The best camping near Lake Whitney State Park
Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Lake Whitney State Park adventure.
82% (11 reviews)
82% (11 reviews)
Find lakeside camping, family fun, and plenty of ways to get on the water.
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Stay at a public campground in Lake Whitney State Park
Top-rated campgrounds near Lake Whitney State Park
99%
(512)
Pecans on the Paluxy - River Views
5 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Glen Rose, TX
Pitch your tent or boondock your RV on the Paluxy River under giant pecan trees. Enjoy the scenic view of our beautiful river. Our private property is located near the historic square of glen rose but feels like you are miles away in the country. Have fun kayaking, swimming, fishing, or just sit back and enjoy the views. We have 5 different spacious sites to choose from. Most have a tree break area in-between for privacy. Or rent all 5 and have the entire property to yourself.
Updated river photos will be posted on our Facebook page, or message me for updates. Unfortunately, I'm not able to control the river. It goes up and down depending on rain and temperatures. The river gets pretty low during July and August. Wheeler Branch Reservoir(only a few miles from camp) is a great spot to swim and fish when the river water levels are lower. Very small lake that is good for swimming and kayaking with a dock, clear waters.
We have 5 different sites. All of them overlook the Paluxy River, have rock fire pits, seating areas, patios, and stairs down to riverbed. You will have access to one of the most beautiful parts of the Paluxy River.
During drought conditions and high temperatures I always recommend keeping your head above water and avoiding stagnant areas in the river.
In order to reserve a spot you must be 21 or over. This is not a extremely remote place where you can party and go crazy. We want everyone to be able to sit back, relax and enjoy the views.
Site Big Pecan: This is the farthest site upriver and has one of the largest pecan trees I've ever seen. The trees provide great shade cover during the summer. This site has an awesome rock patio seating area with 2 wooden Adirondack chairs overlooking the river with stairs to provide easy access down into the water. It also has a rock firepit with 2 wooden Adirondack chairs on a rock patio. Also includes a kids sand box, and a picnic table with shade umbrella, and numerous extras available to rent.
Site 1 Limestone ledge: Firepit seating area overlooking the river with 4 Adirondack chairs and a shade umbrella, separate rock patio closer to the water overlooking the river with 2 wooden rocking chairs, stairs down to riverbed, huge pecan trees, kids play set with sand box, 1 picnic table, shade umbrella, and a 10' x 10' raised tent deck platform overlooking the river.
Site 2: Firepit seating area overlooking limestone riverbed with 3 Adirondack chairs, picnic table with a shade umbrella, 10' x 10' raised tent / deck platform, stairs down to riverbed and shallow area of the river for kids to play. Awesome view of the river with trees / shrubs on each side for privacy.
Site 3: Firepit seating area overlooking the riverbed, 2 wooden Adirondack chairs, 2 picnic tables, 1 shade umbrella, 2 sets of rock stairs to the riverbed, shallow area of the river for kids to play. Awesome view of the river with trees / shrubs on each side for privacy.
Site 4 Farthest site downstream. Nice rock patio overlooking the river with two wooden rocking chairs. Easy access for RVs and trailers. Rock stairs to the river for easy access. Fire pit with rock patio around it with 4 wooden Adirondack chairs. Picnic table with shade umbrella. Kids sand box. Shallow areas for kids to play in the river. Deeper fishing hole about 100 feet down river. Great area to sit in the river with a lawn chair. Awesome view of the river with trees / shrubs on each side for privacy.
A lot of people buy two sites for more privacy and room for larger groups. For example, many purchase Big Pecan and site 1 together. Or sites 2 and 3.
kayaks, wood, outdoor games, frisbee golf baskets and disc, grill and utensils, propane firepit, and other extras available for rent. Please select those during checkout
Tips:
Bring river shoes, nose plugs, swimming essentials. Parts of the river can be very slippery. Bring life jackets, especially for children.
Bring the essentials for any camping trip including: sunscreen, bug spray, anti-itch meds, etc. Chairs and sunshades to sit in the river are always popular.
The Paluxy river ranges from just a few inches deep to 5 feet deep in our camping area. There are more swimming holes a little deeper up and downstream.
Water is available at the entrance.
No restroom - pack in, pack out. Bring your own potty and water. If you are not familiar with dry camping do some research. There are all types of methods for restrooms, heating, cooling, etc. available now to make it enjoyable.
Dogs are allowed on leash. Please do not allow your dog to roam freely if they are aggressive in nature. Clean up after them.
Cancellation Policy: You may cancel up to 3 days before your stay for a full refund. Weekends during peak seasons (March - June & September - November) are non-refundable unless canceled and another camper reserves the site. I do offer partial refunds for extreme weather conditions.
