Camper submitted image from Tradinghouse Lake Park Camping - 1

View Photos

Camper submitted image from Tradinghouse Lake Park Camping - 2
Roads
Camper submitted image from Tradinghouse Lake Park Camping - 3
Camping
Camper submitted image from Tradinghouse Lake Park Camping - 4
Facilities
Camper submitted image from Tradinghouse Lake Park Camping - 5
Nature
Unlock Planning Tools in App
pro

Free Camping Collection

Established Camping

Tradinghouse Lake Park Camping

Do you own or manage this property?

Claim Your Listing
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Tradinghouse Lake Park Camping, near Waco, Texas, is a solid spot for those looking to enjoy some time by the water. With its picturesque lakefront sites and covered picnic tables, it’s perfect for relaxing and soaking up the natural beauty.

Visitors rave about the wildlife, with sightings of egrets and herons adding to the serene atmosphere. The area is quiet, making it a great choice for a peaceful getaway, especially in the off-season when you might find yourself nearly alone by the lake. One camper noted, “Lovely wildlife to watch… hardly anyone here in October!”

While the campground doesn’t offer hookups or drinking water, it’s free to camp, which is a big plus for budget-conscious travelers. Some campers have mentioned the lack of nearby facilities, but the trade-off is a tranquil experience right on the water. If you’re up for some fishing, you might even catch a glimpse of large fish jumping out of the lake.

Getting to Tradinghouse Lake is straightforward, and it’s just a short drive from Waco, making it an easy escape from the city. Whether you’re pitching a tent or parking your RV, this spot offers a laid-back vibe that’s hard to beat.

Suggest an Edit

Location

Tradinghouse Lake Park Camping is located in Texas

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

31.55006788828817 N
96.96174741579374 W

Open in Google Maps

Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 1 user

The Dyrt Alerts

Get reservations at sold-out campgrounds.

Learn More
Presented byT Mobile

Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BYToyota Trucks
Walling Bend - Lake Whitney

Walling Bend - Lake Whitney

51 min away

High View

High View

1 hr 7 min away

Drive Time

Presented byToyota Trucks

Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 1 user

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • WiFi
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

FREE established camping

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Tradinghouse Lake Park Camping needs a permit.

Contact

General Info


2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Reviews

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

88%
13%
0%
0%
0%

5.0

out of 5

8 Reviews

Reviewed Jul. 14, 2024

Also called McLennan County Park

It threw me off when I saw the name difference, but yes, McLennan County Park is the same place as Tradinghouse. I saw on a website that camping wasn't allowed, but this is said it is. I called the McLennan County Sheriff and they said, "Yeah, people camp there all the time." So that's awesome. Free to camp, too, and now I have a place to stay to ping pong between here and Whitney every 14 days.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Tradinghouse Lake Park Camping by Rick M., July 14, 2024
  • Review photo of Tradinghouse Lake Park Camping by Rick M., July 14, 2024
  • Review photo of Tradinghouse Lake Park Camping by Rick M., July 14, 2024
Reviewed Apr. 7, 2024

Nice!

Beautiful area for an overnight stay the day before Eclipse 2024.

Sitepark where you wish
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Tradinghouse Lake Park Camping by Mark W., April 7, 2024
Reviewed Mar. 14, 2023

It was ok.

It’s a great spot to camp for a few days. Only issue I had was that there was a sheriff that decided to bother us by driving through our camp every day. We were at the end part so it was a tiny loop around just the camp we were staying at so there was zero reason to go through. Was here 5 nights. No bathrooms outside the park that’s close by. No potable water.

Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Tradinghouse Lake Park Camping by David S., March 14, 2023
Reviewed Oct. 23, 2022

Wonderful peace by the lake

Lovely wildlife to watch… egrets, herons, etc. Nice and flat parking, covered picnic tables, hardly anyone here in October!!! Easy to find with the Google coordinates! This is the 2nd time being here this month! (We see many others fishing… and I’ve seen large fish jumping 3/4 out of the lake!)

SitePark 1B Hall Drive - Near the 6th covered picnic table on the right
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Tradinghouse Lake Park Camping by Tamra J., October 23, 2022
  • Review photo of Tradinghouse Lake Park Camping by Tamra J., October 23, 2022
  • Review photo of Tradinghouse Lake Park Camping by Tamra J., October 23, 2022
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Oct. 15, 2022

Quiet and easy to find! Fantastic!

Quiet and lovely! Very easy to find with the Google Coordinates given 31.550811, -96.961614 Beautiful lake to relax by!

SiteNearest toilets
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Tradinghouse Lake Park Camping by Tamra J., October 15, 2022
  • Review photo of Tradinghouse Lake Park Camping by Tamra J., October 15, 2022
  • Play button icon
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Apr. 20, 2022

Quiet picnic sites/ overnight camping on the water

Great find 20 minutes outside of Waco. Quiet, in the country. Picnic sights on water. Hard to find on google maps so drop a pin on southern corner of lake and drive along lake until you see entrance.

SiteTradingHouse Creek Resevoir
Month of VisitApril
Reviewed Nov. 4, 2021

Nice lakefront spot

We arrived in November and were the only ones here. The spots are lake front with covered picnic tables. No hook ups available. View was amazing.

Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Tradinghouse Lake Park Camping by Nancy B., November 4, 2021

Frequently Asked Questions

What fishing opportunities are available at Tradinghouse Lake?

Tradinghouse Lake offers excellent fishing opportunities with reports of large fish jumping three-quarters out of the water. The lake is popular among anglers, with many visitors frequently seen fishing along its shores. While specific fish species aren't detailed, the lake appears to support a healthy fish population. The lakefront camping spots provide convenient access for fishing directly from your campsite. The quiet, natural setting enhances the fishing experience, particularly during less crowded months like October.

What camping facilities and amenities are offered at TP&L Lake?

TP&L Lake (Tradinghouse Creek Reservoir) offers primitive camping with no hookups available. The campground features lakefront spots with covered picnic tables and flat parking areas. The setting is quiet and natural, making it ideal for those seeking a peaceful outdoor experience. Camping is permitted despite some conflicting information online, as confirmed by the McLennan County Sheriff. The area is known for its beautiful views and abundant wildlife, including egrets and herons. Facilities are minimal, so campers should come prepared for a more rustic experience. The campground is especially uncrowded during fall months.

Where is Tradinghouse Creek Reservoir located and how do I get there?

Tradinghouse Creek Reservoir (also known as McLennan County Park) is located approximately 20 minutes outside of Waco, Texas. The most reliable way to find it is by using GPS coordinates: 31.550811, -96.961614, which will take you directly to the entrance. The location can be tricky to find on standard maps, so visitors recommend driving along the southern corner of the lake until you see the entrance. Some navigation apps may show it under different names, including McLennan County Park, which is the same location as Tradinghouse.