The best camping near Lake Tawakoni State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Lake Tawakoni State Park adventure.

75% (4 reviews)
75% (4 reviews)

Find your ideal escape from Dallas along these five miles of oak-forested lakeshore.  

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Community favorites near Lake Tawakoni State Park

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Top-rated campgrounds near Lake Tawakoni State Park

99%
(72)

Texas Safari Camp

54 sites · Lodging, Tents31 acres · Kaufman, TX
Escape the stresses of city living on this wooded & secluded 31 acre wildlife habitat.This magical property is only one hour east of Dallas but it feels like another world.At the end of a one lane road with two ponds,trails & wildlife,it is perfect for tent camping groups & individuals.EVERYONE IS WELCOME.No designated camp sites- camp anywhere except between the green building & front pond. More peaceful than most state parks,it is kid & family friendly-not a get drunk & rowdy place.Loud,vulgar people,radios,generators,fireworks & anything that disrupts the peace & tranquility is not permitted.Car alarms must be disabled.Acoustic music is allowed but there is a 10pm-8am noise curfew.Non aggressive, non barking & leashed dogs are OK.Next to the Texas Zoofari Park with 900 exotic animals,many can be seen from the road(or pay to drive through & feed them).While it adjoins the wildlife park on two sides,Texas Safari Camp is in no way affiliated with Texas Zoofari Park. Enjoy swimming & paddling kayaks & paddleboards in the clean water front pond.Parents must bring life jackets for their non swimming kids & personally supervise them.No swimmers with sun screen or insect repellant allowed.Ponds are stocked with bass, cat, crappie & bluegill.Fishing is catch & release with single barbless hook lures only. The rustic outhouse has lights, composting toilet & sink.There is water & electricity,an open air cold water shower (no privacy),dish sink & counter nearby. You must pack out your garbage.No burning of garbage.I will take your garbage to the dump for $10 per bag (payable in cash).Wagons are provided for hauling your gear back to camp.Wagons must be returned to parking area after unloading. Campfires are in designated fire pits only or bring your own self contained metal fire pits.Split firewood can be purchased for $1 per piece (payable in cash) or collect sticks to burn.No firewood from outside of this property can be burned. All forms of hunting,guns,bow & arrows,bb guns,slingshots & weapons of any kind are forbidden. The tiny Hummingbird Treehouse has leaded glass window,screened operable windows,queen bed,small bed in loft,lights,a fan,outdoor tables & chairs.No AC or heat.Bring your sleeping bags & pillows.No food, smoking or pets allowed in the tree house.
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$25
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96%
(25)

Heavenly Haven & Hideaways

9 sites · RVs, Tents60 acres · Tyler, TX
Besides being surrounded by beautiful scenery, it just feels good being here. Getting out and exploring is a wonderful escape from the everyday grind. We love hosting campers and work toward making sure folks feel welcome and comfortable. We were living in the north Dallas area but always had a desire to buy some land and have a little more 'elbow room'. We were avid RVers for many years, but when that chapter closed, we missed 'glamping'. When we found our property, we knew we wanted to share this beauty, nature, and space with others as a campground. Heavenly Haven & Hideaways has been a God-inspired project, born out of our love for people, adventure, and the outdoors. Our beautiful property has RV and tent camping and we also have 2 cabins for short and mid-term rental. Access pictures and booking for the cabins via our website: heavenlyhavenandhideaways.com There's easy access to our family and pet-friendly campground in Tyler, Texas. We've set up a large communal firepit and fun outdoor games like tether ball, a volleyball net, horseshoes, and more. There's an open field for frisbee or tossing a ball around. We've cut in some trails that you can hike and explore our 60-acre property that includes an always-running creek. We're within a few miles of Tyler State Park which is great for bike riding & swimming in their lake. You can also rent paddle boats there. We're within a few miles of the Tyler Zoo -which is a surprisingly excellent zoo. There are several museums, shopping areas, and great food establishments in and around Tyler. Nearby Lindale also has the Pink Pistol, a Miranda Lambert store, and other neat places. We partner with Camp Right USA for a new level of tent camping. Simply book your spot with us, then if desired, contact Camp Right USA (https://www.camprightusa.com) to have set up and take down done for you! They say "everything will be in place, from your tent to your campfire. When it's time to head home, leave the packing and dismantling to us." Either way, come visit us in east Texas so you can rest, play, hike, explore. https://www.facebook.com/heavenly.haven.and.hideaways
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$25
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100%
(37)

