Camping for Novice near DFW

Go to state parks website and you can look up all these...
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/ray_ro...
That Isle du Bois area of Lake Ray Roberts is great! There's a lake with a beach area -- the kids love it! But we've done tent camping and pop-up camper camping there.... the tent area that we were at ... you have to park in a parking lot and walk a little ways to get to the tent site. (when you're carrying tents, sleeping bags, cooking pans, etc ... that's a hike!) ... so if you go there (it's probably closest to you).... call to see if there's a tent area that allows you to park next to the site. Our pop-up camper site ... that allowed us to park next to the site, but you pay more for those sites and those may be just reserved for camper vehicles.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/cedar_...
There's Cedar Hill State Park - gorgeous area! wooded. There's a lake there w/a beach area, but that beach area can get crowded on the weekends (in the summer they are).

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/tyler/
Tyler SP - the most gorgeous -- in East Texas ... heavily wooded. You can park next to your tent site. The thing I've noticed here... it tends to rain almost every time we go! But that's how they have those gorgeous TALL trees!!

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/eisenh...
Eisenhower SP in North TX on the state border. There's a lake here, but the swimming area does not have a beach. You can park next to your tent sites here.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/dinosa...
Dinosaur Valley in Glen Rose is really cute for the kids!! Kinda a long drive, but worth it! Not more than 2 hrs though. There's a creek area, where the river runs through it ... and it's by the picnic park area.... the kids love to get wet there, splash in the water! I have some great pictures of my son playing there. good memories!

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Tyler State Park is awesome! Beautiful scenery and nearby is an awesome zoo that you can visit if you need a break from the campsite. Also Eisenhower State Park at Lake Texoma is good. Look at all the TX state parks here- http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/

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The best place close to home is Lake Ray Roberts in the Isle of Du Bois section.....beautiful and has all you mentioned plus more. Only about an hour away from Frisco north of Denton in Pilot Point.

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Lake Texoma has many areas to camp and its a beautiful lake with lots to do. Catfish bay is an area on the north side that has facilities, tent grounds and cabins to rent as well...I am sure you could 'google' it and find info. Eisenhower is another area (its a state park) on the lake that is beautiful.We have camped on this lake for years and my son goes there with his scout troop quite often.

Lake Murry (just over the okla line) is another great lake. Have not camped there but always wanted to.

Cedar Hill is south of Dallas and my girlfriend just went there and loved it. Hope that helps provide some options for you....good luck! Try and contact the Corp of Engineers for these areas-they would be perfect for recommendations.

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Another idea to "get your feet wet" is to go with a small group the first time. There are two programs that i know about in the Lewisville/Grapevine area...

http://adventuredaycamps.com/fun/index.php/Family-Campout...
They camp at Meadowmere Park on Lake Grapevine. They do all the cooking and cleaning, and organize fun activities and game for the family. You bring your tent, sleeping bag and personal supplies. I'm not sure when their next campout is scheduled (they just had one earlier this month); I'd call the number on their website.

Check out our current newsletter: http://familyeguide.com/Newsletters.html
On page 8 you'll find a Family Campout that the City of Lewisville is organizing for the evening of October 3rd. They supply dinner Saturday night, and breakfast Sunday morning, along with crafts, games, storytelling, and s'mores - all for $8. Again, all you bring is your tent, sleeping bag, and personal items.

Good luck!
www.familyeguide.com Free guide to affordable family activities in Lewisville, Flower Mound, Highland Village, and the surrounding communities.

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Eisenhower State Park at Lake Texoma - the best and it's beautiful!

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We love Mineral Wells - it's about 30 minutes west of Fort Worth and has all you've mentioned - plus a lake with paddle boats and canoes, and these beautiful rock walls that you can either walk between on the floor or that experienced rapellers can rapell down - it's the closest thing to 'mountains' you'll find in DFW - :) Very cool - I think a 3 yr old would love exploring there.

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Hidden Cove Park on Lake Lewisville is awesome. You are 10 minutes from the nearest Wal-Mart, if you forgot something, but you feel like you are far away from the city life. Nice bathrooms with hot showers, too!

http://www.hikercentral.com/campgrounds/111341.html

Have fun! This is the perfect time of year to camp!
W. in Carrollton

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I am not a camper but I saw this in the Plano Parks and Rec catalog:

FAMILY FUN CAMP OUT (3 YRS & UP)

Description:
You don't have to leave town to enjoy the fun and excitement of family camping! Join Parks and Recreation staff at Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve for a night of family camping . Please feel free to bring a picnic dinner. Breakfast will be served on Saturday morning. A minimal amount of tents will be provided by REI and the Parks and Recreation Department. Everyone must register.
Dates: Oct 2 - Oct 3
Ohhh, I see there is a waitlist for this...
Oak Point Recreation Center
6000 Jupiter Rd ###-###-####

Tyler State Park is great. The park has the very tall piney woods. We lived in Oregon for a while and I became spoiled to tall trees and green. Tyler comes close to that and is close to home. They rent canoes, too. We had a lot of fun rowing to the other side of the "lake" and found a rope swing. Lots of great trails. It's about 2 hours away.

We love camping at Lake Murray in Ardmore Oklahoma. They have cabins and tent areas, a lake, swimming pool, hotel and restaraunt, trails, boat rentals, etc. The summer is always full, and we have to book a year in advance. Maybe it's off season now and you'd have better luck.

Lake Ray Roberts has some great sites. From pack in to pull your own trailer and hook it up. The lake is nice. There's a playground, sandy beach area that is fun for kids, and lots of nature trails. great place to ride bikes as well.

We are campers too and live in Westminster so I understand you wanting to be close. Our favorite spot is Eisenhower State Park on Lake Texoma. If you take 75 north, it's just on the other side of Denison so for you it might be an hour or a little bit more than that. It's wooded and has all accomodations. We usually pick the area that has public restrooms that aren't that bad considering. They supply toilet paper and it's usually clean except for the occasional bug which is to be expected. Anyways, you also have the option for running water and electricity if you want. Each spot has a place for you car to park. Some of the sights are closer together than others. They will usually let you drive around and pick the spot you like and then got back and pay for it. I hope this gives you an option. Good luck and happy camping! :)