9 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Tent camping opportunities around Meridian, Texas include several established campgrounds with primitive facilities. Cedar Creek Park Campground on Lake Whitney offers tent sites with drive-in and walk-in access, picnic tables, and drinking water. The De Cordova Bend area provides free tent camping with a 10-day maximum stay limit, situated directly on the Brazos River. Constantino Farms has secluded tent sites accessible via drive-in or walk-in routes.
Most tent campsites in the Meridian area feature dirt or gravel pads with minimal improvements. Cedar Creek Park Campground provides vault toilets, fire rings, and covered picnic tables at most sites, though shower facilities are not available. De Cordova Bend campground typically has picnic tables and grills, but bathroom facilities are limited, with reviews noting portable toilets that can be affected by weather conditions. Campers should bring sufficient water supplies, as drinking water access varies significantly between locations. Most primitive tent areas permit campfires, with firewood available at select locations like Constantino Farms.
The tent camping experience near Meridian offers opportunities for wildlife viewing and water-based recreation. De Cordova Bend provides access to fishing, swimming, and boating on the Brazos River. One camper noted that "the park is busy with boating, swimming, and fishing day use traffic but only 3 or 4 campsites are occupied with tents or RV." Cedar Creek Park Campground features "mature oak tree shade" with "quiet, lots of wildlife," according to visitor reviews. Sites typically have good spacing, allowing for privacy between campers. Summer months can be crowded at some locations, with reviews suggesting off-season visits for a more secluded tent camping experience. The lake at Cedar Creek is described as "a super clean rock bottom one," making it suitable for swimming directly from tent camping areas.
"Great place for smaller RVs and tent camping. Clean, free, vault toilet. There is a small beach area and campsites are on rocky outcroppings to the water."
"We enjoyed this free campsite as we were making our way down to San Antonio, Texas. It had a water spicket, which was perfect for nomad living."
"Only a small amount of campsites, big open fields and mature oak tree shade. Water at most and firerings are provided next to covered picnic tables."
"Spaced out. Most had grill and water access and the lake is a super clean rock bottom one. Super peaceful."
"Has several picnic tables, grills and a public boat ramp. Free to camp with a 10 day max. It was very clean and there were many deer in the area all night."
"Bathrooms are closed, but there is a Porta potty that was knocked over by the wind. Lots of sun and just a little shade, arrive early for a treed spot or bring shade awnings."
from $45 / night
Check Availability"I grew going to owl creek , as a kid alot of fond memories good fishing and swimming camping as well , play a game if dominos have a picnic and relax under a shade have a campfire roast marshmallows"
from $30 - $40 / night
from $25 - $47 / night
RangerWe camped at site 31 which is a primitive tent only site. The sites are HUGE!!! tons of space between you and the next site. Sites are level and easy to find a spot to pitch your tent.
Set up a camp chair, bust out your fishing gear and kick back and relax while watching the amazing sunset over Lake Meridian.
LegendNice camping spot for families. I chose to camp in the north primitive hike-in sites across the river. It was pretty hot but I still had a good time exploring the hiking trails. If you go hiking, take a map and of course extra water. My map came in handy a couple of times as I was hiking as the actual trails led me off track a few times.
I stayed in the primitive camping area. You hike between 1-2.5 miles across the river to sites. If the river is too high these sites may be closed. Water is only available at the trailhead. These sites are primitive so they do not have showers, restrooms, picnic tables or water.
Other sites available:
LegendPros
Not charged a fee to make my own on-line reservation
Friendly gate attendant
Level asphalt site surrounded by crushed granite
Grass neatly mowed throughout campground
Large aluminum picnic table that is moveable from site concrete pad
BBQ grill, metal fire pit and lantern pole
Night sky friendly. No street lights
Spacious-space between each site but no privacy due to lack of vegetation
Very quiet Sunday thru Wednesday nights except for Waco airport aircraft approach and Space X rocket testing
Entrance gate locked 10pm-6am. Exit only permitted
Clean toilets and showers
Plenty of TP in restrooms
Trash can in toilet/shower facility
Sufficient trash dumpsters throughout park
Deer sightings at Park entrance only
2 LTE Verizon bars signal
Cons
Exterior restroom doors desperately need repaired. Have to move rock away from door to gain access.
Sewer connection at rear of parking pad. Bring the looooong stinky slinky!
Waco airport aircraft departing/arriving as early as 6am and as late as 11pm. One night we counted aircraft performing touch and go manuvers 42 times. Approach was directly over our campsite.
No patrolling host or ranger
No soap or hand towels in toilet facility
No playground, basketball or tennis or volleyball courts
No lake swimming area
No park WIFI
No hiking trails
LegendThis park is a short drive to all of Waco attractions including the famous Silos. We stayed Friday and Saturday nights.
