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Possum Kingdom State Park Campground welcomes pets across its tent sites, RV spaces, cabins, and glamping accommodations. Several campgrounds near South Bend maintain pet-friendly policies including Bug Beach BRA #5, Dark Canyon RV Park, and Lake Godstone. Most require pets to remain leashed in camping areas, though hiking trails around Possum Kingdom Lake offer opportunities for supervised off-leash exploration. Campsites directly on the water provide easy access for dogs that enjoy swimming, with many visitors noting their pets appreciate the lake access during warmer months. Campground bathrooms and facilities are generally clean but basic, with no specialized pet washing stations reported. Many sites feature picnic tables suitable for outdoor dining with pets and provide ample shade during summer heat.
The hiking trails at Possum Kingdom State Park offer excellent dog walking opportunities with the Lakeview Trail particularly popular among pet owners. North D&D Brazos River Public Use Area and Bug Beach provide free lakefront camping with pet access, though reviews warn about dense razor-sharp grass burrs that can be difficult to remove from pets' fur and paws. Wildlife encounters are common, with visitors reporting deer sightings throughout the park and wild turkeys visible along primitive campsite trails. Summer temperatures can reach extreme levels, so adequate shade and water access for pets is essential when camping between May and September. Grocery options are limited near most campgrounds, making it advisable to bring pet supplies from larger towns. While boat traffic creates noise at some waterfront sites, the more remote primitive camping areas offer quieter environments for noise-sensitive pets.
"This park was definitely out in the middle of nowhere, with a long peaceful drive full of wildlife. We made it to the park entrance, check in was quick."
"This is one of the clearer lakes in Texas."
from $10 - $135 / night
Check Availability"Random off road place but we continued on and found this gem just beware that the link doesn’t take you directly to location. But otherwise perfect! So beautiful"
"Deer roamed free and the lake was peaceful with a small dock for boating and fishing. Enjoyed it here."
"Great, quiet, remote location. Stopped here for a couple nights on my way from visiting family in Dallas to camping down in Big Bend NP. Dry camping / boondocking over a weekend / Sat/Sun nights."
from $500 - $1000 / night
Check Availability"Easy access to the docks and to deer blinds to watch the deer come out (no hunting)."
from $125 - $500 / night
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TravelerA new park still growing but has been great so far! The owners are really nice and helpful and the spots are spacious! It’s a nice place to enjoy the outdoors and relax. They are pet & kid friendly! They even have a tiny home you can rent!
The owners have big plans!
The dog park is being put in and laundry room and garden are next.
GuideSpacious sites. Shade trees, small pond, fishing, dog park, friendly staff. They have a very nice pool and hot tub. The permanent residents are nice and it’s a great little community. I highly recommend this place. There is some traffic noise since the park is close to the interstate but it didn’t bother me.
RangerWe had an overnight stop here. Lots of longterm people working in the area, but still lots of open spots. Had an awesome playground, little dog park, laundry, showers, pool, etc. Very cute park.
ScoutBeautiful, off the beaten track, free, lots of trails and pull off areas to over night. me & one other tent camper had entire area (camp&beach) ourselves Nov3 2020. if you can navigate around the dense razor sharp Grass burrs. within minutes my tent, pets, shoes and tires were covered and difficult to remove
TravelerStayed here 4 days after visiting sister park Coffee Creek. This campground is nice. We stayed in site 2 and it was very shaded with a large yard. There is no picnic table but you do have a concrete patio so that was nice. Staff and full-timers were very nice. Campground has lots of oak trees and a nice creek throughout. Amenities are very nice and the pool/hot tub were phenomenal. Overall we really enjoyed our stay with the exception of two things.
Normally I do not mind a little traffic noise but there is a lot at this campground since it is right off of the freeway. I will say that since we were at the front of the park there was not a lot to block the noise. I never noticed it while in the camper but it was quite loud outside while talking to neighbors. Second, issue would have been the WiFi. It does exist but leaves a lot to be desired.
Overall I was very impressed with the cleanliness of the whole campground. Even the full-timers sites were very nice. There was a cool little petting zoo at the back that our kids enjoyed as well. Since we only live about an hour away I definitely will go back for another visit. It’s one of the nicer local campgrounds we have been to.
ScoutMy husband and I took our Bunkhouse tent trailer out for its first test run over Memorial Day weekend. We drove 4 hours to Lake Mineral Wells State Park. We arrived late at night and due to flooding, the main road into the park was closed but a back entrance had been opened. We easily found our site (RV with electric) and were pleased to find that it was quite wooded. There was one site very close to ours, but our neighbors were quiet folks so it wasn't a big deal.
In the morning, we went for a hike on one of the trails in the park. Because the trails are all lakeside and there had been significant rainfall and some flooding, parts of the trail had washed into the lake, making it difficult to continue. The trail we were on was rated at a high difficulty on the park map and it had several places where the trail was a little more difficult than most state parks. Overall, it was an enjoyable little trek.
The lake has a spillway that goes over the road. Near the spillway is a sandy beach without a lifeguard. The beach was pretty crowded but the lake depth is very gradual so there was plenty of space for everyone to play, regardless of age or swimming ability. We were able to walk out far enough to swim a little without worrying about getting splashed by the kids playing in the lake.
The park rents canoes, kayaks and paddleboats by the hour. The prices were fairly expensive so we opted out, but next time we will bring our kayaks for paddling. Fishing is allowed.
The daily use fees are more expensive for Lake Mineral Wells than for some other Texas State Parks, but if you have a State Park pass, this park is an excellent place to bring a family for camping.
