Best Tent Camping near Mount Enterprise, TX

Tent campers visiting Mount Enterprise, Texas can access several primitive camping areas within driving distance of town. Alazan Bayou offers walk-in tent sites about 30 miles southwest of Mount Enterprise, while Camp Quapaw and Decker Hill Park provide established tent camping areas. These locations combine varying levels of amenities with natural settings typical of East Texas woodland terrain.

Most primitive tent sites in this region provide basic amenities with limitations campers should prepare for. Alazan Bayou features at least 14 sites with concrete picnic table slabs, fire rings, and lantern poles, but lacks bathroom facilities and potable water. A Texas Parks Limited Use Permit ($12 annually) is required for camping at Alazan Bayou and similar Wildlife Management Areas. Camp Quapaw allows alcohol and fires but requires reservations. Tent campers should pack sufficient water and supplies, particularly during summer months when temperatures can exceed 90°F.

The tent camping experience near Mount Enterprise offers varying levels of solitude and woodland immersion. Areas like Walnut Creek Backcountry Site provide more remote tent camping with hike-in access for campers seeking seclusion. A camper noted that Alazan Bayou is "very well kept and mowed" with convenient features like a loafing barn for horses, though it "would be a 5 with just water." Camp Quapaw provides opportunities for primitive camping with hiking trails on-site while remaining close enough to town for essential supplies. The dense pine forests typical of East Texas provide natural shade at many tent sites, particularly beneficial during summer heat. Wildlife observation possibilities include deer, various bird species, and occasional armadillos.

Best Tent Sites Near Mount Enterprise, Texas (5)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Mount Enterprise, TX

2 Photos of 5 Mount Enterprise Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Mount Enterprise, TX

171 Reviews of 5 Mount Enterprise Campgrounds


  • Adam H.
    Jan. 10, 2019

    Neches Bluff Overlook Campground

    quiet and very primitive

    There's not much to this campground, although it is very beautiful with enormous loblolly pines. This is a primitive campsite. There's no water, no electricity, not bathrooms, etc. Just an area you can use to set up tents or hammocks. We met a nice older fella who said he comes there every day and builds a fire at dusk, stays for a little bit, then leaves.

    We bikes from the Ratcliff Recreational Area and we had to cache water.

  • David T.
    Feb. 9, 2020

    Alazan Bayou

    Good camping area

    At least 14 sites with picnic tables on concrete slabs. Fire rings and Lantern poles. Very well kept and mowed. There is a loafing barn for horses. No bathrooms or water. Would be a 5 with just water. You need a Texas parks Limited use permit. It costs as little as $12 a year. If you want to fish or hunt the price goes up a little. Can be used to stay at any National Forest or Wild Management area.

  • Heather S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 27, 2025

    Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area

    Convenient. Clean enough. But underwhelmed.

    We came to tent camp and wanted to be on a lake shoreline. We stayed at #11 on Lakeside Loop.

    The positive:

    • The tent pad was nice and level and the site was very roomy (we had a tent & canopy) with tons more room to stretch out.

    • We were about 200 yards from the bathroom facilities and about 30 feet from potable water for washing up.

    • The traffic was minimal because it’s off the main road, and would have been peaceful if the group of campers at #9 had been courteous and acknowledged quiet hours.

    • We had incredible weather with a wonderful steady breeze.

    Negatives:

    • We did have a lake view, but the shoreline is so incredibly overgrown making it difficult to fish. Lots of rotted wood and brush blocks a great deal of the view and access.

    • The burn circle had a grate welded at an angle to the top, so it couldn’t really be used for building up a big fire or cooking.

    • No one drove around/checked to make sure visitors are keeping to the quiet hours, which meant we were kept awake until about 12:30 am from yelling and loud music.

    • The restrooms, while near, had not been cleaned before we arrived—toilet paper on the floors and in the shower area with lots of dead june bugs and spiders on the floor the whole weekend.

  • Heidi R.
    May. 31, 2018

    Martin Creek Lake State Park Campground

    Screened Shelter - BEST EVER! and oddly, no mosquitoes !?