Activities Nearby: Dinosaur Valley State Park (Hiking, Biking, Swimming) - 4.5 miles Fossil Rim Wildlife Center (Drive through the park) - 3.9 miles Historic Glen Rose Square (Eat, shop) - .5 miles Big Rocks Park (Free, Kids love to crawl on the huge boulders and wade in the river) - 1.3 miles Oakdale Park (Swimming pool, playground) - 1.4 miles Paluxy Heritage Park / River Walk (Free, Pretty walk, Connects to Big Rocks dam)- 1.2 miles Somervell County Museum (Free, donation) - .7 miles Wheeler Branch Reservoir - (small lake, good kayak fishing, clear)Expo Center (Rodeos, dog shows, different events depending on schedule)
Places to eat:*Hammonds BBQ - 2 miles*Sexton Feed Mill Grill/Bar (River View) - .7 miles Los Primos Mexican Food/Bar - 1.7 miles*Mama Mia Mexican Cuisine -*Riverhouse Grill (Lil more upscale) - .4 miles*The Green Pickle (Hamburgers) - .7 milesLa Vita Italian Food - .7 miles*Big Cup Eatery (Breakfast, Dinner) - .9 miles* Storiebook Cafe (Sandwiches, wraps)- .8 miles Beehive Cafe - (hamburgers, Mexican food)Simple Simons (Pizza, calzones) -Snyder's Tavern Bar - .5 miles Blackies Bar/Grill - .7 miles Bull Lion Ranch Winery - .7 miles*Shoo-Fly Soda Shop (Ice-cream, pies) - .7 miles*Loco Coyote Grill/Bar (BBQ) - 8.8 miles Crave Bakery (coffee, pastries) - .8 miles*Grounded Coffee Shop (Coffee, salad bar)Debbie’s Restaurant (Breakfast) -Tiger Corner (Pastries, Sandwiches) -Subway -Sugar Biscuits (Lil Everything) -Teriyaki Chinese Food -Sunshine Doughnuts - *Rough Creek Lodge (upscale reservations, lunch $25, Dinner $125) - 15 miles*Overlook Cafe Fossil Rim (Free by bypassing main entrance, hamburgers, awesome view, petting zoo, gift shop) - 4 miles 7-Eleven Laredo Taco -Tacote (breakfast burritos, lunch)
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$49
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Liberty Hill Hideaway Lake Retreat
17 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents7 acres · Dawson, TX
Lake life at Liberty Hill Hideaway gives you choices that fit your life style.
Our main-house accommodations include 2 queen-size bedrooms w/ensuites, a shared large balcony, crow's nest, kitchen, dining area, living room and laundry room. If you prefer glamping, enjoy our 2 remodeled vintage RVs sharing outdoor shower. The grounds are beautiful and fit for 3 campsites w/electricity, and 1 primitive campsite with tent & meditation habak. Shared restroom and shower for outdoor sites.
This is the perfect place to restore your soul. If you are a free spirit who loves nature, quirky, lakelife, stars, trees, flowers, luscious foliage, pretty much everything about the outdoors and being in a tranquil country setting, this is your vacation and time-out place.
Enjoy snoozing in the hammocks, playing croquet with your friends, stargazing from the Crow's Nest, enjoying drinks or mushroom coffee or tea on the patio bar, a game of pool, firepits, listening to good music from other free spirits, the habak tent, tent camping, glamping in restored vintage RVs, staying in eclectic-designed rooms in the main house with private restrooms, sitting out on the shared balcony. boating and fishing on Navarro Mills Lake.
There're so many things to do when you just relax and get back to nature. Let the day take you away. Lake life is better at Liberty Hill Hideaway lake retreat. Plan your next getaway here!
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$35
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Big Rocks on the Brazos
4 sites · RVs2 acres · Waco, TX
Big Rocks on the Brazos is located on our family property along the Brazos river. Our RV sights are deeply snuggled into a location directly next to the river where it is peaceful and quite. The area is great for a weekend getaway or a family vacation. Book your stay now! *NOTE : NO TENT/CAR CAMPING ONLY RVS & TRAILERS WITH THEIR OWN RESTROOMS*
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$45
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97%
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EcoRich Ranch
8 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents100 acres · Bluff Dale, TX
Come stay on our 100 acre Richard Creek Valley getaway, gently tucked away on the north slope. There are four campsites on the property and they are all at least 150 yards away from each other. Each site is private. When the ground is dry there is access for all vehicles. When the ground is muddy, Brookside, RiverRock, and Richardson Creek campsites require a 4-wheel drive and have alternate routes to get to them. Ancient Oaks is an all-weather site. You can enjoy hiking and swimming in Richardson Creek when water levels permit. Canoeing from Bakers Crossing put-in which is only 3 miles away.
Some places to check out while you are here include Dinosaur Valley State Park, Dinosaur World, Granbury Historic Square, Stephenville Rodeo, Bakers Crossing River Put-In, Oakdale Plunge Pool, and BigRocks Park in Glen Rose.
