Cooper Lake State Park's South Sulphur Unit features several pet-friendly campgrounds including Bright Star, Oak Grove, and Deer Haven. Pets are permitted throughout the park with standard leash requirements. Campsites at these locations offer water and electric hookups with concrete pads and covered picnic tables. Bright Star Campground provides spacious sites with good separation between neighbors, allowing pets adequate space to relax without disturbing other campers. The park maintains well-kept hiking trails suitable for dog walking, with the Coyote Run Trail accessible to leashed pets. Shady Lake RV Park also welcomes pets and includes two dedicated dog park areas for off-leash play, making it convenient for travelers with dogs needing exercise after long drives.
The South Sulphur campgrounds provide shaded sites with mature oak trees offering protection for pets during hot Texas summers. Trails near Cooper Lake allow visitors with dogs to explore the natural surroundings, with frequent wildlife sightings including deer in the Deer Haven section. Raccoons are active in the Oak Grove area, so proper food storage is essential when camping with pets. The park roads are paved and well-maintained, offering easy walking routes for dog exercise beyond the dedicated trails. Campers report the park is particularly peaceful on weekdays with fewer visitors, creating a more relaxed environment for pets who may be sensitive to crowds or noise. The lakeside locations provide water access for pets that enjoy swimming, though owners should monitor for wildlife and changing water conditions.
$15 / night
"Great hiking trails! This park is great for kayaking & fishing!"
"We like to come here because it's relatively close to the house. We've been out here a few times total since living in the area and always have a pretty decent experience."
$25 - $30 / night
"We were driving through this part of Texas headed home to Oklahoma and saw the signs and needed to stop for lunch, so we decided to check this place out.This was a really beautiful park with a very nice"
"We stayed at spot 18, it was a quick walk to the lake and had the most beautiful wooded view from the campsite. The dump station has 2 spots and very easy to use."
"This park is close to highway and great for overnight stay. The park has pull through full site hookups. The park has a pond that is the center of the entire campground."
$25 - $50 / night
"I could walk from the pad to the lake. It would be a great site to put out a kayak, but unfortunately the weather didn’t cooperate on my stay. So I didn’t get to kayak."
"Cooper Lake feels secluded. Lots of trees with a beautiful lake and well maintained hiking trails. It’s close enough to the Dallas area to be convenient, but never feels crowded."
$30 - $60 / night
"My only complaint is that access to the lake is limited to a few campsites and a day use area that could easily be overwhelmed on a busy day."
"It was spacious and felt very private even though we knew there were other campsites close by. The site was also pretty level."
$25 - $50 / night
"Nice equestrian/pedestrian trails. Clean and well-maintained restroom/shower facility as you come into this campground. The rangers made their rounds at least twice a day."
$125 / night
"Cooper Lake is also very close to downtown Sulpher Springs which offers a great day trip!"
"There are a number of activities available: boating, fishing (fishing pond and Lake Fork - the lake had been drained for dam repair), birding (saw my first scissor-tailed flycatcher), hunting, biking,"
$10 - $40 / night
"4.5 total miles of trails and none of it difficult. You can't take a baby stroller but obey because of a few branches, it's all easy hiking."
"One morning, as I was sitting drinking my coffee, four deer walked right through our site!! We had a regular nighttime visit from some bold raccoons, so definitely put your goodies and trash away."
GuideThis park is close to highway and great for overnight stay. The park has pull through full site hookups. The park has a pond that is the center of the entire campground. The park has two dog parks available as well for those traveling with pets.
Two things I loved:
One thing I didn’t love: Really close to others for extended stays.
RangerStayed for two months for my husband's work. Park manager, Becky, was helpful and nice. They have a saltwater pool, dog park, laundry room, shower/bathrooms, trees/landscaping and access to a boat ramp. Some sites are a bit tight. We were in the top part of the campground and had no issues with it being real wet. Have heard that the lower area does have pooling of water with heavy rain. It does go away quickly, but should be aware of this if you have lots of outside things or a pet. Would stay here again.
GuideI stayed for 4 nights from a Thursday through Monday. The owner is very nice and helped me with choosing a drive thru site. It is well maintained. Mix of long term and short stay resident s. It is near a busy arterial highway so it's not especially quiet. The hookups worked great. I was two spots from the very front of the park. I used Passport America pass for my first 3 nights. I felt safe. It is very pet friendly. Keep dogs on leash and clean up after them. I have 3 black labs. No fenced dog park yet, so I drove them to the city park with tennis courts every morning to run free. I will most likely stay here again. I mostly boondock in the forests, but when I need a place to resupply and take care of business needs, this place is very nice.
