Searching for a tent camping spot near National Forests and Grasslands in Texas? You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Would you prefer a quiet dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities? Either way, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area was built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It surrounds a picturesque 45-acre lake that was once a log pond and a source of water for the Central Coal and Coke Company sawmill which operated from 1902 to 1920. The facility is open year-round and includes a large campground, picnic areas, a reservable amphitheater, a swim area and many opportunities for outdoor recreation. Camping is available year-round. The Davy Crockett National Forest, named for the legendary pioneer, contains more than 160,000 acres of East Texas woodlands, streams, recreation areas and wildlife habitat. Located in Houston and Trinity Counties, the forest is centrally located within the Neches and Trinity River basins.
Swimming, fishing, hunting, hiking and picnicking are the area's main activities. The designated swimming area and playground provides much fun for the kids (no lifeguard on duty). Fishing piers are available for anglers to try for largemouth bass, bream and channel/blue catfish. Only electric motors are allowed on the lake. Principal game for hunting on the national forest includes squirrel, deer, quail, dove, turkey and waterfowl. Three main hiking trails can be accessed from the facility: the 1.5-mile Tall Pines, 0.75-mile Trail Tamers and the 20-mile Four C, which winds through many types of forests to a scenic overlook. Learn more about recreation in the national forest.
Ratcliff Lake has 56 campsites, both first-come, first-served and reservable. Campsites in Dogwood Loop have electrical hookups and can accommodate vehicles up to 50 ft. Flush toilets, hot and cold showers and trash bins are also provided. Two picnic shelters and an amphitheater are also reservable. The day-use area has 17 single family picnicking units, a swimming area, flush toilets, two wooden fishing piers, one earthen pier, one fishing platform and a boat ramp.
The campground is heavily forested with loblolly pine, oak and other hardwoods, and surrounds Ratcliff Lake. A wide variety of wildlife exists in the area, including the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker.
The Big Slough Wilderness Area, located along the Neches River about five miles north of Ratcliff, is free of modern development and gives the visitor a place for solitude and primitive experiences.
$30 / night
Cagle Recreation Area is a popular campground and day-use area that sits along the shoreline of Lake Conroe on the west fork of the San Jacinto River, just 1 hour north of Houston, Texas. The area offers great camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, birding and water sports year-round.
Anglers are drawn to the 22,000-acre Lake Conroe for its forested lake shore and open water. The lake is particularly noted for black bass and year-round fishing. Swimming is not allowed, but fishing, hiking, picnicking and shoreline wading are sure to provide plenty of fun for kids. Hikers and mountain bikers can try the 2-mile Cagle Trail within the facility. Learn more about recreation in the national forest.
The campground offers sites with full-service hookups organized into two loops. Each loop has sites overlooking Lake Conroe and restrooms with flush toilets, sinks and hot showers. The facility also has a boat ramp with large parking area, hiking and bicycle trails and a picnic area overlooking the lake.
Cagle is nestled among the pines of the Sam Houston National Forest. This area is covered with beautiful large pine and hardwood trees plus thousands of colorful wildflowers. Mid-February redbud tree blossoms followed by dogwood blossoms in early March put on a spectacular display of flowers. Lake Conroe and the surrounding forest provide wintering habitat for the endangered bald eagle. Temperatures are moderate to cool from September through May, and hot and humid from June to August. Winters are cool and wet.
Visitors can explore the national forest's 85 miles of off-road vehicle, equestrian and mountain bike trails. The 128 mile Lone Star Hiking trail is nearby with a portion of the trail located near Lake Conroe.
$30 / night
Double Lake Recreation Area was built in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and offers a little of everything, including camping, fishing, swimming, picnicking, hiking and simply relaxing in nature. A variety of tent, RV and group campsites are available.
Double Lake is open for fishing year round. Only boats with small electric motors are allowed. A 5-mile hiking trail leads to Big Creek Scenic Area, and there is access to part of the 128-mile Lone Star Hiking Trail. A 20-mile mountain bike trail meanders around the lake.Swimmers can relax on a sandy beach after taking a cool plunge. Learn more about recreation in the national forest.
Double Lake Recreation Area facilities includes family camping units, group camping, picnicking units, a picnic shelter, beach with swimming area and a concession stand with bathhouse.
The area has rolling hills forested with hardwood and pines. The campground is surrounded by the 23-acre Double Lake. Temperatures are moderate to cool from September through May, and hot and humid from June to August. Winters are cool and wet.
For facility specific information, please call (936) 344-6205.
$115 - $140 / night
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service. Black Creek Lake Campground has 14 campsites and is open year-round. Black Creek Lake is a 35 acre lake with a concrete boat ramp for access.
Located on the north shore of the 35-acre Black Creek Lake, Black Creek Recreation Area has a picnic area and boat launch facility. The area also has walk-in camping sites available.
Non-motorized trails
$10 / night
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service. West Lake Crockett Campground has 12 campsites. Located on 450 acre Lake Davy Crockett.
Located on the northwest shore of the 450-acre Lake Crockett, West Lake Crockett Recreation Area was completed in 1968. Lake Crockett was built in the 1930s as a recreation site for the area. Visitors may fish from the shore.
Coffee Mill Lake and Bois D'Arc Trailhead.