Please no loud noises after 9:00 pm as this is quiet time, out of respect for other campers.
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$35
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96%
(103)
Groves of Amber Inn
40 sites · RVs, Tents11 acres · Venus, TX
Don't let the address fool you, we are actually located only a few miles outside of Mansfield, Tx. We are about 30 minutes away from Joe Pool Lake, Six Flags, the Texas Rangers Ballpark, and Scarborough Renaissance Festival.
Our land is private land that has been in the family for many decades. We have a variety of events that happen here, including an annual festival called Steampunk November, so you will notice there are stages and even a saloon here on site. We have all kinds of wildlife in the area including crows, a great horned owl, night herons, a mated pair of marsh hawks, roadrunners, coyotes, bobcats, skunks, armadillos, bunnies, a fox every now and then, and all kinds of birds flitting about.
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$25
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98%
(228)
Coyote Creek Farm
8 sites · RVs, Tents30 acres · Waco, TX
Established 1996, The farm is situated just minutes from Magnolia-Silos, the Dr. Pepper museum, Baylor University, the Texas Ranger museum, BSR Waterpark, the Waco Mammoth National Monument (US National Park Service), and plenty of magnificent restaurants.
There are no power lines over the property so I invite you to bring a kite to fly! You may even see one or two of mine in the sky. The theme of Coyote Creek Farm is tranquility. It is camping without someone crowding into your space. It is freedom from the hectic pace of the city.
There is a well maintained Compost Toilet on the property as well! Each individual campsite has a portable potty bucket provided. Nearly any spot you are on has an amazingly delightful view. You can see the sun rise over the trees or the sun set behind a gently sloping hill. You will have access to all of the 30 acres. There are paths to walk, a stocked tank to fish in, (bass, catfish and blue gill), and oak and pecan trees to sit under and view the clouds as they drift overhead. The noises you hear will be cattle calling to their little ones, birds singing, and in the evenings, coyotes howling.
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DeerCreek Campground
7 sites · Tents57 acres · Cleburne, TX
Property is on the farm where I grew up about 9 miles northeast of Glen Rose off of Highway 67. It has various trees on property with cedar, live oak, post oak, etc. Campsites are in front of a wide waterfall which is about 5 feet in height. You can fall asleep with the sound of the waterfalls! We have three ground tent sites and two 14 by 14 deck sites if you want to be up off the ground. Each site has a fire ring and electricity.
There are well-marked trails across the creek which go to a meadow and a big treehouse I built several years ago. Glen Rose has several restaurants known for barbecue and Mexican food. Granbury is 25 minutes away with lots of shopping and restaurants around their historic town square. Glen Rose also has a town square.
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$35
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High Hope Ranch
8 sites · Tents1000 acres · Walnut Springs, TX
Welcome to High Hope Ranch, a sprawling 1000-acre sanctuary nestled atop the majestic Texas Hill Country. As you traverse the rolling hills, you'll be greeted by breathtaking vistas that stretch out to the north, offering sweeping views of The Great Plains beyond.
Immerse yourself in the rich history and natural wonders of the ranch, where millions of years of geological evolution have left their mark. Explore the rugged terrain and discover prehistoric ravines carved by ancient oceans, adorned with fascinating oceanic fossils such as sand dollars, sea urchins, and ammonites.
Our camping sites offer a primitive yet immersive experience, allowing you to connect with nature in its purest form. Pitch your tent amidst fields of vibrant bluebonnets in April, or revel in the splendor of the Milky Way under the October sky. For a truly enchanting experience, set up camp alongside the flowing creeks at sites like Uchawi, where the soothing sound of water creates a tranquil ambiance.
Embark on an adventure along over 20 miles of hiking trails that wind through the ranch's diverse landscapes, offering endless opportunities for exploration and discovery. Be sure to schedule a visit to our working farm, where you can interact with friendly animals like pigs, goats, and Zoey the Donkey, gaining insight into sustainable farming practices and animal husbandry.
Before you depart, don't forget to visit our Farm Store, where you can stock up on a variety of farm-fresh delights, including pasture-raised meats, canned goods, and freshly harvested produce grown right here on the ranch.
At High Hope Ranch, we invite you to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and embrace the serenity and splendor of the Texas Hill Country. Whether you seek adventure, relaxation, or a deeper connection with nature, our ranch offers a sanctuary where dreams take flight and memories are made to last a lifetime. Welcome to High Hope Ranch, where the spirit of the land beckons you to explore, discover, and thrive.
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$20
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Wild 2 Wonderful Ranch
15 sites · RVs, Tents56 acres · Mansfield, TX
(((Special event:: Solar Eclipse:: April 8th Afternoon, Book now and receive a Free Pair of Optical Quality, Certified Solar Eclipse Glasses and a Free Bundle of Firewood))) Our Open Prairie Area is perfect for viewing the Solar Eclipse or Starry Night Skies.
