McClellan Creek National Grassland offers RV and tent camping opportunities in the Texas Panhandle region. The grassland covers approximately 1,449 acres of public land with elevations ranging from 2,900 to 3,100 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 90-100°F while winters can drop to below freezing, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons.
What to do
Hiking trails: At Palo Duro Canyon State Park, approximately 90 miles from McClellan Creek, visitors can access numerous trails. "Great area to hike, camp, and mountain bike. It does get hot in summer months," notes one visitor about the Juniper Campground.
ATV riding: Lake McClellan Campground provides designated ATV trails for off-road enthusiasts. "This area has ATV trails, so I am guessing it might get busy on the weekends," reports a visitor about the Lake McClellan Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The grasslands support diverse wildlife including turkeys, which campers often spot near their sites. "The turkeys were walking around the campsites. Our camp host rode around talking to all campers on his jeep," shares one camper about their experience at Palo Duro Canyon.
What campers like
Honor system camping: Many campgrounds operate with minimal supervision. "We arrived and had no problems finding this nice little RV park for an overnighter. We had called prior to arrival for reservations and were told there would be no problem getting a site," explains a camper about Longhorn RV Park.
Farm animals: Some RV parks feature animal attractions. "Cute overnight stop with some farm animals on the property. Very helpful owners. Lead us right to our site," shares one visitor about Texas Route 66 RV Park.
Well-designed sites: Campers appreciate thoughtful campsite layouts. "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. There is also a picnic table and cool little bbq," reports a visitor at Longhorn RV Park.
What you should know
Weather considerations: The Texas Panhandle experiences extreme temperature variations and seasonal changes. "It was about 105 when I got in at 5pm in July (to be expected), but cooled down some overnight with a bit of rain. Biggest downside besides the heat was the relentless biting flies," warns a camper at Juniper Campground.
Highway noise: Many RV parks near McClellan Creek National Grassland are situated close to Interstate 40. "Right next to the highway and train that runs through the night so if that bothers you I wouldn't suggest this spot," advises a camper about Watson RV Park.
Bathroom conditions: Bathroom maintenance varies between campgrounds. "Camping areas were very nice, even the hook up areas, was very disappointed in the port a potties and the other bathrooms with showers, they were filthy and trash was full," reports a visitor to Lake McClellan Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Animal attractions: Children enjoy the farm animals at some RV parks. "They have farm animals onsite to visit, great for the kids! Pet friendly," recommends a visitor about Texas Route 66 RV Park.
Safety features: Some campgrounds offer storm shelters for protection during severe weather. "One interesting item is the storm shelter. I guess in tornado county it could be helpful," notes a camper about Texas Route 66 RV Park.
Recreation opportunities: Parks may include play areas for children. "There is a large field to walk your pups. Great views and sunsets," mentions a camper about Longhorn RV Park, highlighting the open space available for family activities.
Tips from RVers
Pull-through accessibility: Many rv campgrounds near McClellan Creek National Grassland feature convenient pull-through sites. "We needed a spot to rest for the night and stopped here. It's an honor system $20/night. Water and electric and level so we didn't have to unhook," shares a visitor at Watson RV Park.
Extended stay options: Some parks accommodate longer visits with weekly or monthly rates. "We stayed here for two weeks while traveling for renewable energy work in the area. They had very affordable daily, weekly, and monthly rates," mentions a camper about Texas Route 66 RV Park.
Local services: Nearby towns provide essential services for RVers. "Only 5 minutes away from the town of Shamrock, TX which has multiple fuel options, grocery market and ace hardware. They have some cute shops too. Multiple propane options within an hour of each direction," advises a camper about Texas Route 66 RV Park.
