Developed campgrounds near Richardson, Texas cluster around several lakes within a 30-mile radius. Lake Lewisville hosts multiple campgrounds including Hickory Creek, which provides boat-in, drive-in, and hike-in access for tent and RV camping with 50-amp electrical hookups and water. Cedar Hill State Park, about 25 miles southwest, offers tent, RV, and cabin accommodations near Joe Pool Lake. The Vineyards Campground at Grapevine Lake supports tent camping, RVs, and cabins with 94 sites. Hidden Cove Park & Marina on Lake Lewisville includes tent, RV, and cabin options with market access and trash service.
Campground access remains available year-round at most locations, though many parks require reservations, particularly during summer months and holidays. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures frequently exceeding 90°F, while spring and fall provide milder conditions ideal for outdoor activities. One camper noted that "Hickory Creek Park is one of our favorite campgrounds that we visited. The location feels secluded from the city but close to the highway so you can be in the city within a few minutes drive." Water levels at area lakes can fluctuate seasonally, affecting shoreline camping and boat launch accessibility. Most developed campgrounds provide electrical hookups, water access, and bathroom facilities, though amenities vary by location. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area due to proximity to urban centers.
Lakefront sites receive consistently positive feedback, with campers particularly valuing water access and privacy. Several visitors highlight the contrast between urban proximity and natural settings. A reviewer mentioned that "even though it's in a highly populated area, it feels very remote when you get into the park." Campgrounds near Richardson typically feature concrete or gravel pads for RVs, picnic tables, and fire rings, though fire restrictions may apply during dry periods. Wildlife sightings, particularly deer, are commonly reported throughout the area's parks. Noise levels vary significantly between locations - some campgrounds experience road noise from nearby highways or air traffic from DFW airport, while others provide more secluded experiences. Most campgrounds offer moderate to good shade coverage, with many sites featuring mature oak trees typical of the Cross Timbers region.
$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."
$14 - $30 / night
"Location: The location is tucked away in the small lakeside town of Hickory Creek...which is surrounded by Denton to the north and Lewisville/Dallas to the south."
"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."
"Stayed here as a group traveling to the Frisco, Texas area for a college football game. We spent 2 nights in a RV. Was within close distance to where we were attending the football game."
"Being close to the lake is a big plus â you can walk right down and fish along the banks, and the view is just calm and peaceful. Although the strong wind prevented any real fishing."
$25 - $30 / night
"They offer water access, electricity, are near facilities, have tables and fire pits. Many of the sites overlook the lake or have easy access to the lake."
"Lake is nearby, and fishing permits in Tx are cheap and easy to grab online. Fairly quiet, but the sites themselves are private a shaded for the most part."
$14 - $30 / night
"Nothing to knock you socks off, but itâs a great campsite close to home and nice for a quick getaway. Has the feel of being somewhat remote since itâs out by the lake."
"Doesnât have a lot of bells and whistles but does have sewer, lake views, wide open spaces, and clean! Great food places nearby."
"Pros: Well maintained, great layout, great location, on the water. Cons: My only criticism is that our site positioned the sewer connection uphill from our trailer. A bit tough to use."
"Immediate access to the lake and a beautiful view! A great little escape from the city."
"Awesome park, great lake and a discgolf course within walking distance!!"
"Family friendly and there is a lake and playground within walking distance. The staff is courteous. We did not use any of the facilitiesďżź, except dump station."
$15 - $25 / night
"The walk-in to P07 was quite lengthy, but P11 had parking spots right next to camp."
"The lake was warm and there was a little "beach" for swimming- I would recommend water shoes and floaties! There are picnic tables and benches all over and tons of parking."
"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."
GuideNice park. Could use some updates. Especially the shower houses. Park layout and lake access is great. Several sites are water adjacent. Staff is all very friendly and helpful.
ScoutThe site is not easily accessible. Maybe they are doing work in the area???
TravelerLovely campground, not very tight to maneuver around. Mostly seasonal people and you may need to go on a waiting list. The bonus is being able to wash your RV here.
GuideBuckle up for a long review! đ I stayed at Hidden Cove Park in February for 1 night with 2 kids; and Iâd give it a solid 4/5. I would go back for sure.
Overall, this spot is really nice. The campsites are clean, spacious, and youâve got plenty to choose from. Being close to the lake is a big plus â you can walk right down and fish along the banks, and the view is just calm and peaceful. Although the strong wind prevented any real fishing.
