Tent campsites near Murphy, Texas offer overnight accommodations within an hour's drive of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Located in Collin County at around 600 feet elevation, Murphy experiences hot summers with temperatures frequently exceeding 95°F and mild winters. Most tent camping areas sit near lakes and reservoirs with limited shade cover during summer months.
What to do
Mountain biking: Erwin Park in McKinney offers approximately 9 miles of dedicated trails. Riders follow the opposite direction of hikers and runners. A camper noted, "Great easy spot for day camping or easy car camping with family. Best mountain bike single tracks around with lots of built features."
Wildlife viewing: Feed horses at Sleep Under The Pecan Trees. This 100-acre property features wild but approachable horses. A visitor shared, "Wild, yet docile horses will approach you. You can pet them and feed them by hand. Tall trees and gorgeous campsites. Donkeys hee-hawing, birds singing, and fire flies glowing."
Fishing: Multiple lakes near Murphy provide fishing access. Campgrounds like Erwin Park and Sleep Under The Pecan Trees have fishing ponds. One parent mentioned, "She caught her 1st bass in the pond as well. The entire property is simply beautiful."
Water recreation: Lake access available at several tent camping locations. Sites like Sycamore Bend Park sit directly on Lake Lewisville. According to a camper, "Really nice park right on the lake... Great for hammocking, kayaking, paddle boarding etc."
What campers like
Privacy levels: Some tent sites near Murphy offer more seclusion than others. At Meadowmere Park & Campground, campers appreciate the spacing. A reviewer stated, "We really enjoyed this camp space. Peaceful, open, spacious and super nice management and staff."
Natural sounds: Wildlife adds to the camping experience. A camper at Erwin Park commented, "The only sound other than bird song is the occasional moo and some coyote yips in the distance."
Clean facilities: Several parks maintain well-kept restrooms. Meadowmere Park received praise: "Porta potties were incredibly clean and a main bathroom area featured showers and very clean as well."
Convenience to urban areas: Most tent campsites near Murphy provide quick access to stores. One camper at Northside RV Resort noted, "A nice park with like new facilities, clean, and good location to area stores."
What you should know
Restroom limitations: Toilet facilities vary significantly across campgrounds. At Sycamore Bend Park, a camper advised, "There are no water or electricity connections. Hold your breadth while using the toilet or the closest Walmart is 2 miles away at the intersection of I-35E and Teasley Dr."
Site access restrictions: Many parks require walking to tent sites. At Sycamore Bend Park, "No access to drive to the actual site so I couldn't use my RTT but it's a short walk from where you park."
Weekend crowds: Several popular sites fill quickly. A camper at Sycamore Bend Park warned, "Really nice, secluded campground for being so close to suburbs. It does get a bit crowded. We arrived on a Saturday around noon and took what seemed to be the last spot."
Noise factors: Consider traffic and train noise at some locations. At Northside RV Resort, a camper observed, "The road is very loud and there are train tracks with train horns blaring all night long - make sure your bedroom faces away from the road for the best sleep."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some parks offer play areas for children. Sycamore Bend Park includes playground equipment alongside camping areas. A reviewer mentioned, "The park has a good pavilion with a basketball hoop and good playground equipment."
First fishing experiences: Ponds at tent campsites provide safe fishing opportunities. At Sleep Under The Pecan Trees, a father shared, "Took my 6 year old daughter for her first camping trip and she loved it. Most amazing experience. She caught her 1st bass in the pond as well."
Scout-friendly locations: Several campgrounds accommodate youth groups. According to a reviewer, Sycamore Bend Park "is very popular with the boy and cub scout troops in the North Dallas Metroplex area."
Nature exploration: Look for campgrounds with hiking trails for children. Collin Park offers "easy access, plenty of tree coverage, and each area has a picnic table, grill, and fire pit."
Tips from RVers
Limited amenities at tent-focused sites: Many campgrounds lack RV hookups. A visitor to Erwin Park noted, "Campsites are far enough apart that you have privacy yet close enough that you don't feel alone. The park has several covered pavilions as well as restrooms but lacks shower facilities."
Site access considerations: Evaluate site approach angles. At Northside RV Resort, a camper mentioned, "Our campsite was a little awkward to get in because of the corner and the speed bumps, but not impossible."
Security features: Some campgrounds offer gated access. A visitor to Little Elm Park appreciated the "electric hookups for RV generally a small area first come first serve.... 5 dollars per tent....restrooms and park lights.... stores nearby..... no showers."
Seasonal bugs: Insect activity varies by location and time of year. One camper at Northside RV Resort shared, "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."
