Best Campgrounds near Pampa, TX

Campgrounds near Pampa in the Texas Panhandle range from developed RV parks to primitive sites at nearby lakes and reservoirs. Lake McClellan Campground and McDowell Campground, located about 35 miles south of Pampa, offer both tent and RV camping with electric and water hookups available at some sites. Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, approximately 30 miles northwest of Pampa, provides multiple camping areas including Sanford-Yake, Harbor Bay, and Blue West campgrounds. The City of Pampa Recreation Park offers basic RV sites with electric hookups and sanitary dump facilities within city limits.

The Texas Panhandle experiences extreme weather conditions that affect camping comfort and accessibility. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F with limited natural shade at many sites, while strong winds can create challenging conditions for tent campers year-round. Most campgrounds in the region operate on a first-come, first-served basis with typical stay limits of 14 days. Lake McClellan and Lake Meredith campgrounds maintain paved access roads, though water levels at both lakes have declined in recent years, affecting water recreation opportunities. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with better coverage near Pampa and limited or no service at more remote sites. "West Texas winds are no joke. Our site was great, lot of sandburs so stay on roads. Great views. No nearby beach/water access except boat ramp/check in area."

Several campgrounds in the area feature covered picnic shelters that provide essential shade and wind protection. Lake Meredith's free camping areas receive positive reviews for their scenic views and relative solitude, with Harbor Bay campground particularly noted for spectacular sunsets over the water. Vault toilets are standard at most primitive sites, while Lake McClellan Campground offers flush toilets and hot showers—a rarity in the region. Campers report that McDowell Campground tends to be quieter than nearby Lake McClellan Campground, which attracts more ATV users on weekends. Wildlife sightings are common, with visitors mentioning deer near the shorelines at Lake Meredith. One camper noted that "McDowell Campground is a pleasant little campground on the shore of Lake McClellan right in the middle of the Texas panhandle," highlighting the peaceful setting that draws visitors to this remote region.

Best Camping Sites Near Pampa, Texas (46)

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Recent Reviews near Pampa, TX

218 Reviews of 46 Pampa Campgrounds


  • Overland 1.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    City of Pampa Recreation Park

    Not a bad stopover at all.

    Pulled in here on my way to NM and after seeing it on the Dyrt, I decided to give it a try. It is a city run park that includes RV camping for $15/night on weekdays and $20/night on weekends. Water and electric at every site and some sites have 50 amps. (13-17 I believe) For the money this is not a bad deal at all. No shade ( good for my solar) but there are only 2 others camped here in this large place so, no crowding. I would stay here again for sure.

  • Nathan T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Texas Route 66 RV Park

    Medium size park

    We stayed over night here, it was 43.oo full hookup, we arrived at about 8pm and locked ourselves out of our coach in the am 🧐lucky for us lockout service is 3 miles away, great friendly people, recommended

  • Brittany M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    McBride Canyon & Mullinaw Creek Camp — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

    Maintained but the bugs!

    We were specifically at the Lower Plumb area. Well maintained area with bathrooms, trash, and picnic tables. Beware of the massive number of insects, especially the wasps. They actually bit my dog. Keep in mind that you are at the bottom of a dried up lake if you are there in the summer. That's why there are so many bugs. We did get a random guy shooting in the bush for several hours.

  • F
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Huber City Park

    Nice place for stop when passing through

    Have stayed here twice. Donation box with suggested $10/night. A bargain. Basically a parking lot in a city park with back in spaces. For what it is, really cannot be beat. Both times there were two other rvs there, so no problem getting a spot, which is good as we arrived late both times. No reservation necessary.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Sanford-Yake Campground — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

    I will come back here for sure

    Highly recommend! Coming from the east coast. Florida to be exact. This is the type of place I dreamed of when decided to start doing this. The view is breathtaking. I arrived on a Sunday evening and it’s pretty empty. There are others. Someone told me it was packed over the weekend though. There are free dry spots and pay sites with water and electric. As well as tent only walk to sites. There isn’t much signage and the site I chose I wasn’t sure if it was day use only or not. A ranger did drive through and verified I was good. Basically anything with wheels needs to be on pavement or gravel. Website to reserve/pay is http://www.wrightonlakemeredith.com/

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Greenbelt Reservoir Dispersed

    Excellent site!

    This was an excellent camp site. Super quite! We had the entire area to ourself. There was one other camper parked a few spots down but they weren’t there all evening.


Guide to Pampa

Campgrounds within a 40-mile radius of Pampa, Texas provide campers with access to two significant reservoirs, Lake Meredith and Lake McClellan. The Texas Panhandle terrain in this area sits at approximately 3,200 feet elevation with characteristic high plains vegetation and prairie grasslands. Water levels at both lakes fluctuate seasonally, affecting both boating access and shoreline camping opportunities.

What to do

Hiking trails available: At Fritch Fortress Campground, campers can access several hiking and mountain biking trails around Lake Meredith. One camper noted, "There were a few hiking and mountain biking trails, though more seemed to be on the less developed, western shore of the lake."

