McClellan Creek National Grassland covers 1,449 acres of Texas Panhandle terrain where summer temperatures often exceed 100°F. Located approximately 75 miles east of Amarillo, this grassland region offers camping options across a network of small reservoir sites and developed campgrounds. The area experiences frequent wind, with many campsites situated in open areas that benefit from occasional tree cover.
What to Do
Hiking at Palo Duro Canyon: Located about 65 miles west of the grassland, Palo Duro Canyon State Park offers extensive trail networks. "Great place for Hiking, Biking, and Equestrian events," notes Carol L., who visited in April when temperatures were moderate.
ATV trail exploration: The grassland region includes designated ATV areas. "This area has ATV trails, so I am guessing it might get busy on the weekends," reports one Lake McClellan visitor who camped midweek in October when the trails were less crowded.
Wildlife viewing: Early morning and evening hours provide the best opportunities to spot local wildlife. "We had a great time. Coming from the city the smell of rain, sounds of nature and being able to watch the sunrise gets an A++," writes Genepher about their camping experience.
What Campers Like
Affordable pricing tiers: Lake McClellan Campground offers budget-friendly options. "It cost us $11.50 with our Lifetime Senior Pass with water and electric. Pull through sites. Dump station as you exit," reports Liz R., highlighting the value for those with national passes.
Quiet camping atmosphere: Most campers appreciate the tranquil settings during weekdays. "This campground is maintained and there's a host present. Fees are reasonable ($10 for no water/electric), it's quiet, and we would definitely sleep here again," notes kWrides W. about their stay.
Stargazing opportunities: The open grassland areas provide minimal light pollution for stellar night sky viewing. "Camping areas were very nice, even the hook up areas," states Bj H., who gave the experience five stars despite some facility concerns.
What You Should Know
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Quality and maintenance of restrooms differ between sites. "We were disappointed that the bathrooms and showers were closed until the pandemic is over. It would have been useful to have this information from the Forest Service website," reports Aniko S. about their 2020 visit to Lake McClellan Campground.
Seasonal water conditions: Lake levels fluctuate significantly with drought conditions. "Lake is dried up but lots of ATV trails. $15 with full hook up or $10 with no hook up. Couple hiking trails also listed on the AllTrails app," notes Kelsey S. about current conditions.
Navigation challenges: GPS coordinates are essential as signage is minimal. "Signs on the interstate direct you to the exit, but after that don't expect any other signage to help you find the campground, the only other sign you will get is the National Grasslands sign when you reach the area," warns Dexter I.
Tips for Camping with Families
Alternate swimming options: When local reservoirs are low, Greenbelt Lake offers dedicated swimming areas. "There's a nice playground and sandy beach swim area for the little ones," reports Randall J. about the family facilities available.
Farm animal encounters: Several nearby private campgrounds feature animal interactions. At Texas Route 66 RV Park, "They have some animals in the property that the kids loved seeing! Small dog area but proportionate to the size of the rv park. Great overnight stop!" according to Nicole C.
Storm preparedness: The region experiences severe weather, particularly during spring and early summer. "They have storm shelters available when needed," notes Donna H., an important safety feature for families camping in this tornado-prone region.
Tips from RVers
Pull-through accessibility: Longhorn RV Park offers convenience for larger rigs. "All 12 sites here are pull throughs with FHUs with 15, 30, and 50 AMP on both sides so you can pull in either direction," explains MickandKarla W. about this dog-friendly campground.
Solar power options: For boondockers, positioning is crucial for power generation. "We were on the outer loop and had awesome views of the canyon walls," shares Roger W., noting the advantage of selecting sites with good sun exposure.
Level site selection: Many campers recommend checking site conditions before setup. "All sites are nice and level. A few sites are missing their site numbers which made it a little difficult to figure out which site we were in," advises a visitor who appreciated the attention to terrain grading at campground facilities.
