Best Campgrounds near Princeton, TX

Campgrounds near Princeton, Texas primarily cluster around Lavon Lake, with several established sites offering a mix of amenities for different camping styles. Clear Lake Park provides waterfront access with full hookups for RVs, while Lafon's RV Park accommodates tent campers, RV users, and offers cabin rentals for those seeking more comfort. East Fork Park Campground and COE Lavon Lake Lavonia provide additional options within a short drive, featuring electric hookups, drinking water, and boat access points. The landscape around these mixed-use campgrounds combines lakeside recreation with typical North Texas terrain.

Access to most Princeton-area campgrounds remains consistent year-round, though seasonal considerations affect water levels and site availability. Lavon Lake campgrounds like Clear Lake Park operate primarily from April through September, while others maintain year-round operations. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F from June through September, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Most developed campgrounds require reservations, especially during weekends and holidays when lakefront sites fill quickly. Cell service is generally strong throughout the area, with visitors noting good coverage for both Verizon and T-Mobile. As one camper observed, "The location of this campground feels secluded from the city but close to the highway so you can be in the city within a few minutes drive."

Waterfront access represents the primary draw for campers visiting the Princeton area, with several reviewers highlighting the lake views and fishing opportunities. Lavon Lake offers multiple access points for boating, fishing, and swimming, though some areas restrict swimming. RV campers appreciate the full-hookup options at several campgrounds, while tent campers can find dedicated sites at places like Lafon's RV Park. The proximity to Dallas (approximately 40 miles) makes these campgrounds popular weekend destinations for city residents seeking quick getaways. Visitors frequently mention the wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly deer sightings in early mornings. Noise levels vary by location, with campgrounds closer to highways experiencing more ambient sound, while those tucked along the lakeshore provide more peaceful settings despite their popularity during peak seasons.

Best Camping Sites Near Princeton, Texas (167)

    1. East Fork Park Campground

    11 Reviews
    Wylie, TX
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (972) 442-3141

    $14 - $150 / night

    "We had a nice view of Lake Lavon. Grills and tables vary by site, some are very old, but many have been replaced."

    "I avoided any rough spots in the road and arrived at a LONG and roomie site with a beautiful view of the lake."

    2. COE Lavon Lake Lavonia

    8 Reviews
    Wylie, TX
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (972) 442-3141

    $14 - $30 / night

    "Nothing to knock you socks off, but it’s a great campsite close to home and nice for a quick getaway. Has the feel of being somewhat remote since it’s out by the lake."

    "Doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles but does have sewer, lake views, wide open spaces, and clean! Great food places nearby."

    3. Erwin Park

    8 Reviews
    McKinney, TX
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (972) 547-2690

    "The only sound other than bird song is the occasional moo and some coyote yips in the distance"

    "Erwin Park is a great place to visit if you're looking to spend a few days running or biking trails. Campsites are far enough apart that you have privacy yet close enough that you don't feel alone."

    4. Lafon's RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Lavon Lake, TX
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (972) 736-3316

    $50 / night

    "We needed to do some repairs to our truck after a hell storm, we need to be around the Dallas, Garland, McKinney area, and this is a perfect location, quiet, but yet close to everything we needed, there"

    5. Patriot RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Lavon Lake, TX
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (972) 544-6630

    $20 / night

    "This place is close to anywhere you need to go. The price is the best in the area and they give free high speed internet. They have a nice laundry room and mailboxes on site."

