Campgrounds around Plano, Texas primarily cluster near lakes and reservoirs within a 30-mile radius of the city. The Lewisville Lake area hosts several developed campgrounds including Hickory Creek, Pilot Knoll Park, and Lake Park Campground, all providing water and electric hookups for both tent and RV camping. Ray Roberts Lake State Park, located about 50 minutes north of Plano, offers both developed sites with utilities and primitive walk-in camping areas. Popular camping near Plano includes sites with cabin rentals, including Hidden Cove Park & Marina and The Vineyards Campground & Cabins at Grapevine Lake.
Access to most camping areas remains consistent year-round with paved roads leading to developed campgrounds. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F from June through September, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Most campgrounds require reservations, particularly for weekend stays. "This campground was only about 50 minutes from west Plano. It's an extremely busy place. I suggest booking as far in advance as possible," noted one camper about Isle du Bois at Ray Roberts Lake State Park. Cell phone coverage is generally reliable throughout the region, with most campgrounds reporting adequate service for major carriers. During severe weather, including thunderstorms and occasional tornado warnings, campers should monitor forecasts and have evacuation plans.
Lakefront campsites consistently rank highest in visitor satisfaction across multiple campgrounds. Sites at Hickory Creek, Pilot Knoll, and Willow Grove Park offer direct water access and views. A camper described Hickory Creek Park as "one of our favorite campgrounds" where "many sites that you can stay at and have a lakeside campground." Noise levels vary significantly, with campgrounds closer to urban areas experiencing more ambient sounds. One review mentioned, "The only downside is the overall air traffic that you hear and see over the park from the Dallas-Fort Worth airport." Most campgrounds feature a mix of shaded and open sites, with primitive areas generally providing more seclusion than developed campsites. Wildlife sightings, particularly deer, are common at parks like Ray Roberts Lake State Park and Erwin Park in McKinney. For the best camping experience near Plano, book lakeside sites several weeks in advance, especially during spring and fall when weather conditions are most favorable for outdoor activities.
$14 - $30 / night
"Location: The location is tucked away in the small lakeside town of Hickory Creek...which is surrounded by Denton to the north and Lewisville/Dallas to the south."
"The location of this campground feels secluded from the city but close to the highway so you can be in the city within a few minutes drive."
"Stayed here as a group traveling to the Frisco, Texas area for a college football game. We spent 2 nights in a RV. Was within close distance to where we were attending the football game."
"Being close to the lake is a big plus â you can walk right down and fish along the banks, and the view is just calm and peaceful. Although the strong wind prevented any real fishing."
$14 - $150 / night
"We had a nice view of Lake Lavon. Grills and tables vary by site, some are very old, but many have been replaced."
"I avoided any rough spots in the road and arrived at a LONG and roomie site with a beautiful view of the lake."
$15 - $25 / night
"The walk-in to P07 was quite lengthy, but P11 had parking spots right next to camp."
"The lake was warm and there was a little "beach" for swimming- I would recommend water shoes and floaties! There are picnic tables and benches all over and tons of parking."
"The only sound other than bird song is the occasional moo and some coyote yips in the distance"
"Erwin Park is a great place to visit if you're looking to spend a few days running or biking trails. Campsites are far enough apart that you have privacy yet close enough that you don't feel alone."
"Awesome park, great lake and a discgolf course within walking distance!!"
"Family friendly and there is a lake and playground within walking distance. The staff is courteous. We did not use any of the facilitiesďżź, except dump station."
"Pros: Well maintained, great layout, great location, on the water. Cons: My only criticism is that our site positioned the sewer connection uphill from our trailer. A bit tough to use."
"Immediate access to the lake and a beautiful view! A great little escape from the city."
$15 - $60 / night
"This campground was only about 50 minutes from west Plano. It's an extremely busy place. I suggest booking as far in advance as possible. We reserved a "primitive" walk-in site in the Hawthorn area."
"In the hot month of July 2020 I loaded up Little Red and headed out to spend several days camping at the Isle Du Bois Unit of Ray Roberts Lake."
$20 - $35 / night
"Itâs close to my home but makes me feel like Iâm camping far away from home. Lots of trees, many spots right on the water, great kayak launch, has hiking trails and decent distance between sites."
