Are you planning a tent camping trip to McClellan Creek National Grassland? We've got you covered. Find the best tent camping sites near McClellan Creek National Grassland. Search nearby tent campsites or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Campground has pullouts for campers. Opportunities include day use and overnight camping.
These tent-only campsites are in the Cactus or Fortress Cliff areas. Water is in the campground, but not at each site. Restrooms with showers are 1/2 - 2 miles away. Picnic table Fire ring Water nearby Shade shelter These are drive-up sites, you do not have to backpack to them. Tent camping only. No pop-up campers, travel trailers, or motor homes are allowed in this area. Map: https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/park_maps/pwd_mp_p4506_007g.pdf
$16 / night
Scout
The campground has basic amenities like water, restrooms, and picnic tables at most sites, ensuring a comfortable stay for both RV and tent campers. While the park can get busy, Hackberry often provides a quieter experience compared to some of the other campgrounds in the area. You might encounter native wildlife like idle breakout roadrunners, wild turkeys, and even deer, which adds to the natural charm.
Guide
Fortress Cliff is definitely one of the more primitive sites in the park. Porta potties only whereas some have full showers and flush toilets. Sites are spacious and shaded making this still a great site.
Guide
This place is so beautiful! We came here with a group but it was so secluded that you’d never know. There are so many was to stay and enjoy as well!
Scout
Right n the edge of town. All pull throughs with FHU. Did not use the facilities. About 2/3 of the campground were permanent residents. We felt safe. It is located at the end of a runway but there were minimal traffic. Verizon poor, wifi non-existent. Moderate noise from I40. Great for an overnighter. My kind of campground. Put $34 in an envelope on go pick your spot.
Guide
The Grand Canyon of Texas. Nice camping sites. Excellent trail system. Breathtaking views. No cell phone service with Spectrum.
ScoutWhen we drove up it was unclear where to inquire for a spot. No one stays in office. It's on the honor system. Drop a envelope with payment on slot on office door and pick a spot. It was clean and quiet. Nice spot to park overnight while traveling.
Scout
This campground is maintained and there’s a host present. Fees are reasonable (10$ for no water/electric), it’s quiet, and we would definitely sleep here again.
Guide
Traveling from KY to AZ. 36 foot fifth wheel, tow vehicle and second car. Stopped here for 2 nights. Site 85. 50/30/20A and water. No sewer, but 2 dump stations in park. After backing in (very easy) realized it can be used as a pull through entering in front of site 87. Very roomy site. Covered picnic table and fire ring/grill. Didn't use restrooms or showers, but they were clean. Most of site is red dirt, but parked on asphalt and picnic table is on concrete pad. Close to level. If you've never been here, the Mesquite camp area is like 5 or 6 miles past the park entrance gate. Steep grade into canyon and curvy road. Now for the experience. Although some would complain about some things in this park we were able to overlook any problems (we had none anyway) because it was so beautiful. This is the nicest park we've been to in several years. Great scenery, trails everywhere and wildlife. We saw mule deer, roadrunners, rabbits, turkey, lizards, huge centipede, longhorns and lots of birds. Sat at bird viewing station behind the tradepost for a while and saw many different birds. It was hot during the day and cool at night in September. Would definitely stay again. If ess are listed they will include fees for 3 vehicles.
GuideNice overnight stop for the price. There were longhorn cows and llamas that came up to the fence in the back of the park. Close to town yet in the country. Full-time residents there but are quiet.
Scout
Great spot for horse lovers! The facilities are basic but perfect for a fun camping experience with your horses. Just remember to book in advance!
LegendWonderful huge park with an abundance of wildlife. Horseback riding, hiking, bike trails, glancing and more.
Traveler
About 5 miles into the canyon past the entrance. I arrived after check-in hours and they had my packet waiting for me at the entrance. 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. Great access to the Juniper trail with the cave— definitely worth checking out. Saw a baby scorpion in the bathroom sink, but pretty clean bathroom facilities. Biggest downside besides the heat was the relentless biting flies.
GuideWe spent 3 nights in the Mesquite Camping loop. Our site included 30/50amp electric service and water connection. Dump station available on the main road out of the park. The weather was perfect. We arrived after a cold front pushed thru. The days were cool and sunny. Perfect for trail hikes and bike rides. Night skies were clear for star gazing. There is a steep 10% grade down from park HQ to the campgrounds. Roads are in good shape. Campsites are spacious. Ours was plenty long enough for our 35ft rv and truck. We saw several big 5th wheels in the same loop. TMobile 5G service was strong. No WiFi available. Bath house nearby with endless hot water to clean up from the dusty trail hikes.
