Campsites near Waxahachie, Texas sit at elevations between 450-550 feet above sea level in the Blackland Prairie ecoregion. The area's clay soils can become extremely muddy after rain events, affecting campsite conditions and access roads. Winter camping offers mild daytime temperatures averaging 55-65°F from November through February with overnight lows occasionally dipping below freezing.
What to do
Fishing opportunities at Bardwell Lake: Highview Park offers direct lake access for fishing enthusiasts. "Pay campground: $18/night. Good experience. Near Ennis, TX. Convenience stores, etc 4-6 miles away. Covered picnic table... Campsite #25 faces Lake Bardwell," notes David S.
Mountain biking trails: Cedar Hill State Park features well-maintained trail systems popular with mountain bikers. "Last there in Dec 2019 and the area was very barren. The hiking trails were very nice though and had a lot of variation. They were being used mainly as mountain bike trails but were still plenty fun for hiking and taking in the rest of the views," reports Price T.
Kayaking on Joe Pool Lake: Loyd Park provides excellent water access for paddling. "First trip out since spring break! This park is great only 45 minutes from home. They have a few full hookups and lots of RV sites with water and electricity. Sites are spaced far apart all come with fire ring and covered picnic table. We stayed in site 115 great spot close to the water," says Tammie L.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the vegetation buffer at Waxahachie Creek Park. "I wish I could rate this campground higher because it was so peaceful with quite a bit of bushy vegetation to provide a small measure of privacy between sites. This is as close to nature as one can get in a campground!" shares Jeanette W.
Well-designed camping loops: Cedar Hill State Park offers thoughtfully arranged camping areas. "The park is designed with small loops for 15-20 camp sites in each loop. Very little traffic right by the individual spots. Easy in and out of park," explains Michael C.
Gated security features: Northside RV Resort provides secure camping options. "The park was very clean with four bathroom/shower rooms and laundry room as well. We visited in November and it was quiet with a nice view of the water. The park also has a gate with a code needed to enter," reports Iris A.
What you should know
Insect management: Ant problems can be significant at many Waxahachie area campgrounds. At Waxahachie Creek Park, one camper reported: "After one night in our site, the ants had formed an active trail to the top of our RV. Consequently, we had ants inside the RV!"
Gate closure timing: Check specific campground gate policies before arriving late. "This may be a great campsite but for us it was terrible. When we arrived at 11pm the gates were locked with no one in site. Was supposed to be a one night stopover with a morning swim. Ended up at the rest stop instead," warns ShaneB about Highview Park.
Sun exposure concerns: Limited shade exists at some campgrounds. According to Drew at Highview Park: "Great views, clean sites, however there's very limited shade."
Tips for camping with families
Utilize lake swimming areas: Mott Park at Bardwell Lake offers family-friendly swimming spots. "Clean lake. No broken glass. Mowed grass. We love going out there and cooking. Swimming. Hiking. Camping," shares Elizabeth C.
Book early for lakefront sites: The most desirable camping spots near water fill quickly. "We stayed in site 29 which is kind of elevated a bit and we had a great view of the lake. Even tho it rained quite a bit we still enjoyed ourselves," explains Derrick A. about High View.
Consider security presence: Some families appreciate regular patrols. "Local sheriff's dept and park ranger made several trips through the park which made it feel secure," notes Derrick A. about High View campground.
Tips from RVers
Winter camping preparation: Cedar Hill State Park remains open year-round but requires proper gear. "Would recommend some sort of heater or extra layers for winter camping but wasn't terrible," advises Price T.
Check bathroom availability: Bathroom facilities vary widely between campgrounds. At The Range Vintage Trailer Resort, "Each shower has its own toilet and vanity behind a lockable door," according to Angela R.
Road condition awareness: Interior roads at some campgrounds need maintenance. Regarding Waxahachie Creek Park, Jeanette W. notes: "The roads inside the campground need to be repaved."
Guide