The PARK at Brushy Creek

5 sites · Lodging, Tents55 acres · Trenton, TX
We're situated just outside Trenton on 55 acres of gently sloping terrain featuring a wide creek and expansive grounds beyond the Big Oak, perfect for exploration. Enjoy stunning sunsets, a clear view of the night sky, the tranquil sounds of the creek, and occasional visits from deer, all contributing to a peaceful retreat. Our property is evolving as we create manicured groves and open pastures for both our farm animals and guests. During rainy spells, expect some mud and occasional sightings of heavy equipment or tractors. Our livestock rotate between our two properties, so they may not always be here at The PARK at Brushy Creek. If you don't see them here, you're welcome to visit our other property across the road with the big green gate. Currently, there is no electricity or Wi-Fi on the property. Lighting is provided by solar power or batteries. Tent sites have access to a water spigot, and there's a Port-o-let nearby. This is rural country living; our neighbors' livestock and dogs may make sounds like bleating, barking, oinking, mooing, neighing, squealing, whinnying, braying, or whining at any time of day or night. We are conveniently located one hour north of Dallas Fort Worth, just 30 minutes from McKinney, Sherman, or Greenville, and within 10 miles of Leonard, Whitewright, and Bonham. Trenton is only five miles away. Several lakes are nearby including Lake Bonham, Lake Texoma, and the new Bois' d Arc Lake. Other places of interest: The Creative Arts Center - Bonham Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary - McKinney Historic Downtown/Shopping/Restaurants - McKinney Fort Inglish Museum - Bonham Second Monday Trade Days - Bonham Caddo National Grassland - Honey Grove Odeum Theater - Whitewright Skydive Spaceland Dallas - Whitewright The Rock Yard (Casual Dining and Music Venue) - Trenton
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$20
 / night
100%
(19)

Glamp like a Champ

3 sites · Lodging, Tents106 acres · Lone Oak, TX
Make memories on our Family farm offering a “room with a view”. Experience a glamping tent that overlooks a 8 acre fully stocked lake (catch and release only) Recharge, re-energize your mind, body and spirit in this tranquil, private setting. Watch the wildlife including deer, hogs, geese, ducks and an occasional Bald Eagle. The sunsets are truly magnificent, stars are bright (no city lights). Fire pit is provided (wood available for purchase or bring your own) Kitchen has bbq grill and Blackstone grill (we provide the propane and cooking utensils. Things to consider: 1)Tent has a vanity and sink for hand washing and teeth brushing 2)fishing is catch and release only 3)bathroom is a Porta Potty, 4)shower is private outdoor (seasonal dependent on freezing temps) 5)Firepit can be communal if more than one site is booked 6)Farm animals make noise (roosters crowing, goats bleat, cows moo and coyotes howl. 7) Buy our Almost world famous Dill Pickles. Made with farm grown Armenian cucumbers. A real hit with our hipcampers. 8) Buy some farm fresh eggs. Our free range chickens work hard for our hip campers.
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$45
 / night

The best camping near Lake Tawakoni State Park guide

Overview

About

A five-mile stretch of Lake Tawakoni shoreline anchors this state park 50 miles east of Dallas, where on-the-water activities take center stage. The 37,879-acre reservoir—a popular spot for high-fin blue catfish and bass fishing—is surrounded by miles of hiking and biking trails winding through the surrounding post oak woodlands. Whether you’re out on the water or firmly on dry land, keep an eye out for some of the park’s 200-plus species of birds and other wildlife. 

Notable campgrounds

  • Best for boating: The Spring Point Camping Loop offers the closest access to the four-lane boat ramp.
  • Best for spreading out: The White Deer Reach Camping Loop features spacious plots with generous shade.
  • Best for big groups: The park’s private group camp accommodates 48 people with a large fire ring and six picnic tables.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. You can reserve any of the campsites on the Texas State Parks reservations page five months in advance.
  2. Book early for weekend trips, especially during spring and summer when the park often reaches capacity.

When to go

Peak season at Lake Tawakoni runs from March through October, with spring and summer weekends getting particularly busy. Be prepared for high heat and humidity in summer; pack sunscreen and a hat, and remember to stay hydrated. Campgrounds remain open year-round, and things tend to quiet down after Labor Day. 

Know before you go

  • Swimming is allowed in a designated swimming area with a sandy beach, but no lifeguards are on duty.
  • Two White Deer Reach Camping Loop campsites with electricity are wheelchair accessible.
  • You can rent fishing gear from park headquarters; find a fish cleaning station near the boat ramp. Pick up ice, firewood, snacks, beverages, bait and tackle at the Lake Tawakoni Trading Post.
  • You don’t need a fishing license to fish from the shore. 
  • Campsites at Lake Tawakoni are pet-friendly, but pets must be kept on a leash.
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