"Nice RV sites, close to the water. Campground close to town but away from the noise. Nice boat ramp/dock and day use areas too. Recently renovated bathrooms. Staff friendly."
$14 - $30 / night
"Nothing to knock you socks off, but itâs a great campsite close to home and nice for a quick getaway. Has the feel of being somewhat remote since itâs out by the lake."
"Doesnât have a lot of bells and whistles but does have sewer, lake views, wide open spaces, and clean! Great food places nearby."
GuideNice park. Could use some updates. Especially the shower houses. Park layout and lake access is great. Several sites are water adjacent. Staff is all very friendly and helpful.
ScoutThe site is not easily accessible. Maybe they are doing work in the area???
TravelerLovely campground, not very tight to maneuver around. Mostly seasonal people and you may need to go on a waiting list. The bonus is being able to wash your RV here.
GuideBuckle up for a long review! đ I stayed at Hidden Cove Park in February for 1 night with 2 kids; and Iâd give it a solid 4/5. I would go back for sure.
Overall, this spot is really nice. The campsites are clean, spacious, and youâve got plenty to choose from. Being close to the lake is a big plus â you can walk right down and fish along the banks, and the view is just calm and peaceful. Although the strong wind prevented any real fishing.
The setup is convenient too. Water spigot right at the site, table already there, bathrooms close by and decently clean. Trash dumpster is near the bathrooms so you do t have to haul your trash out.
Now Hereâs the reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5âŚ
Privacy is the biggest downside. Campsites are pretty close together, so youâre definitely gonna see and hear your neighbors. I had some loud neighbors and had to ask them to turn the music down. Then at 12:01 AM⌠same folks fired up an electric saw to cut firewood which for sure messed up my rest. đ¤Śđžââď¸
Not really the parkâs fault, but the layout doesnât give you much separation, so your experience kinda depends on whoâs around you. Just hope you get quiet neighbors.
I gotta mention the price for those wondering. Itâs $25/night (which is actually good for the amenities youâre getting), but parking is an additional $20. I donât understand that but OK. With all the fees, my total was $70. Plus $5-6 firewood. Just an FYI.
Another thing â since the parking lot is close, youâll see headlights shining through at night when cars pass. Not a dealbreaker, just something to know.
On the flip side, the closeness to the parking lot is actually clutch. I could literally see my car through the trees, and it was only like a 2â3 minute walk. Made it super easy to haul stuff. I even blew up my air mattresses at the car and just carried them over.
I also liked the concrete driveway and sidewalks â my daughter was out there skating, which was a cool unexpected bonus.
No bugs at all while I was there, which was a win. It was too windy to fish, but the kids still had a great time. Theyâve got a basketball court, volleyball area, and a hiking trail (didnât hit it this time).
The restaurant was closed â not a big deal, but wouldâve been nice. They do sell firewood at the front for a good price though, which is convenient.
And honestly, one of the best parts⌠itâs only like 15 minutes from home, but it feels like a world away. That alone makes it a great little reset spot.
This is a GREAT place for first-time campers, and families, or even solo trips if you just want to get away for a bit.
LegendStayed in the Lakeside Loop. Very private patio areas. Large park. Pay close attention to site lengths. No margin for error. Swim beach, multiple boat ramps, perch pond and lots of day sites.
GuideI stayed at Wild Plum campsite #124 at Isle du Bois and honestly⌠5/5. Iâd definitely go back.
The overall vibe was solid. The campsite itself was clean, spacious, and felt semi-private. You can see and hear neighbors a bit, but itâs not crowded or on top of each other. Just know itâs not fully secluded. The lake view was really nice, and there are several little fishing spots around the Wild Plum area. Plus, plenty of trails nearby if you want to get out and walk.
Each site out there has its own little vibe depending on where it sits, but theyâre all pretty roomy and well laid out.
A couple things to be aware ofâŚ
The walk from the parking lot to the campsite is no joke. Itâs gravel, rocks, and some incline. If youâre bringing a lot of gear, youâll definitely want a cart. I didnât expect that part.
The toilet situation⌠yeah, I didnât use it. Itâs a primitive setup with no plumbing, and it was pretty rough. That said, itâs expected for this type of campsite. If you need a better option, you can go up to the pier â those bathrooms have actual plumbing and are way cleaner.