    There are many options to camp at this state park. There’s RV sites, tent sites (both primitive and “cushy”), cabins, cottages and screened shelters. my past experience with screened shelters were always dusty, dank, spider-filled shacks that I would only store my cooler and belongings in (tightly sealed) but these at Martin Creek were IMMACULATE to say the least! They seem cob-webby from the outside but once inside, the concrete floor is smoother up the edges of the walls about 2.5’, reducing entry of insects via cracks in the joints of floor and wall. The park employees vacuum these areas, as observed when I passed others that had recently vacated. The rafters in these shelters were spaced out far enough for me to hang my hammock. 4 people slept inside without air mattresses or camp pads and slept wonderfully (flat surfaces are good for our spines sometimes) not a big in sight. There is an electrical outlet inside as well as a light, and there is an outlet outside as well. Small lock on inside, watr spigot and doIble lantern hook nearby as well as a wooden/metal picnic table (good condition). I slept in Shelter #6 and it was a few yards away from the water’s edge. Great views of a small lilly-pad laced bay and we caught 7 catfish using normal nightcrawlers as bait. Fried them up for lunch the next day and they tasted like heaven! But, everything tastes better when you’re camping. We had also set up 4 tents around the area (not disturbing local flora/fauna) and we slept to the deafening croaks of frogs. Only 1 raccoon came upon our camp area to a spot where someone had thrown a corn cob, otherwise, we take all the necessary steps to avoid crossing paths with those relentless nighttime furry bandits. Shelters 7-9 are also located in great areas of the lake nearby, there is the power plants across the lake and for some reason, we like to believe that it was the reason we had ZERO mosquitoes! Many house flies and the non-biting ants were everywhere but not to the point of insanity... they list this ant as an issue on their website I do believe. I’d take this shelter over a hotel stay ANY TIME!

  • Missy S.
    Apr. 26, 2019

    Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area

    Quier, beautiful space to relax.

    The campground is located in the Davy Crockett National Forest, with spots located around the edges of a small lake. Although we could occasionally hear noise from the highway, it was mostly peaceful and quiet. The campgrounds are spacious, with tent platforms, poles to hang trash, and large picnic tables. The bathrooms were amazingly clean and with camp hosts and park rangers on site, we always had help with anything we needed. We hiked and kayaked (with our own boats) and it was all just lovely. I would go back for sure!

  • Chantyl
    Mar. 14, 2024

    Rusk Depot Campground

    Family trip

    First & foremost, This park is not well-maintained, and the camping sites are right off of the highway. The splash pad does not work, and the bath house was terribly dirty and freaked of sewage. The group sites are basically a big parking lot- zero grass space between site numbers, although there is shared grass areas along the rows. We moved site numbers within the group sites so that our kids would not be playing right beside the highway (there is a gate, however it’s still concerning), and to slightly distance ourselves from the traffic noise. Beware there is also a large wedding venue directly across the highway & our kids were woken to the sounds of fireworks at night on the weekend. There were large fire ant mounds all along the concrete, and we had to purchase fire ant killer ourselves, as well as deal with some broken glass & the trash can for our site that wasn’t emptied before our stay. I spoke with the staff member working in the office and all she could say was “i will let management know.”

    As far as the good: we had 6 kids and 4 adults staying, so despite the concerns and annoyances, we still were able to relax enough and enjoy our break from the daily grind. The kids played outside all day- making walking sticks, fishing a lot, catching bugs (spotted some really neat moths, too), and making up games.

    The best: the nearly-daily trains coming right through the campground for various reasons (loading new cars or taking passengers on a local trip). My son is an avid train-lover and this was the main reason we booked our stay here.

  • Fabein D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 7, 2021

    Martin Creek Lake State Park Campground

    Pop-Up Thunderstorm

    Nice access to the lake. Campground hosts are very helpful, gate is locked at night so keep the email with the code if you want in late or out early. We got caught in a pop-up shower with the rain fly off lol but then again, that’s camping.

  • Elliott B.
    Sep. 29, 2016

    Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area

    Decent size campground with some extra amenties

    Well spaced out, but not huge sites (both RV hookup electric and Non "tent only") which allow you to not really spread out, but at least people aren't on top of you. Like most campgrounds you have your standard table and fire ring, but you also have access to flush toilets and showers.

    The recreation area also rents out canoes and has pretty good fishing or you can make sure of thee swimming area and the tons of trails for some short nice hikes or a long trek through the region.

