Several campgrounds near Mexia, Texas offer water-based recreation on Navarro Mills Lake and Bardwell Lake. The region consists primarily of gently rolling hills with elevations ranging from 400-550 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds remain open year-round, though spring brings the heaviest rainfall and summer temperatures often exceed 90°F.
What to do
Fishing for crappie and catfish: Navarro Mills Lake is known for excellent fishing opportunities. At Wolf Creek - Navarro Mills Reservoir, camper Jennifer B. notes, "This is a great little lake and campground, especially for fishing and boating... There are several fishing piers and boat loading docks." The lake has earned a reputation as "a fantastic fishing lake. Tons of Crappie and catfish," according to Dude R.
Swimming at designated beaches: Several campgrounds offer swimming areas with sandy beaches. At Mott Park, Elizabeth C. describes it as "Swimming for the whole family. Clean lake, no broken glass, mowed grass." Wolf Creek also features "a roped off designated swimming area with a small beach," according to Jennifer B.
Boating and water sports: Lake access for boats is available at multiple campgrounds. Jennifer B. reports that Wolf Creek is "great for tubing, standup paddle boarding or just swimming." For those without watercraft, Liberty Hill Park features "a fantastic fishing barge that is covered allowing you to fish no matter the weather," according to Dude R.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Many campers appreciate the room to spread out. At Waxahachie Creek Park, Jeanette W. notes it's "as close to nature as one can get in a campground! There was quite a bit of bushy vegetation to provide a small measure of privacy between sites." Similarly, Dani K. describes High View as having "Very pretty lake views and tons of grass. My dog loved going for runs through the grass."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained campgrounds are frequently mentioned. At Liberty Hill Park Campground, Randy H. was "pleasantly surprised at this Corp of Engineers park. Extremely clean grounds and super friendly staff." Elizabeth C. similarly notes "Nicely mowed, clean grounds, nice green grass, clean restrooms, affordable."
Wildlife viewing: Several parks offer opportunities to see local wildlife. Brittany S. mentions that Speegleville park is "great for fishing, hiking some short trails, or bird watching." Jennifer B. adds that at Wolf Creek you can see "Lots of wildlife like deer, etc."
What you should know
Ant problems: Multiple campers mention ant issues, particularly in summer months. Eric S. warns about Liberty Hill: "Ants are bad, Argentine ants are very bad because there small once there in your car you just take them everywhere." At Waxahachie Creek Park, Jeanette W. reports, "After one night in our site, the ants had formed an active trail to the top of our RV. Consequently, we had ants inside the RV!"
Seasonal availability: Some parks close during certain months. Hazel J. reports about Wolf Creek: "We stopped by here and unfortunately they were not open. It looks like a beautiful place and their sign says open April-September." Check operating schedules before planning your trip.
Limited equestrian options: Despite searching for equestrian camping near Mexia, Texas, no campgrounds in the immediate area advertise dedicated horse facilities. Rachel J. notes when looking for tent camping at Oak Cove Marina, "He then informed us they do not allow tents during the weekend." Call ahead to confirm if you're planning horseback riding activities.
Tips for camping with families
Large play areas: Several campgrounds feature dedicated spaces for children. Karen A. notes that Liberty Hill has a "Great swimming area with beach area and large children play area." This makes it ideal for families with children of different ages.
Convenient amenities: Look for campgrounds with family-friendly features. Randy H. mentions Liberty Hill "Allows pets (on leash of course). Our site had power and electric only, but I believe some sites also have sewer." Having these hookups makes family camping more comfortable.
Activity planning: Some campgrounds offer limited recreation options for children. Michaela L. shares about Oak Cove Marina: "My husband had a blast fishing there with his buddies and we had a good boat ride but there wasn't a whole lot for our kid to do. We managed though and we do plan on going back, but we will definitely be bringing more activities for our children."
Tips from RVers
Level sites: RVers appreciate flat camping spots. At High View, Julie B. notes, "The site was large and right by the water." Michael C. adds about Liberty Hill, "The signage and routing are substandard. Very confusing and the turns are extremely tight. I do not recommend people with motorhome over 40 feet come here."
Hookup availability: Many campgrounds offer different hookup configurations. Debra M. mentions about Mott Park: "It is a bit neglected but still pretty awesome with its spacious sites and gorgeous views of Bardwell Lake. Our site #29 was nice and shady and panoramic view of lake. We have a class a so never checked restrooms."
Seasonal considerations: Weather affects RV camping comfort significantly. Dude R. mentions, "Liberty Hill is a very beautiful campground but there is a serious issue with the invasive Argentine ant." Brittany S. advises about Speegleville Park: "Just be aware there isn't a lot of shade around the sites and in the summer it get really toasty!"
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