Tent camping options near The Colony, Texas range from basic primitive sites to more developed facilities with amenities. The region sits at an elevation between 500-700 feet, with rolling grasslands and lakeside terrain creating varied camping experiences. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F from June through September, while spring and fall offer milder conditions for overnight stays.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Erwin Park in McKinney features extensive single-track trails for bikers of all skill levels. According to one visitor, the park offers "great mountain bike single tracks around with lots of built features" and is particularly busy on weekends when "the trails are teeming with cyclists." Erwin Park maintains separate directional trails for bikers and hikers to minimize conflicts.
Fishing access: Black Creek Lake NF Campground provides shoreline fishing opportunities with minimal development. Local anglers frequent the area, as one camper noted: "The occasional local popping in for fishing or grilling sorta dampens the 'out-in-the-woods' feel but overall quite nice." Black Creek Lake NF Campground charges just $2 per night with an honor system payment kiosk.
Water recreation: Several sites offer direct lake access for swimming and boating. Little Elm Park includes designated swimming areas and boat ramps with a $5 per tent fee. One reviewer mentioned the park has "electric hookups for RV generally a small area first come first serve.... restrooms and park lights.... stores nearby."
What campers like
Proximity to Dallas: Many campers appreciate being able to enjoy nature without driving far from the metroplex. As one camper at Meadowmere Park & Campground stated, it's a "close to Dallas, very clean and organized camp area." This park maintains 36 tent sites with water and clean facilities.
Private camping spots: Erwin Park's layout provides a sense of seclusion even within a popular area. A camper noted that "campsites are far enough apart that you have privacy yet close enough that you don't feel alone." The park includes both drive-up sites and walk-in camping areas.
Clean facilities: Several campgrounds maintain exceptionally clean restrooms and common areas. At Northside RV Resort, a visitor remarked, "Each shower has its own toilet and vanity behind a lockable door" and "the bathrooms are so clean." While primarily for RVs, the resort does accommodate tent campers in designated areas.
What you should know
Fee variations: Prices for tent camping vary significantly between parks. Sycamore Bend Park's fee has "gone up from $7 to $20," according to a recent visitor, while other parks maintain lower rates. Bring cash as most parks use self-pay systems without card options.
Restroom conditions: Facilities range from well-maintained to very basic. One camper at Sycamore Bend Park noted "the restrooms really stink, but are always clean and stocked in my experience." Sycamore Bend Park enforces a three-night maximum stay policy.
Weather considerations: Late spring through early fall brings high temperatures and humidity. A visitor to Black Creek Lake mentioned that "the temperature was soaring but a nice breeze off the lake coupled with the shady trees made for a very nice experience." Shade availability varies significantly between sites.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks include play equipment for children. At Sycamore Bend Park, one reviewer mentioned "the park has a good pavilion with a basketball hoop and good playground equipment," making it popular with scouting groups from the North Dallas area.
Easy camping options: For families new to tent camping, Little Elm Park offers convenient amenities with nearby stores. The park has "electric hookups... restrooms and park lights.... stores nearby" according to one camper, though it lacks showers.
Wildlife awareness: Local parks contain various wildlife that can attract curious children. At Black Creek Lake, a camper advised that "there are birds, squirrels, raccoons and opossums which roam the grounds so I would advise against leaving food within reach at night." Maintain food security at all campsites.
Tips from RVers
Security features: Several parks offer gated access for added security. One RVer at Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland described finding "a comfortable, quiet & safe place to stay for the night" by taking "the Trinity exit north off the loop around Decatur" to access the dispersed camping areas.
Road conditions: Many camping areas have limited access for larger vehicles. An experienced camper warned, "I would NOT recommend taking any kind of trailer or motorhome down these roads" when referring to the forest service roads leading to remote camping spots at LBJ Grasslands.
Connectivity: Cell service varies throughout the area, with better coverage at developed campgrounds. Northside RV Resort offers reliable internet, with one reviewer stating "internet is great, bathrooms are clean, staff is nice!" for those needing to stay connected while camping.
