Camping near McKinney, Texas primarily occurs in the Blackland Prairie ecological region, characterized by clay soils and elevations ranging from 500-700 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 95°F with high humidity, while winter lows can drop to the 30s. The camping season extends year-round with spring and fall offering the most moderate weather conditions for outdoor activities.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Erwin Park in McKinney offers extensive single-track trails for cyclists of various skill levels. "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 review of Erwin Park.
Lake activities: Willow Grove Park provides access to Lake Lewisville for boating and fishing. A camper reports, "Beautiful park with views to the lake. Very clean showers, nice trails…very family friendly. Enjoyed our quick overnight," according to Bryan A. who stayed at Willow Grove Park.
Shoreline hiking: Follow the waterfront trails at Lavon Lake's East Fork Park where you can observe local wildlife. "Great views of the water and wildflowers in the meadows. Reasonable price. Everything works and the shaded picnic tables are a plus," says Melanie and Doug G. about their experience at East Fork Park.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: The Isle du Bois unit at Ray Roberts Lake State Park offers well-separated campsites. "The primitive sites in the Hawthorne campgrounds are spaced a good distance apart and really give you a feel of isolation. Sites on the perimeter all have lake access where you can pull a boat up," writes Matt S. about Isle du Bois Campsites.
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds near McKinney allow for deer and bird watching. A camper at Erwin Park mentions, "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," as Riley W. reports.
Modern facilities: Hidden Cove Park & Marina maintains clean, modern restrooms and shower facilities. "RV and tent sites are spacious. Lots of lake access from sites. They also have cabins for rent. The staff is friendly," according to Mel B.'s review of Hidden Cove Park & Marina.
What you should know
Seasonal crowds: Some parks become extremely busy during peak seasons. "I've been coming to this state park for over 20 years. It's very well kept, you see deer every trip, it's just very busy. We used to come out and there would be just a few families, now it's very very busy," says Kerry C. about Ray Roberts Lake State Park.
Maintenance issues: Several campgrounds have aging infrastructure that may affect your experience. "The roads are in need of repair, with numerous potholes, some very large, but the attendant did say that the park was on the CoEs list for repairs," reports Ray & Terri F. about East Fork Park Campground.
Security considerations: Some campgrounds lack controlled access after hours. "The park is technically closed at 10pm but there's no gate and technically anyone can drive in any time. I saw the police drive through often, but it still didn't feel as secure as other campsites I've been to," notes Joyce L. about Willow Grove Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. "There are several playground areas central to the various campgrounds with easy access for your family. Showers and restrooms are close by the playgrounds as well," mentions Matt S. from his stay at Isle du Bois.
Swimming areas: Look for designated swimming beaches at lake campgrounds. "There is also a fantastic beach swim area for day use or to visit while your camping. Nice sand and roped off swimming areas with large playgrounds," according to Matt S. at Ray Roberts Lake State Park.
Primitive camping with kids: Some parks offer walk-in sites that aren't far from parking. "The trail path to the campsites is further than indicated or implied on the website, which isn't a problem if you're packed light, but if you're car camping with heavy equipment you will be surprised how far it is," shares Christopher L. about his experience at Isle du Bois.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose sites based on seasonal considerations. "Very big campground, you see deer every trip. If you want to avoid crowds, stay in the Hawthorne 'primitive' area. The sites vary from being 20 feet from the parking lot to half a mile out or so, but most people flock to the more formal campsites," advises Gretchen N. from her experience at Isle du Bois.
Dump station locations: Not all parks have convenient dump stations. "Dump station is near the middle school outside the park so had to drive our tote 1/4-1/2 mile up the street with a decent amount of traffic," notes Mia D. about Willow Grove Park.
Site leveling: Be prepared for uneven sites at some parks. "Our site was very unlevel on the hill, so bring your chocks. It rained and rained while we were there, but we still had a nice time with the grandkids," advises Cheryl D. about her stay at Lavonia Park.
