Camping near DFW

gixxerjasen · 09-11-2012, 09:03 AM

Hey, figured you folks would have good info on this. I'm looking to take my 3 year old son on his first camping trip now that the weather is cooling down, and am looking for someplace local to try this out with him. I figure, I'd like to stay close to home (Eastern DFW) so that if it's a dud, and we have to pack up and head home, we aren't 4-5 hours away.

Anyway, any good suggestions probably within like an hour of the east side that have a little bit of hiking, walking and such...maybe a lake? I was looking at Lake Tawakoni but don't know what the camping is like there.

Any suggestions?

MacDaddy · 09-11-2012, 09:07 AM

Purtis Creek State Park near Mabank has a lake and should be about as close as anything. I've never stayed there but I drove through it once. I believe they have a fishing dock too.

**cheez** · 09-11-2012, 09:44 AM

In town-ish, there's a really nice campground at Lake Lewisville in Little Elm called Hidden Cove Park that is nice for camp-outs- rent one of the 'cabins' and you'll have somewhere dry in case it rains, and you can always pitch a tent outside. They have fire pits and you can build a fire, but bring your own wood.

Further out of town, there are the Caddo National Grasslands outside of Decatur. The camping area at Black Creek Lake is nice, but get there early if you want a good spot. Much more remote but only about an hour and a half/two hour drive from anywhere in North Dallas.

hizzo3 · 09-11-2012, 12:22 PM

Use the state parks for now.
Lake tawakoni
Purtis creek
Ray Roberts (open burn ban)

Have you done much camping? If not I would suggest you give it a shot with friends or so first. That way you aren't running around and watching a 3 yr old too. Lol

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MPS · 09-11-2012, 12:28 PM

Purtis Creek or Ray Roberts.

gixxerjasen · 09-11-2012, 01:39 PM

We camped a bunch as a kid and teenager. Camped with the Marines but that wasn't very fun. I've camped off and on since then, here and there with friends. Looking forward to getting back into it.

Good tip on the burn ban. I'll have to check that out too.

hizzo3 · 09-11-2012, 02:00 PM

Burn ban, fees, and park rules are all listed on www.tpwd.state.tx.us

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Buffalo · 09-11-2012, 02:21 PM

We use to do quite a bit of camping at Bardwell Lake on 34 southwest of Ennis. Easy to get to from Seagoville. Only about 30 miles going Malloy Bridge to I-45 to 34. We usually went to Mott Park because it worked better with our boat. Without a boat High View Park would probably be better. It's Corp of Engineers managed. http://www.recreation.gov/recAreaDet...encyCode=70902

JB3 · 09-11-2012, 02:37 PM

Cedar Hill State Park.

hizzo3 · 09-11-2012, 02:51 PM

Oh yeah, good point. USACE parks aren't that bad, but check before you go. Some don't have showers others not even a fire pit. Other than that they are typically pretty good too.

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KenH · 09-11-2012, 04:39 PM

Do not hold a peg in positionand ask the kid for the mallet.

Don't ask.

shrek · 09-11-2012, 04:56 PM

We have camped several times on Bardwell at the Waxahachie Creek park. We prefer this park over the others on Bardwell cause it has more trees. The last time we were there, last spring, they had new restrooms/showers built but not open yet. But the park hosts said they would be open soon.

If you want to get a little farther out Navarro Mills lake is nice too.

shrek · 09-11-2012, 04:58 PM

One more thing if I remember right state parks don't let you reserve specific campsites?? Army Corps campgrounds do.

hizzo3 · 09-11-2012, 05:08 PM

Tpwd campsites are first come first serve. Generally though, its really not an issue unless you are wanting something specific. Some parks are so under utilized, it shouldn't be a problem.

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**SL350** · 09-11-2012, 05:49 PM

I like Lake Whitney tent sites. At Lake Murry near Ardmore OK, I like the little cabins. Maybe try the cabin your first time and explore the campsites from there. Both are not as crazy as the Dallas area lakes.

DFW_Warrior · 09-11-2012, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB3

Cedar Hill State Park.

This gets my vote. Between the two fishing piers (no license required while in a state park), the mountain bike trails, the historic home and garden site, and the proximity to DFW, makes this my go to park for pretty much anything.

gixxerjasen · 09-11-2012, 08:23 PM

Thanks guys, keep it coming.

Although, I don't fish, and until I can score one of those bicycle trailer things that your kid can sit on and pedal, we won't be hitting any MTB trails either.

RedPill · 09-11-2012, 08:54 PM

I'm not real familiar with the eastern side. South or west would be Cleburne State Park and Mineral Wells State Park. Our kids always had lots of fun at both of those.

