Camping options near Waco, Texas range from lakeside sites to Corps of Engineers parks at elevations between 400-700 feet. The region experiences hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 95°F and mild winters, with camping available year-round at most locations. Rocky shorelines and cedar-oak forests characterize many campgrounds, creating distinctive Central Texas camping environments.
What to do
Fishing at Lake Whitney: Cast a line from Lake Whitney State Park's numerous access points. "I would not recommend the spots directly on the waterside. Very windy. There are a lot of mosquitos but overall nice people very crowded and very windy," notes one camper about Lake Whitney State Park Campground.
Hike nature trails: Meridian State Park offers accessible hiking paths through Texas Hill Country terrain. "The hiking is decent here, and you can rent fishing rods if you didn't bring your own. Great, small place outside of DFW," mentions a visitor to Meridian State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Watch for deer and birds at Cedar Ridge Park. According to a camper, "We saw lots of deer and birds. We will definitely return!" Cedar Ridge offers lakeside viewing opportunities particularly at dawn and dusk when wildlife is most active.
What campers like
Quiet waterfront camping: At Steel Creek Park, campers appreciate the peaceful lake setting. "We pulled up about 8pm and snagged one of the northern campsites just in time to watch the sunset over the water from our elevated overlook," shares one visitor. These free lakeside sites provide excellent sunset viewing.
Spacious sites: Cedar Ridge Park features well-spaced camping areas. As one camper notes, "This is flat out a beautiful, no frills park. It is water and electric only. The sites along the water give amazing sunset and sunrise views. Our site was right on the water allowing us to fish from our spot."
Shade coverage: Airport Park provides substantial tree cover for protection from summer heat. "Airport Park on Lake Waco, in Waco, TX. We really like this park. We were in site 27, which our camp side is shady during the afternoon and evening. Each site has a fire ring, bbq grill, & lantern post."
What you should know
Variable bathroom facilities: Bathroom quality differs between campgrounds and sometimes within the same park. At Liberty Hill Park Campground, a camper reports, "Clean restrooms," while others mention basic facilities only.
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience nearby traffic sounds. "Road noise from the small highway," notes a Meridian State Park visitor regarding potential disturbances.
Insect activity: Prepare for seasonal insect populations. A Liberty Hill camper warns, "Ants are bad, Argentine ants are very bad because there small once there in your car you just take them everywhere."
Limited shade at some sites: Not all campgrounds offer equal tree cover. A Lake Whitney visitor cautions, "The layout is weird. No waterfront by the full hookups. All the good sites are standard hookups or no electricity at all. Shade all around but over your camper. So it has a hard time cooling."
Tips for camping with families
Yurt camping options: Live Oak Ridge provides yurt camping near Waco with family-friendly amenities. "Live Oak is a nice Corps of Engineers park on Belton Lake. The campsites are well maintained with asphalt parking, a covered picnic table, and nice gravel area," reports a visitor. Yurts offer a blend of comfort and outdoor experience.
Playgrounds and recreation: Multiple parks feature play areas for children. "There is a play ground, but its only near a few sites and quite a distance from most sites. But for older kids with bikes, it's a fun ride," notes an Airport Park camper.
Swimming access: Look for designated swimming areas at several parks. A visitor to Meridian State Park comments, "This is a great park for family fun, and would be awesome for family reunions or youth groups! They have literally everything you can think of for summer fun! Fishing, swimming, hiking, kayaking, bird watching!"
Covered picnic areas: Many sites include sheltered eating spaces. "Each site has a fire ring, bbq grill, & lantern post. The RV parking pad is asphalt and long. Big Rigs would have no problems here," shares an Airport Park visitor.
Tips from RVers
Lake access considerations: At Blue Sky I-35 RV Park, RVers can find convenient access near Interstate 35. "From the moment we spoke to them on the phone late in the afternoon, to the moment we left the next morning, these were the kindest people we have met in Texas. The facilities and grounds are clean and very fresh looking," reports a visitor. Note that highway proximity means noise is a factor.
Leveling challenges: Some sites require additional setup time for proper leveling. "Sites look level but we needed to reposition a couple times to get everything thing level and maximize the view," shares an Airport Park camper.
Electric hookup variety: Check for the appropriate amperage before booking. "50 amp sites are $26 a night. The loop we are in doesn't have the nice restrooms. We are in the loop that has sites 16-36," advises an Airport Park visitor.
Dump station availability: Not all parks offer full hookups. "It had water/electric with a dump station. It had a picnic table and fire pit. It also has a laundry room near the entrance," notes a Live Oak Ridge camper about the facilities.