    6. Clear Lake Park

    1 Review
    Lavon Lake, TX
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (972) 442-3141

    7. Alvin Lafon's RV Parks

    2 Reviews
    Lavon Lake, TX
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (972) 736-2635

    8. The Waters

    1 Review
    Lavon Lake, TX
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (972) 832-6362

    $450 / night

    9. Texas Star Resort / Wildwood RV Campground

    3 Reviews
    McKinney, TX
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (972) 837-4600

    "We were thankful this park was close by. We liked the place alot, we parked on one of the many concrete sites. We were able to use the pull thrus but still unhooked for our dr visits. "

    10. Lavon Oaks RV Park

    1 Review
    Fate, TX
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (469) 428-7468

    $18 - $23 / night

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Recent Reviews near Princeton, TX

566 Reviews of 167 Princeton Campgrounds


  • Ray & Terri F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Bright Star Campground — Cooper Lake State Park South Sulphur Unit

    Nice, very quiet, heavily wooded CG

    We have a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and stayed in site 25 for 1 night in early September. The CG is clean, well maintained. The CG roads are paved, as are the sites. The site pads themselves are concrete and most looked to be fairly level, but a few had a bit of slope. Most of the sites were fairly well spaced. The CG, at least on Sunday evening, was very quiet and peaceful. There were only 2 other campers while we were there, one of them the Park Host. Our site, 25, was a pull-through, but the center of it had about 4 inches of mud from a recent rain, otherwise it would just be 4 inches of dirt. A few of the back-in sites had similar situations at the junction with the road. 

    AT&T coverage was pitiful, with only 1 bar of LTE service and speeds up to 0.1 MB/s. We had a clear view to the N from the side of the site, so Starlink was fine with speeds up to 16 MB/s.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 9, 2025

    Hidden Grove RV Resort

    Beautiful quiet oasis

    You can tell this is a good place to stay as soon as you pull in the drive. Great roads, very large sites, your choice pull in paved or gravel, back in or lake side. All spots have a paved patio. The owners are so nice and make you feel at home. We stayed an extra night.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 8, 2025

    The Vineyards

    A must stay!!!

    In a very nice campground with spacious FHU sites that are concrete pads and level. Great views of the lake. A well equipped campground store with lots of items. Clean large bathrooms and showers as well as a laundry room. Have events throughout the week for social activities for adults and kids. Great hosts and a very well kept campground. Definitely a place to stay overnight or a week.

  • Cyn T.
    Aug. 5, 2025

    Lake Park Campground

    Quiet and Peaceful

    Check in was simple. Kasey and Shane are wonderful. Convenient to the lake. Easy access to stores and I 35. There is a parking lot for your boat or jet skis within the campground. The sites for 30 amp and smaller campers are closer to the water. 50 amp and larger campers are in the shade. I am not certain of fees for park entry. Website says that day use area is included in the amenities, but had to pay the entry fee yesterday.

  • Bobbie S.
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Patriot RV Park

    Comfortable stay

    Stayed for two months for my husband's work. Park manager, Becky, was helpful and nice. They have a saltwater pool, dog park, laundry room, shower/bathrooms, trees/landscaping and access to a boat ramp. Some sites are a bit tight. We were in the top part of the campground and had no issues with it being real wet. Have heard that the lower area does have pooling of water with heavy rain. It does go away quickly, but should be aware of this if you have lots of outside things or a pet. Would stay here again.

  • Dan W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 16, 2025

    The Vineyards Campground & Cabins

    Beautiful & well maintained

    Great place to spend the week. Swim beach, playground, everything you could need. Cleanest bathrooms and showers.

  • mThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 5, 2025

    Pilot Knoll Park Campground

    Lake Front Camping close to Dallas

    Lots of large back in spots with 50/30 amp plugs, water hook ups, fire pit and picnic table. Many spots are have direct access to the lake to launch a kayak or SUP, boat launch in the day use area. Clean, online reservations takes a little bit of navigating, I had to sign up for an account. Lloyd of tall trees provide shade. Paid $30 per night for mid week in June.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 20, 2025

    Bonham State Park Campground

    Small

    A very small park with a small lake, but it is well shaded well maintained. It is undergoing upgrades at this time.