Buffalo · 09-11-2012, 09:52 PM

There is also a State Park at Lake Tawakoni. www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/lake-tawakoni

I been by there but I've never actually stayed there so can't tell you much about it.

El Fenix · 09-11-2012, 11:41 PM

Ray Roberts or Cedar Hill. I've done both/

09-11-2012, 09:03 AM	#1
gixxerjasen Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Seagoville, TX Posts: 7,204	Camping near DFW Hey, figured you folks would have good info on this. I'm looking to take my 3 year old son on his first camping trip now that the weather is cooling down, and am looking for someplace local to try this out with him. I figure, I'd like to stay close to home (Eastern DFW) so that if it's a dud, and we have to pack up and head home, we aren't 4-5 hours away. Anyway, any good suggestions probably within like an hour of the east side that have a little bit of hiking, walking and such...maybe a lake? I was looking at Lake Tawakoni but don't know what the camping is like there. Any suggestions? __________________ www.leanangle.com Current Bikes:2007 Yamaha FJR1300AE \| 1998 KTM 250 EXC \| 1992 Suzuki Bandit 400 Past Bikes: 1997 Katana 600-wrecked \| 2000 CBR600F4-Stolen \| 2001 GSX-R600-Stolen \| 1989 Honda CB1-Sold \| 2001 Suzuki TL1000R-Traded \| 1992 Suzuki Bandit 400-Sold \| 2004 Suzuki GSX-R600-Sold \| 2007 DR-Z400SM-Traded \| 2003 Yamaha FZ1-Wrecked \| 2003 Yamaha FZ1 II-Sold

09-11-2012, 09:07 AM	#2
MacDaddy Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Midlothian Posts: 601	Re: Camping near DFW Purtis Creek State Park near Mabank has a lake and should be about as close as anything. I've never stayed there but I drove through it once. I believe they have a fishing dock too. __________________ Steve Blue 06 FJR Orange 12 Wee-Strom Black 09 DRZ 400S

09-11-2012, 09:44 AM	#3
cheez Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Grapevine, TX Posts: 1,542	Re: Camping near DFW In town-ish, there's a really nice campground at Lake Lewisville in Little Elm called Hidden Cove Park that is nice for camp-outs- rent one of the 'cabins' and you'll have somewhere dry in case it rains, and you can always pitch a tent outside. They have fire pits and you can build a fire, but bring your own wood. Further out of town, there are the Caddo National Grasslands outside of Decatur. The camping area at Black Creek Lake is nice, but get there early if you want a good spot. Much more remote but only about an hour and a half/two hour drive from anywhere in North Dallas.

09-11-2012, 12:22 PM	#4
hizzo3 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 2,664	Use the state parks for now. Lake tawakoni Purtis creek Ray Roberts (open burn ban) Have you done much camping? If not I would suggest you give it a shot with friends or so first. That way you aren't running around and watching a 3 yr old too. Lol Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2 __________________ "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far" - Theodore 'Teddy' Roosevelt DL1000K6, VN750A20 Last edited by hizzo3; 09-11-2012 at 12:25 PM.

09-11-2012, 12:28 PM	#5
MPS Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Dallas Posts: 117	Re: Camping near DFW Purtis Creek or Ray Roberts. __________________ Mark 1960 BMW R27 1975 Norton 850 Commando 1976 Yamaha RD400 1978 Honda CB750K 1979 Honda GL1000 1982 Suzuki GS1100E 1984 Yamaha RZ350 2006 BMW K1200R

09-11-2012, 01:39 PM	#6
gixxerjasen Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Seagoville, TX Posts: 7,204	Re: Camping near DFW We camped a bunch as a kid and teenager. Camped with the Marines but that wasn't very fun. I've camped off and on since then, here and there with friends. Looking forward to getting back into it. Good tip on the burn ban. I'll have to check that out too. __________________ www.leanangle.com Current Bikes:2007 Yamaha FJR1300AE \| 1998 KTM 250 EXC \| 1992 Suzuki Bandit 400 Past Bikes: 1997 Katana 600-wrecked \| 2000 CBR600F4-Stolen \| 2001 GSX-R600-Stolen \| 1989 Honda CB1-Sold \| 2001 Suzuki TL1000R-Traded \| 1992 Suzuki Bandit 400-Sold \| 2004 Suzuki GSX-R600-Sold \| 2007 DR-Z400SM-Traded \| 2003 Yamaha FZ1-Wrecked \| 2003 Yamaha FZ1 II-Sold

09-11-2012, 02:00 PM	#7
hizzo3 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 2,664	Burn ban, fees, and park rules are all listed on www.tpwd.state.tx.us Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2 __________________ "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far" - Theodore 'Teddy' Roosevelt DL1000K6, VN750A20

