On the route from Dallas to Texarkana, the pint-sized town of Campbell, with its population of barely 700, is unlikely to be at the top of your Texas itinerary. But if you’re road-tripping in your RV from Dallas, this pitstop is strategically placed for exploring lakes and state parks. Hemmed in by a trio of lakes—Jim Chapman Lake, Lake Fork, and Lake Tawakoni—there is great fishing, boating, and paddling on the doorstep, along with hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. Campers have a choice of RV parks and campgrounds around Campbell, with full hookups and cabin rentals available.
Campbell’s three nearby lakes are all worthy of a day trip—or longer. To the north, Cooper Lake State Park has scenic hiking and biking trails on the shores of Jim Chapman Lake, while to the south, Lake Tawakoni State Park has a sandy swimming beach. Or perhaps head to Lake Fork to fish—the lake is known for its record-breaking bass.
Dallas’ art district, JFK monuments, and frozen margaritas are just an hour’s drive from Campbell, making it easy to explore the city on a day trip. East of the city, Lake Lavon and Lake Ray Hubbard are popular spots for campers, where you can bring your own boat or play a game of golf by the lakeside. A short hop from downtown, Lake Lewisville has seven campgrounds to choose from.
Southeast of Campbell, the vast woodlands and glittering lakes of the Texas Piney Woods are blanketed by the Davy Crockett, Angelina, and Sabine National Forests. Backcountry camping is permitted throughout the forests, or you can cool off at Lake Caddo, Lake Palestine, or Lake Sam Rayburn.
May through September is the most popular time to visit Campbell, but Texan summers are hot, so opt to bring your RV or rent an air-conditioned cabin when temperatures hit their peak. Camping is possible year-round at most RV parks and lake campgrounds, but spring and fall provide the most pleasant weather for hiking and outdoor activities.