Fishing draws most visitors to West Lake Crockett, a small Forest Service campground on the shore of Lake Crockett within Caddo National Grassland in Decatur, Texas. The lake sits close enough to camp that anglers can hear it from their sites, and a boat launch is visible on the east side of the water. Access is open year-round, and sites are first-come, first-served with payment handled via a QR code on-site, with the America the Beautiful pass bringing the cost down to around half the posted rate.
The campground runs roughly 10 sites, each with a fire ring and grill, and a picnic table at most. Outer sites have mature trees well-suited to hammocks, and several sites have open sightlines toward the lake. One notable feature is an old stone fireplace in a grassy clearing, likely a CCC-era construction, that sits apart from the main camping area. Pit toilets are on-site. Cell coverage is solid, with at least one visitor recording strong 5G signal on T-Mobile. No pets are allowed.
Crowds tend to thin considerably in fall. "Enjoyed a quiet week stay, with occasional drive by," notes Izzy T., who visited in late October. Summer visits carry a higher chance of mosquito pressure given the proximity to the lake. The campground sits near East Lake Crockett Recreation Area to the east, and Coffee Mill Lake Recreation Area is a few miles west for campers covering multiple spots in the grassland. No trash service means pack-out is required. Tent campers, van dwellers, and smaller rigs all fit the layout well.
Description
Overview
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service. West Lake Crockett Campground has 12 campsites. Located on 450 acre Lake Davy Crockett.
Facilities
Located on the northwest shore of the 450-acre Lake Crockett, West Lake Crockett Recreation Area was completed in 1968. Lake Crockett was built in the 1930s as a recreation site for the area. Visitors may fish from the shore.
Nearby Attractions
Coffee Mill Lake and Bois D'Arc Trailhead.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsWest Lake Crockett is located in Texas near Telephone
Directions
From Honey Grove, Texas, follow FM 100 north 12 miles to FM 409. Turn left and go west 2 miles to the camp entrance on the left.
Address
Caddo-LBJ National Grasslands
1400 N. Highway 81/287
Decatur, TX 76234
Coordinates
33.7368 N
95.9285 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 5/11/26
VerizonNo Coverage- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 1 user
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 5/11/26
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 1 user
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
Drive Time
- 47 min from Sherman, TX
- 1 hr 33 min from Dallas, TX
- 1 hr 51 min from Texarkana, TX
- 2 hrs 8 min from Tyler, TX
