Best Tent Camping near Temple, TX

Several tent campgrounds surround Temple, Texas, with options ranging from established sites to more primitive camping experiences. Tejas Park offers tent-only sites with concrete pads, fire rings, and access to the 28-mile Goodwater Trail that circles Lake Georgetown. Russell Park provides 27 tent-only sites with sun awnings, picnic tables, and campfire pits near Lake Georgetown, while Iron Bridge on Belton Lake offers more rustic tent camping opportunities with basic amenities.

Most tent sites in the Temple area feature concrete or dirt pads large enough for multiple tents, with fire rings and picnic tables at established campgrounds. Tejas Park and Russell Park provide access to vault toilets and water spigots, though campers should verify water availability before arrival. Reservations are required at Russell Park through recreation.gov, while some areas operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Summer temperatures can be extreme, so spring and fall typically offer more comfortable tent camping conditions. Fire bans may be implemented during dry periods, particularly in the height of summer.

The tent camping experience near Temple varies from developed sites to more secluded options. Areas along the Goodwater Trail provide opportunities for backpacking and overnight camping with lake views. Tent campers at Tejas Park can enjoy proximity to a small creek suitable for wading or swimming when water levels permit. The campground's group site offers more seclusion and tree cover for hammock camping. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, "Tejas Park is perfect for those in the area looking for tent camping without wanting to be surrounded by RVs." Weekday visits typically offer more solitude, while weekends see higher visitation, especially during pleasant weather seasons.

Best Tent Sites Near Temple, Texas (10)

    1. Stillhouse

    6 Reviews
    Belton, TX
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (254) 939-6741

    $120 / night

    "Exploring Stillhouse Park sounds like a serene escape with clear lake waters and diverse wildlife."

    "Whether it's enjoying a picnic by the lake, taking a dip in the water, engaging in sports activities, or casting a fishing line, visitors can make the most of their time in this scenic area managed by"

    2. Owl Creek

    1 Review
    Belton Lake, TX
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (254) 939-2461

    "I grew going to owl creek , as a kid alot of fond memories good fishing and swimming camping as well , play a game if dominos have a picnic and relax under a shade have a campfire roast marshmallows"

    3. Iron Bridge

    5 Reviews
    Moody, TX
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (254) 939-2461

    4. Temples Lake

    Be the first to review!
    Belton, TX
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (254) 780-2461

    $40 - $70 / night

    5. Tejas Park

    10 Reviews
    Liberty Hill, TX
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (512) 930-5253

    $10 - $16 / night

    "I've camped at this campground a number of times while hiking around The Goodwater Trail.

    There is a basic restroom with toilets. There is a water faucet near the Park Host's trailer."

    "Park Review

    Tejas Park sits on the south side of Georgetown Lake in the Hill Country of Texas."

    6. Naughty Oaks Farm

    Be the first to review!
    Killeen, TX
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (254) 245-0746

    $29 - $34 / night

    7. Russell Park

    4 Reviews
    Georgetown, TX
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (512) 930-5253

    $80 / night

    "These are drive up campsites where you may park your car next to your assigned site. The campsites have a sun awning, picnic table, campfire pit/grill. "

    "Not every site works for hammock camping, as some lack trees the required distance apart.

    Men's restroom was decently clean, shower worked well."

    8. Paradise Acres

    2 Reviews
    Franklin, TX
    37 miles
    +1 (512) 655-3289

    $5 - $20 / night

    9. Hackberry Hills

    Be the first to review!
    Woodway, TX
    26 miles
    +1 (254) 224-2926

    $30 - $40 / night

    10. Sand Creek Campground

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    Waco, TX
    35 miles
    +1 (254) 644-1020

    $25 - $47 / night

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Temple, TX

15 Photos of 10 Temple Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Temple, TX

306 Reviews of 10 Temple Campgrounds


  • Troy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 6, 2018

    Tejas Park

    Tejas Park + The Goodwater Trail

    I've camped at this campground a number of times while hiking around The Goodwater Trail.