LegendQuite,shaded, level concrete RV sites with water and electricity! Each site has a covered table. Nice swim beach, boat ramp. Great hiking trails! This park is great for kayaking & fishing! If you stay here , you should drive in downtown Sulphur Spring’s , lots of restaurants and they have 2 public bathrooms in the square that are made with 2way mirrors! So when you are in the bathroom you can see out, but everyone walking by can’t see you! Kinda creepy and cool!
GuideI should mention that my husband is from Canada. He was very unenthusiastic about camping in Texas. Well Tyler State Park made him change his mind! He LOVED the large trees, said it was the closest he'd felt to home in quite some time. We love the variety of types of sites they offer. Lake front, group, hike in, cabin, they have something for everyone! Only downfall is they book so quickly.
LegendThe South Sulphur campground is about half an hour north of Interstate 30. It’s under a 2 hour drive from the DFW area so, I find it’s a nice weekend getaway. I camped here on a Sunday to Monday and it was very quiet. I was one of only 5 campers in the Deer Haven section (aside from the 3 camp hosts). I’m giving the park 5 stars but this is based on my experience of having camped here when there were few campers around. I image this place could be loud and busy on a weekend.
There are many shaded lakeside sites in the Deer Haven section. I stayed at site 68. The site was on a cul de sac so there was no campground to the one side. However, the site located on the other side was close. This would be a great spot for 2 camping families to share. The concrete pad at site 68 was level and shaded by a beautiful, mature oak tree. I could walk from the pad to the lake. It would be a great site to put out a kayak, but unfortunately the weather didn’t cooperate on my stay. So I didn’t get to kayak. I did see deer who ventured in from the wooded area next to the campsite. Deer Haven lived up to its name!
Electric and water hookups were good as were the restroom/shower facilities, which seemed climate controlled because it felt cooler and less humid inside than outside. This usually isn’t the case in these buildings.
A big storm blew in around dinner time. The wind was fierce and blowing out of the north across the almost 20,000 acre lake! I actually called the ranger to find out if I needed to evacuate. The ranger was very responsive and reassuring. Luckily, there were no tornados warnings, so I weathered out the storm and woke to a beautiful crisp morning.
This park is huge and there is much to do. Cabins, shelters, primitive walk in sites, equine sites, a beach, several boat ramps, hiking trails, playgrounds and a fishing pier. I didn’t get to see a fraction of it, but I’ll be returning.
I stopped in the town of Sulphur Springs on my way back to DFW. The town has a nice historic town square and makes for an interesting side stop.
ScoutStayed here 5 nights waiting for our property to be ready. Called into the office like we have every morning and was told"sorry you have to leave we reserved your spot." ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!!!! Who does this??? No notice, didn't say anything all week. But sure took our money! Poop all over the grass. The dog park is nasty! They give you all the rules, very strick. LOUD, the highway is right here. Unprofessional!!!!! Never again!!!!!
ScoutThis is my favorite state park in Texas! Lots of options for all kinds of campers. For camping, lots of different sites available for RVs/Campers, Tents, etc. some along the lake, some in the woods, and also cabins and shelters available! Hiking options vary from a nature stroll, to some more serious up-downs through the hills on the outskirts of the campground. Bring your friends, family, and pets, there is truly something for everyone here, even kayak and canoe rentals at the lake!
GuideWe spent an entire month, as we typically do, in Bluebonnet Ridge RV Park in Terrell, Texas. There is a lot to really like about this campground. We would definitely stay here again.
Pros:
The park was clearly being maintained
The basketball /tennis courts had just been resurfaced
Anytime someone left, or a spot was empty, new gravel was being dumped and leveled
Even though closed for Covid, the pool was cleaned daily.
There's a small dog park area.
Doggie bags were provided in multiple places, and ample trash cans in which to drop them.
Sufficient WiFi repeaters throughout the CG
The grass is kept mowed down, good to avoid those Texas stickers getting in your shoelaces.
All but one staff member was really friendly.
Package receiving was well handled and painless.
Each visitor, even short term like us, gets a mailbox. You can go in 24/7 and check it.
There's a "swap area" where people leave magazines, etc. (Near the mailboxes.)
There's a nice little pond you can fish in, catch-and-release only, no license required.
LOTS of room to walk the dog!
There's ample overflow parking and trailer storage space so you don't have to crowd your campsite.
Laundry facility on site, we didn't utilize it since we have a W/D in the rig.
Bulletin board for posting things, we bought our W/D from another person at the campsite!
Park was pretty quiet while we were there. No ruckus or loud people. Folks walked around, talked a bit.
