Tent camping options near Rowlett, Texas span across two major watersheds with multiple small lakes and reservoirs within a 30-mile radius. Seasonal flooding affects campsite availability, particularly from March through May when many shoreline sites close due to high water levels. Lake Lewisville and Lake Lavon provide the primary water-adjacent camping locations, with temperatures ranging from 40°F winter nights to summer days frequently exceeding 100°F.
What to do
Mountain biking on dedicated trails: Erwin Park in McKinney features a 9-mile trail network maintained specifically for mountain biking. "Great easy spot for day camping or easy car camping with family. Good fire pits and great pavilion at the group site if you can get it. Best mountain bike single tracks around with lots of built features," notes Brian in his review of Erwin Park.
Shoreline fishing opportunities: Little Elm Park offers electric hookups for small RVs and tent camping spaces with easy lake access. "Electric hookups for RV generally a small area first come first serve.... 5 dollars per tent....restrooms and park lights.... stores nearby..... no showers," says Joshua O. in his review of Little Elm Park.
Wildlife observation: Sleep Under The Pecan Trees provides opportunities to interact with semi-wild horses and donkeys on a 100-acre property. "Wild, yet docile horses will approach you. You can pet them and feed them by hand. Tall trees and gorgeous campsites. Donkeys hee-hawing, birds singing, and fire flies glowing. Scattered ponds throughout this 100 acre plot," writes Aaron W. about his experience at Sleep Under The Pecan Trees.
Water sports access: Boating, kayaking and paddleboarding are popular at many lakeside campsites. "Really nice park right on the lake, but it does get a bit crowded. We arrived on a Saturday around noon and took what seemed to be the last spot. Really nice, secluded campground for being so close to suburbs. Great for hammocking, kayaking, paddle boarding etc.," says Hannah F. about Sycamore Bend Park.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Meadowmere Park & Campground earns high marks for maintenance standards. "Peaceful, open, spacious and super nice management and staff. We stayed in spot 23 and although windy, I really enjoyed the scenery and quietness. Porta potties were incredibly cleab and a main bathroom area featured showers and very clean as well," notes Melanie G. in her review of Meadowmere Park & Campground.
Privacy between sites: The spacing at some parks allows for a sense of solitude without total isolation. "Very private and natural setting," notes Bobbi S. about Rockin Bar B Ranch, which offers just four total campsites on its property.
Low cost options: Several parks offer budget-friendly tent camping at $5-$20 per night. "The price has gone up from $7 to $20, but that's about average it seems now. The restrooms really stink, but are always clean and stocked in my experience," reports Taylin B. about Sycamore Bend Park.
Proximity to urban conveniences: The best tent camping near Rowlett, Texas often combines natural settings with nearby services. "You will be about 12 minutes away from the nearest Walmart, in case you forget some camping supplies. We had to go there to buy more carrots for the horses," mentions Aaron W. regarding Sleep Under The Pecan Trees.
What you should know
Reservation requirements vary: Many parks operate on first-come, first-served basis, while others require advance booking. Meadowmere Park "Closes to public after 530 and management made it easy for us to enter the gate upon our late arrival," according to Melanie G.
Bathroom conditions: Facilities range from clean shower buildings to basic pit toilets. "The restrooms really stink, but are always clean and stocked in my experience," notes Taylin B. about Sycamore Bend Park.
Stay limits: Some parks restrict camping duration, particularly during busy seasons. "They charge $20 a night with a maximum 3 days," reports Taylin B. about Sycamore Bend Park, which maintains these limits year-round.
Weekend crowds: Lake-adjacent sites fill quickly, especially during summer months. "Really nice park right on the lake, but it does get a bit crowded. We arrived on a Saturday around noon and took what seemed to be the last spot," warns Hannah F. about Sycamore Bend Park.
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly options: Several parks provide easy access camping for first-time families. "Beautiful camping grounds!! Took my 6 year old daughter for her first camping trip and she loved it. The horses came into our camp and she was mesmerized by their size and beauty. Most amazing experience," shares Mike J. about Sleep Under The Pecan Trees.
Playground access: Look for parks with dedicated children's areas. "The park has a good pavilion with a basketball hoop and good playground equipment," notes Chris K. about Sycamore Bend Park, making it suitable for active children.
Fishing opportunities for children: Many lakes offer shoreline fishing access. Mike J. reports about Sleep Under The Pecan Trees: "She caught her 1st bass in the pond as well. The entire property is simply beautiful and I'd strongly recommend Dads to bring their girls and boys out to enjoy this amazing display of nature and wildlife."
Watch for seasonal considerations: Summer heat can be intense, with temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F from June through September. "Close to Dallas, very clean and organized camp area," notes Narly I. about Meadowmere Park & Campground, which offers some shaded sites to mitigate summer heat.
