Best Tent Camping near South Bend, TX

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.

While you can visit during other times of the year, these times make for some of the most popular and thus most busy camping experiences.

7 different types of campsites are available including group sites, equestrian sites, full hook up and primitive sites for RV and tent campers. Sites range from $10-$25 depending on the area and amenities.

For someone like myself who prefers primitive tent camping or less amenities I found $10 tent sites were about a 3/4 mile hike in and $20 limited amenity campsites were my best options. The benefits to the $20 North Loop site was pretty obvious in restrooms and typical state park fire rings and picnic tables. Primitive sites include only fire rings and because of their remote location in warmer months can be more of a questionable location as taller grass can Harbor more snakes, specifically in this area Rattlesnakes and Copperheads.

These fees were in addition to standard park admission which is $3 per day for adults. All of these fees are due upon entrance at the entry station where you will be greeted by a park ranger and given a map.

While there is a lake, hiking and areas for horseback riding my focus upon my visit was one of the reinactments events held near Christmas. “Ghosts of Christmas Past” is an event set to showcase the period of the fort days and tell the story of how soldiers spent the time, what it might have been like on those cold winter nights and create a vision of fort life. It was a great educational visit and a great way to see a bit more of the State Park.

With this being a short drive for me from my home, I find this campsite and full facilities to be very exciting to return for other events. Well maintained and with friendly staff it is well worth the trip.

TL;DR - Fine as a backup but the park is really more of a recreation area so definitely try to get one of the screened shelter or car camping sites (all of which have fire rings, picnic tables, and grills). 

We'd hoped to stay at one of the regular car camping sites in the park, but unfortunately they were all taken by the time we got to the site in the morning.

The park has ample day use facilities that you can drive up to, and the camp store is extremely well stocked. We swam, hiked, and kayaked through the park during the day, then two people in the group decided to drive back to Dallas that night while myself and one other hiked in to the primitive sites.

The hike in is about 2 miles. We took the designated "primitive campsites" trail hiking in. The trails were well marked, but pretty overgrown at parts with a TON of spider webs. The next morning we took the Cross Timbers trail back, which despite being a little longer was faster because of how much better maintained it was. 

We were getting to our campsite right as the sun was setting, so didn't explore much. Generally seemed like the different primitive sites weren't delineated very well, and as far as I know there's no map of the area to help. We managed to find a little outcropping that has obviously been used for a tent before. 

Would definitely visit the park again, and if needed camp in the primitive sites but take the Cross Timbers trail both ways.

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. 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!

This is a fun little state park was just perfect for a little Saturday night away. It is just a little less than 2 hours from Fort Worth. I would say that the park is good for short stays of 1 to 3 nights. There is not a lot to do in the area or the park that would keep attention more than that. The park has a stocked fishing lake and equipment for loan. There is all the fort buildings to explore with rangers giving talks and various activities. There is the trail system between the park and Lost Creek Reservoir for hiking and horseback riding about a 10 mile trails. The park also has a full sized sand volleyball court and playground for the kids.

The campsites are very good sized with two different camping areas. One the sites are pretty spread out with easy pull ins and flat. The other has a the cabins and sites are more close together. The parks only bathhouse is on this side also. It's not far but a bit too far for convenience if you are needing a shower. Restrooms are also in the fort area which is just down from the other campground. We were only there one night so the kids washed up in the creek LOL. The sites all have picnic tables and fire rings/pits.

We put up our large tent and dog trolley line with still plenty of space. The creek running behind the (with a big fan blowing) kept us nice & cool.

The local sheriff and police make drive throughs, No safety or security issues.

No issues with noise either.

We LOVE MW State Park!  The lake is awesome and great for fishing and kayaking.  We stayed at the Post Oak Campground over Valentine's Weekend 2019.  The campsites are really nice and include water, fire ring, picnic table, grill, parking for 2 vehicles, lots of trees.  Campsites on the south side of the loop back up to the lake.  There is a bathroom (no showers) at one end.  Showers are available at other campgrounds within the park.  We tucked our tent into the trees and had a very nice time.  The first night, we did hear coyotes chattering super close to our tent.  There are many trails to hike and several to ride bikes or horses on.  Staff at the park are great!  The only negative:  The Boy Scouts love this campground!  Late into our first night, 4 Boy Scout troops rolled in.  We were awakened the next morning to lots of kids yelling and 1 even playing a bugle.  By the end of the weekend, we knew all the kids names just from hearing them yell to each other.

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. There is lot's of space in Section 1 but through out the campground there are not very many full hookup sites.

Pros: Nice patio pads at most sites, Clean picnic tables, BBQ's were very clean and maintained, Very clean public bathrooms/spaces, Good Cell service, When not crowded plenty of space between sites

Cons: Minimal shade trees, Lake access very rocky, lot's of"personal sites", Most sites are not gravel so you are setting up in grass, Pool/hot tub closed due to broken equipment from the freeze. Roads in could use some help. 

Overall the campground had a very spacious feel and they have done a really nice job of keeping the area landscaped.