Guide
This is a 1 star facility, but it gets 5 stars for what it provides. When you are traveling thru and just need a place with water and electricity, that place is free. There is even a water park in the park.
This is not a place to enjoy, but it is a God send when needing a place to stay while traveling.
TravelerPositives: Beautiful site and large! We were on the outer loop and had awesome views of the canyon walls Wildlife at camp - saw roadrunner and heard coyotes at night (eerie but also magical)! Staff were amazing! We came in after the entrance station closed and they had a packet with our name on it waiting for us with maps and more in it!
Downfalls: Only port-a potties If you were on the inner part of the loop you might not have as great of a view looking at other sites instead… Lots of bugs
Overall this would’ve been the PERFECT camp site minus the few downfalls. We would 1000% come back again!
GuideI grew up in Dallas and am sad to say that I didn't know about Palo Duro. The canyon sneaks up on you, literally. There's no foreshadowing until you turn onto the canyon road and then it appears if out of nowhere...majestic, serene, simply breathtaking.
Facilities are excellent and fellow campers, polite. The park has an excellent gift shop with quality silver and native art. I can't wait for my next visit.
ScoutWhat an incredible entrance! We unhooked our toad before heading into the canyon, and I'm glad we did. The drive was stunning, especially for us Floridians not used to such drops. Our site was beautifully wooded, though cell service was minimal down in the canyon love tester online. Definitely a must-visit if you're in the Texas panhandle.
GuideRead some reviews where they stated they didn't unhook their toad upon heading to the canyon. Well I'm glad we did, being from Florida we don't have drops like this. What a drive. Loved our site, very wooded. Not much if any cell service as you are down in a canyon. This is a must stay if you're in the panhandle of Texas.
RangerOur 2nd visit here, glad we came back. Just spectacular scenery & hiking. Mesquite loop is great, and quiet.
Only negative, and it's minor, is the park is always under a burn ban, so plan accordingly for your meals. No fires or charcoal grills allowed.
GuideTour with my husband and adult son in march 2024
Stayed at 082 at the Mesquite.
Bathrooms they had , a little cold water.
We got there at a super hot day , and decied to do walk before park the RV 28 foot to our spot. Since it was later in day and I wanted to go to the lighthouse.
Great to walk in trail s there ,bring lot s of water and some snack.
walked for hours then back to the RV and down to the campground
Very open spot with view of the mountains around , can see the other campers too.
had this overbuild patio to sit under if wanted.
Funny thing tought it was very hot the day we arravied ,the next morning I dressed up in my normal camping shorts and sandals and hoodie early in the morning , the temperatures was dropped a lot true the night and i got out of the RV with my coffee in my hand and tought I was going to sit outside in my chair and enjoy it . I backed inside rapid and got leggings and boots on ,then I could enjoy the view of the sun raise.
ScoutSites 1-9 are pretty close to the main park road that quieted down once it got dark.
LegendEquestrian: at Paul Duro, State, Park (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)
Overall Rating: 3.5 this is a nice secluded area campsites do not seem that well defined to me. I don’t believe there are any restrooms here. A nice looking equestrian area (see pictures below) with water available for horses. Since I’m not an equestrian guy, check with visitor center for specifics. Looks pretty god, but I’d wish for bathrooms on site. Security: at park entrance Usage during visit: empty Site Privacy: no Site surface: dirt Reservations: Yes Outside Road Noise: not noticeable Through Traffic in campground: no Electric Hookup: no Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: available down the road Potable Water Available: yes Bathroom: no down the road Showers: down the road Pull Throughs: yes Cell Service (AT&T): one bar Setting: open in Area West Canyon walls on both Recent Weather: 30 to 70s Solar: definitely Insects: none Host: not on site Rig Size: large rigs can fit Sites: there are no site numbers
LegendSites are pretty open. They are good for large rigs. Most if not all sites have shaded picnic areas. Bathroom/ shower is available. RV dump is nearby.