RangerTent sites are walk-in to the other side of the end of the lake, and can be pretty rickety with loose rocks getting there. Was good practice for backpacking, since parking is closeby, but not very convenient. P008 is probably the only site suitable for hammock camping. Everything else is flat and exposed, next to the shore.
We were woken up by loud boats trolling the shore and men shouting around midnight both nights we were there, and could hear conversations from the RV area.
GuideThis park was definitely out in the middle of nowhere, with a long peaceful drive full of wildlife. We made it to the park entrance, check in was quick. We arrived on a week day and they ranger informed us the camp store was closed until weekend and no firewood. Closest store with firewood was 30min away. They lake was beautiful. We were right beside the restroom and shower facilities which was great! We came to stay for one night, we had a roof top tent so the site we had was nice and would make a perfect side for a RV but for us it could’ve been wider for our ladder but we were close to the restroom which we wanted. The restrooms were clean, could use a little update, and water was warm but not hot. Lots of wildlife around! I would stay again but I don’t think it’s the best place to go for a winter camping trip. Thank you Texas state parks!
GuideBeautiful little spot, only stayed a night. Walk right up to lake. Spots to our right had kayaks to put in right at campsite. Dump site on the way out. Spotted a Texas bobcat.
Possum Kingdom Lake and the surrounding South Bend area offer year-round camping opportunities with temperatures ranging from winter lows around 30°F to summer highs regularly exceeding 100°F. Elevations in the region vary from 1,000 to 1,500 feet above sea level, creating varied terrain for camping and recreation. The lake itself covers approximately 16,700 acres with 310 miles of shoreline, providing extensive waterfront access for campers.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple fishing spots around Possum Kingdom Lake cater to anglers of all experience levels. "During the summer months this area gets busy but there is plenty of room to pitch a tent," notes Megan E. about Bug Beach BRA #5.
Wildlife observation: Early mornings and evenings are prime times for spotting local wildlife. "We had the place to ourselves, with the exception of a herd of deer late afternoon," writes Darlene about her experience at Possum Kingdom Lake BRA - Bug Beach: BRA Area #5.
Water activities: Boating, swimming, and water sports are popular from April through October when water temperatures are comfortable. "You can rent jet skis, as well! You can't get to the famous Hells Gate from the park, but if you take the loop through a private community called Sportsman's World, you will run right into a view of it," advises Michelle M. about water recreation options.
Free waterfront camping: Several no-cost options exist for budget-conscious campers seeking lakefront views. "Tent camping areas in all 5 with shelters, grill, and picnic tables, many waterside. Public Area 4 and 6 have RV pads (which they do charge $10 to use in the Summer) with shelters, grill, and picnic tables, and many are waterside," explains Darlene about the Brazos River Authority areas.
Quiet off-season experiences: Winter and early spring offer solitude for those seeking peaceful camping. "Quiet, remote location. Stopped here for a couple nights on my way from visiting family in Dallas to camping down in Big Bend NP. Dry camping / boondocking over a weekend / Sat/Sun nights," shares Douglas P. about his stay at Hubbard Creek Public Recreation area.
Educational activities: Seasonal ranger-led programs provide learning opportunities for all ages. "There was a Scorpion hunt our first night - where they meet and use a black light to seek out the little monsters," mentions Jim P. from his camping experience at Possum Kingdom State Park Campground.
Site conditions vary: Campsite quality differs significantly between locations and seasons. "If you want to really camp, and not in a 50 footer, this is not a place to do it. Maybe the sites behind the lake would be better. Pads are broken up almost to the point of dangerous," cautions Robin B. about certain areas.
Plant hazards: Some natural vegetation can cause problems for campers and pets. "If you can navigate around the dense razor sharp Grass burrs. Within minutes my tent, pets, shoes and tires were covered and difficult to remove," warns Jen M. about challenges at certain lakeside areas.
Local supply limitations: Prepare by bringing essential supplies from larger towns. "A general store is located 5-10 minutes down the road for drinking water and food needs," notes Megan E., though selection is limited compared to urban areas.
Weather considerations: The region experiences extreme temperature fluctuations and strong winds. "Windy & whitecaps in the AM, still & hot in the afternoon," reports Douglas P. about conditions at Hubbard Creek Public Recreation area.
Beginner-friendly sites: Look for established campgrounds with amenities for first-time campers. "We so enjoyed our stay here! Right on the water and the campgrounds are spaced out enough that you are not right on top of each other. There is a convenience store on site that has most anything you need," shares Jenny W. about her family experience.
Youth-oriented activities: Several campgrounds offer kid-focused programming during peak seasons. "As a kid we would come out here several times a year. We would boat, float, cliff jump, cookout, and enjoy each other's company. Twenty years later we are still enjoying these traditions," reminisces Jennifer J. about family traditions at Lake Godstone.
Shaded options: For summer camping with children, prioritize sites with natural cover. "They have plenty of shaded areas as much as they do have open and sunny areas," notes Garrett B. about the balance of sun exposure on camping areas and trails.
Site width considerations: Many RV sites have limited space for larger rigs. "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," advises Jim P. about navigating certain spots with larger vehicles.
Electric reliability: Check with rangers about power availability before booking. "Hard to find a level parking spot. Electric hookups unusable," warns Tim P. about his experience at Kindley City Park, suggesting travelers verify utilities before committing.
Overnight RV options: Several pet-friendly camping options near South Bend accommodate recreational vehicles with varying amenities. "A place to park to have full hook up. The spaces are just enough for the trailer almost not enough for your truck but for work or for a night stay on the road you would have to unhook," shares Alejandro G. about Dark Canyon RV Park.
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near South Bend, TX is Possum Kingdom State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 22 reviews.
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