Tent camping near Little Elm, Texas offers both lakeside and woodland options within a 30-mile radius of town. The area sits at approximately 550 feet elevation with hot summers where temperatures regularly exceed 95°F between June and September. Fall and spring provide milder camping conditions with temperatures ranging from 65-85°F during the day and cooler nights.
What to do
Hiking and biking trails: Erwin Park features about 9 miles of trails maintained by DORBA. "Great easy spot for day camping or easy car camping with family. Good fire pits and great pavilion at the group site if you can get it. Best mountain bike single tracks around with lots of built features," notes Brian in his Erwin Park review.
Paddling sports: The calm waters of Lake Lewisville provide opportunities for kayaking and paddle boarding. "Really nice park right on the lake, but it does get a bit crowded. We arrived on a Saturday around noon and took what seemed to be the last spot. Really nice, secluded campground for being so close to suburbs. Great for hammocking, kayaking, paddle boarding etc.," shares Hannah F. about Sycamore Bend Park.
Fishing: Several parks offer fishing access with varying amenities. "Small RV park on the lake, quiet and shaded," reports Alice R. about Black Creek Lake NF Campground. Local anglers often visit during daytime hours at most lakeside camping areas.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campgrounds with well-maintained bathrooms receive higher ratings. "Porta potties were incredibly clean and a main bathroom area featured showers and very clean as well. Closes to public after 530 and management made it easy for us to enter the gate upon our late arrival," writes Melanie G. about her experience at Meadowmere Park & Campground.
Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate adequate spacing at Erwin Park. "Campsites are far enough apart that you have privacy yet close enough that you don't feel alone," notes James_TrueZoneCoaching.
Natural setting: The ability to camp in wooded areas close to urban centers appeals to many. "I've had many great experiences at this park it's a ways out of the way of the city noise. The only sound other than bird song is the occasional moo and some coyote yips in the distance," writes Riley W. about Erwin Park.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds near Little Elm operate on a first-come basis, which can be challenging during peak times. "We arrived on a Saturday around noon and took what seemed to be the last spot," mentions Hannah F. about Sycamore Bend Park.
Site limitations: Some campgrounds restrict vehicle access. "No access to drive to the actual site so I couldn't use my RTT but it's a short walk from where you park," explains Hannah F. about Sycamore Bend Park.
Fee changes: Camping costs can increase without notice. "The price has gone up from $7 to $20, but that's about average it seems now," reports Taylin B. about Sycamore Bend Park.
Bathroom considerations: Facility quality varies significantly between parks. "The only thing I would change is the bathroom facilities, there are no doors at all!" notes Amy L. about her experience at Erwin Park.
Tips for camping with families
Trail safety awareness: When camping at locations with mountain biking trails, teach children about trail etiquette. "The trail network is about 9 miles and maintained by DORBA... Runners, hikers, walkers go one direction and bikes go the opposite. It gets pretty busy on the weekends with bikers so if you're on foot keep your eyes & ears open to avoid being in the middle of a pileup," advises James_TrueZoneCoaching about Erwin Park.
Playground options: Some campgrounds include recreational areas for children. "The park has a good pavilion with a basketball hoop and good playground equipment," mentions Chris K. about Sycamore Bend Park.
Weekend crowding: Plan for busier conditions Friday through Sunday. "This park is leased from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and operated by the Town of Hickory Creek... This camp site is very popular with the boy and cub scout troops in the North Dallas Metroplex area," notes Chris K.
Tips from RVers
Access considerations: Not all camping areas accommodate larger vehicles. "I would NOT recommend taking any kind of trailer or motorhome down these roads and to this spot. To give you an idea- we drove a Toyota 4Runner and a small utility trailer with a roof top tent on it," advises Michelle T. about Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland Dispersed Camping.
Site selection: For those with smaller trailers, some areas can work well with planning. "We enjoyed our overnight stay near the trailhead. We weren't sure about the accessibility to the trailhead road with our 23 foot travel trailer so we opted to stay off road 904, where the horse trailers park, since there were some nice flat spots," shares UnnamedAdventures about Tadra Point Trailhead & Campground.
