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Best Campgrounds near Pampa, TX

240 Reviews

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 (49)

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Recent Camping Photos near Pampa, TX

25 Photos of 49 Pampa Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Pampa, TX

240 Reviews of 49 Pampa Campgrounds

  • Michele Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 26, 2026

    Fritch Fortress Campground

    Great view of the lake

    Love that even though it’s a free campground there’s hot showers, fresh water and plenty of space. Downside is there’s no shade. Overall, I loved the week I stayed.

  • jason F.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 24, 2026

    Amarillo KOA

    Rude, overpriced and over charged! Male want to fight.

    Absolutely disgusting experience. Came in late. Get into additional bad items below, but most importantly was extremely RUDE and DISRESPECTFUL owner lady. Ironically, this happened last year as well and I completely forgot until this happened again AND WORSE (read below). All of it unprovoked. So much so I did lose my temper some and that takes a bit. Wasn’t allowed to finish packing my truck or even take a crap before being told would be charged extra because we were ON PROPERTY (we vacated the spot 11:05) and next check isn’t until 1p and there is ZERO work to be done. She lied, said cleaning crew was waiting to get into bathroom when I was pooping (5 minutes less) and watched from across street while finishing to secure my truck and no cleaning staff got close to bathroom. While being rude, claimed I was holding the space but after I checked and the space wasn’t even reserved yet. ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND they were not fully booked (she lied and said they were). She also kept saying something about “if we allowed everyone to stay”….bitch, yes, what we paid for. and no, not everyone going to crowd your place. Place is dead. Of all the times I’ve been, rarely see anyone using anything. Well, know I know why….they run them off before they can be used. No hotel, campground, etc. ever hassled us over this. I mean, had I been treated well, allowed to stay, this review would have been a lot different. I was going to get some coffee, snacks, stickers. Same I do at every camp that has it. Nope, instead she treated my friend and myself rudely…and not even the best part.

    Plus, YOU KNEW we came in late after the storms. Your lots FLOODS, cannot walk around much. FIX YOUR DRAINAGE.

    Best part: being threaten and approached in a threatening manner when I was leaving. Was in the vehicle and a bulkish man walked toward us in a threatening manner. Proceded to say if I didn’t leave (again, literally leaving) says he’ll have me arrested if I do not leave. First, approaching someone in a threatening manner is simple ASSAULT. Cannot do that in Texas. I’m not armed, but that is a bad idea in Texas! Second, cannot be arrested for being on a property for which was a paid guest. Yes, can be told to leave, but even refusing cannot be arrest-able charge. Only one instructed by police and given a no trespass order (which can only be given if refusal to leave once police arrive).

    Corporate will be contact but little will be done as they are a franchise. But will investigate business and owners more thoroughly as I suspect there is way more unlawful and poor behavior since this was so unprovoked…TWICE.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 15, 2026

    Greenbelt Reservoir Dispersed

    Awesome camp spot

    We were the only ones here pretty close to the highway as well nice breeze at night highly recommend

  • elizabeth B.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 6, 2026

    Recreation RV Park

    $15 or $20

    Electricity and water. there's a dump station on the way out. Was here on a weekday and there aren't many others. $15 a night on weekdays, $20 on weekends.

  • S
    Apr. 26, 2026

    Sandy Beach City Park - Clarendon

    Safe campground

    I’m a motorcycle nomad. I camped on a small cliff overlooking the beach. Beautiful sunset and view. Full Wi-Fi bars on my phone. There’s a bathroom and Porta potties.

    I really liked there were light posts as I’m used to camping in complete darkness. There were trucks and trailers that camped for the night here too, making it feel more safe.

  • Katy M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 19, 2026

    City of Pampa Recreation Park

    Run down

    Only three campers in park. One looked like they lived there. The bathrooms were disgusting . The camper shower room looked like something out of walking dead. No water in them. Park could be nice if someone cared. No one cleaned up after dogs and water spicket leaked .

  • Calvin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 29, 2026

    Lake McClellan Campground

    Peaceful and tucked away

    I was solo Tesla camping, and I stopped here for the night on my way to Arizona. There is a host family there who seemed very kind, but I didn’t talk to them. I used an electrical hookup, so it was $15 for the night, and I charged my car overnight. Showers were great, I was the only one in this part of the campground, and it was very peaceful. Almost too peaceful lol. Overall, great stay. There wasn't really any water in the lake, but it was a great, cheap overnight camping spot.

  • a
    Mar. 23, 2026

    Lake McClellan Campground

    warning about sandspurs

    a warning to anyone traveling with dogs or children, because we wish we would have known - we stopped here last night to camp after a long day of driving. took our two dogs out and after a few minutes saw one was limping. both had sandspurs/devil spurs whatever those horrible things are called stuck all over into their paws. we had to hold both of them down and pull all of the thorns out with tweezers, and had them stuck all over the camper. had to carry the dogs back out to the truck, they were bleeding and traumatized. it was honestly horrific and writing this to try to prevent it from happening to anyone else. please be careful if you go here

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.

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