Tent campsites near Pilot Point, Texas range from spacious woodland settings to lakefront locations within a 25-mile radius. The area features prairie and post oak savanna ecosystems with elevations between 500-700 feet. Summer temperatures typically exceed 90°F from June through September, with high humidity making proper shade essential for comfortable camping.
What to do
Hiking the trails: At Tadra Point Trailhead & Campground, campers can explore both hiking and horse trails directly from their campsites. "We enjoyed a nice hike in the morning before we headed out," noted one visitor who made an overnight stop while traveling.
Mountain biking: Erwin Park offers approximately 9 miles of maintained trails specifically designed for mountain biking. "Great easy spot for day camping or easy car camping with family. Best mountain bike single tracks around with lots of built features," according to a regular visitor. Trails are maintained by DORBA (Dallas Off-Road Bicycle Association) and have directional rules—hikers go one way, bikers the opposite.
Lakeside recreation: Many tent camping spots near Pilot Point provide lake access for fishing, swimming, and boating. A camper at Collin Park noted, "Only a few tent areas left since erosion has left several falling into the lake. Easy access, plenty of tree coverage, and each area has a picnic table, grill, and fire pit."
What campers like
Sense of isolation: Despite suburban proximity, several campgrounds provide a feeling of remoteness. At Erwin Park, campers enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. "I've had many great experiences at this park it's a ways out of the way of the city noise. The only sound other than bird song is the occasional moo and some coyote yips in the distance," reported one tent camper.
Sunsets and night skies: The open landscapes of Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland create optimal conditions for skygazing. One camper recommended, "If you are there in the right time of the year, stay out late and turn off your lights—you'll get a night surprise." Another visitor mentioned finding "a pretty great vista view from which the spectacular sunset was just a great bonus."
Lake breezes: During hot Texas summers, lakeside camping provides natural cooling. At Black Creek Lake NF Campground, locals often visit for fishing or grilling, which "sorta dampens the 'out-in-the-woods' feel but overall quite nice."
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Tent campers should prepare for significant differences in toilet facilities. At Sycamore Bend Park, "The restrooms really stink, but are always clean and stocked in my experience." Collin Park presents different challenges as one visitor reported, "The women's restroom was flooded with an unknown liquid (it didn't smell, but one of the toilets was badly clogged and we haven't had that much rain lately)."
Water availability: Not all campgrounds provide drinking water. Tadra Point Campground has "no drinking water here so you will need to bring some in," according to a recent visitor. For horse campers, the water troughs "looked pretty disgusting. May want to think about bringing several gallons of water."
Site accessibility: Many campsites require carrying gear from parking areas. At Sycamore Bend Park, there's "No access to drive to the actual site so I couldn't use my RTT but it's a short walk from where you park." Some areas within LBJ National Grassland have challenging access roads—one camper advised, "I would NOT recommend taking any kind of trailer or motorhome down these roads."
Tips for camping with families
Look for playground access: Several camping areas include family-friendly amenities. At Meadowmere Park & Campground, families enjoy "Peaceful, open, spacious and super nice management and staff. Porta potties were incredibly clean and a main bathroom area featured showers and very clean as well."
Weekday visits recommended: For families seeking quieter experiences, mid-week camping offers advantages. Weekends at Erwin Park can become crowded with mountain bikers, potentially creating safety concerns for small children on trails.
Bring extra water: Since drinking water isn't available at all sites, families should pack additional water beyond normal usage. This is especially important during summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for trailers: When bringing travel trailers to LBJ National Grassland, road conditions matter significantly. "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," reported an RVer with an off-grid travel trailer.
Check clearance requirements: Many access roads to tent camping areas have low-hanging branches or rough terrain. For roof-top tent setups on vehicles, scout the route first or call ahead. One camper noted they couldn't use their roof-top tent at Sycamore Bend because vehicle access wasn't permitted to the actual sites.
Consider electrical needs: Most primitive tent campsites near Pilot Point don't offer electrical hookups. RVers planning to use generators should verify campground rules, as several locations prohibit generator use to maintain the natural atmosphere.
