Longhorn

Star0.15
8 reviews
Longhorn

Quick Facts

Price

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Sites

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Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Longhorn Park Picnic Area site

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Longhorn
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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What Campers Say

0.15

Mixed Reviews

Based on 8 reviews

Most mentioned

scenerywater

"Reviews for the Longhorn Group Shelter are very mixed, ranging from 1/5 to 5/5. Some groups praise the beautiful setting, covered picnic area, and bathrooms as ideal for events, while others report poor maintenance of the grounds, unsafe volleyball area, and restroom issues, leading to embarrassment when hosting gatherings."

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About Longhorn

Perched above Benbrook Lake with sweeping views of the dam, Longhorn Park Picnic Area combines natural beauty with family-friendly recreation. Whether you're hosting a gathering of up to 100 guests in the spacious pavilion, casting a line into the lake, or launching your boat for a day on the water, this scenic retreat offers something for everyone. Challenge friends to volleyball or horseshoes between picnics, with convenient restrooms and ample parking making your visit effortless.
Longhorn is described as a park and picnic area with individual picnic sites and a large group pavilion; it is oriented toward picnicking, group use, and lake access rather than described camping infrastructure.
Historical SignificanceStep back 85 million years in time at the spillway cut near the dam, where amateur paleontologists and curious visitors hunt for treasures from the Cretaceous period. The exposed rock layers reveal ancient clams and coral remnants from when this Texas landscape lay beneath a vast prehistoric sea, offering a tangible connection to Earth's distant past that transforms a simple picnic outing into an educational adventure.
ElevationThe park claims its commanding position atop the high rocky bluffs of the Clear Fork, where limestone formations rise dramatically above the southeast end of the dam. This elevated vantage point provides visitors with panoramic views that stretch across Benbrook Lake's shimmering waters and the impressive engineering of the dam structure below.
Natural Features and SceneryDramatic limestone bluffs tower above the Clear Fork, creating a striking natural amphitheater where Longhorn Park surveys the southeast end of Benbrook Dam and the expansive lake beyond. The rugged terrain tells a geological story millions of years in the making, most evident at the nearby spillway cut where erosion has exposed layers of Cretaceous-era rock. Here, ancient marine fossils—clams and coral that thrived in warm shallow seas some 85 million years ago—emerge from the stone, offering visitors a rare glimpse into Texas's prehistoric past while they enjoy modern recreational pursuits.
Geological RegionSituated on the high rocky bluffs of the Clear Fork, where ancient limestone formations create dramatic elevated terrain overlooking the lake and dam below
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Campsite details

Total Campsitesnull campsites
Recommended CampsitesThe large group pavilion is popular for family and group activities and can accommodate up to 100 guests. Individual picnic sites, boat launching facilities, restrooms and parking are available; recreational amenities include a volleyball court and horseshoe pit.

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Reserving a campsite

Groups
  • Large picnic shelter/pavilion that can accommodate up to 100 guests
  • popular for family and group activities, with restrooms and parking available.
Tents
Tents are not allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are not allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutLarge group pavilion (up to 100 guests) with restrooms and parking; individual picnic sites; boat launch; volleyball court and horseshoe pit.

Accomodation available

GroupGroup campsites are offered for larger parties such as families, schools, or organizations. These sites provide space and facilities to accommodate multiple people camping together.

Activities you can enjoy

Primary uses include picnicking and group gatherings at the large pavilion, with opportunities for fishing, boating (boat launching), informal fossil hunting at the nearby spillway cut, and casual recreation such as volleyball and horseshoes. A scenic overlook provides viewing of Benbrook Lake and the dam.
Fishing
Fishing is offered at Benbrook Lake; the park description lists fishing among its recreational opportunities.
Boating
Boat launching is available in the park for access to Benbrook Lake.
Water Sports
Boat launching available
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Campground rules

  • Pets are not allowed

Hazards

General hazardsSite is on high rocky bluffs and adjacent to a dam spillway; the source does not list specific hazard advisories.

Weather at Longhorn

44
°F
Dec 11
Thursday
Clear sky
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 54%
Wind: 1.6 mph
Clear sky

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Good to know

Proximity to water featuresOverlooks Benbrook Lake and Benbrook Dam; boat launching available and spillway (fossil-hunting) is nearby.

Campground Map

Longhorn
Driving directionsFrom Interstate 20 or 820, take exit 432A for Bryant Irvin Road, and go 3 miles (1.8 km) south to the intersection with Dirks Road / Altabesa Boulevard. Turn right or west and go 1 mile (1.2 km) to the park and Lake Office which will be on the left.
Easily accessible from the Chisholm Trail Parkway and from Interstate 20 or 820 via Bryant Irvin Road (see driving directions).

Reviews from booking and map sources

0.2
8 reviews
Mixed Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Longhorn has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews
Reviews for the Longhorn Group Shelter are very mixed, ranging from 1/5 to 5/5. Some groups praise the beautiful setting, covered picnic area, and bathrooms as ideal for events, while others report poor maintenance of the grounds, unsafe volleyball area, and restroom issues, leading to embarrassment when hosting gatherings.
Review Summaries
Based on 8 reviews

What Campers Love

Reviewers who had good experiences highlight the beautiful scenery and the suitability of the group shelter for events like alumni crawfish boils and children’s birthday parties. They appreciate the...
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Based on 8 reviews

Common Concerns

Several reviews criticize maintenance: grass not being cut, debris from recently cut trees left around, and an unsafe, neglected volleyball area with thorns, weeds, and a poor-quality net. Multiple...
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Based on 8 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Be prepared for variable maintenance conditions; if the volleyball area is important to your event, consider bringing your own net and be ready that the court surface may be unusable. Bring backup...
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Based on 8 reviews

Camper Quotes

"This is the perfect venue for our LSU Alumni chapter to have their crawfish boil every year! Beautiful scenery, covered picnic tables, and bathroom facilities are appreciated by all who...
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Based on 8 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

All reviews refer to Site 1 in the LONGHORN GROUP SHELT loop, describing it as a good layout and size for group events but with inconsistent upkeep. Some visitors encountered well-kept grass and...
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Based on 8 reviews

Camper Reviews by Outdoorithm campers

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Last updated December 10, 2025
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