Best Tent Camping near Palestine, TX

Tent campers visiting the Palestine, Texas area have several established campground options ranging from primitive backcountry sites to developed tent areas. Fort Boggy State Park Campground, located in Centerville, offers tent sites with varying access types including drive-in, hike-in, and walk-in options. Additional tent camping can be found at Walnut Creek Backcountry Site and HFR Campsites & Retreats, both providing more primitive experiences for backcountry tent camping enthusiasts.

Most tent camping locations near Palestine have basic amenities, though facilities vary significantly between sites. Fort Boggy State Park provides electric hookups, picnic tables, and allows campfires, making it suitable for tent campers who prefer some conveniences. In contrast, Walnut Creek Backcountry Site offers a more rustic experience with minimal facilities, requiring hikers to pack in all necessary supplies. Tent campers should note that most sites permit pets, but regulations regarding fires differ between locations. Water availability is limited at many sites, so campers should plan to bring sufficient supplies.

Sites farther from developed areas provide deeper wilderness immersion for dedicated tent campers. The hike-in requirement at Walnut Creek creates a more secluded experience compared to the mixed-use camping at Fort Boggy. Tree cover varies across locations, with most offering some shade during summer months when temperatures can be extreme. Fort Boggy State Park stands out for tent campers seeking a balance between amenities and natural settings. A review mentioned that "the park does not have RV sites, only cabins and primitive camping," making it less crowded for tent campers seeking quieter experiences. Tent sites throughout the region typically require reservations during peak seasons, particularly at Fort Boggy State Park where cabins and tent sites can fill quickly.

Best Tent Sites Near Palestine, Texas (5)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Palestine, TX

145 Reviews of 5 Palestine Campgrounds


  • Rachel J.
    Nov. 3, 2020

    Fishermans Point Marina and Resort

    Limited tent sites

    We went to check this place out to reserve for a family camp trip. The grounds are clean and spacious. They have wonderful cabins and RV sites. The only have 5 tent sites. There are no tent pads and the sites are on a small hill. The picnic tables are limited and not every tent site has one. There are no fire rings so it’s a little unnerving building a fire on the grass. The lake and marina is wonderful and clean. They have all sorts of thing to do there. Kayak rentals, fishing charters, a cute little cafe. This is a place I would come to rent a cabin but not to tent camp!

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Jennifer S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2022

    Llamaland Ranch

    Camping with llamas

    This is a private campsite where you can feed and camp with llamas. There are about 40 llamas to enjoy. The owners are friendly and helpful. There are a couple outhouses, picnic tables, fire pits and grills. There are no electric or water hookups. There is limited camping spots but you are spread out from others which is nice. We were the only ones there when we camped. You book this location through their Facebook page llamaland Ranch. The price was $35 a night plus service fees of around $7.75. Firewood is available for a fee also.

  • 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.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 3, 2022

    Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area

    Nice wooded campground

    Pretty campground. Tall pine trees. Camped with our camper van along the loblolly loop. Not suitable for large rigs in this section. Level tent pads. Sites have access to the lake. Loved the tall trees. Restroom/shower rooms were very clean. See previous reviews about this. Paved roads & driveways in this section. No water & electric hookups in this section, but available in another section of the campground. Water spigot nearby for drinking water. Busy Hwy 7 is nearby; road noise from big rigs can get loud sometimes. AT&T cell/data service okay. No T-Mobile cell/data service. Would like to camp here again & explore some of the hiking trails.


Guide to Palestine

Tent campers near Palestine, Texas have access to multiple tent-friendly locations across the region's mixed pine and hardwood forests. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Winter camping is possible with temperatures typically ranging from 35-60°F, though occasional freezing nights require appropriate cold-weather gear.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Fort Boggy State Park Campground features a 15-acre lake stocked with bass, catfish and perch. A camper noted, "We hiked the trails and went and checked out the little lake."

Trail exploration: Several campgrounds offer hiking trails through East Texas woodland. At HFR Campsites & Retreats, campers can access multiple nature paths with varying difficulty levels, suitable for day hikes ranging from 1-3 miles.

Wildlife observation: Lake Limestone Public Use Area #3 provides habitats for diverse bird species and small mammals. The area includes several observation points with unobstructed views of the lake, particularly active during morning hours.

What campers like

Modern cabin amenities: Visitors to Fort Boggy State Park Campground appreciate the well-maintained structures. According to one camper, "Nice, beautiful and modern cabins. Love the enclosed porch and open porch as well. The cabin was spacious enough for our family of 6."

Cleanliness: Facilities at several campgrounds receive positive reviews for maintenance. One visitor to Fort Boggy mentioned, "The new family restroom close to the cabins was great, nice and clean."

Staff interactions: Campground personnel contribute to positive experiences. As noted by a Fort Boggy camper, "The park staff were super friendly. We had a great stay."

What you should know

Limited RV access: Not all campgrounds accommodate recreational vehicles. One camper at Fort Boggy State Park Campground observed, "The park does not have RV sites. Cabins and primitive camping only."

Shower availability: Facilities vary widely between locations. A visitor to Fort Boggy noted, "I stopped in to use the showers, not realizing they were outdoor showers. The water was turned off."

Reservation requirements: Camp Meisenbach requires advance booking for all tent sites, with no walk-up camping permitted. Reservations should be made at least 48 hours in advance, particularly during spring and fall peak seasons.

Tips for camping with families

Cabin alternatives: Families seeking the best tent camping near Palestine, Texas who prefer more structured accommodations have options. One family who stayed at Fort Boggy shared, "We usually tent camp but this time we decided staying at a cabin...The cabin was spacious enough for our family of 6."

Bathroom proximity: When tent camping with children, consider locations with nearby facilities. Walnut Creek Backcountry Site has no toilets or potable water, requiring complete self-sufficiency and proper waste management practices.

Weather preparedness: East Texas experiences rapid weather changes, particularly during spring. Pack additional layers and rain gear even during forecasted clear conditions, as afternoon thunderstorms develop quickly during warmer months.

Tips from RVers

Site limitations: Several campgrounds near Palestine restrict vehicle types. HFR Campsites & Retreats allows only smaller recreational vehicles on specific sites due to narrow access roads and limited turning radius.

Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary significantly between locations. While Fort Boggy offers electric hookups and water connections, most primitive tent camping areas near Palestine provide no utility connections, requiring self-contained operation.

Seasonal access: During heavy rain periods, typically in spring, unpaved access roads to backcountry tent sites may become difficult to navigate even for high-clearance vehicles. Check with park offices for current conditions before departing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Palestine, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Palestine, TX is Camp Meisenbach with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

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

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