Bonham State Park Campground
Okay for an Overnight
This is a very small campground with a central bathroom/showers up the hill from the campsites. The lake means bugs. The bathrooms were not terrible. The showers were clean-ish.
Tent campsites near Telephone, Texas include several established campgrounds with varying amenities and natural settings. East Lake Crockett Recreation Area in Honey Grove offers tent camping with basic facilities including toilets and trash service. Sleep Under The Pecan Trees provides a more rustic experience with 12 designated tent sites featuring fire rings, picnic tables, and basic toilet facilities. South Sulphur Campground near Sulphur Springs is another option for tent campers seeking established sites.
Most tent camping areas in this region have minimal amenities, requiring campers to be self-sufficient. Sites typically feature dirt or grass surfaces with limited grading. East Lake Crockett does not permit fires or alcohol, while Sleep Under The Pecan Trees allows campfires and provides firewood. Potable water is scarce at most locations, so tent campers should bring adequate water supplies. During summer months, temperatures can be extreme, making shade an important consideration when selecting a site. Pets are permitted at several campgrounds, including East Lake Crockett and Sleep Under The Pecan Trees.
The tent camping experience in this part of Texas offers unique wildlife encounters and natural settings. Sleep Under The Pecan Trees features encounters with horses that approach campsites, providing an unusual experience for tent campers. The property includes scattered ponds and extensive acreage for exploration. Sites are typically well-spaced, offering privacy not always found at more developed campgrounds. Tree cover varies by location, with pecan groves providing welcome shade at some sites. A recent review noted, "Wild, yet docile horses will approach you. You can pet them and feed them by hand. Tall trees and gorgeous campsites." Another camper described the area as having "minimal mosquitoes" compared to other Texas camping destinations, making for more comfortable tent camping experiences.
"Stayed at the campground across the lake and saw plenty of people come and go throughout our stay."
"You will be about 12 minutes away from the nearest Walmart, in case you forget some camping supplies. We had to go there to buy more carrots for the horses. (40 pounds of carrots)."
"The entire property is simply beautiful and I'd strongly recommend Dads to bring their girls and boys out to enjoy this amazing display of nature and wildlife."
from $45 - $50 / night
from $40 - $105 / night
from $119 - $129 / night
This is a very small campground with a central bathroom/showers up the hill from the campsites. The lake means bugs. The bathrooms were not terrible. The showers were clean-ish.
Got here after Labor day weekend and mostly all to ourselves.
Great place to camp for a few nights. Boat ramp, clean showers, Lakeview, swimming, fishing, campfires. Clean, safe place to enjoy yourself.
We needed an overnight spot on our way back home to Texas, and we're so glad that we picked this park! Easy on and easy off of Highway 69, and It's located right next to the Choctaw Casino complex.
Parking for registration is located right by the office, and all the park staff we dealt with were very friendly and helpful. The road from the highway to the park is very easy to navigate for any size rig. The same inside the park; it's well-marked and easy to navigate. Even though it's not too far from the main road, we didn't hear any traffic noise at all.
We were assigned to pull-thru site number 41. All the sites are concrete and appear fairly level. Our site was level side to side, and a few inches off from front to rear. There are very few shade trees for the majority of the park sites. Power, Water, and Sewer were all conveniently located, and the power supply had no issues at all. We use a power management system, and all electrical parameters were spot on during our stay. Water pressure was okay, and the in-ground sewer connection was conveniently located. There is also a picnic table and a covered trash can located at each site.
Bathrooms, Showers, laundry facilities, and the pool are all located at the registration office building and are in great shape. In fact, they are the cleanest and nicest facilities that we've ever experienced at an RV park. They are on par with what you would expect at a 5-Star resort.
Wi-Fi, Satellite, OTA: there is free Wi-Fi in the park with numerous repeater towers, so each site has a fairly strong signal- we achieved 101 Mbps down and 20 Mbps up. We got AT&T 5G with 3 bars and achieved 330 Mbps down and 11.3 Mbps up. If you need clear access for satellite reception, trees will not be an issue. Also, you can pick up approximately 50 OTA stations with good HD quality reception.
Dog Park: They have a nice fenced-in park that is divided into two separate areas. They provide doggie bags and a trash can.
Amenities: Lots of items are listed on their website. They have a propane area where you can fill your existing tanks, exchange tanks, or even buy new tanks. They also have RV supplies and parts located in the office area.
Summary: A great place for an overnight or an extended stay. They provide free shuttle service to the Casino Complex that has plenty of restaurants and a multi-screen movie theater. The park map provides a very accurate rendition of the park. See my attached photos for more details.
Bottom line- this park is owned by the Choctaw Nation and is part of the Casino Complex. So, the RV park is maintained at an exceptional level since income from the RV park is not critical. They just want their RV guests to have a first-class experience. Even if you don't gamble or dine out, take the free shuttle over to the casino complex just to see what it offers. It's truly a Vegas-like experience. This park deserves its high rating, and I do not hesitate to recommend it!
RV Camp sites are super nice and well spaced. Really cool fossil sites near the lake shore. Nice huge lake. And really good trails (for North East Texas).
Our experience was awesome the fishing is always good and every time we go the people is so nice around!!
