Primitive camping options surround Midlothian, Texas, with most sites situated between 20 and 45 minutes from town. The region experiences high summer temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F from June through September, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Winter nights can drop below freezing, though daytime temperatures typically remain mild enough for tent camping.
What to do
Lakeside recreation: Cedar Creek Park Campground offers excellent swimming access with a clean, rock-bottom lake. "Super clean... You don't have to worry about dirt and glass on the ground," notes one camper. The lake provides good fishing opportunities without traveling far from your tent.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings at De Cordova Bend often feature deer sightings near campsites. A visitor reports, "There is a nice hiking trail to the bottom of the dam," making this a good basecamp for nature observation walks.
Community recreation: Many area campgrounds include additional recreation facilities beyond natural features. One camper at Sycamore Bend Park mentioned, "The park has a good pavilion with a basketball hoop and good playground equipment," providing options when not enjoying the lakeshore.
What campers like
Shade protection: The intense Texas sun makes tree cover highly valuable. At Cedar Creek, campers appreciate the "big open fields and mature oak tree shade" that provide relief during hot days.
Waterfront sites: Little Elm Park offers tent sites with lake access for swimming. "Electric hookups for RV generally a small area first come first serve.... 5 dollars per tent," according to a visitor, making it one of the more affordable options with amenities.
Security features: Several campgrounds provide gated entry for added safety. At Northside RV Resort, visitors note it's "Gated. Level pads. Quiet. Dog park. Play ground. Wifi. Cable. Lake."
What you should know
Bathroom conditions vary widely: Facilities range from well-maintained to problematic. At Collin Park, a camper warned about flooded facilities: "Women's restroom was flooded with an unknown liquid... one of the toilets was badly clogged."
Reservation systems: Most primitive sites operate on first-come, first-served basis. Meadowmere Park & Campground provides reservable sites but "Closes to public after 530 and management made it easy for us to enter the gate upon our late arrival."
Stay limits: Short maximum stays apply at several campgrounds. Sycamore Bend enforces a "maximum 3 days" policy with current fees at "$20, but that's about average it seems now."
Weather challenges: Summer heat requires preparation. At Cedar Creek, a camper advised, "Only 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."
Tips for camping with families
Cleanliness factor: Cedar Ridge Mobile Home & RV Park maintains clean facilities important for family camping. "Overall, pretty good spot... easy to find, quick booking, good view," according to recent visitors.
Space between sites: Look for campgrounds with sufficient separation between sites for noise control. Meadowmere Park offers "Peaceful, open, spacious" sites that provide privacy for families.
Emergency supply access: Cedar Ridge's location provides easy access to supplies. "It's located pretty close to a bunch of outdoor sports stores... so if you forgot something on your trip - it's pretty easy to pick up."
Tips from RVers
Site preparation: At Northside RV Resort, guests note "Nice hard sites all with 20/30/50a, cable TV, and full hookups," though prices run "$55-65 a night" which some consider high.
Seasonal considerations: Winter camping offers fewer crowds. "We visited in November and it was quiet with a nice view of the water," mentions one Northside RV Resort visitor, adding that the "park was very clean with four bathroom/shower rooms and laundry room."
Bug preparation: Insect issues vary by season. At Northside, a camper warned, "The bugs are bad here, we had ants in our trailer and lots of bites. When it rains stay on the pavement as the mud is nasty and gumbo."
