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 adventure.
82% (11 reviews)
82% (11 reviews)
Find lakeside camping, family fun, and plenty of ways to get on the water.
Popular ways to camp
Community favorites near Lake Whitney State Park
Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.
Book externally
Public campgrounds in the parkBook externally
Book externally
Stay at a public campground in Lake Whitney State Park
Top-rated campgrounds near Lake Whitney State Park
94%
(48)
Oasis Campgrounds
37 sites · Tents7 acres · Hillsboro, TX
Superhost with 400+ Reviews on Airbnb! www.airbnb.com/p/rissgreen
Welcome to the Oasis!
Our campsite is located off Highway 22 just ten minutes from Lake Whitney. Easy access to the main road and lake, while still feeling totally private and secluded from the city.
** Interested in a different site options? We only have a handful of our sites on Hipcamp!
Please check out our full Campground Map located on our website! :) www.oasis-campgrounds.com
Cell reception and Wi-Fi is reliable.
* Please note that traffic is able to be heard from Highway 22 at the front of the property.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from
$25
/ night
99%
(465)
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.
No restroom or water - 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.
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)
Pets
Campfires
from
$49
/ night
99%
(417)
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*
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from
$45
/ night
100%
(48)
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.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$35
/ night
100%
(2)
Pepper's Place
10 sites · Tents2 acres · Clifton, TX
We have a beautiful almost 2 acres overlooking Lake Whitney, with lake access within walking distance, also a private community boat ramp, beautiful landscaping with deer every morning and evenings. Hiking, fishing, or just scouting, it's the perfect place. Or if you are just looking to get away from the hustle of everyday life, come to just relax
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$25
/ night
98%
(166)
Bee Mountain Resort
9 sites · RVs, Tents100 acres · Cleburne, TX
Nature and wildlife mixed with fun and relaxation, Bee Mountain Resort is truly a one-of-a-kind property! Private, spacious and beautiful, we are blessed with 1.5 miles of sandy beaches along Brazos River and the road coming here dead ends at our front gate.
Customers are usually groups of friends & family; many having camped here for years. A few even claim to have grown up on the river and, to some extent, that might be true. Bee Mountain Resort is a secluded off-the-grid campground that's been around since the '70s. And it's pretty well known to the locals.
I first discovered the Brazos River in 1985 when looking for great water to ski on. And since that time, I've developed many great memories here. I would describe our ranch as classic and old school. Change comes pretty slow here.....and we like it that way. Family, friends, kids & pets all love our amazing getaway. A rare gem best shared with good people.
Each and every campsite is located directly on the river and all of them are huge. Firewood, ice, kayaks, paddle boards and generators are available at low prices. Great tasting water from our deep well, clean restrooms and a camper dump station are located on the premises. We are very pet friendly providing your pet is friendly.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from
$50
/ night
Booked 5 times
Whitney's Edge
5 sites · RVs, Tents1 acre · Whitney, TX
We live on one acre near major highway for Lake Whitney Dam. We are 3 miles from Dam, 8 minutes to Lake Whitney State Park. Waco is 30 minutes away with lots of entertainment. Whitney is a small laid back quiet community with a few stores downtown.
Potable water
Toilets
Trash
from
$60
/ night
99%
(157)
DeerCreek Campground
7 sites · Tents57 acres · Cleburne, TX
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from
$35
/ night
100%
(59)
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!
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from
$35
/ night
Booked 1 time
Whitney Rose Rv Park
1 site · RV9 acres · Laguna Park, TX
9ac 1000ft off the main road makes for a quiet little getaway a couple minutes away from the lake.
We have 1/3mi walking trails, 40x120ft dog park with dog washing station, good wifi, showers, and laundry. Located 1hr south of DFW and 45min NW of Waco, Tx, just a few minutes south of the town of Whitney, and a couple minutes from Lake Whitney. This is a wonderful lake for stripper and bass fishing, as well as cliff jumping and boating activities.
Pets
Potable water
Showers
from
$40
/ night
100%
(17)
Veronica V.’s Land
3 sites · Lodging10 acres · Morgan, TX
Welcome to Vida Sonada, the place where life meets dreams. This "convenience and comfort camp" is the ideal place for a weekend get-away where you can enjoy all the great things about camping without any of the work or having to give up the luxuries of a well-appointed bedroom. Your luxury safari tent is tucked away among the trees on this 10-acre property just 1.5 miles from the nearest boat launch on the west side of Lake Whitney.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from
$85
/ night
100%
(13)
The Dusty Nickel
8 sites · RVs, Tents52 acres · Cleburne, TX
Learn more about this land:
Step away from the hustle and bustle of city life back to a quiet ranch setting. Set on a beautiful working cattle ranch surrounded by hills, this camping area gives you the peace and serenity you are looking for. Spend the days exploring the ranch, playing in the seasonal creek, fishing in the stock tank, or feeding the wild cows. Then, spend the nights looking up at the stars, sitting by the campfire and enjoying the night time sounds of the wild. When you need time away from the ranch, visit nearby Cleburne State Park, Dinosaur Valley State Park, the Brazos river, historic Glen Rose, or enjoy a Cleburne Railroaders baseball game.
Although there is plenty of room for all campers at the Dusty Nickel, we want to leave room for our grass fed cows to roam too, so we are limiting it to 4 camping spots per night. There isn't electric, sewer or water at the sites, however, water is available near the house to refill tanks etc. The owner does live on site, but will respect your privacy and you can be out of the direct sight of the house depending where you camp.
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from
$40
/ night
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
Safety at Hipcamp
Hipcamp is created with ❤️ and hope for our future.