  • Christina H.
    May. 11, 2025

    The Retreat at Shady Creek

    Awesome RV resort in town

    We normally don't do RV resorts, but this one is awesome. The sites are fairly spacious, especially compared to other RV resorts. Big rig friendly with many different style spots to choose from. We always choose the fence line back in sites, and they always come with plenty of grass to walk the dogs. The fence backs up to residential, but that doesn't bother us. Even the back in sites are plenty spacious for a big rig and your tow vehicle and another vehicle. The park is very roomy and easy to navigate and park.

    The staff are always so nice and they make late check in a breeze, which we appreciate after a long, tiring day of towing. This RV resort is the only place we've ever stayed in that allows RV washing! For full-time RVers, that's pretty huge. They also have a mail room if you need to receive a package on the road.

    The resort is split up into two areas by the road, the Retreat area is more resort like and caters to short term stays, while the other half has long term stays. They both look nice and are clean and beautiful. We will continue to visit every time we pass through the area.


Guide to Princeton

Camping near Princeton, Texas, offers a variety of outdoor experiences for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled weekend, there are several campgrounds nearby that cater to different needs.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Nature Trails: Explore the scenic trails at Cedar Hill State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, “A very big old park...has a fish pond, wonderful beach and day sites.”
  • Fishing: If you enjoy fishing, Lake Tawakoni State Park Campground is a great spot. A camper shared, “Nice, large park with large RV sites and good privacy...there is a really nice, large picnic area for day pass folks, and a nice big sandy swimming beach.”
  • Water Activities: Isle du Bois — Ray Roberts Lake State Park offers boating and swimming opportunities. One reviewer noted, “The campground is nice and well maintained...there's a paved walking path around the whole park.”

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Eisenhower State Park Campground said, “The park is well maintained and offers beautiful hiking trails and scenery.”
  • Friendly Staff: Many campers mention the helpfulness of the staff. One camper at Hickory Creek - Lewisville Lake remarked, “The gate attendant was very friendly and helpful.”
  • Spacious Sites: Campers enjoy having enough space between sites. A review for The Vineyards Campground & Cabins highlighted, “The sites were large and clean. Nice views of the lake...quiet and peaceful.”

What you should know:

  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially on weekends. A camper at Johnson Branch — Ray Roberts Lake State Park advised, “Most campsites have a lengthy walk-in distance so be prepared! Bring a cart; it’ll speed things up massively.”
  • Limited Cell Service: If you rely on your phone, be aware that some areas have spotty service. A visitor at Hidden Cove Park & Marina noted, “For T-Mobile, service is not good enough for work or streaming.”
  • Weather Considerations: Texas weather can be unpredictable. A camper at Lake Tawakoni State Park Campground mentioned, “It had been raining a lot, so things were pretty muddy, but all in all it was a pretty nice park.”

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and swimming areas. One camper at Eisenhower State Park Campground said, “Great hiking options and sells firewood on site.”
  • Pack for Comfort: Bring extra blankets and games for family bonding. A visitor at Cedar Hill State Park Campground shared, “The park is pretty big and there was a nice fire pit and picnic table we could use.”
  • Plan Meals Ahead: Cooking together can be a fun family activity. A camper at Hickory Creek - Lewisville Lake noted, “Each site is paved and has the following amenities: picnic table, BBQ, fire pit.”

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Amenities: Make sure your site has the necessary hookups. A visitor at Lake Tawakoni State Park Campground mentioned, “The grounds are well kept and sites are level.”
  • Bring Extra Cords: Some RV sites may require longer cords for hookups. A camper at Eisenhower State Park Campground said, “Water pressure was 50 psi, sewer hookup was close, but electrical box was in the front.”
  • Explore Nearby Attractions: Take advantage of local attractions. A reviewer at The Vineyards Campground & Cabins noted, “Easy drive to George W. Bush Presidential Library.”

Camping near Princeton, Texas, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. With a little planning, you can enjoy the great outdoors and make lasting memories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Princeton, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Princeton, TX is East Fork Park Campground with a 3.5-star rating from 11 reviews.

What parks are near Princeton, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 24 parks near Princeton, TX that allow camping, notably Lavon Lake and Lewisville Lake.