No showers or water at the site either. There is a water spigot near the pier if you need to refill, and youâll have to drive your trash up to the dumpsters.
Weather-wise, it was super windy when I went (early March), and campsites closer to the water definitely catch that wind. Also, not a lot of shade since the trees didnât have leaves yet, so keep that in mind depending on the time of year.
On the positive side, I saw a lot of deer in the mornings, which was a really nice touch. No bugs during my stay (I did use a fogger), and the overall environment was peaceful. The park staff was also super duper friendly and helpful, which always makes the experience better.
Also worth noting â there are stores not too far from the park (like Dollar General), which came in clutch. I actually had to grab some super glue to fix a hole in my air mattress, so itâs good knowing youâre not too far from supplies if something goes wrong.
I went solo, and it was honestly the perfect little resetâquiet, scenic, and just enough nature without being too rough.
Good for solo campers, couples, or even families if youâre cool with primitive camping.
TravelerBest place to go for a clean and quiet place to camp. Beautiful location, sunsets, horses and donkeys makes Sleep Under the Pecan Trees a place we go to camp multiple times a year for three years now.
TravelerGreat environment & friendly staff. My only complaint is rowdy neighbors almost fist fighting drunk a site over. Children were present and foul language was being used and foul music was being played. I am young only 28 and the music was not family friendly. I have no kids but others nearby did. Other than the certain members on that site everything was great.
ScoutGreat sites close to the water.
Camping options near Plano, Texas extend beyond the major lakes to include smaller parks within a 30-mile radius that provide diverse terrain and wildlife viewing opportunities. The region sits at an elevation of 600-700 feet with predominantly clay soils, making drainage an important consideration during the rainy seasons of spring and fall. Temperatures in winter months (December-February) typically range from 35-60°F, allowing for year-round camping opportunities with proper preparation.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: East Fork Park Campground offers excellent bird watching, particularly in early morning hours. "We enjoyed a night here. Nice, clean, open RV park on Lake Lavon. It's well established but in good shape. Big level RV sites with grills and covered tables," notes one visitor at East Fork Park Campground.
Mountain biking trails: Erwin Park in McKinney features extensive single-track mountain biking trails approximately 9 miles in length. "Great easy spot for day camping or easy car camping with family. Good fire pits and great pavilion at the group site if you can get it. Best mountain bike single tracks around with lots of built features," explains a camper at Erwin Park.
Kayaking and paddleboarding: Multiple lakes offer water sports with rentals available at several locations. "The park offers open activity areas and covered picnic tables by the water. A 3-lane boat ramp to Lewisville Lake, rental paddle boarding, full marina, and swimming area," states a review from Hidden Cove Park & Marina.
Wide, spacious sites: Campers frequently mention site spacing as a key factor in satisfaction. "A lot of space between sites, well level and paved, family oriented, very quite, beautiful lake and tree sites, lighted power supply post with all the amps available. Fire pits, bbq, picnic tables and some with gazebo," says a camper at Hickory Creek - Lewisville Lake.
Waterfront camping options: Sites with direct lake access rank consistently high. "Nice wooded lots. Views of lake were great. Not a lot of close access to lake from our camping spot. Bathrooms were clean. Rained a lot so didn't get to explore as much as we would have liked. Did like the lighted power poles!" notes a visitor at Willow Grove Park.
Convenience to urban amenities: Many campgrounds offer a balance between nature and access to services. "We have family in the area, so we visit regularly and every time we stay here the grass is ridiculous otherwise I would give a 5 star!" comments a camper about Lavonia at Lavon Lake, noting the campground's proximity to residential areas.
Weather preparedness: The region experiences rapid weather changes, particularly in spring. "Got hit by two really bad lightning and thunderstorms and had to sit in my car for a while during the worst of it (certain parts had tornados and hail)," warns a camper about Willow Grove Park.
Grass maintenance issues: Several campgrounds receive criticism for inadequate mowing. "Great campground, electric and water. Only issue is the grass is always one high so bring a weed whip," notes a camper at Lavonia on Lavon Lake.