Pros:
• Very friendly gate attendant
• Extremely quiet park except for arriving/departing aircraft at Waco Regional Airport
• Great view of the lake as trees/shrubs are minimal
• Clean campsite
• Very clean campfire pit
• Most sites had a nice distance from neighbor sites
• Crushed granite surrounds the site’s asphalt parking pad so no muddy mess after rain
• Pedestal BBQ grill, fire pit with grilling grate and aluminum picnic table at each site
• Some sites had aluminum roof pavilion over picnic table
• Some sites had lantern pole
• Park roadways in good condition
• Entrance gate locked at 10pm
• Plenty of TP in women’s restroom
• 4 bar signal AT&T
Cons:
• Filthy women’s restroom. Human feces on floor. Two of the three stalls locked for days. One remaining stall the door would not close and latch. Sign posted on door that restrooms were cleaned Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, but the human feces were on the floor Friday night, Saturday all day and Sunday morning. Exterior door would not close completely.
• No water to sinks in women’s restroom
• No soap dispenser and no hand dryer in women’s restroom
• Men’s restroom door locked Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning
• Exterior door to one shower room was unable to be closed
• Extremely low water pressure to campsite
• No site privacy due to minimal trees/brush throughout the park
• Low hanging tree branches over roadway and campsite pad
• Our campsite pedestal BBQ grill was extremely corroded
• No wildlife sightings- not even a squirrel
• NOT A DARK SKY FRIENDLY CAMPGROUND! Boat launch lights across the cove lit up most of the campground. Large lights on the toilet/shower building that made it nearly as bright as daylight!
LegendPROS
Saved $24.50 with Texas State Park Pass
No fee charged for making on-line reservations
Got a call the morning of arrival from park headquarters confirming my arrival
Site 3 was immaculate upon arrival, even the crushed gravel raked.
Site 3 level
Site 3 has aluminum picnic table, metal firepit with cooking grate and 2 hook lantern pole all in good condition
Site 3 afternoon shade
Campground loop toilet/shower facility immaculate
30 minute drive to Waco attractions
2 bar T MOBILE
CONS
20 total campsites but 2 are used for camp hosts
Picnic table chained to ground so not moveable and it was 30 ft from camper
Lots of road noise from TX236
One toilet/shower facility for the entire park for both day users and 20 campsites
Men’s toilet had urinal and toilets out of service during our 3 night stay
Toilet/shower facility not climate controlled
Lots of feral cats throughout campground
No fire wood for sale in park
No WIFI
GuideOnly a small amount of campsites, big open fields and mature oak tree shade. Water at most and firerings are provided next to covered picnic tables. Quiet, lots of wildlife, has boat ramp and dock as well as large shelter house with bbq for days use by larger groups. First come first served and free. No showers and only a vault toilet.
GuideThe other reviews sum up the area around the cg, so I thought I'd share an opinion of the cg itself. The pads are level concrete with a gravel patio area, a metal picnic table, a nice fire ring and a lantern pole. The front gate locks at 8:30 but they give you a pass code to get in with. Verizon cell service is pretty good here. We have seen a number of deer here along the outskirts of the camping area, and a rattlesnake crossing the road in front of camp. We didn't use any of the facilities, so I have no opinion there.
LegendReserved 159 days prior
Pros
No reservation fee charged for marking online reservation
50% discount with National Park Pass
Roadways easy to maneuver without any low-hanging branches
Quiet except for middle of the night party animal noise and distant trains
Good dark sky viewing as there are NO street lights in campground
Concrete treads where RV wheels land were level requiring no additional leveling efforts
Metal cover over concrete picnic table
Entrance gate closed10pm-6am so exit only without any reentry until 6am
Saw 1 squirrel and 5 deer
Nice Golf Course next to campground
Nice fishing piers
Plenty TP in toilet/shower rooms
Very nice large group picnic pavilions
3 bars 3G Verizon
Cons
Site consist of sandy gravel which high winds created a dust storm making a gritty mess of everything inside and out
Site water hookup below ground
Campsite had unusual amount of trash and cigarette butts
Campfire ring full of ash and trash upon arrival and there has been a county burn ban for the last 6 months
Campground toilet/shower facility lit up at night like a Christmas tree
County Burn ban, which we discovered ourselves and confirmed by calling park prior to arriving with campfire wood
Upon check-in, friendly woman at gate told us one thing then a man at the gate contradicted the woman regarding charcoal fires
Quiet hours not enforced. 4 toilets for 24 campsites for possible 8 people per campsite PLUS boaters and fishermen. Phew!
Half of park closed during winter so 37 campsites only open April-September
The park 3 dumpsters were overflowing; 1 was over flowing upon our Thursday afternoon arrival and the other 2 were overflowing Sunday morning so we had to pack out our trash
No number sign on our site
No patrolling host or ranger.
No privacy from one campsite to another
No playground, basketball or tennis courts
No campsite BBQ grill
No hiking trails
No soap or hand towels in toilet facility
No trash cans in or outside toilet facility so people threw trash on floor
No WIFI
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Eat at Granny Clark’s in Dublin TX. Blue plate special and buffet. Brookshires Grocery and Tractor Supply in Comanche Stephenville 30 miles from campground has Walmart, H‑E‑B, CVS, Walgreens, but no Lowes or Home Depot.
