Dallas is often overlooked in terms of vacation destinations. This is unfortunate because it’s actually an excellent place for a getaway, and it’s particularly wonderful as an RV destination. Not only is this city full of awesome things to see and do, it is also home to loads of great camp spots and some excellent parks with RV sites, making it a great haven for RVers looking for a quick getaway, as well as those hoping for a long term stay.
Not sure what to expect from an RV trip to Dallas? Wondering how to plan your adventure in the area? Read on to learn about some hidden gem RV destinations and gather a bit about the city as a camping vacation destination.
Getting Started with RV Travel in Dallas
Before you do anything else, you will need to make sure you have an RV to take to Dallas. Obviously, if you have your own rig this is easy enough. However, those who don’t own RVs will need to look into rental options. This is where RVshare comes into play. We have hundreds of Dallas-area rental RVs available. Use our search features to find the perfect rig for your travel party and your lodging will be all taken care of.
Of course, there is more to planning an RV vacation than just choosing the perfect rental RV. You also need to decide what to pack, what to cook in your RV kitchen, where to park the rig, and what you’ll see while you’re in the area.
As far as packing goes, we highly recommend using this basic RV packing list as a foundation. Remove items that are included with your rental and add on any items that you know you’ll need. From there, decide on a meal plan (we recommend simple meals that can be prepped before you leave home) and create a grocery list so your food is all packed up and ready to go as soon as you arrive at your campground.
Hidden Gem RV Destinations in and Around Dallas
Wondering about where to park your rental RV in Dallas? Lucky for you, there are a whole bunch of excellent options.
Below are some of our very favorite hidden gem RV destinations in the area. These parks feature lovely RV campsites as well as plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation and adventure. By booking at one of these parks, you won’t even have to leave the campground to have an amazing time, and you might find yourself skipping the city entirely so you can fully enjoy all the fun the park has to offer.
Cedar Hill State Park
Located about 22 minutes southwest of Dallas, Cedar Hill State Park is a wonderful place for an RV getaway. This park features a beautiful lake where guests can relax on the beach, swim, fish, or boat. There is also an old Texas farm located on the park grounds—providing an excellent history lesson—and the hiking, geocaching, and picnicking opportunites are absolutely lovely.
Cedar Hill State Park features 350 developed campsites. Each and every site has water and electric hookups and is near a restroom with hot showers. There are also 150 campsites with sewer hookups for those who prefer to camp with all the amenities.
Loyd Park at Joe Pool Lake
About half an hour southwest of Dallas, you’ll find the small town of Joe Pool Lake. This town plays host to Loyd Park, a lovely little city park that sits right on the water and offers guests spots for swimming, picnicking, and boating. Kids love the onsite playground, and everyone appreciates the nature trails that wind their way through the park.
As far as camping goes, you’ll find over 200 sites in Loyd Park. Some of these sites sit right on the water and many are well shaded. Each campsite offers both electricity and water and there are restrooms with hot showers in the park.
Lake Ray Roberts State Park
Prefer to head north of the city? Lake Ray Roberts State Park is located an hour north of Dallas. As the name suggests, this park is also located on a lake, meaning swimming and fishing are popular activities here. We also really appreciate the hiking (try geocaching as you hike!) and the wildlife watching this park has to offer. If you have kids, be sure to pick up a Junior Ranger Explore Pack for them to use during your visit!
Campsites at Lake Ray Roberts State Park are plentiful. Many offer both electricity and water, and restrooms (many with hot showers) are available in various locations throughout the park. We love that the camping rates are so affordable at this park!
Possum Kingdom State Park
Located a bit further out, Possum Kingdom State Park is well worth visiting if you love the water. The lake here is a lovely, clear blue and there are tons of activities that you can take part in, both in and on the water. Boating is an obvious first choice for many, and the fish cleaning station makes fishing in the park a cinch. We also appreciate the ability to snorkel and scuba dive in the lake.
Campsites with electricity and water are available in the park and most campsites are near restrooms with showers. You’ll also find that the partial-hookup sites feature grills, fire rings, and picnic tables, making them fun places to hang out.
Dinosaur Valley State Park
Dinosaur Valley State Park might be an hour and a half southwest of Dallas, but it is well worth the drive. Not only is this place chock-full of excellent hiking trails and geocaching, but it also features real dinosaur tracks. That’s right, when the river water level is low enough you can see actual dinosaur footprints in the river bed!
All drive-in campsites in Dinosaur Valley State Park feature water and electric hookups for your RV. They also offer fire rings, grills, and picnic tables. That said, only trailers 35 feet and shorter are allowed in these campsites due to winding roads.
Exploring Dallas City
Clearly, the parks above have a lot to offer in terms of things to see and do. That said, we do still recommend heading into Dallas at least a couple of times in order to explore all the city has to offer. Whether you prefer history, zoos and gardens, or art, there is something amazing waiting for you in Dallas!
Top Attractions in Dallas
Not sure what to do while in the city? Below are some of the top attractions the city has to offer. Pick and choose from this list and you really can’t go wrong.
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
If you’re looking for a beautiful stroll though some gorgeous trees and flowers, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is for you. We especially love the many seasonal events that happen throughout the year and highly recommend attending one if you can.
Dallas Museum of Art
Art fanatics will definitely appreciate the Dallas Museum of Art. This is one of the largest museums in the US, meaning one could easily spend a couple of days exploring all the amazing art the place has on display.
Perot Museum of Science and Nature
A wonderful hands-on learning facility, the Perot Museum of Science and Nature offers fun for people of all ages. Whether you’re fascinated by dinosaurs or DNA, you’re sure to find something engaging here.
Klyde Warren Park
A gorgeous city park, the Klyde Warren Park is a wonderful place to spend a morning or afternoon. Community activities happen in the park on a daily basis and the play areas provide opportunities for families to connect and make memories together.
The Dallas World Aquarium
If ocean animals are your jam, The Dallas World Aquarium is a must-see. This large aquarium features a wide variety of habitats with birds, freshwater animals, and sea creatures from all over the world.
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
A thought-provoking museum that is geared toward adults, The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza chronicles the assasination of President John F. Kennedy in the location where the historic event took place.
George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
Finally, there is the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. This engaging museum explores the life and times of President Bush, offering details many never knew.
Where to Park Your RV in Dallas
Generally, we recommend leaving your RV at the campsite and driving a car or truck into the city. However, we know this isn’t always possible. If the motorhome is all you have to drive or if you need to tow your trailer into the city on your way in or out of town, there are a few options when it comes to parking an RV in Dallas.
There are some Dallas attractions that offer RV parking. These include the Perot Museum (park in the bus/overflow parking in Lot B), The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza (park in the open-air lot and pay for multiple spots), and the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. That said, navigating the narrow roads around these attractions might be tricky. You might be better off parking at a train station and riding the train to whichever attraction(s) you wish to visit.
Another suggestion is to look into Boondockers Welcome locations near the attraction you plan to visit. You might get lucky and find a host nearby who would be willing to host you and your rig for the day.
As you can see, the Dallas area is an excellent RV destination with lots of hidden gem RV spots outside of the city and plenty to do in the city itself. Why not get out there and see what an amazing RV destination this place is for yourself? Book your RV today, snag an RV spot at one of the amazing parks mentioned above, and get ready to have a blast!
