Tent camping near Valley View, Texas offers access to the LBJ National Grassland's diverse ecosystems, with mixed-grass prairies and scattered oak mottes characteristic of the Cross Timbers region. Summer temperatures routinely exceed 95°F during June through September, requiring adequate water supplies and sun protection. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 700-950 feet, with a mix of open grassland and forested areas providing varied camping environments.
What to do
Water recreation: Lake access at Meadowmere Park & Campground provides opportunities for fishing and swimming. "Close to Dallas, very clean and organized camp area," notes a camper who found it ideal for water activities.
Mountain biking: The trails at Erwin Park are maintained by DORBA and offer about 9 miles of paths. A visitor explains, "Great easy spot for day camping or easy car camping with family. Best mountain bike single tracks around with lots of built features."
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings and evenings at Black Creek Lake are prime times for spotting local wildlife. "There are birds, squirrels, raccoons and opossums which roam the grounds," making it an excellent spot for nature observation and photography.
Stargazing: The darker skies at more remote campsites provide excellent night viewing opportunities. At Meadowmere Park, a camper appreciated "the scenery and quietness" which creates ideal conditions for stargazing on clear nights.
What campers like
Proximity to Dallas-Fort Worth: Many campers appreciate the short drive from urban areas. At Erwin Park, one reviewer noted it "feels like you're far from home but only a few min away for us. When you want a spur of the moment trip it's a great place to go."
Lake breezes: The cooling effect of water nearby helps during hot Texas summers. At Black Creek Lake NF Campground, a visitor shared, "The temperature was soaring but a nice breeze off the lake coupled with the shady trees made for a very nice experience."
Privacy between sites: Several campgrounds offer good site separation. Meadowmere Park has "peaceful, open, spacious" campsites, with management that makes late arrivals easy to accommodate.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms are frequently mentioned as a plus. At Meadowmere Park, a camper was impressed that "Porta potties were incredibly clean and a main bathroom area featured showers and very clean as well."
What you should know
Seasonal water levels: During summer months, water sources may become less appealing. At Tadra Point Trailhead & Campground, a visitor noted, "There is water trofts for horses but the water looked pretty disgusting. May want to think about bringing several gallons of water."
Road conditions: Some dispersed camping areas have difficult access. At Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland Dispersed Camping, a camper warned, "I would NOT recommend taking any kind of trailer or motorhome down these roads and to this spot."
Weekend crowding: Popular spots fill quickly, especially those with good mountain biking. At Erwin Park, a visitor cautioned that "it has become a popular spot with mountain bikers. That can create issues on the weekend when the trails are teeming with cyclists."
Payment methods: Most campgrounds use self-registration. Black Creek Lake has an honor system at the kiosk for payment, and a reviewer advised bringing "cash because the kiosk does not accept cards it is a cash only system with no ATM within 10 miles."
Tips for camping with families
Playground availability: Some parks offer child-friendly amenities. Black Creek Lake "has a small playground" that keeps younger children entertained when not hiking or swimming.
Easiest access: For families with small children, look for drive-up sites. At Sycamore Bend Park, a camper mentioned, "No access to drive to the actual site so I couldn't use my RTT but it's a short walk from where you park."
Budget-friendly options: Price points vary significantly. One camper at Sycamore Bend Park noted, "The price has gone up from $7 to $20, but that's about average it seems now."
Noise considerations: Some areas offer better quiet time enforcement. Erwin Park offers a buffer from city noise, with a camper noting, "The only sound other than bird song is the occasional moo and some coyote yips in the distance."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric connections are limited but available at certain campgrounds. At Little Elm Park, a visitor reported, "Electric hookups for RV generally a small area first come first serve.... 5 dollars per tent....restrooms and park lights."
Access roads: For larger rigs, evaluate road conditions before arrival. A visitor to Tadra Point Trailhead & Campground shared, "We weren't sure about the accessibility to the trailhead road with our 23 foot travel trailer so we opted to stay off road 904, where the horse trailers park, since there were some nice flat spots."
Dispersed options for smaller setups: Smaller RVs have more flexibility. A visitor to LBJ National Grassland noted, "Taking the Trinity exit north off the loop around Decatur and using the navigation to the LBJ Grasslands to Park Rd 904 access was easy."
Site selection: Look for level ground and shade. One camper found that at Black Creek Lake, "There are two areas at Black Creek Lake that you can camp: this side, the improved side with amenities, and the back side, which does not have any amenities."