Varying bathroom facilities: Quality ranges significantly between parks. "The showers, toilets & sinks all feel disgusting and dirty. Avoid it all costs," states one review about Hidden Cove, while another campground receives praise: "The bathrooms are clean, signal is great for Verizon and T-mobile. There are showers but I wasn't brave enough to try them."
Playground access: Several parks offer playground equipment for children. "There is a park with slides and swings. The lake was warm and there was a little 'beach' for swimming- I would recommend water shoes and floaties!" advises a camper at Willow Grove Park.
Wildlife encounters: Plan for safe wildlife viewing opportunities. "We hopped over for a one night trip and had a blast! Our site was right off the water with a fun view (at night) of the lake Lewisville bridge. Sites were large enough for us (tent campers) without feeling too close to our rv/camper neighbors! Our 5 & 4 year old boys loved running around, throwing rocks in the lake," shares a family at Hickory Creek.
Swimming considerations: Lake conditions vary by location and season. "The day use area is really nice with picnic benches and pavilions. This is a good camp if you care more about amenities then being in the wilderness," explains a camper at Pilot Knoll Park.
Hookup locations: Pay attention to utilities placement when selecting sites. "The sites weren't bad and ours was pretty level. The location is nice on the lake with lots of sail boats sailing by. There is plenty of space between sites, but no trees so not a lot of privacy," notes an RV camper at Isle du Bois Campsites.
Water pressure considerations: Some campgrounds have unusually high water pressure. "Lots of shade trees, level sites many right on the water. I found the water pressure too strong for my class b as the pressure caused a link under my sink. Convinced me to purchase my own water pressure resistor gauge," cautions an RVer at Pilot Knoll Park.
Security differences: Gate access varies between parks. "Very Pretty Views. Large Sites with covered Picnic tables. Sites spread nicely with no one on top of you. Great security visible as well as a coded gate after hours," mentions a visitor at The Vineyards Campground & Cabins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find riverside camping near Plano?
While Plano doesn't have true riverside camping within the city limits, several lakeside options provide excellent water access nearby. Hickory Creek - Lewisville Lake offers waterfront sites that feel secluded despite being close to urban amenities. Many campsites feature great water views and access points for swimming or launching small watercraft. Another option is Lake Park Campground near Lewisville, which offers boat-in and drive-in access. These lakeside campgrounds provide the peaceful water experience you're seeking while remaining conveniently close to Plano, usually within a 30-minute drive.
Where can I find camping areas near Plano, TX?
Several camping options are available within an hour's drive of Plano. Isle du Bois Campsites â Ray Roberts Lake State Park is about 50 minutes from west Plano, offering primitive walk-in sites that provide privacy despite being a popular destination. Closer to home, Stewart Creek Park Campground is a smaller city-owned park that's convenient for Plano residents. Other nearby options include East Fork Park Campground near Wylie and Erwin Park in McKinney. Most campgrounds in the area get busy, especially during peak seasons, so booking well in advance is highly recommended for weekend trips.
Are there family-friendly campgrounds near Plano?
Johnson Branch Campsites â Ray Roberts Lake State Park offers excellent swimming opportunities, making it a perfect spot for families looking to cool down during hot Texas summers. The park features grilling areas and day-use facilities alongside camping options. Cedar Hill State Park Campground is another family-friendly option within reasonable driving distance from Plano. For a more upscale experience, The Vineyards Campground & Cabins near Grapevine offers cabins alongside traditional campsites, providing versatility for families with varying comfort needs. Most family-oriented campgrounds in the area provide amenities like playgrounds, swimming areas, and hiking trails suitable for children of all ages.
What RV parks are available in and around Plano, Texas?
The Plano area offers several well-equipped RV parks with varying amenities. Rock Island RV Park features a quaint pond with surrounding RV sites, creating a peaceful atmosphere enhanced by local wildlife and farm animals on the premises. Treetops RV Resort provides a clean, quiet environment with beautiful shade trees, primarily pull-through spaces for easy setup, and amenities including fire pits, picnic tables, clean bathhouses, and reliable laundry facilities. Additional options include Bluebonnet Ridge RV Park and several campgrounds around Lewisville Lake that accommodate RVs with hookups and big-rig-friendly sites.
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