Camping Places Near Jacksonville, Texas

The city of Jacksonville, Texas, is a stone's throw from hundreds of miles of hiking trails and thousands of acres of open water for swimming, fishing and boating, making it a prime destination for outdoor lovers of all kinds. Camping is available at numerous locations in the Jacksonville area. You get to choose between modern RV campsites and secluded tent sites, and a wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities are always right around the corner.

  1. Tyler State Park

    • Tyler State Park is less than an hour north of Jacksonville and spans nearly 1,000 acres. More than 100 campsites are available in the park, ranging from primitive sites to full-hookup campsites with water, sewer and electrical hookups. Every one of the shady sites includes a picnic table and campfire ring, and modern restrooms and showers are available to all campers. Explore the park on several miles of hiking and biking trails, or cook outdoors at one of the quiet, secluded picnic areas that include tables, charcoal grills and shelters. Tyler State Park's densely wooded hills slope down to the shores of a 64-acre lake, where you can launch a boat and fish for bass, crappie and panfish. The park also includes an unsupervised lakeside swimming area and boat rentals including canoes, kayaks and paddleboats.

    Shady Pines Campground

    • Shady Pines RV Park and Campground sits less than 10 minutes east of Jacksonville, making it the closest campground to the city. This 22-acre campground consists of 40 campsites, most of which include full water, sewer and electric hookups. A handful of primitive campsites are well suited to campers, but Shady Pines is primarily an RV park, with spacious campsites that can accommodate motor homes of all sizes. Modern restrooms, hot showers, RV dump stations and laundry facilities are available. The campground includes a catch-and-release fishing pond with bass and panfish, shady nature trails, and an ATV area and archery range.

    Davy Crockett National Forest

    • For independent campers who want to avoid crowds and modern conveniences, Davy Crockett National Forest is the perfect place to disappear into the wilderness. Backcountry tent campsites and primitive camping areas are scattered throughout the forest, many of them accessible only on foot by following the forest's extensive network of trails. Backcountry sites include minimal amenities at best: usually no more than vault toilets and nonpotable water. Backcountry campers are responsible for carrying all necessary supplies -- including tools to purify water from springs and streams -- and leaving no trace of their presence. Davy Crockett National Forest also includes a handful of developed camping areas, such as the Ratcliff Lake Campground, which includes restrooms, showers, drinking water, and both electric and nonelectric campsites for tents or RVs.

    Martin Creek Lake State Park

    • Situated a little under an hour east of Jacksonville, Martin Creek State Park overlooks the shore of its namesake reservoir and includes several lakefront campsites. About 50 campsites with water and electricity are available, along with a handful of walk-in tent sites. The campground includes modern restrooms and hot showers, and each campsite has a picnic table and campfire ring. Martin Creek Lake is known for its excellent fishing, and with a current Texas fishing license you can catch catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill and crappie. The lake spans nearly 5,000 acres, and you can launch a boat or fish from shore right in the park. Other recreational facilities include picnic areas, hiking trails and an unsupervised swimming area.