Lake Lavon dominates the camping landscape near Rockwall, Texas, with most campsites positioned within 20 miles of the city. The area features a mix of Corps of Engineers (COE) parks and privately operated RV facilities, with elevations ranging from 400-500 feet. Summer humidity creates challenging camping conditions from June through August with frequent temperatures above 95°F.
What to do
Fishing access: Lake Tawakoni State Park Campground, located about 30 miles from Rockwall, offers excellent catfish fishing opportunities. "This lake is well known for its Catfish Fisheries all around the lake which in turn causes the lake to produce very large Catfish. Upwards of 70lbs," notes a camper who visited the park.
Hiking trails: Lake Tawakoni State Park Campground features multiple hiking paths suitable for various skill levels. A visitor mentioned, "This state park has both walking and biking trails galore. None of the trails were too hard for a seven and nine year old but were long enough that they were fun and a good workout."
Boating options: East Fork Park Campground provides direct lake access for boating enthusiasts. "The location is nice on the lake with lots of sail boats sailing by," reports one camper who enjoyed the water views despite noting maintenance issues.
Lake swimming: Lake Tawakoni provides designated swimming areas during warm months. "The park has an ample sand beach area and the facilities are clean and in good repair," writes one visitor who appreciated this feature for cooling off during Texas heat.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: COE Lavon Lake Lavonia offers well-separated camping areas. A camper noted, "Wide open spaces and beautiful lake views. The sites are far apart and lots of green space."
Clean facilities: Several campgrounds maintain well-kept bathroom facilities. At Lake Tawakoni, a visitor appreciated that "the bathrooms were very clean" while another mentioned that East Fork Park has "water and 50/30 amp electric and there are 12 tent sites."
Lake views: Most campgrounds near Rockwall provide water vistas. One camper at East Fork Park mentioned, "We had a nice view of Lake Lavon. Grills and tables vary by site, some are very old, but many have been replaced."
Wildlife viewing: Fall and winter camping provides bird watching opportunities. A visitor to Lake Tawakoni State Park reported, "Last time I was here it was fall and the leaves had changed and birds were everywhere. I didn't encounter very many people so, it felt like a had the place to myself."
What you should know
Road conditions: Many campgrounds have deteriorating internal roads requiring careful navigation. At East Fork Park Campground, a visitor observed, "The roads are in need of repair, with numerous potholes, some very large, but the attendant did say that the park was on the CoEs list for repairs."
Maintenance issues: Grass length can affect camping comfort at several locations. One camper at East Fork Park noted, "Great campground, electric and water. Only issue is the grass is always one high so bring a weed whip."
Seasonal challenges: Insects can be problematic during warmer months. At Lake Tawakoni, a camper advised, "Come prepared to battle the ants. We were overcome in our trailer with thousands of ants the first night, which has never happened before."
Tent camping limitations: Some parks cater primarily to RVs with tent sites as secondary considerations. At Lavonia Lavon Lake, one tent camper observed, "Clearly geared towards RVers... The few tent camp sites were shoved seemingly randomly between and around the RV sites."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming access: Dallas-Northeast Campground offers a swimming pool for children when lake temperatures are uncomfortable. A visitor noted, "Children were enjoying the pool, my furbabies enjoyed the large grassy areas around the small fishing lake."
Bathroom facilities: Lake Tawakoni State Park has family-friendly bathroom layouts. According to one camper, "In the loop bathroom they have individual rooms that have toilet and shower with a high lock. Really awesome if you are using shower with toddlers."
Safety considerations: Most campgrounds near Rockwall have good cellular coverage for emergencies. A visitor to East Fork Park noted, "5G plus signal on ATT for anything you might need online," which provides peace of mind for families requiring connectivity.
Cabin options: Lavon Oaks RV Park and Dallas-Northeast Campground offer cabin rentals for families wanting camping experiences without tent setup. These provide alternative accommodations during extreme weather conditions common to North Texas.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: Many RV sites require leveling equipment. At COE Lavonia Lavon Lake, one RVer mentioned, "Our site was very unlevel on the hill, so bring your chocks."
Hookup access: Plantation Place provides full utility connections for extended stays. A camper who spent a month there reported it has "laundry facilities, 30/50 amp hookups, water, sewer, back-ins and pull-throughs."
Park amenities: Some RV parks lack bathroom facilities despite offering full hookups. One visitor to Plantation Place warned, "WARNING: NO BATHROOMS, NO SHOWERS. Quiet park with easy access to Dallas. Nice dog walking area and dog park. Full hookups."
Site spacing: RV parks vary significantly in site spacing. The Waters RV Park notes size limitations: "While our almost 40' Class A fit on the pad, if we had anything larger than our Jeep Wrangler as a tow would not have fit in our spot. Really meant for 30' if you have a pickup truck to tow."
