g
gilles P.
Guide
GuideBalmorhea State Park Campground
Very nice camp with cover picnic table , super clean including the shower. The plus: a nice spring water pool.
Best Tent Camping in Texas
Texas provides diverse tent camping options across varied landscapes from coastal beaches to forested state parks. Huntsville State Park Campground offers established tent sites with water hookups, picnic tables, and shower facilities. Magnolia Beach provides free dispersed camping directly on the beach for tent campers seeking proximity to the Gulf waters, with hard-packed sand suitable for tent setups.
Most tent campgrounds in Texas state parks require reservations through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website. Primitive tent sites at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area feature walk-in access and designated tent pads. Established campgrounds typically provide picnic tables and fire rings, though fire bans are common during dry summer months. Many tent camping areas lack drinking water, requiring campers to bring adequate supplies. Vault toilets are available at some locations, while others have no facilities. Sites at Caprock Canyons State Park are situated along hiking trails with some shade coverage but require walking from designated parking areas.
Tent camping experiences vary significantly across Texas regions. The Gulf Coast offers beach camping with ocean breezes and shell collecting opportunities at places like Magnolia Beach. Inland parks provide woodland settings with wildlife viewing and star-gazing opportunities. A visitor noted that Magnolia Beach allows "parking feet from the ocean" with "plenty of space on the beach," though mosquitoes can be problematic near standing water. Primitive tent sites in Big Bend National Park provide exceptional dark sky viewing with minimal light pollution. Summer heat often necessitates extra shade structures for comfort at exposed tent sites, while spring and fall offer more moderate temperatures ideal for tent camping throughout the state.
Best Tent Campgrounds in Texas (242)
1. Huntsville State Park Campground
69 ReviewsHuntsville, TXWebsite+1 (936) 295-5644$15 - $60 / night
"Huntsville State Park has over 20 miles of trails to explore along with a pretty great lake to fish, paddle or swim. Fish for crappie, perch, catfish, or bass."
"The check-in process is a bit troublesome if you're picky about getting a good tent site- you can't reserve specific sites ahead of time."
2. Davis Mountains State Park Campground
59 ReviewsFort Davis, TXWebsite+1 (432) 426-3337$10 - $25 / night
"Attractive, well maintained large sites, good privacy if no hook ups needed. Site 81 was my favorite. Water, picnic table, fire ring. I’d give it a 5 star review but no cell service, or WiFi."
"Lovely wide open spaces in a valley."
3. Fortress Cliff Primitive — Palo Duro Canyon State Park
49 ReviewsCanyon, TXWebsite+1 (806) 488-2227$16 / night
"FORTRESS CLIFF Rating: 3.5 as not a lot of visual privacy from adjacent sites."
"Some of the other camping areas seemed less spacious and private, but we really liked our site in the tent-only Cactus Campground. It had a shade shelter, a picnic table, and a dirt tent pad."
4. Rio Frio — Garner State Park
36 ReviewsConcan, TXWebsite+1 (830) 232-6132$15 - $26 / night
"This site was 2 sites away from a wide road to the river. We took our kayak down this path on wheels (would’ve been a hassle without the kayak carrier)."
"This site was located 2 sites away from a wide road to the river. We took our kayak down this path on wheels (would’ve been a hassle without the kayak carrier)."
5. Moss Lake Area — Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
28 ReviewsWillow City, TXWebsite+1 (830) 685-3636$14 / night
"Once you walk about 20 feet, you’ll be in complete darkness without a light."
"You'll be walking on solid granite. During the summer the temperatures rise sharply and there is limited shade to rest under on the summit."
6. Magnolia Beach
29 ReviewsAustwell, TXWebsite"A mix of folks RV, car, tent camping! Some folks are definitely here for a long time."
"We were there in mid November so too chilly to swim but still mid 70s so beautiful weather for fishing and hanging out. We caught a huge flounder for dinner."
7. Walnut Springs Area — Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
24 ReviewsWillow City, TXWebsite+1 (830) 685-3636$14 / night
"Drove 3.5hrs from Dickinson, TX with more than enough time to hike out to our camp site, set up and catch an unbelievable sunset from one of the scenic lookouts."
"Tent camping is all they offer here I believe. I went on solo weekend camp out and really enjoyed it. The grounds are nice. You are not allowed to hang anything from trees which is a bummer."
8. North Area — Colorado Bend State Park Campground
20 ReviewsBend, TXWebsite+1 (325) 628-3240$13 - $35 / night
"There are rivers, streams, water holes, trees, caves and plenty of hike and bike trails to explore. This park offers drive-up, walk-in, hike-in primitive and group campsites. "
"The walk-in campsites are beautiful. They are well spaced and quite close to the river. The have lattern post, a picnic bench and a fire ring."
