Best Tent Camping near Tyler, TX

Tent campgrounds near Tyler, Texas offer several primitive options for outdoor enthusiasts. Lake Winnsboro Park provides dispersed tent camping in a natural setting with basic amenities. Fish Hawke Point at Lake Hawkins offers first-come, first-served primitive tent sites with waterfront access, while Mineola Nature Preserve features multiple tent camping areas including Greer Hill and Peacock Pond campgrounds, which require hiking to reach the sites.

Most tent camping areas around Tyler feature minimal facilities suited for self-sufficient campers. The sites typically sit on natural, ungraded terrain under pine tree canopy. Lake of the Pines provides water and electricity at some tent sites, unusual for primitive camping in the region. Portable toilets or vault toilets are available at Lake Winnsboro Park and Fish Hawke Point, but campers should bring their own drinking water, as most locations lack potable water sources. High clearance vehicles may be necessary to access certain areas, particularly at Harpoon Larry's Camping where deep ruts can make approach difficult in standard vehicles.

Tent campers in the Tyler area enjoy secluded experiences in pine forests with opportunities for water recreation. A camper noted that Lake Winnsboro Park is "super cute and quiet" with clean facilities despite its primitive nature. Many sites provide direct access to fishing, kayaking, and swimming, especially at Fish Hawke Point which one visitor described as "a great spot for kayaking and other water sports." The dense tree cover at Lake of the Pines creates a bayou-like atmosphere with limited air circulation, even near the water. Spanish moss drapes the trees, enhancing the natural setting. Wildlife sightings are common, including rabbits at Harpoon Larry's and occasionally alligators at Lake of the Pines, requiring vigilance for those camping with children. Most tent areas remain relatively uncrowded due to limited popularity with locals, providing peaceful experiences even on weekends.

Best Tent Sites Near Tyler, Texas (8)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Tyler, TX

1 Photos of 8 Tyler Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Tyler, TX

181 Reviews of 8 Tyler Campgrounds


  • Napunani
    Jun. 27, 2022

    Tyler State Park Campground

    One of our Texas Favs

    PROS 

    Texas State Park Pass discount saving $49 

    Reserved 151 days prior to arriving 

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

    Big Pine site #308 very shady site 

    Extra wide asphalt parking pad 

    Concrete slab that locked down the wooden picnic table 

    Metal fire pit with cooking grate which was cleared of ash upon our arrival 

    2 hook lantern pole 

    Dark sky friendly 

    Trash dumpsters near the toilet/shower building 

    Tyler Rose Garden features over 30,000 bushes and is open free to the public from sunrise to sunset…very beautiful and serene 

    CONS 

    Had to sweep for nearly an hour to clean debris from site 

    No entrance gate locked overnight 

    Never saw any rangers patrolling campground during our entire stay 

    Dogs on leashes not enforced 

    Unable to move picnic table 

    Big Pine site #308 way out of being level but manageable 

    Big Pine site #308 close to campground road 

    Big Pine site #308 tight fit for 28 ft 

    Only pine firewood for sale in Park 

    No WiFi 

    1 bar Verizon 5G

  • Napunani
    Nov. 18, 2021

    Tyler State Park Campground

    Great Lakeside Campsite

    Reserved on-line 153 days prior to arrival. 

    Pros 

    Area 2 campground night sky friendly with good dark sky viewing

    Site 211 has fantastic views of the lake

    Mid afternoon Sunday check in at entrance station very busy but processed quickly Utility hookups in good condition 

    Sites with grass neatly maintained 

    Campground mostly quiet except for Interstate 20 traffic noise 

    Showers were individual entry on opposite side of the building from the toilets 

    Campsite and entrance fee discount with Texas State Park Pass 

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

    EXXON station directly outside of State Park sold oak firewood 25 pieces for $20 

    Cons 

    Raccoons very aggressive and tried to take food that we were eating from our hands!!! Area 2 Lakeview sites require leveling side-to-side 

    Area 2 campsite parking pads are narrow with trees and large boulders close to parking pad. 

    ery narrow roadway in Area 2 with limited space to maneuver into backin sites. 