The setup is convenient too. Water spigot right at the site, table already there, bathrooms close by and decently clean. Trash dumpster is near the bathrooms so you do t have to haul your trash out.
Now Hereâs the reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5âŚ
Privacy is the biggest downside. Campsites are pretty close together, so youâre definitely gonna see and hear your neighbors. I had some loud neighbors and had to ask them to turn the music down. Then at 12:01 AM⌠same folks fired up an electric saw to cut firewood which for sure messed up my rest. đ¤Śđžââď¸
Not really the parkâs fault, but the layout doesnât give you much separation, so your experience kinda depends on whoâs around you. Just hope you get quiet neighbors.
I gotta mention the price for those wondering. Itâs $25/night (which is actually good for the amenities youâre getting), but parking is an additional $20. I donât understand that but OK. With all the fees, my total was $70. Plus $5-6 firewood. Just an FYI.
Another thing â since the parking lot is close, youâll see headlights shining through at night when cars pass. Not a dealbreaker, just something to know.
On the flip side, the closeness to the parking lot is actually clutch. I could literally see my car through the trees, and it was only like a 2â3 minute walk. Made it super easy to haul stuff. I even blew up my air mattresses at the car and just carried them over.
I also liked the concrete driveway and sidewalks â my daughter was out there skating, which was a cool unexpected bonus.
No bugs at all while I was there, which was a win. It was too windy to fish, but the kids still had a great time. Theyâve got a basketball court, volleyball area, and a hiking trail (didnât hit it this time).
The restaurant was closed â not a big deal, but wouldâve been nice. They do sell firewood at the front for a good price though, which is convenient.
And honestly, one of the best parts⌠itâs only like 15 minutes from home, but it feels like a world away. That alone makes it a great little reset spot.
This is a GREAT place for first-time campers, and families, or even solo trips if you just want to get away for a bit.
LegendStayed in the Lakeside Loop. Very private patio areas. Large park. Pay close attention to site lengths. No margin for error. Swim beach, multiple boat ramps, perch pond and lots of day sites.
GuideI stayed at Wild Plum campsite #124 at Isle du Bois and honestly⌠5/5. Iâd definitely go back.
The overall vibe was solid. The campsite itself was clean, spacious, and felt semi-private. You can see and hear neighbors a bit, but itâs not crowded or on top of each other. Just know itâs not fully secluded. The lake view was really nice, and there are several little fishing spots around the Wild Plum area. Plus, plenty of trails nearby if you want to get out and walk.
Each site out there has its own little vibe depending on where it sits, but theyâre all pretty roomy and well laid out.
A couple things to be aware ofâŚ
The walk from the parking lot to the campsite is no joke. Itâs gravel, rocks, and some incline. If youâre bringing a lot of gear, youâll definitely want a cart. I didnât expect that part.
The toilet situation⌠yeah, I didnât use it. Itâs a primitive setup with no plumbing, and it was pretty rough. That said, itâs expected for this type of campsite. If you need a better option, you can go up to the pier â those bathrooms have actual plumbing and are way cleaner.
No showers or water at the site either. There is a water spigot near the pier if you need to refill, and youâll have to drive your trash up to the dumpsters.
Weather-wise, it was super windy when I went (early March), and campsites closer to the water definitely catch that wind. Also, not a lot of shade since the trees didnât have leaves yet, so keep that in mind depending on the time of year.
On the positive side, I saw a lot of deer in the mornings, which was a really nice touch. No bugs during my stay (I did use a fogger), and the overall environment was peaceful. The park staff was also super duper friendly and helpful, which always makes the experience better.
Also worth noting â there are stores not too far from the park (like Dollar General), which came in clutch. I actually had to grab some super glue to fix a hole in my air mattress, so itâs good knowing youâre not too far from supplies if something goes wrong.
I went solo, and it was honestly the perfect little resetâquiet, scenic, and just enough nature without being too rough.
Good for solo campers, couples, or even families if youâre cool with primitive camping.
TravelerBest place to go for a clean and quiet place to camp. Beautiful location, sunsets, horses and donkeys makes Sleep Under the Pecan Trees a place we go to camp multiple times a year for three years now.
TravelerGreat environment & friendly staff. My only complaint is rowdy neighbors almost fist fighting drunk a site over. Children were present and foul language was being used and foul music was being played. I am young only 28 and the music was not family friendly. I have no kids but others nearby did. Other than the certain members on that site everything was great.
