Tent Campgrounds in Texas

Discover the best tent campgrounds across Texas. Get back to basics with traditional tent camping. From established sites with amenities to secluded wilderness spots.

20+ Campgrounds4.6★ AverageBest: May-September (peak season)

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Featured Campgrounds

Handpicked destinations that define the region

4.5

(1243)

Chisos Basin Campground (Big Bend, Tx)

BIG BEND NAT. PARK
Big Bend National Park

Tent campers nestle among towering cliff walls at 5,400 feet, where mountain breezes replace desert heat and stars blanket impossibly dark skies. Rocky, well-drained sites provide firm footing while the basin's natural amphitheater keeps you wonderfully surrounded by ancient peaks.

South Llano River State Park

Junction

Spacious sites beneath towering live oaks offer shaded seclusion along the pristine river, each equipped with covered patios and fire rings that shelter tents from Hill Country weather.

Cottonwood (Big Bend, Tx)

BIG BEND NAT. PARK
Big Bend National Park

Ancient cottonwood trees shelter 30 spacious sites in Big Bend's remote southwestern corner, where desert silence replaces generator noise and bear boxes protect your provisions.

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About Tent Campgrounds in Texas

Tent camping in Texas offers an extraordinary diversity of experiences unmatched by any other state, from the rugged mountain peaks of Big Bend to the pristine rivers of the Hill Country and the ancient pine forests of East Texas. The Lone Star State's vast geography creates distinct camping regions, each with its own character and appeal.

Best Time

Spring and fall provide the most comfortable tent camping conditions across Texas, with March through May and September through November offering mild temperatures and lower humidity. West Texas mountain campgrounds like Chisos Basin become especially appealing during these shoulder seasons, with daytime temperatures in the 60s-70s and cool nights perfect for sleeping in tents.

What Makes It Great

Designated tent pads and flat ground
Fire rings and picnic tables
Varying levels of amenities
Scenic natural settings

More Tent Campgrounds in Texas

Discover 17 additional top-rated tent campgrounds in Texas

4.7

(651)

Magnolia Ridge

Woodville
Steinhagen Lake

Towering hardwoods and ancient cypress trees shelter spacious sites along B.A. Steinhagen Lake's quiet shoreline, where tent campers enjoy soft forest floors and dappled shade.

Pitch your tent beneath sprawling live oak canopies where the San Antonio River winds through this historic South Texas landscape. The shaded, level sites offer natural privacy while Spanish colonial mission walls and CCC-era stonework create an unforgettable backdrop for your camping adventure.

Matagorda Bay Nature Park

Matagorda

Pitch your tent where freshwater river currents merge with saltwater tides, creating a rare ecosystem teeming with dolphins, shorebirds, and exceptional fishing. Waterfront sites let you wake to sunrise over the bay while gulf breezes keep your tent naturally cool through warm coastal nights.

Davis Mountains State Park

Fort Davis

Tent sites nestle among volcanic peaks at 5,000 feet elevation, where cool mountain air and level ground platforms create comfortable sleeping conditions beneath West Texas's darkest skies.

Coleman
Hords Creek Lake

Tent campers claim shaded spots beneath sprawling live oaks along Hords Creek Lake's shoreline, where the canopy provides natural cooling and soft ground welcomes stakes.

Jasper
Sam Rayburn Reservoir

Towering East Texas pines shelter tent sites along Sam Rayburn Reservoir's shoreline, where level ground and natural shade create comfortable camping beneath the forest canopy.

Salado
Stillhouse Hollow Lake

Tent campers claim hillside perches and waterfront spots where Stillhouse Hollow Lake's waves create a natural lullaby beneath the vast Texas sky. Unique screened shelters protect you from insects while maintaining an immersive outdoor experience, complemented by sandy beach access and...

Seminole Canyon State Park And Historic Site

Comstock

Primitive tent sites nestle you into the vast West Texas desert, where exposed terrain trades shade for magnificent stargazing and canyon vistas stretching to the horizon.

East Whitney, TX
Whitney Lake

Spacious sites tucked among native Texas trees offer genuine solitude along Whitney Lake's shoreline, where rolling terrain creates natural separation between neighbors.

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Campground Locations

Showing top 20 campgrounds near Tent Campgrounds in Texas

Map of campgrounds near Tent Campgrounds in Texas

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Map Key

Chisos Basin Campground (Big Bend, Tx)

South Llano River State Park

Cottonwood (Big Bend, Tx)

Magnolia Ridge

Goliad State Park

Matagorda Bay Nature Park

Davis Mountains State Park

Lakeside (Tx)

Rayburn

Union Grove

Seminole Canyon State Park And Historic Site

Lofers Bend East

Mother Neff State Park

Brazos Bend State Park

Possum Kingdom State Park

Ray Roberts Lake State Park Isle Du Bois

Government Canyon State Natural Area

Pat Mayse East

Indian Lodge State Park

Lake Mineral Wells State Park And Trailway

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Plan Your Trips

Popular Activities

Tent camping under dark skiesHiking mountain and canyon trailsRiver swimming and tubingBird watching and wildlife viewingStargazing and astrophotographyFishing in rivers, lakes, and coastal waters

Tips & Recommendations

1Reserve popular state park tent sites six months in advance through the Texas Parks and Wildlife reservation system, especially for spring and fall weekends at destinations like South Llano River and Goliad State Park.
2Bring extra tent stakes for rocky West Texas terrain and consider a ground cloth or footprint to protect tent floors from thorns, cacti, and sharp limestone.
3Summer tent camping requires aggressive sun protection, including shade structures, plenty of water (one gallon per person per day minimum), and electrolyte supplements for hydration.
4Check weather forecasts carefully before trips to West Texas mountain locations, where afternoon thunderstorms develop rapidly during summer months and flash flooding can occur in canyon areas.

20 campgrounds ranked

Based on real camper reviews

Curated for Tent Campgrounds in Texas

Tent Campgrounds in Texas FAQ

Texas offers 20+ tent-friendly campgrounds. We've ranked them based on site quality, natural setting, amenities, and user reviews.

Tent camping in Texas typically costs $15-35 per night at developed campgrounds. Some national forest and primitive sites may be free or under $10 per night.

Essential gear includes a quality tent, sleeping bag rated for Texas conditions, sleeping pad, camp stove, and appropriate clothing. Check weather forecasts and pack layers.