comfort level with facilities. At Isle du Bois, Christopher L. advises about the Wild Plum primitive area: "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."
Tips from RVers
Dog friendly campgrounds near Little Elm: Most area campgrounds accommodate pets with reasonable restrictions. Christina H. recommends The Retreat at Shady Creek, noting the fence line sites "always come with plenty of grass to walk the dogs" and mentions "the sites are fairly spacious, especially compared to other RV resorts."
Dump station locations: Not all parks offer sewer hookups at sites. Luis at Hickory Creek shares "the sewage hook up is not at the actual site. There are dump stations in different places." Similarly, Mia D. notes about Willow Grove Park that the "dump station is near the middle school outside the park so had to drive our tote 1/4-1/2 mile up the street with a decent amount of traffic."
Winter camping comfort: For off-season camping, Eric R. recommends Isle du Bois, noting "There are few campers here in December. Restrooms were clean. Campsites, large and private." Most campgrounds in the area remain open year-round with reduced occupancy during winter months.