    There is a basic restroom with toilets. There is a water faucet near the Park Host's trailer. There is plenty of parking, a field with pad sites, a large open field and my favorite is the group campsite at the end of the large open field. The group campsite has a pad, but it also has plenty of trees and space to hang hammocks. It is also the more secluded of the campsites. There are fire rings at the campsites and it is possible to collect fallen wood for a fire if there is not a fire ban in effect.

    Near the group campsite and through the tree line there is a small creek. Depending on the amount of recent rain or degree of draught the creek is deep enough to go for a wade or a swim. It is also fun to just explore the area around the creek.

    The Goodwater trail is a loop trail that circles Lake Georgetown and runs about 28 miles. When backpacking the Goodwater Loop people typically start/park at either Tejas Park Trailhead, Jim Hogg Trailhead or Cedar Breaks Trailhead. If you are backpacking the loop parking and hiking are free. If you are using the park facilities just for the day, there is a day use fee.

  • Napunani
    Apr. 19, 2022

    Airport Park - Waco Lake

    Lots of Aircraft Noise - Bring Ear Plugs!

    Pros 

    Not charged a fee to make my own on-line reservation 

    Friendly gate attendant 

    Level asphalt site surrounded by crushed granite 

    Grass neatly mowed throughout campground 

    Large aluminum picnic table that is moveable from site concrete pad

    BBQ grill, metal fire pit and lantern pole 

    Night sky friendly. No street lights 

    Spacious-space between each site but no privacy due to lack of vegetation 

    Very quiet Sunday thru Wednesday nights except for Waco airport aircraft approach and Space X rocket testing 

    Entrance gate locked 10pm-6am. Exit only permitted 

    Clean toilets and showers 

    Plenty of TP in restrooms 

    Trash can in toilet/shower facility 

    Sufficient trash dumpsters throughout park 

    Deer sightings at Park entrance only 

    2 LTE Verizon bars signal 

    Cons 

    Exterior restroom doors desperately need repaired. Have to move rock away from door to gain access. 

    Sewer connection at rear of parking pad. Bring the looooong stinky slinky! 

    Waco airport aircraft departing/arriving as early as 6am and as late as 11pm. One night we counted aircraft performing touch and go manuvers 42 times. Approach was directly over our campsite. 

    No patrolling host or ranger 

    No soap or hand towels in toilet facility 

    No playground, basketball or tennis or volleyball courts 

    No lake swimming area 

    No park WIFI 

    No hiking trails

  • Napunani
    Mar. 24, 2021

    Airport Park - Waco Lake

    Filthy women’s restroom

    This park is a short drive to all of Waco attractions including the famous Silos. We stayed Friday and Saturday nights. 

    Pros:

    • Very friendly gate attendant

    • Extremely quiet park except for arriving/departing aircraft at Waco Regional Airport

    • Great view of the lake as trees/shrubs are minimal

    • Clean campsite

    • Very clean campfire pit

    • Most sites had a nice distance from neighbor sites

    • Crushed granite surrounds the site’s asphalt parking pad so no muddy mess after rain

    • Pedestal BBQ grill, fire pit with grilling grate and aluminum picnic table at each site

    • Some sites had aluminum roof pavilion over picnic table

    • Some sites had lantern pole

    • Park roadways in good condition

    • Entrance gate locked at 10pm

    • Plenty of TP in women’s restroom

    • 4 bar signal AT&T 

    Cons:

    • Filthy women’s restroom. Human feces on floor. Two of the three stalls locked for days. One remaining stall the door would not close and latch. Sign posted on door that restrooms were cleaned Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, but the human feces were on the floor Friday night, Saturday all day and Sunday morning. Exterior door would not close completely.

    • No water to sinks in women’s restroom

    • No soap dispenser and no hand dryer in women’s restroom

    • Men’s restroom door locked Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning

    • Exterior door to one shower room was unable to be closed

    • Extremely low water pressure to campsite

    • No site privacy due to minimal trees/brush throughout the park

    • Low hanging tree branches over roadway and campsite pad

    • Our campsite pedestal BBQ grill was extremely corroded

    • No wildlife sightings- not even a squirrel

    • NOT A DARK SKY FRIENDLY CAMPGROUND! Boat launch lights across the cove lit up most of the campground. Large lights on the toilet/shower building that made it nearly as bright as daylight!

