Dispersed camping near McClellan Creek National Grassland offers visitors remote camping opportunities in the Texas Panhandle region, where summer temperatures often exceed 100°F and winter lows can drop below freezing. The surrounding terrain features rolling plains, scrubland, and dramatic canyon formations. Cellular coverage is spotty throughout the area, with stronger signals available near the towns of Clarendon and Memphis.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The grasslands provide habitat for pronghorn antelope, coyotes, and numerous bird species. At Palo Duro Canyon Lookout, campers can spot wildlife at dawn and dusk. One visitor noted, "Lookout parking area with no restrictions on overnight parking. Great place to see the sunrise over the canyon."
Stargazing: The remote location offers minimal light pollution for exceptional night sky viewing. At SH 207 Palo Duro Canyon Overlook, a camper shared, "I got here around 9 pm expecting the place to be full but I was the only one there. No bathroom, two picnic tables. Beautiful sunset coming in from I-40, woke up to a gorgeous sunrise over the canyon."
Photography: The dramatic canyon landscapes provide numerous photography opportunities, especially during golden hour. A visitor reported, "What a great find. Small lot, but stunning views of the canyon below and enough room for the low traffic it seems like this sees. Some Verizon signal but only by the fence line."
What campers like
Solitude and quiet: Many dispersed sites offer peaceful settings away from crowds. At Greenbelt Reservoir Dispersed, one camper shared, "This was an excellent camp site. Super quite! We had the entire area to ourself. There was one other camper parked a few spots down but they weren't there all evening."
Weather watching: The open landscape provides panoramic views of approaching weather systems. A camper at Greenbelt Reservoir noted, "We had a spot right by the water and watched a storm roll through off in the distance."
Accessible parking: Most sites accommodate various vehicle sizes without difficult terrain to navigate. One RVer at Palo Duro Canyon Lookout mentioned, "No amenities, but good boondocking spot for the night. Got lucky with cooler overnight temps in June."
What you should know
Limited facilities: Most dispersed camping areas lack basic amenities. A camper at Memphis City Park shared, "Hookups are 30 or 50 amp. There is water at each site but it was off for season. Pay at the police station. There is a Dropbox with envelopes. $15 a night."
Safety considerations: Some parking lot camping areas may feel exposed. One camper noted, "This is a beautiful overlook but a pretty long drive with no cell coverage or amenities. Although it may be a good option for people with an RV setup, as a solo female with just an SUV to sleep in, I felt too exposed to stay here."
Wind exposure: The flat terrain offers little protection from high winds. A visitor explained, "The weather was great, but then the wind picked up big time at night. Maybe it was just that day, though. I had a rooftop tent that was just blowing around and was really loud which made it hard to get any sleep."
Tips for camping with families
Pack accordingly: Prepare for temperature extremes and limited shade. A camper recommended, "I went in the summer, and it got pretty hot with temperatures in the 90s°F, so bring plenty of water. I can imagine winter would be chilly, down to the 30s°F, so dress accordingly."
Security concerns: Some areas have reported maintenance issues. One visitor to Memphis City Park cautioned, "We were disappointed by the amount of trash around the area. Also was a homeless person staying in a tent. The person let his dog roam and almost got into fights with our German Shepherd."
Site selection: For families with young children, look for areas away from canyon edges. A camper advised, "It's a fenced area that has a great view and picnic tables. There's also trash cans. You can probably pitch a tent in the small grass area, otherwise you have to camp in the parking lot in your vehicle."
Tips from RVers
Overnight stopover: Many RVers use these dispersed sites as economical one-night stops during longer journeys. A traveler shared, "Perfect spot to spend our last night out before reaching Springtown and the granddaughters. We had a spot right by the water."
Limited services: Come fully self-contained as hookups are rare. One RVer noted, "Stayed overnight here on the way through. Looks like at some point in time. This was a pretty busy place with houses and a marina on the opposite side of the lake. There is an established campground, a little farther away from where I stayed but no sign of anyone around."
Site accessibility: Most areas can accommodate larger rigs. A camper mentioned, "A roadside park with two shelters. I didn't spend the night, but I didn't see any reason why someone couldn't stay. I wouldn't feel comfortable in a tent, but in an RV, I would be fine."
