Belton Lake and Stillhouse Hollow Lake form the backbone of camping options near Harker Heights, Texas. Several Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds including Dana Peak, Union Grove, Live Oak Ridge, and Cedar Ridge provide established camping with water and electric hookups around these reservoirs. Most campgrounds offer a mix of tent and RV sites, with Union Grove and Cedar Ridge also featuring cabin accommodations. These campgrounds generally sit within 15 miles of Harker Heights, with Dana Peak located just 3 miles from town on Comanche Gap Road.
Reservations are recommended for most campgrounds in the area, particularly during summer months when lakeside sites fill quickly. Many Corps of Engineers campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, with Dana Peak typically open from March through September. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F, though lakeside locations benefit from cooling breezes. Winter camping is available at several year-round facilities including Union Grove, Live Oak Ridge, and Mother Neff State Park, located about 30 miles northwest of Harker Heights. Most campgrounds provide basic amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, drinking water, and toilets. As one camper noted, "Dana Peak is a beautiful, well maintained and very clean park. The water is crystal clear, so we just went down and hopped in the water when it got too hot."
Waterfront access represents the primary draw for most campsites in the region, with numerous opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating. The Corps of Engineers campgrounds offer spacious sites with good privacy, many featuring covered picnic tables and direct water access. Shade can be limited at certain campgrounds, particularly Dana Peak, making summer camping challenging without additional shade structures. Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer sightings, particularly at Union Grove. Hiking and mountain biking trails are available at Dana Peak and nearby Chalk Ridge Falls. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "This campground has large covered picnic tables, crushed granite sites, and easy water access. The lake is crystal clear with a rocky bottom."
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