Sam Houston National Forest surrounds the Willis camping area with over 163,000 acres of East Texas piney woods. The forest terrain features gentle rolling hills between 200-500 feet elevation, creating secluded camping environments with dense tree coverage. Winter overnight temperatures can drop below freezing between December and February, while summer humidity levels frequently exceed 80%, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons for tent campers at primitive sites.
What to Do
Fishing access points: Stubblefield Lake Recreation Area offers excellent shore fishing opportunities. "Just made our third trip kayaking there, day and night. Great place for the family," notes Monica J.
Hiking trails: The Lone Star Hiking Trail connects at Stubblefield Lake Recreation Area, providing access to longer trail networks. "Wonderful trails. Clear and well marked. Primitive (water only) tent sites on lakeshore side leave the camper hunting flat surfaces while avoiding runoff pathways," shares Teresa W.
Kayaking options: Cagle Recreation Area provides boat ramp access to Lake Conroe. "We got to use our kayaks, go fishing, swimming, and hike also. It was just gorgeous! We actually had our campsite in a perfect place for we could put our kayaks in and out of the water right behind our tent," explains Melanie C.
What Campers Like
Private campsites: Huntsville State Park features spacious, well-separated sites. "We tent camped and we weren't too close to the people around us. Completely surrounded by huge trees," reports Kyndall W., who also mentioned hearing coyotes during evening hikes.
Budget-friendly options: Buck Acres provides affordable camping close to Lake Conroe. "For the price, this place was amazing. Super large campsites for both tents and RVs. Not very many sites so in general it's fairly quiet though it's right next to a dirt bike track so it can get loud during the day," explains Passion T.
Wildlife viewing: Sam Houston National Forest camping sites near Willis, Texas offer abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. "We saw a bald eagle, which was an awesome experience," shares Debbie J., highlighting the birding potential in winter months at Cagle Recreation Area.
What You Should Know
Site selection challenges: When camping at Thousand Trails Lake Conroe, be aware that campsite selection works differently than typical campgrounds. "We camped here for a long weekend getaway, and wanted to see what a Thousand Trails campground was like. The campground is huge, and you cannot reserve a specific site. You drive around and pick a site, then call and let them know which one you're in," explains Debbie J.
Bathroom facilities vary: At Stubblefield Lake Recreation Area, expect basic but functional bathrooms. "There are two bathroom facilities on site and they are usable. The showers are hot! Many places have luke warm, but they turn up the heat here which is great," shares Annette K.
Limited amenities at primitive sites: Most national forest camping near Willis requires proper preparation. "There is no camp store or office to purchase firewood so you want to pack it in with you. Be sure to check burn ban for Walker County before visiting," advises Chad L., referring to Stubblefield Lake Recreation Area.
Tips for Camping with Families
Swimming areas: Venice on the Lake RV Resort offers family-friendly swimming options. The resort features "Swimming Pool, 100 Waterview sites, 70 Waterfront sites, Recreation Area, Fenced In Dog Park," according to Venice On T.
Playground facilities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated children's play areas. "This resort is very nice with a children's playground, fishing area, swimming pool, and recreation area," notes a visitor to Venice on the Lake.
Wildlife education opportunities: Huntsville State Park provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities for children. "Loads of trails. We later learned you can hire a guided horseback ride from the park, would have been fun," shares Kim B.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Many campsites in the area require significant leveling equipment. "Our site was really off level side to side. We have auto leveling and it wouldn't work it was so far out of level. We had to manually do it," explains Daniel L. about Cagle Recreation Area, adding, "Side to side isn't fun. Front to back is much easier to set up. So I would say bring leveling blocks or boards with you."
Campground layout considerations: RVers should research campground layouts before booking. "The campground is well laid out. Easy access to sites, amenities and the Lake. Although its a small portion of the lake on the campgrounds side, you do have access to boat rentals, a boat launch and plenty of parking," explains Robert M. about Thousand Trails Lake Conroe.
Hookup variations: Full hookups aren't available at all campsites. "Beware that not all sites have full hookups. For the size of the place I would have explained small convenience store but they only had ice," cautions Karen B. about Thousand Trails Lake Conroe.