LegendHackberry in Palo Duro 3/24 Overall Rating: 4.25 Our site, # 10 is close to a 5 out of 5. Many sites would be less than that, in my opinion, because of the lack of privacy. See below Security: Yes. At park entrance. Usage during visit: 60 to 95% full during our week here Site Privacy: ours and some others are great. The sites I listed below have pretty good visual privacy from adjacent sites. Site Spacing: Most sites have good spacing . Pad surface: blacktop Reservations: You better make them well in advance. Campground Noise: Quiet Outside Road Noise: Sites 1-9 will have traffic noise from the park road. Through Traffic in campground: No Electric Hookup: Yes Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: Yes Potable Water Available: At site Bathroom: Clean flush toilets Showers: Yes. Curtained Pull Throughs: Some Cell Service (AT&T): 1 to 2 bars. Short drive for 3 bars Setting: Deciduous forest in the canyon Recent Weather: 30s to upper 60s Insects: None Rig Size: Medium rigs. No large rigs are here Sites: 2,4,6,8 are in an open area. I don’t like these sites, but they do have nice rock formations to look at from these sites. 1-9 are closest to park road traffic of the sites in this campground. Some of the nicest sites.: 10( ours, nay be the best site here), 11 13. 16 18 30 32 31 33 Okay sites: 21 23
LegendJuniper CG - Paul Duro : (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)
Overall Rating: 4 – secluded campground all outside sites are nice. Security: @Park entrance Usage during visit: 50% Site Privacy: junipers offer a degree of privacy Site Spacing: pretty good except some of the inside sites back up to Pad surface: Blacktop Reservations: Yes Campground Noise: Quiet Outside Road Noise: not noticeable Through Traffic in campground: no Electric Hookup: yes Sewer Hookup: no Dump Station: down the road Potable Water Available: at the sites Bathroom: flush toilet Showers: yes Pull Throughs: many Cell Service (AT&T): one bar Setting: scattered junipers and deciduous trees with nice view of Canyon walls on both sides of the canyon. Recent Weather: 30 to 70 Insects: none Host: two park hosts are at the campground Rig Size: large rigs are here Sites: my favorite sites: 97,99, 100 101 103, 105, 107, 109, 111 (a bit closer to the road), 113 (close to the road.) 110. Most inner loop sites aren’t very private. The best ones are among my list above.
LegendFORTRESS CLIFF Rating: 3.5 as not a lot of visual privacy from adjacent sites. However the view of cliffs is very clear Security: at park entrance Usage during visit: 50% Site Privacy: No Site Spacing: Fair Parking Pad: gravel Reservations: Yes Campground Noise: Quiet during my short visit Outside Road Noise: Some sites are near the park road. Through Traffic in campground: No Electric Hookup: No Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: Yes Potable Water Available: Scattered spigots Generators: Check Bathroom: Portable toilets Showers: At Hackberry CG Cell Service (AT&T): one bar here. Setting: under deciduous trees with canyon walls, viewable on both sides of the cg. Recent Weather: 30s to 70s Solar: Definitely Insects: None Host: not on site Sites: Sites: my favorites: 49,47, 45,43, 41* 37(close to the park Road, but on the outside perimeter of the loop.)
LegendMesquite CG Dash Paul Duro: (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)
Overall Rating: 5 this is a spectacular Campground. Every site has a view. My favorite sites are listed below. But all sites have the advantage of a view of beautiful geology surrounding the campground. I would say this is the best campground in the park. Price 2023: $ w interagency pass Security: a Park entrance Usage during visit: 70% Site Privacy: varies. Where privacy lax, the view compensates Site Spacing: good., Most Site surface: soil surface Reservations: Yes Campground Noise: Pretty quiet Outside Road Noise: sites near the park Through Traffic in campground: no Electric Hookup: yes Sewer Hookup: no Dump Station: available Potable Water Available: out sites Bathroom: flush toilets Showers: yes Pull Throughs: there are Cell Service (AT&T): two Setting: alongside beautiful red Cliffs Recent Weather: 30 to 70s Insects: none Host: I did not see one at the campground. They are around. Rig Size: there are large Riggs here. Sites: 96, 94,92 90 89, 88,87 81, 79, 78,77
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near McClellan Creek National Grassland?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near McClellan Creek National Grassland is McDowell Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near McClellan Creek National Grassland?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 tent camping locations near McClellan Creek National Grassland, with real photos and reviews from campers.
