Glamping options near Newark, Texas extend beyond traditional camping with several RV parks and specialty sites offering comfortable accommodations throughout the region. The area sits at approximately 750 feet elevation with a subtropical climate featuring hot summers and mild winters. Water recreation remains popular at several area lakes where campers can find both primitive sites and upscale options for overnight stays.
What to do
Kayaking on Lake Lewisville: At Pilot Knoll Park Campground, the cove-side campsites provide direct water access. "Calm water, large lot land area and clean, easy access to walk right into the lake to swim, and space to dock your boat make the cove side of the park an excellent score," notes one visitor who stayed at spot #5.
Hiking trails through grasslands: The Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland offers free dispersed camping with scenic vistas. A camper shared: "Taking the Trinity exit north off the loop around Decatur and using the navigation to the LBJ Grasslands to Park Rd 904 access was easy (& scenic). Once inside you could tell there'd been recent rain but the wet areas were easily avoided."
Rock climbing and cave exploration: The Penitentiary Cove area at Lake Mineral Wells State Park features unique rock formations for climbers. "Awesome rock formations, crevasses, and little shallow caves. Climbers enjoy this spot too," according to one reviewer who hiked the area.
What campers like
Spacious sites with privacy: Campers at Loyd Park appreciate the roominess of sites. "Sites are spaced far apart all come with fire ring and covered picnic table. We stayed in site 115 great spot close to the water," explains a reviewer. The park has several full hookups and many RV sites with water and electricity.
Clean facilities: The Vineyards Campground & Cabins receives high marks for cleanliness. "Great place to spend the week. Swim beach, playground, everything you could need. Cleanest bathrooms and showers," reports a recent visitor who gave the park five stars.
Family-oriented activities: The scheduled events at North Texas Jellystone keep children entertained throughout their stay. A camper noted, "Kids and adults both enjoy candy bar bingo and dancing the night away to tunes by an energetic DJ! We had a blast!" The park includes pools, splash pads, playgrounds, and a maze.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Popular glamping sites in Newark book quickly, especially during summer months. For Loyd Park, a visitor recommended: "We stayed in the Walnut camping circle and got site 62. The site was actually pretty nice. It had the most trees over the sites around us, to give us a 'in the woods' feel."
Weather considerations: The region experiences occasional flooding that can affect camping areas. "We arrived late December and it was chilly. Sites with full hook up are limited, but even with annuals are still possible," shared a winter visitor to Bay Landing RV Campground.
Access challenges: Some primitive camping areas have difficult road conditions. For dispersed camping at LBJ National Grassland, a camper advised: "I would NOT recommend taking any kind of trailer or motorhome down these roads and to this spot. Though there is some room down there, if someone else is there, I would move on."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose sites near recreational facilities for convenience. At Pilot Knoll Park, "There is also a small playground with slides and climbing structures across from the restrooms (lots 22-23). My youngest was super excited to see a little library set up at the playground."
Cooling options: During hot Texas summers, lakeside sites provide natural relief. "The temperature difference is quite noticeable the closer you are to the breeze coming off the water," observed a family staying at Pilot Knoll Park.
Entertainment variety: The glamping options around Newark include facilities with scheduled activities. North Texas Jellystone offers "Lots of activities, games, crafts, pools, petting zoo, water park, and more. We love it here," according to a family that visits regularly.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: For large rigs, pay attention to accessibility. "Easy to access, even for larger rigs. We stayed in 39 foot 5th wheel. Plenty of pull thru spots, full hookups, regularly spaced bathroom/showers," reports an RVer at Bay Landing RV Campground.
Level parking: Check site conditions before setting up. One RVer cautioned: "I sprained my knee and ankle at this park because our site was so unlevel and the mud sunk our jacks a little. Our rig weighs 16,000lbs so the Class As should be careful."
Connectivity options: Working from the road is possible at many sites. "We were able to work and stream video easily with T-Mobile and AT&T," noted a full-time RVer staying near Newark, making the area suitable for digital nomads seeking luxury glamping experiences.
