The best camping near Lake Arrowhead State Park

Located near Wichita Falls, Texas, this compact park is located on the northern shore of the massive 16,000-acre Lake Arrowhead, ideal for swimming, boating, and water skiing. Anglers flock here for the great fishing, with catches including cappie, catfish, bass, and perch. Families with kids particularly like the cute residents of Prairie Dog Town, close to the park’s main campground, where campers can find everything from primitive walk-in sites to RV sites with water hookups and full hookups. The park also offers great bird watching, picnicking, an 18-hole disc golf course, and several miles of mostly flat hiking trails suitable for biking and horseback riding.

1. Campsites can be booked online or by phone up to five months in advance, so plan ahead for the best chances of getting the site you want.
2. Opt for a primitive campsite if possible, as they're easier to secure than others.
3. Visit during the week or in the winter offseason if lake access isn’t a consideration.

Spring and summer are the most popular times to visit—spring is the best time to see wildflowers and to fish for white crappie (during its spawning period), while the lake feels particularly refreshing during the heat of summer. Look for prairie dog pups in fall. The lake often freezes over between November and March, but the park and campground stay open, making for a more peaceful visit.

• Lake Arrowhead has no lifeguards.
• Fishing licenses are not required when fishing within the boundaries of the park, though license requirements must be met if fishing from a boat. Kids under 13 must wear life jackets if fishing from boats.
• The park provides limited binocular and bird book loaners, but it’s best to bring your own.
• Visitors should not feed or harass the prairie dogs.