  • Patrick B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2023

    Neches Bluff Overlook Campground

    Peaceful

    Very primitive and off the beaten path, our 02 Mustang was able to handle it. No site numbers just pop the tent wherever. Very quiet and beautiful.


Guide to Mount Enterprise

Tent camping opportunities near Mount Enterprise, Texas include several primitive sites within the East Texas Pineywoods region. The area sits at approximately 400 feet elevation with humid subtropical climate patterns and typical oak-pine forest ecosystems. Summer humidity levels frequently exceed 80% with nighttime temperatures rarely dropping below 70°F during peak season, requiring campers to plan accordingly for comfort.

What to do

Hiking trails access: Camp Quapaw offers hiking trails directly from campsites, allowing tent campers to explore the surrounding woodland without driving. As reviewer Jake C. notes, the camp provides "a great spot for primitive camping and tons of nearby activities including hiking at the camp and still near town for your essentials."

Fishing opportunities: Decker Hill Park at Lake Murvaul provides access for anglers seeking bass, crappie and catfish. The tent camping area sits within walking distance to shoreline fishing spots, though campers should bring their own tackle and bait as no rental equipment is available.

Wildlife observation: Bring binoculars for spotting native East Texas wildlife. Alazan Bayou tent sites offer strategic positions for viewing white-tailed deer, wild turkey, woodpeckers, and migratory birds particularly during spring and fall seasons.

What campers like

Spacious sites: Campers appreciate the well-maintained grounds at primitive tent areas. One Alazan Bayou visitor mentioned, "At least 14 sites with picnic tables on concrete slabs. Fire rings and Lantern poles. Very well kept and mowed."

Horse facilities: HFR Campsites & Retreats allows equestrian camping with sites positioned near riding trails. The property maintains multiple trail access points with varying difficulty levels suitable for different riding skill levels.

Permit affordability: The Texas Parks Limited Use Permit required for Wildlife Management Areas provides exceptional value. As noted in reviews, "It costs as little as $12 a year. If you want to fish or hunt the price goes up a little. Can be used to stay at any National Forest or Wild Management area."

What you should know

Water limitations: Most primitive tent sites near Mount Enterprise lack potable water sources. Campers should bring 1-2 gallons per person per day during summer months, with additional supplies for cooking and cleaning needs.

Bathroom facilities: Tent campers should prepare for minimal or nonexistent restroom facilities. Walnut Creek Backcountry Site has no toilets, requiring visitors to follow proper backcountry waste disposal methods and pack out all toilet paper.

Reservation requirements: Some campgrounds require advance booking. Camp Quapaw is reservable, making it suitable for campers who prefer confirmed site availability before traveling to the area, especially during spring weekends when occupancy typically increases.

Tips for camping with families

Heat management: When tent camping with children during summer months, select sites with natural shade coverage. Bringing additional shade structures is recommended as temperatures frequently exceed 95°F with high humidity between June and September.

Activity planning: Camp Quapaw offers family-friendly primitive camping with nearby town access. As one reviewer explains, the camp provides "primitive camping and tons of nearby activities including hiking at the camp and still near town for your essentials," making it practical for families needing to resupply.

Wildlife education: Create a species identification challenge for children using common East Texas woodland creatures. Bring field guides specific to the Pineywoods region to help identify tracks, bird calls, and plant species around your campsite.

Tips from RVers

Site accessibility: Most primitive tent sites near Mount Enterprise have limited RV access. While tent camping is the primary accommodation, small trailers or pop-ups might access certain areas during dry conditions.

Supply planning: When tent camping at remote locations like Walnut Creek Backcountry Site, RV campers accustomed to hookups should adjust expectations and bring sufficient water, lighting solutions, and waste management systems, as no facilities exist onsite.

Generator considerations: Noise restrictions vary by location, with most primitive tent sites prohibiting generator use to maintain natural soundscapes. Battery power banks or solar options are recommended alternatives for powering essential devices when tent camping in this region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Mount Enterprise, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Mount Enterprise, TX is Decker Hill Park with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Mount Enterprise, TX?

TheDyrt.com has all 5 tent camping locations near Mount Enterprise, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.