Tent campsites near Savannah, Texas offer primitive and developed options within the diverse landscape of North Texas. The area features rolling grasslands interspersed with oak mottes and small lakes at elevations between 500-900 feet. Summer temperatures typically exceed 90°F, while spring and fall camping conditions remain moderate with temperatures ranging from 60-80°F.
What to do
Mountain biking on dedicated trails: Erwin Park in McKinney provides extensive single track trails popular with cyclists. One reviewer noted the park has "great hiking and mountain biking trails. Woods, water, and good campsites," while another mentioned "Best mountain bike single tracks around with lots of built features."
Horse riding on designated routes: Tadra Point Trailhead & Campground in the LBJ National Grassland offers equestrian facilities. A camper mentioned, "Plenty of poles for tying horses and there is water trofts for them but the water looked pretty disgusting. May want to think about bringing several gallons of water."
Fishing at lakeside locations: Black Creek Lake NF Campground provides access to fishing spots. A visitor observed that "The occasional local popping in for fishing or grilling sorta dampens the 'out-in-the-woods' feel but overall quite nice."
Paddling and water sports: Little Elm Park features tent sites with lake access for water activities. The park includes "Electric hookups for RV generally a small area first come first serve.... 5 dollars per tent....restrooms and park lights.... stores nearby."
What campers like
Secluded spots with good separation: Erwin Park offers spacious camping areas. According to one camper, "What a great getaway that feels like you're far from home but only a few min away for us. When you want a spur of the moment trip it's a great place to go."
Sunset views at grassland locations: Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland Dispersed Camping provides panoramic vistas. A camper shared they "found a pretty great vista view from which the spectacular sunset was just a great bonus."
Lakeside camping with breezes: When temperatures rise, lake locations provide natural cooling. A visitor to Black Creek Lake NF Campground stated, "The temperature was soaring but a nice breeze off the lake coupled with the shady trees made for a very nice experience."
Proximity to Dallas-Fort Worth: Meadowmere Park & Campground offers a convenient escape from urban areas. A reviewer called it a "Hidden Gem!" noting it was "Peaceful, open, spacious and super nice management and staff."
What you should know
Fee structures vary significantly: Little Elm Park charges $5 per tent while other locations cost more. Sycamore Bend Park has increased rates recently, with one camper noting, "The price has gone up from $7 to $20, but that's about average it seems now."
Restroom conditions can be challenging: Toilet facilities throughout the region vary widely in quality. At Sycamore Bend Park, "The restrooms really stink, but are always clean and stocked in my experience."
Potable water availability is limited: Several campgrounds lack drinking water. At Tadra Point Campground, a visitor warned, "There is no drinking water here so you will need to bring some in."
Campsite capacity fills quickly on weekends: Arrive early, especially during peak seasons. At Erwin Park, "It gets pretty busy on the weekends with bikers so if you're on foot keep your eyes & ears open to avoid being in the middle of a pileup."
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds and recreation areas: Some campgrounds offer family-specific amenities. According to one reviewer, Black Creek Lake has "a small playground and picnic tables at this site as well as a public boat launch."
Choose sites with noise separation: Family camping benefits from strategic site selection. At Erwin Park, "Campsites are far enough apart that you have privacy yet close enough that you don't feel alone."
Consider weekday visits for quieter experience: Mid-week camping provides a more peaceful environment. One visitor to Black Creek Lake NF Campground noted, "Visited mid-week; hot weather, lake breeze, and shade made it pleasant."
Prepare for bathroom challenges: Some facilities lack privacy features. A camper at Erwin Park pointed out, "The only thing I would change is the bathroom facilities, there are no doors at all!"
Tips from RVers
Check road conditions before arrival: Some sites have limited access for larger vehicles. At Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland, a camper warned, "I would NOT recommend taking any kind of trailer or motorhome down these roads and to this spot."
RV height clearance varies by site: Tree cover can limit access for taller vehicles. At Erwin Park, while nice for tent camping, some RV sites may be more challenging to navigate due to established trees.
Many sites are better suited for smaller trailers: Standard-sized travel trailers can access some areas with caution. A visitor to Tadra Point noted, "We weren't sure about the accessibility to the trailhead road with our 23 foot travel trailer so we opted to stay off road 904, where the horse trailers park."