ScoutGreat sites close to the water.
Campsites near Richardson, Texas typically offer electrical hookups, water access, and concrete or gravel parking pads. Most camping areas sit along lake shores at elevations under 700 feet. The region's Cross Timbers ecosystem features a mix of prairie grasslands and oak woodlands, creating varied camping environments within short distances of urban centers.
Hiking and biking trails: At Erwin Park in McKinney, campers access approximately 9 miles of maintained trails. "The trail network is about 9 miles and maintained by DORBA, these trails flood easily after rain so check the DORBA website before making the trip. The trails are straight forward and not super technical," notes one visitor. Mountain bikers particularly value the trail system's built features.
Water activities: Richardson area campsites provide multiple water recreation options. Hidden Cove Park & Marina offers "rental paddle boarding, full marina, and swimming area," according to a reviewer. The park includes a three-lane boat ramp accessing Lewisville Lake and seasonal restaurant facilities.
Fishing opportunities: Lake access points at many campgrounds support fishing activities. At Lake Park Campground, the proximity to Lake Lewisville creates fishing opportunities from shore. "There is a couple mile walking trail starting at the campground that is paved," notes a camper, providing access to additional shoreline fishing spots.
Space between sites: Many campers appreciate the layout at Hickory Creek - Lewisville Lake where "the sites are spread out and have great water pressure and electrical hook-ups no matter what type you need (50, 30 or 15 amps)." Another visitor mentions, "A lot of space between sites, well level and paved, family oriented, very quite, beautiful lake and tree sites."
Proximity to urban amenities: The convenience of camping near the city while feeling removed appeals to many visitors. "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," explains one camper about Hickory Creek Park.
Lakefront views: Waterfront sites consistently receive positive mentions. "Every single site has a unique view of the lake, even those high up on the circular arrangement," reports a camper about COE Lavon Lake Lavonia. The opportunity to watch boat activity on the lakes enhances the camping experience.
Site conditions vary significantly: Campground maintenance receives mixed reviews across the area. At East Fork Park Campground, "The sites are fairly well dispersed with water and electric at each. Be careful though, because the asphalt is crumbling and many have ankle-breaking drop offs between the parking pad and the picnic table."
Seasonal grass maintenance issues: Multiple campgrounds struggle with grass maintenance, especially in summer months. Several reviews mention tall grass as a problem: "The only reason I'm giving this campground 4 stars is because: the grass was tall at the campsite, could have been maintained better."
Restroom and shower facilities: Bathroom conditions vary widely between parks. Some campers report "bathrooms and showers are clean" while others experience less desirable conditions. One campground received this feedback: "The shower situation is SCARY! They have not cleaned out the spider webs and dead bugs and crawling things from the ceiling in YEARS!"
Playground access: The Vineyards Campground & Cabins receives consistent praise for family amenities. "Great fishing, kayaking, play ground, and swim area. Very well kept up. The store is well stocked," reports one visitor. Another mentions an "amazing playground was amazing with an awesome 'roller-coaster' swing that the teenagers even loved."
Swimming beaches: Water access points specifically designed for swimming exist at several campgrounds. "There is a swim area and plenty of space to walk throughout the different loops and walking paths themselves," notes a camper. Many lake access points have designated swimming areas with gradual entry points.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple camps offer wildlife viewing experiences for children. "The park has several covered pavilions as well as restrooms but lacks shower facilities," mentions a camper at Erwin Park who also notes hearing "the occasional moo and some coyote yips in the distance" creating natural learning opportunities.
Power options: Richardson area campgrounds typically offer multiple power connection options. "Lighted power supply post with all the amps available," reports one RVer at Hickory Creek. Many campgrounds feature upgraded electrical systems with 50-amp service becoming increasingly common.
Site levelness: RV campers frequently comment on pad conditions. "Sites were large enough for us (tent campers) without feeling too close to our rv/camper neighbors!" notes a camper. Another mentions, "Our site was a nice lake front area that was very spacious and a beautiful view" but warns "our site was very unlevel on the hill, so bring your chocks."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Richardson, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Richardson, TX is East Fork Park Campground with a 3.7-star rating from 14 reviews.
What parks are near Richardson, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 parks near Richardson, TX that allow camping, notably Lavon Lake and Lewisville Lake.
Keep Exploring