$10 / night
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service. Coffee Mill Campgrouns has 13 campsites and is open year-round. There is boat access to the 750 acre Coffee Mill Lake and a new fishing pier.
Located on the north shore of the 750-acre Coffee Mill Lake, Coffee Mill Recreation Area was completed in 1968 with additional major construction done by volunteers in the early 1990s. The lake was built in the 1930s and provides many recreation opportunities.
Lake Davy Crockett and non-motorized trails.
$10 / night
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service. Bois D'Arc Trailhead has 28 campsites with picnic tables. Bois D'Arc Trailhead also has a pailion with grill.
The overnight trailhead has 28 campsites, sanitary facilities, horse washing area and potable water.
Lake Davy Crockett and Coffee Mill Lake
$10 / night
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
$10 / night
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
Boat Launch, Vault toilet(s)
Sam Rayburn Reservoir
$6 / night
Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area was built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It surrounds a picturesque 45-acre lake that was once a log pond and a source of water for the Central Coal and Coke Company sawmill which operated from 1902 to 1920. The facility is open year-round and includes a large campground, picnic areas, a reservable amphitheater, a swim area and many opportunities for outdoor recreation. Camping is available year-round. The Davy Crockett National Forest, named for the legendary pioneer, contains more than 160,000 acres of East Texas woodlands, streams, recreation areas and wildlife habitat. Located in Houston and Trinity Counties, the forest is centrally located within the Neches and Trinity River basins.
Swimming, fishing, hunting, hiking and picnicking are the area's main activities. The designated swimming area and playground provides much fun for the kids (no lifeguard on duty). Fishing piers are available for anglers to try for largemouth bass, bream and channel/blue catfish. Only electric motors are allowed on the lake. Principal game for hunting on the national forest includes squirrel, deer, quail, dove, turkey and waterfowl. Three main hiking trails can be accessed from the facility: the 1.5-mile Tall Pines, 0.75-mile Trail Tamers and the 20-mile Four C, which winds through many types of forests to a scenic overlook. Learn more about recreation in the national forest.
Ratcliff Lake has 56 campsites, both first-come, first-served and reservable. Campsites in Dogwood Loop have electrical hookups and can accommodate vehicles up to 50 ft. Flush toilets, hot and cold showers and trash bins are also provided. Two picnic shelters and an amphitheater are also reservable. The day-use area has 17 single family picnicking units, a swimming area, flush toilets, two wooden fishing piers, one earthen pier, one fishing platform and a boat ramp.
The campground is heavily forested with loblolly pine, oak and other hardwoods, and surrounds Ratcliff Lake. A wide variety of wildlife exists in the area, including the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker.
The Big Slough Wilderness Area, located along the Neches River about five miles north of Ratcliff, is free of modern development and gives the visitor a place for solitude and primitive experiences.
$30 / night
Cagle Recreation Area is a popular campground and day-use area that sits along the shoreline of Lake Conroe on the west fork of the San Jacinto River, just 1 hour north of Houston, Texas. The area offers great camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, birding and water sports year-round.
Anglers are drawn to the 22,000-acre Lake Conroe for its forested lake shore and open water. The lake is particularly noted for black bass and year-round fishing. Swimming is not allowed, but fishing, hiking, picnicking and shoreline wading are sure to provide plenty of fun for kids. Hikers and mountain bikers can try the 2-mile Cagle Trail within the facility. Learn more about recreation in the national forest.
The campground offers sites with full-service hookups organized into two loops. Each loop has sites overlooking Lake Conroe and restrooms with flush toilets, sinks and hot showers. The facility also has a boat ramp with large parking area, hiking and bicycle trails and a picnic area overlooking the lake.
Cagle is nestled among the pines of the Sam Houston National Forest. This area is covered with beautiful large pine and hardwood trees plus thousands of colorful wildflowers. Mid-February redbud tree blossoms followed by dogwood blossoms in early March put on a spectacular display of flowers. Lake Conroe and the surrounding forest provide wintering habitat for the endangered bald eagle. Temperatures are moderate to cool from September through May, and hot and humid from June to August. Winters are cool and wet.
Visitors can explore the national forest's 85 miles of off-road vehicle, equestrian and mountain bike trails. The 128 mile Lone Star Hiking trail is nearby with a portion of the trail located near Lake Conroe.
$30 / night
Double Lake Recreation Area was built in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and offers a little of everything, including camping, fishing, swimming, picnicking, hiking and simply relaxing in nature. A variety of tent, RV and group campsites are available.
Double Lake is open for fishing year round. Only boats with small electric motors are allowed. A 5-mile hiking trail leads to Big Creek Scenic Area, and there is access to part of the 128-mile Lone Star Hiking Trail. A 20-mile mountain bike trail meanders around the lake.Swimmers can relax on a sandy beach after taking a cool plunge. Learn more about recreation in the national forest.
Double Lake Recreation Area facilities includes family camping units, group camping, picnicking units, a picnic shelter, beach with swimming area and a concession stand with bathhouse.
The area has rolling hills forested with hardwood and pines. The campground is surrounded by the 23-acre Double Lake. Temperatures are moderate to cool from September through May, and hot and humid from June to August. Winters are cool and wet.
For facility specific information, please call (936) 344-6205.
$115 - $140 / night