Wild 2 Wonderful Ranch has 4 generations, Living on Ranch, We are right outside Mansfield Texas city limits. We are hard at work reclaiming the land to make it a park like setting. You are 2.25 miles from old Downtown Mansfield. ( Several quaint shops and restaurants )
There are large open areas and also forest areas. Sit outside and watch the stars and the wildlife, enjoy the peace and quiet of the country with city and stores close by
Our camping areas are large and accommodate large groups or small ones
Joe Pool Lake is within 10 miles
Texas Ranger Stadium (Globe life field)
21 miles
AT&T Stadium ( Dallas Cowboys stadium) 21 miles
Traders Village Flea Market 16 miles
Hawaiian Falls water park 6.8 miles
Six Flags over Texas 20 miles
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor 22 miles
Downtown Dallas Historic District 37 miles
Ft Worth Stock Yards 25 miles
Parks Mall at Arlington 16 miles
State Hwy 287 3.5 miles
State Hwy 360 5.9 miles
Interstate 20 16 miles
Mans Best Field Dog park. 1.8 miles
Ft worth Botanical Gardens 26 miles
Ft worth Water Gardens 23 miles
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$15
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Hideout Ridge
8 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents50 acres · Covington, TX
50 acres covered in large oak trees. We offer several miles of hiking trails, a three acre vineyard, a beautiful pond, secluded camping and abundant wildlife. Located in north western Hill County 15 miles from I-35, Hideout Ridge looks out upon the highest point in the county. Each camp site is separated by trees. A cedar bathhouse with a toilet and hot water shower is a five minute walk from the tent sites and non potable water is available from the tap. A fire pit is available except during dry conditions . The host lives on the property.
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$35
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Sterling Oak Ranch
4 sites · RVs, Tents33 acres · Cleburne, TX
My Great Grandfather bought this land in 1945 for his cattle ranch. Through the years most of it was sold. Today we have a little slice of heaven, we call home. Our off grid and green homestead is a work in progress. Come enjoy what God has created.
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$39
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Luci D’s Glamping Spot
7 sites · Lodging30 acres · Hico, TX
A laid back camping and vintage rv experience awaits you in Hico Texas. Spend the night in one of special campers each has its own unique style.
Located minutes to Historic Hico with farm to table restaurants, shopping , wine tasting and more.
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$75
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The best camping near Lake Whitney State Park guide
Overview
About
It’s all about the color blue at Lake Whitney State Park! Glittering blue waters stretch out on the horizon, vibrant bluebonnets blanket the lakeside in spring, and you might even catch a prized blue catfish while fishing on the lake. Lake lovers will find their paradise here, whether you bring your own boat, take to the water to swim, scuba dive, or water ski, or try your luck fishing for bass and catfish. Landlubbers don’t have to miss out on the fun, either—there are plenty of hiking, biking, and wildlife-watching trails, or you can just admire the views from your lakefront campsite.
Notable campgrounds
- Best for RVs: Horseshoe Campground has pull-through campsites with electric, water, and sewer hookups, and space for big rigs.
- Best for glampers: The Towash Shelter Loop has two climate-controlled cabins with bunk beds and rustic furnishings.
- Best for lake views: The aptly named Lake View Campground has 20 sites with water hookups only, all within a short stroll of the lakeshore and fishing pier.
Tips for snagging a campsite
- The park has eight campgrounds with a total of 165 campsites and two cabins, all of which can be booked online via the Texas State Parks website.
- Campsite reservations open five months in advance.
- Campsites can book up as fast for summer and holiday weekends—book as early as possible, especially if you have a particular site in mind.
When to go
Summer temperatures can soar over 85°F at Lake Whitney, so it’s no surprise that the lakefront campsites fill up quickly. Campgrounds stay open year-round, but March through October is peak season, and the first frosts typically start in November. Perhaps time your visit to catch the spring wildflowers, to attend the family events and fishing competitions held on summer weekends, or to admire the fall foliage.
Know before you go
- Lake Whitney State Park is located three miles west of Whitney along FM 1244. You can reach the park easily from three Texas cities—Dallas (about a 1-hour 10-minute drive), Fort Worth (about a 1-hour drive), and Waco (about a 45-minute drive).
- Park entrance fees are payable in addition to camping fees, and general entrance reservations can be made up to one month in advance.
- Facilities in the park include restrooms, picnic areas, children’s playgrounds, a boat ramp, a fishing point and cleaning station, and a dump station. Pets are permitted in the park but must be kept on a leash at all times.
- There are accessible restrooms, picnic areas, and campsites at Lake Whitney State Park.
Top cities near Lake Whitney State Park
- Lake Whitney State Park
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