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Best Tent Camping near Pampa, TX

169 Reviews

Tent campgrounds near Pampa, Texas include several established options amid the Texas Grasslands. McDowell Campground on Lake McClellan offers designated tent sites with picnic tables and metal fire rings, while the more remote McBride Canyon provides free dispersed tent camping at Lake Meredith National Recreation Area approximately 60 miles northwest of Pampa. Lake Marvin Campground, located near Canadian, Texas, provides additional tent camping opportunities with electrical hookups and toilet facilities.

Most tent sites in the region require self-registration at fee stations or nearby campground offices. McDowell Campground features both hookup sites ($15) and non-hookup tent sites ($10), with vault toilets located throughout the grounds. Sites typically include picnic tables and fire rings, though some areas enforce seasonal fire restrictions. McBride Canyon offers free primitive tent camping with a 14-day stay limit, but visitors should bring their own water as none is available on site. Trash collection is provided at most established campgrounds, though pit toilets may not be regularly maintained. According to one visitor, "McDowell Campground is a pleasant little campground on the shore of Lake McClellan right in the middle of the Texas panhandle."

Tent campers in the Pampa area should prepare for variable weather conditions and limited privacy at some sites. Lake McClellan tent sites provide lake access with some shade from trees, making them popular during summer months. The more primitive McBride Canyon campground offers greater seclusion but presents challenges during hot weather, with multiple reviews mentioning significant mosquito activity during summer months. Tent sites at most locations accommodate standard tent footprints on relatively level ground, though some visitors note stickers and burrs can be problematic for tent floors and gear. A review mentioned that McBride Canyon provides "the perfect place for quiet, secluded tent camping" with sites "spread apart a nice distance, each with a picnic table."

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Best Tent Sites Near Pampa, Texas (4)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Pampa, TX

2 Photos of 4 Pampa Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Pampa, TX

169 Reviews of 4 Pampa Campgrounds

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 31, 2021

    East Bluff #1 Campground

    Dry

    Fee Use Area $3.00 day use $10.00 per night camping $5.00 ATV use fee 

    Open year round S

    Stay Limit 14 days 

    FCFS 

    Tent camping, picnic table, trash, pit toilet, NO WATER 

    Located on a gravel road right off the highway. It is a bit rough. There is a small pond/lake and the water level is a bit low. The campground is surrounded by Texas grasslands and is so pretty. There is a small day use area with a pit toilet. Very small tent sites and not level. There is some shade and you can see another campground just across the lake. 

    LNT 

    AIS Clean, Drain, Dry 

    Travel safe

  • Anne W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2023

    Fritch Fortress Campground

    Beautiful campground

    The spots are a good distance apart but there’s no trees or anything offering privacy. The bathrooms have jail like showers, but I didn’t use them so I’m not sure what they’re like. There are trash cans at each site, covered picnic tables and fire pits, and a spigot near the bathrooms. Much better suited for car/tent camping than for large rvs as the sites aren’t pull in. You just park in a wide spot on the road near your picnic table.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 27, 2021

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

    Country Living

    FCFS

    FREE

    This is a pretty good campground especially since it is Free.  You have a stay limt of 14 days and who doesn't need to kick back and just enjoy the simple pleasures of doing nothing.  There is no water but you will have picnic tables with shelters for the tables, fire ring, trash and a pit toilet.  You have a lot of shade around the perimenter of the campground which makes it nice.  There is no electric but who needs it.  You should have plenty of time to hike the grasslands, find a great fishing spot around the lake.  We are looking forward to a return trip to spend more time around the lake.  Hunting is another reason to check this place out.

    LNT

    tRAVEL SAFE.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 30, 2021

    Harbor Bay — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

    Amazing Sunsets

    FCFS 

    FREE 

    The boat ramp is open and great for "small" boats. Beautiful sunsets, picnic table, shade shelters, grills, trash cans, fire ring. There is no water, no flush toilets. This campground is more suited for tents but there is an area by the boat ramp where folks could boondock. 

    Thank you Texas, you are amazing. 

