Isle du Bois Campsites at Ray Roberts Lake State Park offers dedicated equestrian trails and camping facilities located in North Texas at approximately 700 feet elevation. The park encompasses over 1,400 acres with terrain that includes both woodlands and open grasslands. Winter temperatures average between 40-60°F while summer months frequently exceed 90°F with high humidity.
What to do
**Lakeside fishing: Access multiple fishing spots at Johnson Branch Campsites where anglers can fish directly from the shoreline. "Lots to explore and see here! Scenic trails vary in distance but are easy to connect for longer hikes – or walk the shoreline for a nice lakeside view," notes Gretchen N.
**Wildlife viewing: Watch for native animals throughout the park, especially in quieter areas. "Deer will approach your campsite and you're likely to see all kinds of wildlife. A gem of a getaway!" reports Tony C. about the park areas.
**Beach swimming: Visit the designated swimming areas during warmer months for family-friendly water activities. "There is also a fantastic beach swim area for day use or to visit while your camping. Nice sand and roped off swimming areas with large playgrounds," says Matt S.
**Trail exploration: Walk the extensive trail network that connects different camping areas. "Beautiful park with views to the lake. Very clean showers, nice trails...very family friendly," writes Bryan A., highlighting the well-maintained paths.
What campers like
**Spacious campsites: Isle du Bois Campsites offers generous room between sites. "There are few campers here in December. Restrooms were clean. Campsites, large and private," shares Eric R. about his winter camping experience.
**Tent camping options: Multiple tent-friendly areas provide different experiences based on your preference for amenities. "Lots of good tent sites both on the water or a short hike to it," explains Dustin P., noting the variety of locations.
**Primitive camping: For those seeking a more remote experience away from RV areas. "I stayed at the Wild Plum (primitive) camping area with my son in early spring. Sites are far enough away that you have to shout at your neighbors, so feel free to stretch out," Christopher L. mentions about the secluded areas.
**Year-round accessibility: Loyd Park remains open throughout all seasons with varying conditions. "Tested out our new camper for the first time - loved this campground, even in the winter! Our site was only a hundred feet from the lake - gorgeous view!" reports David G.
What you should know
**Reservation timing: Book equestrian campsites well in advance, especially during spring and fall seasons when weather conditions are most favorable for riding.
**Water level variations: Lake conditions can change throughout the year affecting some camping areas. "We went last weekend, water is high, some areas for RV flooded out. Great place to go," notes Augustin T. about seasonal water fluctuations.
**Site selection considerations: Choose sites based on your specific needs for privacy, lake access, or shade. "The primitive sites in the Hawthorne campgrounds are spaced a good distance apart and really give you a feel of isolation. Sites on the perimeter all have lake access where you can pull a boat up," explains Matt S.
**Primitive site distances: LBJ National Grasslands offers more remote options that require planning. "The site we stayed at was at least 300 feet from the nearest spot but no one occupied that spot either time we stayed here so we were pretty much by ourselves," Mesha P. shares about the isolation available.
Tips for camping with families
**Playground accessibility: Select sites near play areas for convenience with children. "One of the nice thing was the tree coverage, like I said. We had a lot of trees so we could but up some lights and a slack line for the kids to play on. The other nice thing from our site, was that we were about 1/4 mile from a little playground for the kids," Chris H. describes.
**Swimming areas with amenities: Cedar Hill State Park offers designated swimming locations with family facilities. "Very nice park with a variety of campsites. Shaded areas available. Very clean," notes Karen B. about the family-friendly environment.
**Animal encounters: Plan for wildlife viewing opportunities that interest children. "We camp here often - by ourselves, and with friends. Beach area and playgrounds are great, although you do have quite a few 'day users.' The park also has a boat ramp," Randy H. explains about the family activities.
**Educational opportunities: Take advantage of ranger programs and nature learning activities when available. "Great place to hike and swim, sites are decent and give a fair amount of space in between. Bring shoes though! Lots of little prickers in the grass down by the lake," advises K7.
Tips from RVers
**Hookup availability: East Fork Park Campground provides electrical connections and water at campsites. "RV sites have water and 50/30 amp electric and there are 12 tent sites. We had a nice view of Lake Lavon. Grills and tables vary by site, some are very old, but many have been replaced," Ray & Terri F. note.
**Site levelness: Check site descriptions for elevation changes that may require leveling equipment. "Pros: Great views of the water and wildflowers in the meadows. Reasonable price. Everything works and the shaded picnic tables are a plus. Downsides: The pad has definitely broken up over time and isn't level," Melanie and Doug G. observe.
**Access roads: Some parks have rough entry roads that may present challenges for larger rigs. "View was great and camp hosts were very friendly but the roads are horrible! The sites weren't bad and ours was pretty level," Mia D. mentions about road conditions.
**Site spacing: RV sites provide varying degrees of privacy depending on the camping loop. "Five Star Park located just minutes from Dallas Fort Worth. The Park is extremely clean. Campsites are all level and great for the Big Rigs," Debbie T. shares about the RV-friendly accommodations.
