Camping in Lake Palestine with swimming

Boat, fish, jet ski, and camp at this Texas Piney Woods lake.

93% (175 reviews)
93% (175 reviews)

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12 top campgrounds in Lake Palestine with swimming

98%
(61)

Texas Safari Camp

54 sites · Lodging, Tents31 acres · Kaufman, TX
Welcome to Texas Safari Camp Escape the stresses of city living on this heavily wooded 31 acre pristine wildlife habitat. Relax your body, refresh your mind, heart and spirit. Only one hour east of Dallas but it feels like another world. This piece of east Texas paradise is 20 minutes from Buccee's, restaurants, grocery stores and about 25 minutes from Canton First Monday. We offer a much more personal experience than any State Park. Your host is Randall Oliver, a woodworking artist whose energy, creative vision and love of the outdoors have transformed this property into the jewel that it is. He has been organizing group campouts for 30 years and enjoys hosting, bringing people together and inspiring a passion for the outdoors. Everyone is welcomed regardless of race, religion, color, creed or sexual orientation. Randall enjoys sitting around the campfire with his guests, sharing stories, laughter and good will. He can teach your kids how to build a campfire and paddle a kayak. This property is his back yard and the people who camp here are treated like family. At the end of a one lane rock road- this is a very secluded, QUIET and safe property. It is perfect for tent campers with abundant clean, flat tent sites. positive vibe attracts good people (including a lot of first time campers) and is more peaceful and relaxing than most state parks. It is next to a 950 acre wildlife park. The Texas Zoofari Park has 900 exotic animals, many can be seen from the road (or you can pay to drive through). This can make for some interesting wildlife noises while sitting around a campfire. While it adjoins the wildlife park on two sides, Texas Safari Camp is in no way affiliated with Texas Zoofari Park. The only clearing has been done around the ponds. No hunting is allowed. It has never been in ag use and all of the native brush and cover has been left to benefit the wildlife. Imagine two ponds in the middle of a forest. Enjoy swimming and kayaking in the clear water front pond. Kayaks and paddleboards are available on request. Both ponds are stocked with bass, cat, crappie and bluegill. There is plenty of room for camping around the front pond and four established communal fire pits. You can camp on the front berm for an elevated view of the property. The back pond has a camping area with a firepit. Deep in the jungle, it offers a higher degree of seclusion but it is farther from the parking areas and outhouses. There are no preassigned campsites- it is first come first serve. Camping is $22 per person per night. Kids 12 and under are $12.00 per kid per night. Friendly, non barking and leashed dogs are welcome. People who bring big, aggressive dogs or dogs that bark constantly will be asked to leave and given a refund. Most people camp around the front pond but you can camp anywhere. Campfires are restricted to the existing fire rings. There is a rustic outhouse with a modern, ventilated composting toilet and sink and a hummingbird window touch of class. Water and electricity is available behind my home as well as an open air cold water shower. The tiny Hummingbird Treehouse overlooks the front pond. It is has leaded glass windows, screened operable windows and a small loft sleeping area with an operable porthole window, a full size bed, lights, a fan and outdoor tables and chairs. It is not air conditioned. Bring your own sleeping bags and pillows to enjoy this comfortable and classy alternative to tent camping. It rents for $80 per night for two people. No food, smoking or pets are allowed in the tree house. Texas Safari Camp Rules Hip Camp policy is that you must pack out all of your garbage. Pease put it in your car and take it home. No burning of garbage. If you leave trash on the ground, in the fire pits or put it in my trash cans you will be charged extra. There are no specific site reservations so it’s first come, first served. Tent camping only- no vehicles allowed on the property. Off road wagons are provided for hauling your gear back to camp. Front pond camping areas are 30-100 yards from the two parking areas. Wagons must be returned to parking area after being unloaded. Careful, humane catch and release fishing only in the two ponds and only single, barbless hooks are allowed. There is split firewood and you can gather and burn sticks off the ground. No chainsaws, no cutting, carving or harvesting wood from trees. Parents of non swimming children must provide a personal flotation device (PFD / life jacket) and personally supervise their swimming. No sun block or insect repellent can be used by swimmers. Kids and adults must have headlights and appropriate footwear. This is a jungle, not somewhere you should walk around at night without a flashlight and sandals. All forms of hunting, guns, bow and arrows, bb guns, slingshots and weapons of any kind are forbidden. No electronic music is allowed (without ear buds), acoustic music is allowed but there is a 10pm to 8am curfew for noise. Campers must be respectful of the property and other campers. Auto alarms must be disabled. Loud, vulgar and drunken behavior, fireworks, generators or anything that disrupts the peace and tranquility of the property is forbidden. Property has minimal cellular service.
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$22
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100%
(6)

