Lake Lavon serves as the primary water recreation area near Murphy, Texas, with several Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds along its 121 miles of shoreline. The lake sits at approximately 490 feet above sea level and covers over 21,400 acres when at normal levels. Water levels can fluctuate seasonally, affecting shoreline camping conditions, particularly in late summer when levels may drop by 3-5 feet.
What to do
Lake activities at East Fork Park Campground: The campground provides lake access with opportunities for boating and fishing. "The location is nice on the lake with lots of sail boats sailing by," notes Mia D., while Ray & Terri mention the campground offers "nice views of Lake Lavon" with sites that are "well spaced."
Mountain biking at Erwin Park: Located in McKinney, this park features approximately 9 miles of maintained trails. Brian states there are "great bike trails - nice for day or car camping" and describes it as having the "best mountain bike single tracks around with lots of built features." James adds that "the trail network is about 9 miles and maintained by DORBA."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer fishing access around Lake Lavon. At COE Lavon Lake Lavonia, campers can use the boat ramp for fishing access. Cheryl D. notes that at Lavonia, "the main thing to do here is to boat or fish, however the platforms are extremely in disrepair," so prepare accordingly with alternative access points.
What campers like
Spacious sites: East Fork Park Campground offers well-separated camping areas. According to Gary W., "I backed in and used my extension power cord because the box was located midway from the rear. Since the space was so long... I could have pulled up a bit. I enjoyed my camping experience here. Any size rig will have plenty of room."
Natural surroundings at Hickory Creek - Lewisville Lake: Despite being near urban areas, many sites feel secluded. Matt S. explains, "Even though it's in a highly populated area, it feels very remote when you get into the park." Susan L. adds, "If I'm lucky I can snag a site with trees and lake access. Sites on the point have few trees and wide open spaces, but the lake view is expansive."
Privacy between sites: Campgrounds in the area typically provide adequate spacing between campers. Gina & Memphis C. comment about Hickory Creek, "We love coming here because it's convenient, private, and by the water." Reynolds O. confirms the sites are "well level and paved, family oriented, very quiet, beautiful lake and tree sites."
What you should know
Maintenance varies by campground: East Fork Park Campground has some infrastructure challenges. Dennis G. reports, "It must have been nice at some point but it's obvious budget cuts and other priorities have taken its toll. Bad roads into and thru the park, grass in bad need of cutting." Suzann E. agrees: "Great campground, electric and water. Only issue is the grass is always one high so bring a weed whip."
Seasonal conditions: Hot Texas summers make shade a premium amenity. At Plantation Place, newer areas have limited tree coverage for shade, but the park is "clean, quiet and well managed" according to Tab M., who adds "the place is always immaculate."
Bathroom facilities: Availability and quality vary significantly between campgrounds. At Erwin Park, Amy L. notes, "The only thing I would change is the bathroom facilities, there are no doors at all!" Veronica S. comments about Lavonia, "The bathrooms were clean and campsites were spacious. Pretty view of the lake."
Tips for camping with families
Look for playground access: Identify campgrounds with facilities for children. At Hickory Creek, Monica C. warns, "There is no playground that we could find, even though I read online that they had one." For alternative activities, Joshua M. suggests, "Our 5 & 4 year old boys loved running around, throwing rocks in the lake."
Consider wildlife interactions: Prepare children for wildlife encounters at Lafon's RV Park. Susan M. describes, "We are in Lafons Farm park, and it's newer, so the trees aren't real big yet for shade, but we have cows and sheep for neighbors." This can provide educational opportunities for children.
Pack for weather extremes: Texas weather can change quickly. At Hickory Creek, campers report variable conditions year-round. UnnamedAdventures notes, "The only downside is the overall air traffic that you hear and see over the park from the Dallas-Fort Worth airport(it's cool initially but after a few nights it does get old)."
Tips from RVers
Levelness of sites: Many campgrounds have uneven pads that require stabilization equipment. Natalie S. mentions at Lavonia, "Only drawbacks are unlevel sites and front gates don't open til 10am every morning so can't get back in if you go get breakfast." Similarly, Melanie and Doug G. note about East Fork Park, "The pad has definitely broken up over time and isn't level."
Full hookup availability: For those requiring complete hookups, research options carefully. At Lavon Lake locations, most sites have electric and water, but sewer connections are limited. Cheryl D. notes at Lavonia, "This park is a nice local place to visit. It has full hookups and the sites are extremely distanced from one another which is great."
Road conditions within campgrounds: Several reviewers mention poor road quality at some sites. About East Fork Park, Ray & Terri F. say, "The roads are in need of repair, with numerous potholes, some very large, but the attendant did say that the park was on the CoEs list for repairs."
Guide