09-11-2012, 02:21 PM	#8
Buffalo Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Terrell, Tx Posts: 2,017	Re: Camping near DFW We use to do quite a bit of camping at Bardwell Lake on 34 southwest of Ennis. Easy to get to from Seagoville. Only about 30 miles going Malloy Bridge to I-45 to 34. We usually went to Mott Park because it worked better with our boat. Without a boat High View Park would probably be better. It's Corp of Engineers managed. http://www.recreation.gov/recAreaDet...encyCode=70902 __________________ Craig 07 Burgman 650 Exec 06 Burgman 400S

09-11-2012, 02:37 PM	#9
JB3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Southlake, TX Posts: 18	Re: Camping near DFW Cedar Hill State Park. __________________ John

09-11-2012, 02:51 PM	#10
hizzo3 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 2,664	Oh yeah, good point. USACE parks aren't that bad, but check before you go. Some don't have showers others not even a fire pit. Other than that they are typically pretty good too. Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2 __________________ "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far" - Theodore 'Teddy' Roosevelt DL1000K6, VN750A20

09-11-2012, 04:39 PM	#11
KenH Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lost in space Posts: 10,414	Re: Camping near DFW Do not hold a peg in positionand ask the kid for the mallet. Don't ask. __________________ It only takes 12 horsepower to ride around the world. The rest is just wheelspin. A gun in the hand is better than a cop on the phone. "Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add "within the limits of the law" because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual." - Thomas Jefferson

09-11-2012, 04:56 PM	#12
shrek Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: midlothian, TX Posts: 193	Re: Camping near DFW We have camped several times on Bardwell at the Waxahachie Creek park. We prefer this park over the others on Bardwell cause it has more trees. The last time we were there, last spring, they had new restrooms/showers built but not open yet. But the park hosts said they would be open soon. If you want to get a little farther out Navarro Mills lake is nice too. __________________ Sam '08 Bandit

09-11-2012, 04:58 PM	#13
shrek Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: midlothian, TX Posts: 193	Re: Camping near DFW One more thing if I remember right state parks don't let you reserve specific campsites?? Army Corps campgrounds do. __________________ Sam '08 Bandit

09-11-2012, 05:08 PM	#14
hizzo3 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 2,664	Tpwd campsites are first come first serve. Generally though, its really not an issue unless you are wanting something specific. Some parks are so under utilized, it shouldn't be a problem. Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2 __________________ "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far" - Theodore 'Teddy' Roosevelt DL1000K6, VN750A20

09-11-2012, 05:49 PM	#15
SL350 Forum Supporter Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Mesquite Posts: 6,337	Re: Camping near DFW I like Lake Whitney tent sites. At Lake Murry near Ardmore OK, I like the little cabins. Maybe try the cabin your first time and explore the campsites from there. Both are not as crazy as the Dallas area lakes. __________________ -------- Forbidden Music CT90 (2) SL350 (2)

09-11-2012, 08:23 PM	#17
gixxerjasen Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Seagoville, TX Posts: 7,204	Re: Camping near DFW Thanks guys, keep it coming. Although, I don't fish, and until I can score one of those bicycle trailer things that your kid can sit on and pedal, we won't be hitting any MTB trails either. __________________ www.leanangle.com Current Bikes:2007 Yamaha FJR1300AE \| 1998 KTM 250 EXC \| 1992 Suzuki Bandit 400 Past Bikes: 1997 Katana 600-wrecked \| 2000 CBR600F4-Stolen \| 2001 GSX-R600-Stolen \| 1989 Honda CB1-Sold \| 2001 Suzuki TL1000R-Traded \| 1992 Suzuki Bandit 400-Sold \| 2004 Suzuki GSX-R600-Sold \| 2007 DR-Z400SM-Traded \| 2003 Yamaha FZ1-Wrecked \| 2003 Yamaha FZ1 II-Sold

09-11-2012, 08:54 PM	#18
RedPill Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 7,957	Re: Camping near DFW I'm not real familiar with the eastern side. South or west would be Cleburne State Park and Mineral Wells State Park. Our kids always had lots of fun at both of those. __________________ Red pill/blue pill. Your choice. ____________________________________________ "Never raise your hands to your children. It leaves your groin unprotected." - Red Buttons

09-11-2012, 09:52 PM	#19
Buffalo Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Terrell, Tx Posts: 2,017	Re: Camping near DFW There is also a State Park at Lake Tawakoni. www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/lake-tawakoni I been by there but I've never actually stayed there so can't tell you much about it. __________________ Craig 07 Burgman 650 Exec 06 Burgman 400S

09-11-2012, 11:41 PM	#20
El Fenix Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Dallas Posts: 765	Re: Camping near DFW Ray Roberts or Cedar Hill. I've done both/

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