Coyote Campground

6 sites · Lodging, Tents14 acres · Lindale, TX
I4 acres with spring-fed creek, just a few minutes from Lindale restaurants and supplies. For more info about the tiny house or yurt rentals, please inquire. It has extended acreage with multiple ecosystems. I just found a spring and will be doing livestock. I just built an outdoor kitchen area and camp shower (need propane tank). There is an RV plug, electricity (extra fee), and a water hose. There is a garage on the property that should remain locked; if you have an ATV or something you want to lock up, we can discuss garage access if need be (for a fee). The lower parts of the property require 4-wheel drive, but the top has water and electricity, so any car is fine. As this is an outdoor area, there are bugs and critters. I have never had a problem, but this is notice that you agree to assume all liability and responsibility for your party by camping at this property. NEW: Starlink Satellite Internet!
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$9.90
 / night
99%
(99)

Bruce’s Land

5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents12 acres · Hawkins, TX
Our homestead is a few acres in East Texas, near Hawkins. The land has been untouched for about 30 years, maybe last used for cattle grazing. We're keeping the property as natural as possible, we live here off-grid and off-pipe. There’s a 17 acre lake that we share with neighbors. It’s full of bass, bluegill, crappie and catfish, we encourage catch and keep fishing since the lake could use a little fishing pressure. We also have a beaver pond, and resident beaver. Some of the wildlife we see regularly: fireflies, turtles, cardinals, bluejays, hummingbirds, kite birds, frogs, opossums, armadillos, beaver, river otter, road runners and rabbits. These plants live here too: Beautyberry, Dewberry, Pokeberry, Sparkleberry, Dogfennel, Dogwood, Yaupon Holly, Holly, Wax Myrtle, Sassafras , Lyreleaf Sage, Carolina Crane’s bill, Coral Honeysuckle, Western White Honeysuckle, Smooth Cat’s Ear, Daisy Fleabane, Prairie Onion, Mullein, Summer Grape, Water Lily. The entire water lily plant is edible, did you know? Swim, hang out, cool down on the small swimming dock. Canoe and kayak included! Based on shared availability, we have 1 two person canoe, and 3 kayaks for use on our lake free of charge. There are smaller size adult life jackets and oars/paddles. Bring your own life jackets for kids. Contrary to local rumor lol, we are not a “nudist resort”. But it is true that one of our campsites is very private, so one could dress any way they wanted while at that campsite. About the Bees Please do not bring or use any insect killer or insect repellent other than what you apply to your own body. We have several honey bee colonies living here and our neighbor keeps bees as well. For the safety and health of our bees, the use of man made insect killers or repellents on the ground, in the air or on the foliage is absolutely not allowed. One natural remedy is diatomaceous earth. Sprinkled on the ground, it does a good job at keeping ants and crawling creatures away. Brookshire's in Hawkins less than 4 miles away if you need supplies. Verizon, ATT users have cell coverage here, no signal for T-Mobile users. LGBTQ+ friendly.
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$45
 / night
100%
(3)

Retreat at Rapha’s Rest

6 sites · Lodging42 acres · Quitman, TX
PLEASE READ ALL HOUSE RULES BEFORE BOOKING. Before describing this Destination Retreat, please note we are only set up for very specific sojourners and may not be the best place for you ... (let us know if you have any QUESTIONS @ HOUSE RULES BEFORE BOOKING). Property and Cabins are ALCOHOL-FREE, TOBACCO-FREE (incl vaping) and PET-FREE, all for liability reasons. NOTE: Guests must be able to communicate in ENGLISH for the safety of all. While your privacy is important to us, we are an interactive property and best experienced when all amenities and boundaries are clearly understood. IF THESE PARAMETERS ARE NOT AN ISSUE, PLEASE READ ON... The retreat at RAPHA’s REST offers 5 Cabins and 3 Private Rooms remotely located in the piney woods of East Texas. It was created especially for time w/Father-God with 42 acres to hike, walk and pray + cozy Cabins or Rooms for sojourners seeking healing REST and RESTORATION before continuing on their journey! In addition to 42 acres to explore & your own private deck, relax on large Retreat Center Pool Deck - also perfect for group gatherings when using multiple cabins. A hot tub and fire-pit is perfect for enjoying those cooler evenings. Multiple yard games including corn-hole, frisbee golf (1 basket), horseshoes, etc! Summer evenings can bring a bat show over the newly dug 2acre pond. HIKING: There are 42 tree'd acres to hike, pray, and explore. You will need good shoes for exploring/walking, especially when wet. POOL: Open 8am-10pm so BRING SWIM SUITS!! Kids love it but it was designed around adults: Pool features Waterfall, Hot Tub, and Tanning ledge. BEACH TOWELS provided, but you may want to bring a robe/flip flops for walking back to room or cabin. Please be respectful of other guests sharing. HOT TUB: DUE TO RISING COST OF PROPANE, use 1x FREE/day. Each additional use = $15 DONATION. [Once temperatures drop below 50 degrees, each use $15]. We ask that once you request a time, you arrive at requested time. After NO SHOW of 10 MINUTES, we have to cut it off. (We understand delays happen, but you may not be fond of cold showers if propane is depleted!) LATTES /FRAPPES: Upon request when “Barista Cheryl” is avail. for small donation [formerly owned a Coffeehouse in Saint Jo, TX] NOTE: FARMHOUSE BREAKFAST avail. by DONATION ($10/$5 under 5) when Randy and Cheryl are avail. PLEASE REQUEST UPON BOOKING. It may include any of the following ... farm-fresh eggs casserole, our own coffee roast, juice, pancakes, bacon, sweet rolls/muffins or other ... served inside the Retreat Center Main House or on the poolside deck. [ALL DONATIONS given to Healing Hand-Up Ministries] ANIMALS: Our property cannot accommodate PETS or EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS. [Certified Service Dogs permitted]. However, we have a virtual ZOO ... 2 VERY LARGE lovable DOGS, 2 CATS, small GOATS, multitude CHICKENS/QUAIL, and 1 potbelly PIG!
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$133.44
 / night
100%
(1)