ATV recreation: Lake McClellan Campground features designated ATV trails, making it popular with off-road enthusiasts. A visitor mentioned, "This campground was on a large recreation area that included some ATV trails, which was pretty cool! There were several different camping areas that you could choose from."

Fishing opportunities: The lakes provide year-round fishing access with boat ramps at most recreation areas. At Lake Meredith, a camper observed, "The nearby boat launch is just down the hill, with a huge parking lot offering some great fishing and water sport opportunities."

What campers like

Free camping options: Sanford-Yake Campground offers no-cost camping with surprisingly good amenities. A reviewer explained, "Free entry, no parking fees, no reservation for tent camping required, clean water available, bathrooms with showers (nicely stocked toilet paper)."

Hot showers: Multiple campgrounds in the area offer shower facilities, a welcome amenity in this remote region. At Fritch Fortress, one camper appreciated that "The bathrooms were very clean and are family-style, single use with toilet, sink and shower. The water was hot with good pressure."

Spacious sites: McDowell Campground provides well-spaced sites in a quieter setting than some neighboring campgrounds. A visitor described it as "a nice pleasant quiet campground next to the lake. A few campsites sit on the shore of Lake McClellan. Very nice wooded sites throughout the campground."

What you should know

Sandburs and stickers: Many campsites contain painful grass burrs that can injure bare feet and pets. A McDowell Campground visitor warned to "be careful for stickers, especially if you have pets."

Bathrooms sometimes closed: Seasonal or maintenance closures affect facilities. At Longhorn RV Park, a reviewer noted it's "perfect for an overnight" but has "no frills" in terms of bathroom facilities.

Payment systems vary: Some campgrounds use self-pay envelopes while others require cash payment to hosts. At Longhorn RV Park, campers were "instructed to pick a site and then leave $20 cash in the metal box."

Weather extremes: The Panhandle experiences sudden weather changes that can affect camping comfort. A Fritch Fortress camper reported, "Ended up boondocking at the park because of a terrible storm that blew in and wouldn't allow me to keep my tent down."

Tips for camping with families

Playgrounds and recreation: Huber City Park in Borger offers family-friendly amenities beyond just camping. One visitor highlighted that it's "Great for kids. Playground, splash park, volleyball, basketball hoops."

Shaded picnic areas: Look for sites with covered tables to protect from sun and wind. At Sanford-Yake, "Each site has a picnic table and metal fire ring, some sites also include pedestal grills as well."

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Lake areas attract local wildlife, particularly at dawn and dusk. A camper at Fritch Fortress Campground shared, "The sunrises are huge, the lake is silent (at least in early Oct)."

Cell service for emergencies: Coverage varies throughout the region. At Sanford-Yake, a visitor reported "usable cellphone service (for AT&T at least)" which can be important for families needing to stay connected.

Tips from RVers

Level sites availability: Most campgrounds in the area offer relatively flat parking. At Lake McClellan Campground, a camper noted, "All sites are nice and level. A few sites are missing their site numbers which made it a little difficult to figure out which site we were in."

Electric and water hookups: Many campsites provide basic utilities at reasonable rates. At McDowell Campground, "The campground has hook up sites with electric and water($15), and non-hookup sites($10)."

Size restrictions: Some campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. At Fritch Fortress, a camper advised, "None of these are good for RVs longer than 15 feet, but ours and our only other neighbor (in a van) fit just fine."

Dump station locations: For longer stays, know where sanitation facilities are located. A visitor to Huber City Park mentioned, "Dump station here for free with free potable water."

Frequently Asked Questions

What parks are available in Pampa, TX for day use or recreation?

Near Pampa, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area offers multiple day-use areas and recreational opportunities. This large man-made reservoir features boat ramps, picnic areas, and primitive camping. For a different experience, East Bluff #1 Campground provides day-use access for $3, with picnic tables and access to a small lake. The area also accommodates ATV enthusiasts for a $5 use fee. These parks provide various outdoor activities including boating, fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing within a reasonable drive from Pampa.

Is there a water park in Pampa, TX for family activities?

Pampa itself doesn't have a dedicated water park, but nearby water recreation can be found at Sanford-Yake Campground — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area. This area offers water-based activities like swimming, boating, and fishing. Each site includes a shaded picnic area, making it suitable for family day trips. Another option is Fritch Fortress Campground at Lake Meredith, which provides additional water access points. For traditional water park facilities, families would need to travel to larger cities like Amarillo, which is about an hour's drive from Pampa.

Where are the best camping sites near Pampa, TX?

For camping near Pampa, TX, Lake McClellan Campground is a top choice. Located in the Texas panhandle, it offers water/electric hookups, tent camping areas, and ATV trails. The campground features picnic areas and sites along the lake, though signage after the interstate exit is minimal. Another good option is Urban Hidden Acres RV Park- Pampa, which provides convenient accommodations closer to town. Both locations serve as excellent bases for exploring the natural beauty of the Texas panhandle region.