The city of Irving sits in Dallas County and is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Its estimated population as of 2019 is 239,798. RVers can make use of nearby major roadways like I-35E and I-635. DFW International Airport sits within western Irving, allowing visitors to fly in or out of the region. Irving was founded in 1903 by J.O. Schulze and Otis Brown, growing from the previous settlement called Gorbit. Mr. Brown served as the first mayor after Irving became incorporated in 1914.
You will find plenty of opportunities for aquatic-based activities with many bodies of water near Irving, including the Elm Fork Trinity River along the city's eastern edge. You can also enjoy water sports at nearby North Lake and Grapevine Lake. Irving maintains several trails, including the 2.4-mile Rock Island Road Bike and Pedestrian Trail. Victoria Park gets high marks from locals and has an amphitheater, a large playground, picnic tables, a pond, and trails to explore.
Art pieces stand out around the city, including the Mustangs of Las Colinas bronze sculpture. The Irving Archives and Museum holds historical source material, and a visit to the Jackie Townsell Bear Creek Heritage Center lets you explore that highlights the African American experience from emancipation through the Civil Rights movement.
If you want to enjoy some upscale Tex-Mex, try the Via Rel Restaurant off North MacArthur Blvd. Andalous Mediterranean Grill offers European and Middle Eastern-style dishes, and Cavalli is an authentic Neapolitan Pizzeria that can satisfy your craving for traditional pies made with imported ingredients.
Campgrounds Near Irving, Texas
Loyd Park is a 791-acre property in nearby Grand Prairie, offering access to water and bike paths. It has back-in and pull-through sites with full RV hookups, 30- and 40-amp power options, cell reception, free Wi-Fi, and pet-friendly facilities. You can rent bikes or golf carts to help move around this spacious facility.
Lafon's RV Park is found in Princeton, getting positive reviews for its customer service and proximity to local amenities. This facility has 72 back-in sites providing full hookups, 30- and 50-amp power, and cell reception. Its location near the water will make it attractive to anglers, boaters, and other water sports.
Nearby Arlington is home to Treetops RV Resort with an incredible 169 back-in and pull-through sites. These include full RV hookups, 30- and 50-amp power options, cell reception, Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, showers, pool access, and a hot tub. You can also purchase propane, and your four-legged travel companions are welcome.
State Parks Near Irving, Texas
Cedar Hill State Park is 18 miles south of central Irving, providing guests with 1,200 acres of terrain to explore. Temperatures stay warm year-round, with a decent amount of rain during the spring and fall. It has 350 developed campsites with electricity and water and sewer hookups on 150 sites. Its urban location means there are additional amenities just outside the park; that also means the park can get busy. There are 100 miles of shoreline here, providing water access for fishing and swimming. Birding is popular here, with over 200 species calling the park home at one time or another. Two four-lane boat ramps will help you launch your watercraft, and you can bike or hike on the trails around the park.
Ray Roberts Lake State Park is a 56-mile road trip to the north of Irving. The nearly 46 square mile Ray Roberts Lake is the top draw here, offering anglers a chance at bass and other game fish. It has two marinas, providing storage and other boat services when you are not out on the water. The park has over 200 campsites for tents and RVs, supplying electricity and water hookups. These sites also have fire rings, picnic tables, and outdoor grills. If action on the water is not your thing, 29 miles of hiking trails, 10 miles of bike-and-hike trails, and a horse ride along 12 miles of dedicated trails are also options.
Cleburne State Park sits 68 miles southwest of Irving and near the town that shares its name. The white rock hills offer groves of ash, cedar, cottonwood, elm, mesquite, oak, redbud, sumac, and sycamore trees you can explore. Guests enjoy biking and riding the trails here, along with geocaching and water sports on the lake. Wildflowers bloom during the spring, carpeting fields with vibrant colors worthy of photo opportunities. This park is also known for its varied wildlife-spotting opportunities, offering a chance to see armadillos, bobcats, cottontails, coyotes, ducks, opossums, raccoons, skunks, squirrels, turkeys, and white-tailed deer.
National Sites Near Irving, Texas
The Waco Mammoth National Monument sits 104 miles south of Irving, covering 5 acres near the Bosque River. The star attraction here is the fossilized remains of Columbian Mammoths. Other creatures uncovered include an alligator, camel, dire wolves, and a saber-toothed tiger cub. There are two short trails you can enjoy, both rated as easy. That includes the Waco Mammoth Dig Shelter Trail that leads to the original fossil finds. Nearby Waco can provide RVers with amenities like food and gas before or after a visit.
A 138-mile road trip north into Sulphur, OK places you at the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, which includes Arbuckle Recreation Area and Platt National Park. It covers 9,888 acres of forested hills, natural springs, and lakes. Boating, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, and water skiing are popular water activities at the site. Certain parts of the Lake of the Arbuckles are open to hunting at various times during the year. Hiking and wildflower viewing offer things to do off of the water. Antelope Springs Trails meander east of the visitor center, offering views of the natural springs.
Drive 202 miles southwest of Irving, and you will arrive near Austin at the El Camino Real de Los Tejas National Historic Trail. Look into the past's cattle ranching when the lands were part of Mexico, Spain's missionary work with local natives, and Texas' independence. The Floresville Hike and Bike Trail offer a view of 18th-century Spanish settlement or the railroad expansion in the area. You can also explore the Lobanillo Swales that allow you to walk the paths of Native Americans and European settlers of centuries past.
National Forests Near Irving, Texas
The Davy Crockett National Forest is two hours and 30 minutes southeast of Irving, covering more than 160,000 acres of land. Various terrains within the forest includes woodlands, streams, and wildlife habitats. Popular activities in Davy Crockett National Forest include boating, camping, fishing, hiking, and swimming. The Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area sits within the forest, and several lengthy hiking trails are worth exploring. These include the 20-mile-long Four C National Recreation Trail and the 50-mile-long Piney Creek Horse Trail.
Angelina National Forest covers more than 153,000 acres of land three hours southeast of Irving. You will find seven developed areas within the forest, providing opportunities like boat access for Sam Rayburn Reservoir. The geography offers gently rolling hills and a forest containing long-leaf pine trees. Some of the Angelina National Forest runs adjacent to the shores of the North Neches River. Camping, hiking, birdwatching, fishing, geocaching, and stargazing are just some activities you can enjoy in the forest.
A two-and-a-half-hour road trip southeast of Irving will place you in the Sam Houston National Forest, which covers 163,045 acres of terrain with features like the Double Lake Recreation Area within its borders. Guests enjoy 85 miles of multi-use trails for biking, hiking, and horseback riding. The forest is home to several species of birds, fish, and reptiles. The forest offers plenty of spots for dispersed camping, or you can stay at one of the RV-friendly campgrounds near the forest. Nature lovers will enjoy the variety of flora and fauna here with several tree species, including black, white, and swamp chestnut oak trees.