Camp El Campo

1 site · Lodging4 acres · Murchison, TX
PRIVATE Campground! Exclusive to your group only! CampElCampo . Com — Say goodbye to the days of camping/glamping alongside complete strangers. Our exclusive 4-acre private lodge nestled perfectly in our 19-acre ranch, offers a truly intimate glamping experience, providing you with the perfect escape without the need to share amenities with anyone outside your own group. Our main accommodation, is our RV, a 2022 Dutchmen Aspen Trail 1950BH model, which can comfortably accommodate up to 6 guests. Enjoy amenities like a 32-inch Vizio Smart TV, full bunk beds, and an outdoor refrigerator + more. Casita Chica RV combines modern comfort with the charm of outdoor living. Equipped with indoor plumbing, air conditioning, and a range of amenities, you can enjoy the splendors of nature without sacrificing convenience. Visit our website for details about our Event Packages campelcampo . Com Located in Murchison, Texas, our private lodge is situated just a short distance from vibrant cities like Edom, Ben Wheeler, Tyler, Athens, and Canton, and only an hour and a half from downtown Dallas. Camp El Campo offers the ideal balance between seclusion and accessibility. As our guest, you'll have exclusive access to private Callender Lake. Spanning 365 acres, the lake is perfect for fishing and water sports, with various fish species waiting to be caught. Bring your own jet skis, fishing boats, or small watercraft to make the most of your lakeside experience. Oh because it's a private lake you do NOT need a fishing license. Camp El Campo is your gateway to a world where nature embraces you with open arms and where privacy is at the forefront.
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$160.55
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100%
(1)

Lawrence Springs Ranch Resort

15 sites · Tents47 acres · Fruitvale, TX
These 47 acres of beautiful Green forest and meadow home many wildlife, including, deer, rabbits, squirrels, turtles, and more. With 2 spring fed creeks running to the 6 acre Fishing Pond with 2 fishing piers, we catch, Crappie, Bass & Catfish. The wooded forest is a great place for a scenic adventure, weather it is on foot for a nice hike, on horseback or mountain bike. With many interesting wild things to see and listen for on a hike, including the many birds that flock the Big Oaks, that sprawl out over the sky. Watching the sun set across the meadow is all the medicine you will need to refresh you from a long work week. The pedal boat will give enjoyment for hours on the pond, while you fish, or just cruise around in the cool water. Or you may choose to take a little swim. Horses are available for trail riding, with pre-registration.If you are interested in bringing your own horses we do have a full arena, round pen, and stalls for boarding at the ranch.We do have chickens and goats for your petting zoo pleasure, and sometimes baby animals including puppies at the ranch seasonally.
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$39.20
 / night

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Camping in Lake Palestine with swimming guide

Overview

Whether you’re fishing for bass and crappie in a quiet wooded cove, watching the sunset from a secluded fishing pier, or exploring the vast expanse of blue waters by boat, kayak, or jet ski—Lake Palestine has everything you need to get on the water. On the western cusp of the Texas Piney Woods and just a 1.5-hour drive from Dallas, this lakeside retreat has five public access marinas and more than a dozen campgrounds, RV parks, and resorts to choose from. Camping is enjoyable year-round, so come in summer to cool off from the Texan sun or in winter for the best fishing. 

Where to go

North Shore

The small town of Chandler is the gateway to Lake Palestine’s north shore, where you can paddle or fish along the Neches River. There’s a small boat ramp at Chandler River Park, but for larger boats, you’ll need to head to Westberry Landing or Kickapoo. As for camping, you’ll find at least three RV parks close to the north shore, with full hookups available.

West Shore

Boat launches, marinas, and campgrounds pepper the lake’s west shore, where popular activities include kayaking, jet skiing, and water skiing. Take your pick of tent and RV campsites, some with direct access to the lake, or dine with a lake view at a shoreside restaurant. 

South Shore

The scenic southern shore of Lake Palestine curls around Blackburn Bay, a popular spot for houseboaters and fishing. Camping options are limited around these parts, so rent a lakefront cabin instead or anchor your boat in a secluded cove. 

East Shore

Glorious lake views, family-friendly RV resorts, and plenty of lake activities can be found along the east shore. Snag a lakeside campsite around lively Sabine Bay, play a game of golf at the Emerald Bay or Eagle’s Bluff country clubs, or launch your boat from the Village Marina, where you’ll also find a water park and kayak rentals.

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