    One pull-thru site was so tight to the roadway, their trailer was partially on the road! Area 2 campground sites have no privacy from any other camp sites 

    Site 211 table, fire pit with cooking grate and lantern pole are located opposite side of the trailer door 

    Area 2 restroom/shower building serves 58 campsites and it shows it! Restroom facility badly needing some TLC, cleaning and maintenance Women’s restroom had 3 toilets and 2 sinks; men’s had 2 toilets and 1 urinal 

    Firewood for sale in Area 2 was only pine wood

  • James_TrueZoneCoaching
    Sep. 19, 2021

    Tyler State Park Campground

    Great camping 2 hours from Dallas

    I visited the Shortleaf camping area in the Tyler State Park for the weekend to participate in a 50k trail race. Each campsite in this area has a sheltered cabin, picnic table, fire pit and 2 parking spots. Tent camping is also permitted on the site but I used my iKamper Roof Top Tent as my primary place to sleep. The sheltered cabin has screens on the windows to keep the bugs out and electricity. I used this area primarily for storage of the food & gear that I used during the weekend. My campsite was located at the bottom of a hill and had a path to the restrooms and showers. These facilities were very clean and had 2 shower stalls and 3 toilet stalls along with 2 sinks. This location had access to the lake via a short hike. This type of camp site is the best of both worlds, you can camp via tent/car and still have a cabin like experience via the sheltered cabin. 

    In September it is still pretty warm in Tyler, humidity was 100% when I visited without rain. I'll visit again in October when the cooler temps arrive and undoubtable have an even better experience.

  • Jenny S.
    Jul. 30, 2018

    Tyler State Park Campground

    One of our favorite parks

    I should mention that my husband is from Canada. He was very unenthusiastic about camping in Texas. Well Tyler State Park made him change his mind! He LOVED the large trees, said it was the closest he'd felt to home in quite some time. We love the variety of types of sites they offer. Lake front, group, hike in, cabin, they have something for everyone! Only downfall is they book so quickly.

  • Andrew A.
    Aug. 29, 2021

    Greer Hill - Mineola Nature Preserve Campground C

    Barebones on purpose.

    Set up your basic base camp near a picnic table and fire ring the. Go out into the park to hike, bike, horseback ride, frisbee golf, kayak and observe nature. The site itself is not attractive per-se but there are some basics and an outhouse. The park also has an RV/Equestrian trailer area near the highway and some even deeper woods camping for equestrians or backpackers. No frills at all in those spots and too dark to enjoy IMO. Greer Hill is the best balance. Also there is an incredible winery on premises too. Grand Oaks Winery https://www.gowinerymineola.com

  • Heidi R.
    May. 31, 2018

    Martin Creek Lake State Park Campground

    Screened Shelter - BEST EVER! and oddly, no mosquitoes !?

    There are many options to camp at this state park. There’s RV sites, tent sites (both primitive and “cushy”), cabins, cottages and screened shelters. my past experience with screened shelters were always dusty, dank, spider-filled shacks that I would only store my cooler and belongings in (tightly sealed) but these at Martin Creek were IMMACULATE to say the least! They seem cob-webby from the outside but once inside, the concrete floor is smoother up the edges of the walls about 2.5’, reducing entry of insects via cracks in the joints of floor and wall. The park employees vacuum these areas, as observed when I passed others that had recently vacated. The rafters in these shelters were spaced out far enough for me to hang my hammock. 4 people slept inside without air mattresses or camp pads and slept wonderfully (flat surfaces are good for our spines sometimes) not a big in sight. There is an electrical outlet inside as well as a light, and there is an outlet outside as well. Small lock on inside, watr spigot and doIble lantern hook nearby as well as a wooden/metal picnic table (good condition). I slept in Shelter #6 and it was a few yards away from the water’s edge. Great views of a small lilly-pad laced bay and we caught 7 catfish using normal nightcrawlers as bait. Fried them up for lunch the next day and they tasted like heaven! But, everything tastes better when you’re camping. We had also set up 4 tents around the area (not disturbing local flora/fauna) and we slept to the deafening croaks of frogs. Only 1 raccoon came upon our camp area to a spot where someone had thrown a corn cob, otherwise, we take all the necessary steps to avoid crossing paths with those relentless nighttime furry bandits. Shelters 7-9 are also located in great areas of the lake nearby, there is the power plants across the lake and for some reason, we like to believe that it was the reason we had ZERO mosquitoes! Many house flies and the non-biting ants were everywhere but not to the point of insanity... they list this ant as an issue on their website I do believe. I’d take this shelter over a hotel stay ANY TIME!