  • Napunani
    Jun. 9, 2023

    Mother Neff State Park Campground

    Texas First State Park

    PROS 

    Saved $24.50 with Texas State Park Pass 

    No fee charged for making on-line reservations 

    Got a call the morning of arrival from park headquarters confirming my arrival 

    Site 3 was immaculate upon arrival, even the crushed gravel raked. 

    Site 3 level 

    Site 3 has aluminum picnic table, metal firepit with cooking grate and 2 hook lantern pole all in good condition 

    Site 3 afternoon shade 

    Campground loop toilet/shower facility immaculate 

    30 minute drive to Waco attractions

    2 bar T MOBILE 

    CONS 

    20 total campsites but 2 are used for camp hosts 

    Picnic table chained to ground so not moveable and it was 30 ft from camper 

    Lots of road noise from TX236 

    One toilet/shower facility for the entire park for both day users and 20 campsites 

    Men’s toilet had urinal and toilets out of service during our 3 night stay 

    Toilet/shower facility not climate controlled 

    Lots of feral cats throughout campground 

    No fire wood for sale in park 

    No WIFI

  • George B.
    May. 24, 2021

    Mother Neff State Park Campground

    Secluded and quiet

    The other reviews sum up the area around the cg, so I thought I'd share an opinion of the cg itself. The pads are level concrete with a gravel patio area, a metal picnic table, a nice fire ring and a lantern pole. The front gate locks at 8:30 but they give you a pass code to get in with. Verizon cell service is pretty good here. We have seen a number of deer here along the outskirts of the camping area, and a rattlesnake crossing the road in front of camp. We didn't use any of the facilities, so I have no opinion there.

  • Steve & Ashley  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2019

    Berry Springs Park & Preserve

    Hidden gem near Austin

    Nice park and campground very near Georgetown, Texas. Berry Springs is a local county park and preserve. The Park is located just north of Georgetown Texas about 1 mile off Interstate 35 the main highway between Dallas and Austin. It’s a Great location with loads of open space. They have basic sites with covered picnic tables, fire rings, and hooks for hanging items. The former ranch has a lot of history dating back to the Texas Pioneer days. The park is located next to clear spring fed river for swimming and fishing. This may be a great option for those looking for a location close to Austin or a local family weekend. The camp was nearly empty in October this year which is the peak season for camping in Texas. The sites are best suited for tent camper, vans, and smaller trailers.

  • Janet H.
    Mar. 12, 2022

    Mother Neff State Park Campground

    Old CCC Construction Melds with New TPW Construction

    Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPW) goes BIG with this sweet little park! In 2015, a new Visitors Center and 20-site campground were built among the remnants of the old CCC structures. Little reminders of CCC construction were visible just feet from my campsite (#17)… a portion of an old wall and BBQ pits. The campsite itself was wonderful! Plenty of spacing between neighboring sites. Freshly raked gravel, four large benches/chunks of quarried limestone, a picnic table, fire pit, pole with two hooks for hanging trash or gear, water, and electric. No specific tent site— since the whole area was level. Just a short walk along a path from my campsite to the restroom/shower facilities, which were very clean. Womens’ side had two sinks, three bathroom stalls- with one being ADA accessible, and two shower stalls, one of which was ADA accessible. The restroom had a large outdoor sink area, a little library, bike rack, and informational bulletin board. Only a few miles of hiking trails within the park, but beautifully maintained, with walking access to trail system from the campground. If you’re driving a taller/bigger vehicle, you’ll want to consider using those trail access points, rather than driving back to the small trailhead parking lots. The road leading back to the TH parking areas has an 8 ft height limit. Hiking highlights are an old CCC viewing tower, a CCC picnic table, a cave, and old washing pond. Camp hosts were cordial, and Park/Visitors Center staff were helpful and efficient with check in process. I received a call from the Park staff earlier in the morning on the day of my arrival, to let me know the entrance road from the south into the park was closed, so I’d have to access from the north, and also to let me know a county-wide burn ban was in effect, so no campfires during my stay in March 2022.

