Lake Texoma straddles the Texas-Oklahoma border with 580 miles of shoreline and water levels averaging 615-619 feet. The region experiences hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through September. Winter camping offers milder conditions with daytime temperatures typically ranging 50-65°F December through February.
What to do
Hiking trails for dogs: At Eisenhower State Park Campground, trails are suitable for leashed pets with varying terrain. "The trails are great and the Rangers are friendly and share a lot of knowledge. Cool beach with caves," notes Susan F.
Lakeside fishing: COE Lake Texoma Burns Run West offers excellent fishing opportunities near the dam. "We caught nice catfish off the big rocks. The sunsets and stars are beautiful," reports Melanie W., who enjoyed daily hikes and found wild muscadine grapes during her stay.
Swimming beaches: For families wanting water access, several campgrounds maintain swimming areas. "The swim area in this park is down a pretty steep gravel trail that I had a hard time navegating," warns one reviewer about Eisenhower State Park, suggesting visitors consider accessibility needs when planning.
What campers like
Shaded campsites: Burns Run West provides excellent tree cover for hot Texas summers. "Loop C is wooded so there is sufficient shade to cut out the sun. We enjoyed our stay and will return in the future," shares Michael R. about the campground's large pull-through sites.
Waterfront camping: Paradise on Lake Texoma offers lakefront sites with direct water access. "The RV site itself(#36) was easy to back into with plenty of space for our outdoor set up. Fair warning, the water hookups are FAR from the site. Do not under estimate how far these things are," advises Taylor V.
Pet-friendly atmosphere: Most campgrounds near Sherman welcome pets with standard leash requirements. "The gravel sites are level, with small grassy areas available for pets," notes a camper about accommodations for four-legged friends.
What you should know
Summer heat precautions: Temperatures frequently exceed 100°F in July and August. "In the summer it gets very hot, nice hiking," reports Alice R. about Eisenhower State Park, suggesting early morning activities during peak summer months.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. "If you want a good spot, reserve early," advises Carrie K. about camping on Lake Texoma.
Lakeside terrain: Isle du Bois Campsites at Ray Roberts Lake State Park offers diverse shoreline access. "Bring shoes though! Lots of little prickers in the grass down by the lake," warns a camper identified as K7, highlighting the natural hazards present at some sites.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature designated play areas. "There are several playground areas central to the various campgrounds with easy access for your family. Showers and restrooms are close by the playgrounds as well," notes Matt S. about Isle du Bois.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Camping near Sherman provides chances to see local animals. "We have car camped on a few occasions here and each time we saw plenty of deer around camp," adds Matt about Isle du Bois, making it a good choice for introducing children to nature.
Group camping options: Thousand Trails Lake Texoma accommodates larger family gatherings. "Our big group has gone to Eisenhower twice. The park is on Lake Texoma. We went to kayak and camp. They have good hiking trails, great campsites, and lots to do," shares Amy J.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: At Paradise on Lake Texoma, water connections can be distant from some sites. "With 75ft of hose - we were barely reaching the nozzle. Again, we warned of this when making our reservation," notes Taylor V. about the park's infrastructure setup.
Road conditions: Internal campground roads vary significantly in quality. "The roads within the park itself could use some serious attention," warns Emerson F. about Thousand Trails Lake Texoma, suggesting drivers proceed slowly, especially with larger rigs.
Site selection strategy: "The first spot I chose had a bad pedestal, so I had to pick up and choose another spot. I would definitely recommend checking the pedestal before unpacking," advises Emerson F., highlighting the importance of testing electrical connections before setting up at dog friendly campgrounds near Sherman.
