Belton Lake campsites occupy sections of the 12,300-acre reservoir created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the 1950s. The lake spans 12 miles along the Leon River with 110 miles of shoreline that transitions between rocky terrain and gentle slopes. Campgrounds around Belton Lake experience strong seasonal winds, particularly at waterfront sites where gusts can affect tent camping during spring months.
What to do
Mountain biking at Dana Peak: The trail system offers multiple miles for biking enthusiasts of various skill levels. "This is a nice campground with spacious sites right on the lake with covered picnic tables. The park has many miles of mountain bike and hiking trails," notes Laura F. from Dana Peak.
Fishing from your campsite: Some waterfront sites allow fishing without leaving your camp area. Jim P. shares his experience: "Found this camp at the last minute for an overnight stay. Seems to be on the river channel. Fishing is great. Campers next to us cleaned fish the evening we arrived and the next morning."
Explore historic areas: Within short driving distance from campgrounds, visitors can discover nearby attractions. "There are nature trails across the main road and access to Belton and their small but awesome riverwalk area, historic Salado, Still Hollow Lake, the Belton dam (we could see the mural from both sites), Chalk Ridge Waterfalls and Temple, TX within a few minutes," according to Cheryl D. from Live Oak Ridge.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campers report abundant animal sightings throughout the day. "We saw lots of deer and birds. We will definitely return!" shares Stephanie A. about her stay at Cedar Ridge. Another camper adds: "This is just flat out a beautiful, no frills park... There aren't any activities and there aren't a lot of trails but there is tons of wildlife. You will see large groups of deer, turkey etc just wandering around."
Spacious campsites: Campers appreciate the generous site dimensions at several campgrounds. "Live Oak Ridge COE Campground is excellently maintain and is a very low-key, restful place to land. Large sites with ample vehicle parking that offer substantial distance from the neighboring sites give room to bring multiple vehicles or a boat along with the RV," notes one visitor.
Clean facilities: Maintenance standards receive positive mentions across multiple campgrounds. "The bathrooms were spacious and well kept," reports one visitor about Live Oak Ridge. Another camper at Mother Neff State Park notes: "Wonderful large level sites. With table, lantern pole, fire pit. Super clean restrooms and the park is very well maintained."
What you should know
Wind conditions: Waterfront sites experience significant wind that can impact camping equipment. A visitor at Dana Peak warns: "The only draw back was the winds, they were so strong they shattered our tent poles. So i would definitely recommend to check the weather before selecting a date."
Gated access systems: Several campgrounds implement controlled entry. "It is a gated entrance and the gates locked at 11:00pm," notes a camper about Live Oak Ridge. Be prepared with your confirmation details which typically contain entry codes.
Nearby SpaceX testing: Unexpected noise can occur from nearby facilities. "SpaceX rocket testing site 6 miles away that will shake your camper. The park website doesn't give you any heads up about that," shares James H. about his stay at Mother Neff State Park Campground.
Limited swimming access: Not all lakeside campgrounds offer swimming areas. A camper at Dana Peak mentions: "The water is crystal clear, so we just went down and hopped in the water when it got to hot." However, another visitor notes about Live Oak Ridge: "My review would have been 5 stars but there is no swimming area."
Tips for camping with families
Bring shade structures: Many sites lack natural shade coverage. "We were a little concerned about camping here in July with no shade. The breeze off the lake really helped make the 100 degree days better... We also brought some shade cloth to attach to the picnic table," advises a camper at Dana Peak.
Playground accessibility: Some campgrounds feature well-maintained play areas. At Union Grove, a visitor mentions the facilities are "Great," while another camper at Live Oak Ridge notes "A better-than-typical playground is set in a great interior place for all to enjoy."
Bug prevention: Prepare for insects, especially during warmer months. "The only thing I don't like about this place is the chiggers and other bugs. Bring your lavender oil to keep those chiggers off," advises a camper.
Watch for thorny plants: When accessing water areas, be aware of vegetation. "There is a well worn path directly behind our site with some thorny vines we cut down and a bit of poison oaky looking foliage. We managed to get kayaks down that way over a few boulders to the water and back up again."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for shade: RVers should prioritize loop selection for temperature management. At Military Park Fort Hood Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area, one camper advises: "If you camp on the hill areas there is plenty of shade. But if you camp close to the water shade is sparse. Trees are planted but are not tall enough to produce shade."
Concrete pad leveling: Minor adjustments may be needed for some sites. "All the pads are concrete and are for the most part level (2x6 under tires or less). Sites are pretty good size and come with a picnic table and overhead cover for it."
Connectivity considerations: Cell service varies significantly between providers. "I had good enough service with AT&T to work with my phone's hotspot, but Verizon was pretty poor and even streaming videos was choppy, though you can call and text as usual."
Limited hookup availability: Many parks offer partial rather than full hookups. "It is water and electric only. There are some primitive sites but there are not full hookups... There aren't any activities and there aren't a lot of trails but there is tons of wildlife."