They have Good Sam and Passport American discounts available.
Cons:
Other:
Cooper Lake State Park lies at approximately 440 feet elevation in Northeast Texas and offers several campgrounds within its 3,000 acres of woodland and shoreline. The park experiences hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through September, while winters remain relatively mild. Water levels at Cooper Lake fluctuate seasonally, which affects shore fishing opportunities and boat ramp access throughout the year.
Hiking on maintained trails: The Coyote Run Trail at Oak Grove Campground offers an accessible route for walking dogs while enjoying nature. One camper notes, "Great hiking trails! This park is great for kayaking & fishing!" The trails are well-marked and suitable for various fitness levels.
Fishing opportunities: Several fishing spots are available throughout the park, with bass being a common catch. At Sleep Under The Pecan Trees, a visitor shared their experience: "She caught her 1st bass in the pond as well." The ponds supplement lake fishing options when water levels change.
Water activities: Cooper Lake provides swimming, boating, and paddling options. According to one camper at Doctors Creek Unit, "The day use area is OK, the swim area has a huge steel wall to block the wind and waves because they get really strong." This design feature helps maintain a calmer swimming environment when lake conditions become windy.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds offer chances to see local wildlife. At Deer Haven Campground, campers regularly spot various animals: "There are a lot of great hiking trails with wildlife including deer, coyotes, armadillos, and butterflies." These sightings enhance the camping experience without requiring special equipment.
Spacious sites with shade: Many campsites provide ample room and tree cover, which is particularly valuable during summer. One visitor to Bright Star Campground commented: "It was spacious and felt very private even though we knew there were other campsites close by." This spacing helps maintain privacy between neighboring sites.
Clean facilities: Regularly maintained bathrooms and showers receive positive mentions from campers. "The public restrooms were clean, comfortable, and conveniently located," noted a visitor at Doctors Creek Unit. Many facilities include climate control, which helps manage humidity issues common in East Texas.
Weather considerations: Sudden storms can develop quickly in this region. A camper at Deer Haven shared: "A big storm blew in around dinner time. The wind was fierce and blowing out of the north across the almost 20,000 acre lake!" Being prepared with proper weather alerts and securing equipment is essential.
Wildlife encounters: Beyond deer sightings, campers should be aware of other animals. According to one visitor: "When camping here alone at night (no one else was in the tent camping area), my camp site was accosted by a family of raccoons. They were not friendly and not scared of people at all." Proper food storage is critical at all campgrounds.
Environmental concerns: Some areas near the park have industrial activity. One camper at Oak Grove Campground mentioned: "If hiking, beware the Coyote Run Trail. A lot of toxic fracking going in in the area." Research trail conditions before planning extensive hikes.
Playgrounds and beaches: The park offers multiple recreational areas for children. A visitor at Buggy Whip Equestrian Campground observed: "Large area in the middle of the campground with lovely trees and a few picnic tables." These common areas provide play spaces while adults set up camp.
Cabin options for beginners: For families new to camping, cabins provide comfortable accommodations. A visitor to Pecan Ridge Cabins shared: "The cabins are always clean and tidy. They have spacious bathrooms, an open living/dining area, a small kitchen and bedroom." These facilities work well for multi-generational groups with varying camping experience.
Animal interactions: Some campgrounds offer unique opportunities to connect with animals. At Sleep Under The Pecan Trees, a camper reported: "Wild, yet docile horses will approach you. You can pet them and feed them by hand." These interactions create memorable experiences for children.
Pull-through site availability: Many campgrounds offer convenient pull-through sites for easier parking. At North Shore Landing, a camper noted: "This is a very nice, easy access CG with level pull through and back-in gravel sites in a beautiful area." These sites accommodate larger rigs without complicated backing maneuvers.
Hookup configurations: Most campgrounds offer water and electric, with some providing full hookups. A visitor to Shady Lake RV Park mentioned: "The park has pull through full site hookups. The park has a pond that is the center of the entire campground." Understanding specific amenities helps with planning power and water needs.
Site leveling considerations: While many sites feature concrete pads, some may require additional leveling. An RVer at Bright Star Campground observed: "The site pads themselves are concrete and most looked to be fairly level, but a few had a bit of slope." Bringing leveling blocks ensures comfort regardless of site assignment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Sulphur Springs, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Sulphur Springs, TX is Oak Grove Campground — Cooper Lake State Park South Sulphur Unit with a 4-star rating from 12 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Sulphur Springs, TX?
TheDyrt.com has all 117 dog-friendly camping locations near Sulphur Springs, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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