Temple, Texas camping areas sit along the Leon River watershed at approximately 600-700 feet elevation. Summer temperatures typically reach 95-100°F with high humidity, while winter nights often drop to the 30s. The limestone terrain creates rocky shorelines around Belton and Stillhouse Hollow lakes, both popular destinations for water-based recreation throughout the camping season.
What to do
Hiking trails: Chalk Ridge Falls area offers accessible nature trails with creek crossings. "The park has a lot to offer and is just about 30 miles from Waco, TX that is known for all the Magnolia stuff! The park headquarters have a lot of information so you can figure out your trip and hit all the main attractions in one decent hike!" according to a visitor at Mother Neff State Park.
Wildlife viewing: deer and turkey sightings are common throughout the Temple area. A camper at Dana Peak notes, "Beautiful scenery along the trails at Dana's Peak" where visitors can observe native wildlife in their natural habitat.
Fishing: lake access from multiple campgrounds provides opportunities for various fish species. "Fishing is great. Campers next to us cleaned fish the evening we arrived and the next morning. We had awesome phone and wi fi coverage with T-mobile," reports a visitor at Cedar Ridge Park.
Mountain biking: dedicated trails for experienced riders. "The park has many miles of mountain bike and hiking trails," notes a camper at Dana Peak, making it suitable for active visitors seeking varied terrain.
What campers like
Quiet atmosphere: limited traffic creates peaceful camping experiences. "The campsites are located on small loops which limits the traffic past the individual camp sites. Many people, but spread out so didn't feel crowed," shares a visitor about Cedar Ridge Park.
Lake views: sunrise and sunset vistas from waterfront sites. A camper at Union Grove mentions, "Great visit to Union Grove and Stillhouse hollow lake. Inexpensive, great campsites along the lake. Clean bathrooms. Quiet. Awesome sunrise and sunsets."
Spacious sites: room between neighbors provides privacy at most campgrounds. "Cozy and comfortable. Pretty much all sites have trees above, very romantic setting and enough space between site that you dont feel on top of others," writes a camper about Live Oak Ridge.
Clean facilities: well-maintained bathrooms at several parks. "The bathroom is heated in the cooler months and the water pressure and hot water can't be beat; it's the best camp shower I've experienced!" reports a Live Oak Ridge visitor.
What you should know
Weather considerations: wind exposure affects tent camping. "I probably wouldn't stop here again tent camping in the winter. Random windstorm 30mph no way really to block it," advises a Union Grove visitor.
Limited shade: summer heat requires preparation. "We were a little concerned about camping here in July with no shade. The breeze off the lake really helped make the 100 degree days better," notes a Dana Peak camper who recommends bringing shade structures.
Pet policies: dog friendly campgrounds near Temple have specific rules. "Live Oak Ridge COE Campground is excellently maintain and is a very low-key, restful place to land," mentions a visitor, noting the pet-friendly environment throughout the park.
Seasonal closures: availability varies throughout the year. A visitor to Dana Peak clarifies, "They have it listed on their website, but they are only open from March 2nd to September 30th for the year of 2022. This might change for 2023."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: centrally located recreation areas for children. "There is a playground in the center of the park in a field of beautiful yellow flowers," notes a Live Oak Ridge visitor, describing family-friendly amenities.
Swimming options: clear water for hot weather relief. A visitor to Dana Peak Park shares, "The water is crystal clear, so we just went down and hopped in the water when it got to hot."
Educational opportunities: historical sites provide learning experiences. "The do have some really nice RV sites, but the tent camping is very limited and closed currently along with the cabins because of flooding," mentions a Mother Neff visitor, referring to the park's changing landscape and history.
Wildlife precautions: deer encounters require supervision of children and pets. A visitor reports, "You will see large groups of deer, turkey etc just wandering around," highlighting the need for awareness while camping with families.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: water views vary by location. "Our site was a pull through. Asphalt with grass all around. The roads are one way, so it's a hike to the dumpster. The sites sit on the lake but there is really limited lake access due to the craggy nature of the shore line," advises a camper at Union Grove Park.
Hookup availability: water and electric at most sites, with dump stations. "Has 30 & 50 amp hookups with water does not have sewer hookups at sites but does have dump station close by," notes a Cedar Ridge camper about the utility options.
Level sites: easy setup at most campgrounds. "The sites are well maintained with asphalt parking, a covered picnic table, and nice gravel area," shares a visitor to Live Oak Ridge about the convenient RV accommodations.
Temperature management: limited shade requires preparation. "It's a nice campground with spacious sites right on the lake with covered picnic tables. The one downside is that the sites do not have decent sized trees so I expect this would not be a great place to stay in the middle of summer," advises a Dana Peak visitor.