9. Government Canyon State Natural Area
14 ReviewsHelotes, TXWebsite+1 (210) 688-9055$18 - $40 / night
"Government Canyon State Natural Area is conveniently located near San Antonio, TX. Many visitors visit from San Antonio for the day or for the weekend."
"The campsites are all walk in, but not a great distance. Camp sites vary in size, but all have fire rings, a place to hang trash, and a storage cupboard."
10. South Prong Primitive Camping Area — Caprock Canyons State Park
13 ReviewsQuitaque, TXWebsite+1 (806) 455-1492$12 / night
"There's lots to do at this park from hiking, camping, backpacking, fishing, watching wildlife and exploring old railroad tunnels."
"There is no tree cover, which is ok if you want that morning sun warmth, but know that if it gets super windy (which apparently happens a lot here), your tent will need to be stable."
Recent Tent Camping Photos in Texas
265 Photos of 242 Texas Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews in Texas
7235 Reviews of 242 Texas Campgrounds
- ssiyeon Y.
TravelerHickory Creek - Lewisville Lake
Great view
- Kimberly B.
ScoutTexas Log Cabin RV Park
This park is clean and so peaceful. A must stay for me and my husband again. Worth the price . Nice park . Free firewood grills . Jeff and Tammy are no longer park host there. A really nice fellow name Glen is. And Barb not the owner .
Boe A.ScoutThompson Grove Boondocking
Quiet location, no turn around for camp trailers. RV park across the road.
MAD C.ScoutBig Oaks RV Park
Quiet smaller rv park. Great for retiries!
All gravel lots. Storage available.
. Decent price and good location close to cedar park. Only amenity is laundry room which does have newer clean washer and dryers(5 washers 6 dryers). They can get load done and dry in only 1 cycle each. Pay with card which is convenient. Not best for kids as nothing for kids to do and they would not like this sight.for full timers and reitred a good sight. Families with kids may want to find sight with some playground or something unless want your kids bored. Bring ant spray and spray for the suger ants that are in area but they not a huge deal long as you spray around your camper.everyone keeps to themselves.
Benjamin S.GuideFort Richardson State Park Hist. Site and Trailway
Awesome State Park. The staff was friendly and had lots of good info. Very well maintained and there were alot of Historical displays and things to see. The Pond had just been restocked with Catfish the day we arrived so my son caught 2 of them and we had catfish tacos for dinner. We will definitely keep this park on our list of places to revisit!
- JJames G.Scout
South Park - Hamlin
Entrance is narrow for big rigs. We have a 38’ 5th wheel was very close to not making the turn deep ditch at entrance.
- Benjamin S.Guide
Sanger - Denton North KOA
The KOA is clean and well maintained. There is lits of space for the pull throughs. Dog park is amazing, host are friendly and kind. They are very welcoming and the store is small, but clean with a little bit of everything for everyone! We will definitely be back!
- ggary K.Scout
Childress Fair Park
Nice level site with electric dirty and 50 amp and a porta potty in the area. Nice quiet lake type front or big pond.
Guide to Texas
Tent camping in Texas offers a diverse range of experiences, from serene lakeside retreats to rugged mountain adventures. Whether you're seeking a peaceful getaway or an action-packed trip, the Lone Star State has something for every outdoor enthusiast.
Explore Scenic Trails and Natural Wonders
- Experience the breathtaking views at Guadalupe Peak Wilderness Campground, where you can hike to the highest point in Texas and enjoy stunning landscapes.
- Discover the unique terrain of Davis Mountains State Park Campground, featuring numerous hiking trails that wind through high desert mountains.
- Enjoy the picturesque scenery at Colorado Bend State Park Campground, where you can hike to Gorman Falls and explore miles of scenic trails.
Family-Friendly Activities and Amenities
- Huntsville State Park Campground is perfect for families, offering fishing, biking, and hiking opportunities along with well-maintained facilities.
- At Tejas Park, families can enjoy a mix of hiking trails and water activities, making it an ideal spot for a fun-filled camping trip.
- Shaffer Bend Recreation Area provides a sandy beach area for swimming and fishing, along with spacious campsites for family gatherings.
Unique Camping Experiences and Features
- For a primitive camping experience, check out Fortress Cliff Primitive — Palo Duro Canyon State Park, where you can immerse yourself in nature with minimal amenities and stunning canyon views.
- Lake Niederhoffer Campsite offers a serene setting with clear waters, perfect for swimming and fishing, all while being surrounded by lush trees.
- Experience the tranquility of McBride Canyon & Mullinaw Creek Camp — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, where you can enjoy free camping in a remote area with beautiful landscapes and wildlife sightings.
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