Possum Kingdom State Park offers both tent and RV camping within 45 minutes of South Bend, Texas. This region features dramatic limestone cliffs and oak-dotted hills with elevations ranging between 750-1,100 feet. The surrounding Cross Timbers ecosystem creates a transition zone between eastern forests and western plains, influencing local camping conditions with moderate temperatures typically 5-8 degrees cooler than nearby metro areas.
What to do
Rock climbing at Penitentiary Hollow: Visit Lake Mineral Wells State Park for vertical adventure. "There is rock climbing and a small swim beach on the other side of the lake and lots of places to go fishing. The trails are very rocky and not always easy to navigate, but there is so much there to explore," notes a Cross Timbers — Lake Mineral Wells State Park visitor.
Wildlife viewing at night: Join organized nighttime activities at Possum Kingdom State Park Campground. "Lots of activities (there was a Scorpion hunt our first night - where they meet and use a black light to seek out the little monsters...a cool activity that I would have enjoyed," shares a camper who gave the park 4 stars.
Kayaking peaceful waterways: Rent equipment on-site at multiple locations. "This is one of my favorite parks to kayak or canoe at! You can rent them right there at the dock. You can rent jet skis, as well!" writes a Possum Kingdom visitor who rated their experience 5 stars.
What campers like
Private lake access: Some sites offer direct waterfront locations. "I tent camped and cooked out the back of the Jeep at a back-in RV site that sure seemed to be the best spot of them all. The site itself was really large with huge old trees for hammocks. We had our own private access to the lake that was secluded by trees at our site," explains a visitor at Thousand Trails Bay Landing.
Historic fort explorations: Fort Richardson offers self-guided tours through multiple preserved buildings. "A few times a year, the City of Jacksboro opens its arms to an influx of campers and schools from around the state eager to see one of the unique reinactments at the historic location of Fort Richardson State Park Hist. Site and Trailway," reports a 4-star reviewer.
Yurt camping options: Cross Timbers Glamping Company provides yurt accommodations near South Bend, offering an elevated camping experience. Lake Mineral Wells State Park also features yurt camping with similar amenities. "Beautiful park with great trails and stunning views of the lake. Lots of trees and grassy areas," notes a Plateau — Lake Mineral Wells State Park camper.
What you should know
Seasonal water levels affect access: Heavy rain can impact campgrounds and trails. "It had rained a lot before we got there and the lake was floating over the road by the dam drive over, it was rather scary. Lots of trails to walk in area, but because of this massive rain its not possible to walk over by the dam," warns a Plateau visitor from Lake Mineral Wells.
Site selection matters: Research specific sites before booking. "Only complaint is the width of the campsite. I don't know that all were as narrow as ours, but site 20 is a really tight squeeze. Went off the side a couple of times trying to get in," cautions a Possum Kingdom camper.
Wildlife encounters: Expect diverse wildlife throughout the area. "I saw deer and wild turkey every evening, an armadillo and lots of birds," reports a Fort Richardson visitor, while another camper mentions, "Although I don't fish according to our neighbors it is a good fishing spot. Saw lots of people cleaning fish at the designated fish cleaning spots."
Tips for camping with families
Accessible hiking trails: Look for family-friendly trail options. "We took my daughters camping here since it is one of the few parks within an hour of DFW. Getting there was a breeze since it is mostly freeway and highway," says a visitor about Fort Richardson, adding that the self-guided tour includes interesting buildings like "the hospital, morgue, bakery, bridge, officer quarters and the nature center."
Educational activities: Several parks offer organized programs. "Campsite 64 has lots of cattails so I didn't launch my kayak from here. One thing I really enjoyed about this site was the breeze off the lake. It kept a hot July weekend comfortable when sitting outside," notes a Lake Mineral Wells camper.
Honor system access: Some facilities operate with minimal staffing. "The campsites close to the water were a little small and Rocky but we had a nice grassy one across the street," reports a Possum Kingdom visitor who rated their experience 4 stars.
Tips from RVers
Navigating entry points: GPS directions can be unreliable. "Caution - Google Maps has no idea where the entrance to this campground is. Entry was very easy and the Ranger on duty was extremely helpful," advises a Bay Landing reviewer who notes that "There is lot's of space in Section 1 but throughout the campground there are not very many full hookup sites."
Site leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven ground. "I sprained my knee and ankle at this park because our site was so unlevel and the mud sunk our jacks a little. Our rig weighs 16,000lbs so the Class As should be careful," warns a Bay Landing visitor who also notes cellular performance: "we were able to work and stream video easily with T-Mobile and AT&T."