ScoutWe had limited weekends to take the grandkids camping. It has been raining non stop all over Texas. I began to look for places within 2 hours of Fort Worth. Texas State Parks are a great. I settled on Lake Whitney. They have these shelter sites that are awesome. For $30 per night ($10 per night more than normal e&w site) plus $5 per adult gate fee. That may not be economical for everyone, but $40 for an overnight camp was fine. The shelters are very clean and well kept. Inside is a picnic table and enough floor space for another plus some. So if your tent fails in you go. The top of walls are screened and bottom solid. I set up my camp kitchen and we ate meals inside due to weather. We set up our large tent behind the shelter to block wind from the lake. The site also had it's own parking, another table outside and fire ring. We had site 4 right across from the lake and swimming area. The bath house was very clean and only a short walk. You can fish license free from the shore. There are 5 or 6 moderate hiking trails. Also the park is home to plenty of woodland animals. The 4 yo and I took a 2 am bathroom break and saw a herd of dear about 30 head.
The park is very good for families and fishing.
There are also a boat ramp, small airstrip and day use areas.
The staff is awesome.
Tent camping near Meridian, Texas provides access to lakeside and riverside settings within central Texas. The area experiences hot summers with temperatures often exceeding 95°F and mild winters, with most campgrounds remaining open year-round. Campsites typically sit on limestone terrain with cedar and oak tree coverage varying significantly between locations.
Fishing opportunities: At Iron Bridge, campers find "nice, quiet spot for fishing and walking along the river," according to Amy H. The site includes a "passable boat ramp" and is known for being a "very secluded and low volume area" where visitors can enjoy primitive camping near the water.
Wildlife observation: Visitors to Owl Creek can enjoy natural surroundings where camping, swimming and fishing are popular activities. MaNdy Dee A. recalls fond memories of "play a game of dominos have a picnic and relax under a shade have a campfire roast marshmallows and wieners" at this established campground.
Water recreation: De Cordova Bend offers swimming access directly from camping areas. Jason notes the park "has several picnic tables, grills and a public boat ramp" and mentions "it was very clean and there were many deer in the area all night." The location allows campers to enjoy multiple water activities without relocating.
Natural seclusion: De Cordova Bend provides a peaceful atmosphere during weekdays even in summer months. Alejandro G., who has visited for over a decade, describes it as "far enough away from town to be a peaceful quick getaway" with amenities including "fishing, swimming, camping, and a boat launch."
Wildlife encounters: Cedar Creek Park Campground attracts nature enthusiasts with its abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. Zoey T. found the sites "quiet, spaced out" with most having "grill and water access," adding that camping at the lake is "super peaceful" with clean water conditions.
Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate the maintenance standards at certain Meridian area campgrounds. Hilda H. describes De Cordova Bend as "free and nice when your not sure where to go," while another visitor observed that the park is often "very clean" though bathroom cleanliness can vary.
Weather considerations: Summer camping requires preparation for heat and potentially busy conditions. At Cedar Creek Park Campground, Zoey T. advises campers to "definitely ignore google to get here though... just follow the road to the end (no turning off) there are campsites to your right and left once you reach the water."
Bathroom facilities: Toilet access varies significantly between campgrounds. Sean B. noted at De Cordova Bend that "bathrooms are closed, but there is a Porta potty that was knocked over by the wind," while Iron Bridge offers what Jason O. describes as a "cornhole bathroom" with minimal facilities.
Seasonal timing: Visitor volumes fluctuate throughout the year at most campgrounds. Sean B. was "told by a local, off season is best as July and August are typically overful" at De Cordova Bend, recommending mid-week visits when "only 3 or 4 campsites are occupied with tents or rv" despite busy day-use traffic.
Child-friendly swimming: Hackberry Hills provides tent camping with access to picnic tables and allowance for campfires, making it suitable for family outings. Alexandra F. from a nearby campground describes having "an amazing time with our children" where "you don't have to worry about dirt and glass on the ground."
Activity planning: Bring games and picnic supplies to maximize enjoyment. Families visiting Owl Creek enjoy traditional camping activities like dominoes and marshmallow roasting, creating memorable experiences for children.
Site selection: Arrive early to secure shaded sites during summer months. Sean B. advises campers to "arrive early for a treed spot or bring shade awnings" at De Cordova Bend, noting there's "lots of sun and just a little shade" with a "large open area great to fly kites."
Access limitations: Constantino Farms offers drive-in access but may not accommodate larger RVs. Iron Bridge camper Jason O. cautions it's "not for thin skinned people expecting a beautiful oasis" and is better suited for those comfortable with primitive conditions.
Primitive setup: RVers should bring all necessary supplies as hookups are extremely limited. Iron Bridge provides "no ele or water" according to Jason O., who recommends "having some sort of personal protection for the critters that come in the wee hours of the night."
Seasonal conditions: Road conditions can deteriorate in wet weather at several campgrounds. Amy H. notes that "road and parking lot need maintenance" at Iron Bridge, making access potentially challenging for vehicles with lower clearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Meridian, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Meridian, TX is Steele Creek Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 7 reviews.
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