Type of Stay: Ram Promaster 3500 Ext (22ft)
Company: Dog
$18 for a Standard Non Electric Spot
We stayed in spot A08 & I highly recommend it. Incredible view all day w/ Instant Access to Water (you gotta trot down rocks in pictures but it's easy enough)
Zero issue with bugs.
Pros: Bathroom (Toilet Paper), Showers (Weak Pressure), Quiet, Personal Fire Rings. Gas Station/ convenient store & a few restaurants right outside the grounds.
We camped at J 9 and 10 which are on the water. Concrete pads very level. Can walk down the hill from J9 to get to the shore. Shore is limestone, full of fossils. Very clean and mowed. Bath house is quite a way away from these sites but in good shape. The corp is working to bring the rest of the park back after they allowed another co. To run the park for a few years. (They did not upkeep the park very well.
Staying in site 11, with access to the lake (fun for kids, fishing). The site is HUGE! Woke to the sounds of birds. Lots of shade and privacy. Site 11 is next to overflow parking but its not a big deal. All the sites up against the lake looked great! The bathrooms are fine, 1 shared between two loops-slightly far walk. But that wasn't an issue for us. There are a few short miles worth of trails we plan to walk-they appear to be wooded walking trails. All in all this place is a hidden gem if you want to get into nature with the luxury of electric and water, and showers/flushing toilets. Also, I have 3 bars of service (AT&T)
Tent camping options near Telephone, Texas extend beyond developed campgrounds to include rural and lakeside settings across multiple counties. The northeast Texas region surrounding Telephone sits at elevations between 400-600 feet with clay soil conditions that can affect tent placement during wet seasons. Lake Texoma and several smaller reservoirs provide water-based camping within a 50-mile radius.
Fishing opportunities: At East Lake Crockett Recreation Area, boating and fishing are primary activities. "Nice place to launch your boat for a day of fishing. Stayed at the campground across the lake and saw plenty of people come and go throughout our stay," notes reviewer Izzy T.
Observe wildlife: Many campsites allow for close encounters with local fauna. At Sleep Under The Pecan Trees, families can interact with local wildlife in supervised settings. As Mike J. reports, "The horses came into our camp and she was mesmerized by their size and beauty. Most amazing experience. She caught her 1st bass in the pond as well."
Explore rural Texas: Multiple campgrounds offer extensive acreage for hiking and exploration. The terrain varies from wooded areas to open meadows with ponds and natural features. Campgrounds spread across multiple counties provide different ecosystem experiences within short driving distances.
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing between sites at rural campgrounds. At Rockin Bar B Ranch, visitors note the secluded setting. One camper, Bobbi S., described it as a "Very private and natural setting."
Family-friendly interactions: Sites offering unique experiences for children receive high marks from parents. According to Mike J., "The entire property is simply beautiful and I'd strongly recommend Dads to bring their girls and boys out to enjoy this amazing display of nature and wildlife."
Minimal insects: Compared to other parts of Texas, some campers report fewer pest issues. Aaron W. noted at Sleep Under The Pecan Trees, "There are minimal mosquitoes, so that was certainly a relief. You will be about 12 minutes away from the nearest Walmart, in case you forget some camping supplies."
Water supply limitations: Most tent camping sites in this region require campers to bring their own water supplies. Few campgrounds offer reliable potable water sources, especially during peak summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 95°F.
Seasonal considerations: Best tent camping near Telephone, Texas typically occurs during spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) when temperatures moderate. Summer camping requires careful planning for shade and hydration due to extreme heat.
Varied toilet facilities: Bathroom amenities differ significantly between campgrounds. South Sulphur Campground provides shower facilities and flush toilets, while most primitive sites offer only basic pit toilets or portable facilities with limited maintenance.
Bring activities for downtime: Pack games, fishing equipment, and nature identification guides to maximize enjoyment. At Sleep Under The Pecan Trees, families often bring carrots for feeding horses. Aaron W. mentioned, "We had to go there to buy more carrots for the horses. (40 pounds of carrots)."
Select sites with natural play features: Campgrounds with ponds, shallow streams, or open meadows provide natural entertainment for children. According to Hlerinno B., iGLAMP offers a "Great place for a family vacation. More contact with nature. Enjoy when everyone chats and has relaxing moments. Beautiful scenery and really fresh air."
Check fire regulations: Fire policies vary significantly between campgrounds. Some prohibit all fires, while others provide fire rings and sell firewood. Confirm current fire restrictions before arrival as county-wide bans often apply during dry periods regardless of campground policies.
Accessibility considerations: Many tent-focused campgrounds have limited vehicle access. At Willow Springs, RV campers can find appropriate hookups. Carolyn M. describes it as "A nice rv hook up great family place."
Supply runs: Most campgrounds sit 10-20 miles from supply points. Plan accordingly with adequate food, water, and equipment. When tent camping near Telephone, RVers recommend bringing extra water containers even for short stays due to limited potable water sources.
Weather preparedness: The region experiences rapid weather changes, particularly during spring storm season. RVers suggest bringing additional tarps and tent reinforcements for unexpected weather conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Telephone, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Telephone, TX is East Lake Crockett Recreation Area with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Telephone, TX?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Telephone, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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