  • S
    Mar. 26, 2023

    Jellystone Park™ Tyler

    Great woodland getaway

    Great spot in the Piney woods of East Texas. Minutes from Tyler State park. Perfect spot for large families or groups. Amenities are not fully finished till summer, but there will be a great number of improvements such as water park, warming tub and restaurant.

  • Chantyl
    Mar. 14, 2024

    Rusk Depot Campground

    Family trip

    First & foremost, This park is not well-maintained, and the camping sites are right off of the highway. The splash pad does not work, and the bath house was terribly dirty and freaked of sewage. The group sites are basically a big parking lot- zero grass space between site numbers, although there is shared grass areas along the rows. We moved site numbers within the group sites so that our kids would not be playing right beside the highway (there is a gate, however it’s still concerning), and to slightly distance ourselves from the traffic noise. Beware there is also a large wedding venue directly across the highway & our kids were woken to the sounds of fireworks at night on the weekend. There were large fire ant mounds all along the concrete, and we had to purchase fire ant killer ourselves, as well as deal with some broken glass & the trash can for our site that wasn’t emptied before our stay. I spoke with the staff member working in the office and all she could say was “i will let management know.”

    As far as the good: we had 6 kids and 4 adults staying, so despite the concerns and annoyances, we still were able to relax enough and enjoy our break from the daily grind. The kids played outside all day- making walking sticks, fishing a lot, catching bugs (spotted some really neat moths, too), and making up games.

    The best: the nearly-daily trains coming right through the campground for various reasons (loading new cars or taking passengers on a local trip). My son is an avid train-lover and this was the main reason we booked our stay here.

  • E
    May. 1, 2021

    Lake Hawkins County RV Park

    Great little park with even better people!

    Concrete pads, lots of shade, many with views of the lake (very clear water for the area) great little campground store with necessities. Very spacious sites!! Nice metal picnic table and fire ring. Sand beach for swimming, locals are allowed, but there is a small beach reserved for rv folks.


Guide to Tyler

Nestled in the heart of East Texas, tent camping near Tyler offers a serene escape into nature, with a variety of campgrounds that cater to outdoor enthusiasts.

Tips for tent camping near Tyler

  • Fish Hawke Point at Lake Hawkins provides a first-come, first-serve primitive camping experience, perfect for those who enjoy a spontaneous getaway.
  • Greer Hill - Mineola Nature Preserve Campground C features basic amenities like picnic tables and fire rings, making it a solid choice for a simple camping trip.
  • Lake Winnsboro Park is a free option that boasts clean facilities and a peaceful atmosphere, ideal for those looking to unwind without breaking the bank.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • At Fish Hawke Point at Lake Hawkins, visitors can indulge in kayaking and other water sports, making it a great spot for adventure seekers.
  • Greer Hill - Mineola Nature Preserve Campground C offers access to hiking, biking, and horseback riding, perfect for those wanting to explore the natural beauty of the area.
  • Lake Of The Pines is known for its tranquil setting, where campers can enjoy fishing and wildlife observation, providing a perfect backdrop for relaxation.

Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $20

  • Camping at Lake Winnsboro Park is free, allowing for a budget-friendly outdoor experience.
  • Fish Hawke Point at Lake Hawkins has no fees, making it an attractive option for those looking to camp without spending money.
  • Greer Hill - Mineola Nature Preserve Campground C offers reservable sites, typically priced around $20, providing a reliable option for those who prefer to plan ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Tyler, TX is Fish Hawke Point at Lake Hawkins with a 3.7-star rating from 3 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Tyler, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.