The Taylor area offers numerous camping opportunities along Granger Lake and Lake Georgetown, situated in the blackland prairie region of central Texas. Summer temperatures often reach into the high 90s, while winter nights can drop to near freezing. Several campgrounds in the region provide water and electric hookups but require campers to be self-sufficient as the nearest supplies are typically 8-9 miles away in nearby towns.
What to do
Fishing for crappie: Wilson H Fox campground at Granger Lake offers excellent crappie fishing spots. "You you wonder what this lake is best for fishing it's crappie," notes Douglas D. in his review of Wilson H Fox.
Swimming in designated areas: Cedar Breaks Park provides swimming access at Lake Georgetown. "The lake has been low so fishing hasn't been good. The best activity is hiking the trail which can be a little rugged. Bikes are also allowed on the trail but it has been described as 'cheese grater'," according to a reviewer at Cedar Breaks Park.
Nature viewing: Berry Springs Park provides trails for wildlife observation. "We come here every year. Quite, calm. Fishing, swimming, animal watching it has it all," says Elizabeth M. about her experiences at Wilson H Fox.
What campers like
Covered pavilions: Each campsite at Willis Creek features its own pavilion. "Spacious pavilion at every spot. Water and electric connectors working perfectly. Fire ring and grill at all sites," reports Kelly T. about Willis Creek.
Water access: Many campsites offer lake views or nearby water access. "You can find sites here that overlook the water, and have some paths down to the shore (some paths are sketchy though). Fire pit with a grill you can lay over or pull off. Charcoal grill," describes Joseph C. about Wilson H Fox campground.
Spacious sites: Jim Hogg Park features well-spaced camping areas. "This is a large campground with many sites, some of which are even double sites if you're camping with friends. A decent number of them are lake front and all have a cement covered pad for the picnic table," notes Laura F. about Jim Hogg Park.
What you should know
Bathroom maintenance: Facilities vary widely across campgrounds. "Bathrooms seem iffy. One had intermittent water issues, not flushing. Automatic timed lights can be a pain. Especially if natural light is limited," writes Joseph C. about Wilson H Fox.
Access to amenities: Swimming areas may not be adjacent to campsites. "The swimming area was great. They were not doing a good job of keeping the bathrooms clean. This was really our only complaint," reports Bobby A. about Wilson H Fox.
Site selection: Choose sites carefully for shade and access. "If you study the park map it is very easy to find a spot with lots of shade. Spots are spacious, some large. We stayed in site 24. Next closest neighbor was 75 feet or better away," advises Roscoe's R. at Wilson H Fox.
Insect concerns: Mosquitoes can be problematic at certain times. "We arrived late Friday evening after hours. The gates are still open but overwhelming with skeeters everywhere. All sites were overgrown with tall grass/weeds," warns Kelly T. about Willis Creek.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks offer play areas for children. "Great swimming area. 30/50 amps, and water hook ups. No sewer. Playground area," notes Mary S. about Wilson H Fox.
Swimming safety: Lake access points vary in safety and supervision. "Very nice for a local/regional park near the city. Great escape on the water for a weekend. Not a lot of shade, but sites are OK," says J E. about Jim Hogg Park.
Animal attractions: Some parks feature farm animals. "Berry springs as a park is gorgeous, if you want a quick weekend getaway without the frills this is the place to go. No water access and about two miles worth of trails. They have donkeys as well!" shares Amber N. about Berry Springs Park & Preserve.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling considerations: Some sites require significant leveling. "The sites along the outside of the loop have lake views and are level. The sites along the inside are scary unlevel! Some of the big rigs were backed in and jacked up 4 feet or so in front," cautions Karen H. about Cedar Breaks Park.
Dump station locations: Plan accordingly for waste management. "Nice spot, clean and quiet. Pros: Beautiful lake views, lots of space between sites. Cons: Dump station is at entrance of park and park is fairly large to haul a portable dump tank," advises Mocsaw $ about Jim Hogg Park.
Power options: Electrical service varies by campground. "50 amp service and water, no sewer at site. Dump station is easily accessible. Camp host was very friendly," reports Roscoe's R. about their stay at Wilson H Fox.
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