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.

Tradinghouse Lake Park Camping

Waco is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Waco is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Waco, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

Waco

The Best Camping Near Waco, Texas

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. 

Nice lakefront spot 

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.  

Quiet picnic sites/ overnight camping on the water

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

Quiet and easy to find! Fantastic!

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!)

Wonderful peace by the lake

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. 

It was ok.

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

Nice!

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. 

Photos of Tradinghouse Lake Park Camping

Real photos from real campers