Wills Point, Texas sits among the rolling hills of East Texas with elevations ranging from 450 to 600 feet above sea level. The area experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures often exceeding 95°F and mild winters, making year-round camping possible with proper preparation. Several campgrounds near Wills Point offer lakeside access to Lake Tawakoni's 36,700 acres of water with 200 miles of shoreline.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Tawakoni provides excellent fishing at Wind Point Park, where visitors can catch various species from well-maintained docks. "Great docks for fishing. Beautiful water views, if you camp next to the water," notes one camper about the primitive sites overlooking the water.
Hiking trails: Several parks offer trail systems for different skill levels. "The hiking is not the greatest but it was easy enough for my toddler," shares a visitor to Tyler State Park Campground, which features pine forest trails and a lake for swimming.
Water activities: Beyond fishing, lakes provide swimming and boating options. "Pine forest and beautiful lake for swimming, paddel boarding (SUP), or fishing. Lots of hiking/mountain bike trails," explains a camper about Tyler State Park's recreational offerings.
Golf cart rentals: Some resorts offer golf carts for exploring the property. "My kids had fun fishing and playing on the playground and LOVED that we could rent a golf cart," reports a family who visited Mill Creek Ranch Resort.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Mill Creek Ranch RV & Cottage Resort receives praise for site layout: "The pad for the RV was level, with a nice amount of space between sites. Good value for the cost."
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds provide opportunities to observe local wildlife. "There is a lot of wildlife roaming around - lots of deer!" mentions a camper at Wind Point Park, highlighting the natural surroundings despite the controlled environment.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness stands out at several locations. At Bluebonnet Ridge RV Park, campers appreciate the maintenance: "The park was clearly being maintained. The basketball/tennis courts had just been resurfaced. Anytime someone left, or a spot was empty, new gravel was being dumped and leveled."
Year-round access: Most campgrounds remain open throughout the seasons. "I will come back again in the summer," notes a winter visitor to Lake Tawakoni RV Campground after experiencing unexpected weather challenges during a February stay.
What you should know
Weather preparedness: East Texas can experience extreme weather conditions. One camper at Lake Tawakoni reported: "Biggest ice and snow storm in 70 years, temperatures down to -2 degrees below freezing for several days, several inches of snow. All park water lines froze, rolling blackouts by the state."
Campsite selection: Some sites flood during heavy rains. "When it rains some of the tent electrical camp sites fill with water," warns a visitor to Wind Point Park, though they note "the front office is more than willing to work with you and give you a refund or switch your site."
Reservation timing: Popular parks require advance booking. A camper notes about Tyler State Park: "Hard to get reservations because it is so popular! If you get reservations it's kinda like winning the lottery."
Internet access: WiFi quality varies significantly between parks. At Bluebonnet Ridge RV Park, one long-term visitor reported: "The WiFi, while available, is really slow. When you connect, they track usage by hardware MAC address. Use too much, you get blocked and have to ask to be allowed back on."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: COE Lavon Lake Lavonia offers limited amenities for children. "If you have kids and are just looking for an easy day out on the lake, this is great," mentions one visitor, though another notes "the playground mentioned in ads no longer exists."
Kid-friendly trails: Choose trails appropriate for children's abilities. At Tyler State Park, families appreciate that "the hiking is not the greatest but it was easy enough for my toddler."
Swimming areas: Look for designated swimming beaches. "The lake was perfect and had a nice beach. We were able to rent kayaks and paddle boats," shares a family visitor about Tyler State Park's day-use area.
Yurt camping options: For families seeking yurt camping near Wills Point, Texas, Mill Creek Ranch Resort offers modern yurt accommodations with comfortable amenities. "This place was beautiful and so serene. Bathhouse is very clean. A lot to do here," reports a recent visitor who enjoyed the yurt facilities.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: Many campgrounds have uneven sites. At Big Tex Campgrounds, "the sites are all large and shaded with a picnic table and a fire pit," but at other locations like Lavon Lake, campers warn "our site was very unlevel on the hill, so bring your chocks."
Full hookup availability: Several parks offer complete RV services. At Mill Creek Ranch Resort, visitors appreciate that "all concrete pads and level. This is a large park and staffed will. Cost is a bit high at $50.00 a night but I like the campground."
Road conditions: Internal roads vary in quality. At Lake Tawakoni RV Campground, one camper observed: "Park location is ideal, Lake is beautiful, many big trees! But roads are terrible, spaces are unlevel, with no uniform length!"
Off-season advantages: Winter camping offers quieter experiences. "The campground in late November is about 2/3 full with plenty of space between sites," notes one visitor to Lake Tawakoni, providing insight into seasonal occupancy patterns.