    LNT 

    AIS Clean, Drain, Dry 

    Travel safe

  • J
    Aug. 9, 2022

    Blue West Campground — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

    Misleading reviews

    There are various campgrounds around Lake Meredith. Blue West is on the opposite side from the city of Fritch side. Contrary to some pictures here, it does NOT have access to the water. No docks, no ramps, no water for filling, no electricity. Those are at other spots, not Blue West. It is up in a cliff over looking the lake. That said, it was very empty in July. And being so high up, I was afraid the winds were going to tear my popup canvas. It's a beautiful spot. Nothing wrong with it at all. Just those Texas winds! Shelters have two picnic tables in them. So, there is some shade. The pics are views of the lake from my campsite. So is the video

  • gaetan S.
    Jun. 23, 2021

    Blue West Campground — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

    Oasis in the oil fields

    We stayed at this campsite on our journey out west it’s right on Lake Mary is a very large man-made reserve the campsite has access to a boat ramp there are about 10+ primitive sites all with picnic tables no grills and there is currently a fire ban otherwise fires would be allowed but the firemen I believe is most of the state of Texas we stayed here on 107° day so be mindful there’s very little shelter even under the covered picnic tables highly would recommend not being outside during dusk as a plethora of insects will come and they can get quite aggressive but once the sun settle down so did the bugs and we had a lovely evening it does get very hot here as you are in the middle of Texas and there is no water available pit toilets were excellent very clean and also double as tornado shelters as this is in tornado alley so be careful there’s lots of interesting vegetation here and lots of different plant life you can get down to the lake from a long path like that starts at a large paved parking lot it’s not really a parking lot it’s just a large giant pain. On top of the rock I can easily accommodate Very long rigs it’s about 30 minutes to the nearest anything at least so be sure you bring everything you need

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 30, 2019

    East Bluff #1 Campground - Lake Mcclellan

    Avoid the crowds at this small campground

    East Bluff#1 Campground located on south side of Lake McClellan is a small five site campground. The campground is better suited for RVs than tents as the ground at all the sites slopes down towards the lake. Campsites at the ends are slightly more flat. All of the site sit on the lake shore. Two of the five sites have two picnic tables, every site has at least on picnic table and a metal fire ring. One double vault toilet can be found on the west end of the campground, a dumpster is located in the parking area. Sites are well spread out, plenty of room to spread out. A nice feature of this campground is the large field located across the parking area from the campsites. Their is no water at this campground, so come prepared or fill up at one of the other campgrounds on the other side of the lake. Signs on the interstate direct you to the exit for the recreation area, but after that don't expect any other signage to help you find the campground, the only other sign you will get is the National Grasslands sign when you reach the area. After passing the National Grasslands sign take the first dirt road on the right to reach the campground, pass by the next right turn, this leads to the boat launch area, continue down the toad to the campground. Cost is$10 per night.

  • Philip W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 25, 2025

    Harbor Bay — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

    Great views with beach type water access

    It’s pretty good. It has picnic tables under awnings, fire rings, grills, bear proof trash cans and plenty of dumpsters all around. It does have a toilet. No shower.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 30, 2021

    Fritch Fortress Campground — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

    Can not believe it is FREE

    FCFS 

    FREE 

    This campground sits on top of the cliff giving everyone a fantastic view of Lake Meredith and the most beautiful sunsets. Be ready for the wind because it blew something fierce the complete time we were there. There are no hookups but you will find flush toilets, showers, covered picnic table, fire ring, trash cans, and pedestal grill. There is a dump station at the entrance. The road into the campground is paved and in good shape. Fishing, hunting, hiking or just enjoying the sun will fill your day. All the sites are on the side of the road through the campground. Nice boat ramp with a large parking area.

     LNT 

    AIS

    ravel safe

Guide to Pampa

Tent camping near Pampa, Texas offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • At McDowell Campground, you'll find basic sites with nearby water hydrants, making it a convenient stop for tent campers.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Enjoy the serene environment at Lake Marvin Campground, where you can relax by the water and take in the peaceful surroundings.

Explore the local scenery

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Pampa, TX is McDowell Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 7 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 4 tent camping locations near Pampa, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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