  • Troy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 30, 2019

    Tejas Park

    Ranger Review: Mountain House Beef Stew at Tejas Park Lake Georgetown

    Park Review

    Tejas Park sits on the south side of Georgetown Lake in the Hill Country of Texas. The park offers good opportunities for hiking, camping and backpacking, fishing, wading or floating and features plenty of large, grassy open areas for enjoying the scenic countryside. 

    There is a basic restroom with toilets. There is a water faucet near the Park Host's trailer. There are fire rings at the campsites and it is possible to collect fallen wood for a fire if there is not a fire ban in effect. There is a large parking lot, a large open field with campsites and my favorite is the group campsite at the end of the large open field. These sites can be reserved on recreation.gov

    The Goodwater Trail is a trail that circles Lake Georgetown and runs about 28 miles. When backpacking the Goodwater Loop people typically start/park at either Tejas Park Trailhead, Jim Hogg Trailhead or Cedar Breaks Trailhead. If you are backpacking the loop parking and hiking are free. If you are using the park facilities just for the day, there is a day use fee.

    The Hosts at this campground are typically very friendly. If you camp during the winter look up in the trees and you might just see some mistletoe.

    Product Review

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, from time to time I get products to test. For this trip I was provided one package of Mountain House Beef Stew. The challenge was to create a dish using the beef stew as an ingredient. I decided to use Bread, Idahoan Mashed Potatoes and Mountain House Beef Stew to create a dish I called Brotato Stew. Unfortunately I was only provide one package of beef stew so we divided up the meal amongst six people and ate the meal as an appetizer.

    Here are the instructions:

    Boil 4 cups of water in a pot.

    Pour 2 cups of boiled water into the Mountain House Beef Stew package and let it sit for 10 minutes.

    Mix 2 cups of boiled water with the Idahoan Mashed Potatoes in a bowl or cup and mix thoroughly.

    Using Onion rolls or Ciabata bread, cut the top of the bread and form a little bowl.

    Spread the prepared Idahoan Mashed Potato into the bread bowl.

    Spread the prepared Mountain House Beef Stew on top of the Mashed Potatoes.

    Enjoy!

    For more info about Mountain House visit their website at https://www.mountainhouse.com

  • Steven V.
    Aug. 18, 2020

    Military Park Fort Hood Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area

    A little outdated

    All the pads are concrete and are for the most part level (2x6 under tires or less). Sites are pretty good size and come with a picnic table and overhead cover for it. Deer are everywhere. Has two dump stations on either side of the park. Lots of trees in the Deer Park area. Lots of full timers in the the limited full hook up sites. It’s quiet and pretty clean. Rates are very reasonable. Could use some updating. There is no WiFi and cell service is very limited.


Guide to Temple

Explore the great outdoors with tent camping near Temple, Texas, where you can enjoy beautiful landscapes and a variety of recreational activities.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • Stillhouse offers electric hookups, picnic tables, and water hookups, making it a convenient choice for campers.
  • Temples Lake features water hookups and picnic tables, perfect for a comfortable camping experience.
  • Owl Creek is known for its big rig-friendly access, allowing for a spacious camping setup.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • At Stillhouse, visitors can enjoy fishing, swimming, and picnicking by the scenic Stillhouse Hollow Lake.
  • Iron Bridge provides a secluded environment ideal for fishing and hiking along the Leon River.
  • Russell Park offers access to the San Gabriel River Trail, perfect for hiking and exploring the natural beauty of the area.

Tent campers should check out these features

  • Hackberry Hills allows campfires, making it a great spot for evening gatherings under the stars.
  • Paradise Acres is a peaceful retreat with stunning views, perfect for stargazing and relaxation.
  • Texas Tejas Park features picnic tables and fire rings, enhancing the camping experience for families and groups.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Temple, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Temple, TX is Stillhouse with a 4-star rating from 6 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Temple, TX?

TheDyrt.com has all 10 tent camping locations near Temple, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.