Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland
RV Guide

Introduction

Located just an hour and a half outside of Dallas, Texas, Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland is a popular horseback riding getaway, with over 20,000 acres of prairie land to explore. There are 75 miles of multi-use trails that cut across the grasslands, giving hikers, horseback riders, and bikers plenty of ground to cover. Most of the land is also open to hunting, and the area is known for its white-tailed deer.

There are also a number of streams and lakes in the area that have excellent fishing. Cottonwood Lake is the primary fishing destination, packed with species such as channel catfish, small and largemouth bass, panfish, and crappie. Birdwatchers will be able to spot some species that are only found in northern Texas. No matter what brings you to this area in your rig, you will love the endless Texas prairie views.

Although there are few developed RV campgrounds in the grasslands, you’ll be able to find a few areas to park your rig. Tadra Point Campground has over 20 RV sites that connect to some of the most popular horseback riding trails in the area. There are also areas throughout the grasslands where you can dispersed camp. Read on below for more details.

RV Rentals in Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland

Transportation

Driving

Located in northern Texas, Lyndon B Johnson National Grassland is a quick drive from the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. The area is fairly secluded, but you should have few issues reaching any of the RV campgrounds.

From Dallas, take US-287 to US-81 and you’ll get to the grasslands in around an hour and a half. If you are driving from Oklahoma City, take I-35 south and you’ll reach the grasslands in around two and a half hours.

The grasslands are fairly easy to navigate, with few major areas that cannot be accessed by road. However, there aren’t many developed RV campgrounds, so you may have to find an area for dispersed camping, which could require driving on dirt roads.

Parking

Public Transportation

Campgrounds and parking in Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland

Campsites in Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland

First-come first-served

Tadra Point Campground

Situated in a secluded oak grove, this 24-site campground is a great option for hikers and RV campers with horses. The sites do not have hookups of any kind, nor do they have picnic tables or fire pits. You can connect to 75 miles of riding trails directly from the campground, making it one of the most popular choices for riders. Parking pads are dirt and gravel, and can accommodate most horse trailers. The campground does not accept reservations, and tends to fill up quickly during the spring and fall. Try to get there early to find a spot, especially if visiting over the weekend.

Black Lake Creek Campground

This small campground has 11 sites on the waters of Black Lake Creek. The sites have picnic tables and fire pits, and you’ll also have access to vault toilets. The main attraction around the campground is fishing. The creek has a large carp population, and a boat launch makes it easy to get out onto the water. These sites are mainly geared for tent camping, so you may have to park your rig and camp in the tent. None of the sites can be reserved in advance, so try to get there early in the day if you want to get a spot, especially if visiting during the spring or fall.

Dispersed Camping

Although there are few developed campgrounds within the grasslands, you can find a number of open areas for dispersed camping. You can check with the ranger office to see if there are any restricted areas where camping is not allowed.

Seasonal activities in Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland

In-Season

Hiking

With over 75 miles of trails, there’s plenty of ground for RV campers to cover when visiting Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland. Most of the trails in the grasslands are near Cottonwood Lake, giving you long shaded stretches along the water.

Although you can hike year round, many RV campers prefer to visit in the spring and fall, when temperatures are more pleasant. If you hike during the summer, make sure to get an early start, stay covered, and bring plenty of water.

Biking

Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland has a network of 75 miles of trails that can be used for mountain biking. The rides vary in terms of difficulty, so bikers of all experience levels will be able to find a trail that suits them.

Take caution while biking, as many of the trails are shared with hikers. There are no bike rentals from any of the RV campgrounds in the area, so make sure you bring everything you need along with your rig.

Fishing

The lakes and streams found across the grasslands give RV campers a range of angling opportunities. Cottonwood Lake is the main fishing destination in the area, with large populations of crappie, small and largemouth bass, panfish, and channel catfish. Cottonwood Lake has a boat launch that makes it easy to get out onto the water. Fishing is excellent throughout the year, although you’ll tend to get the most bites in late spring and fall, when the fish are more active

Off-Season

Hunting

Hunting is one of the biggest draws to the area, with popular species including white-tailed deer, duck, and turkey. The open expanse of the grasslands and the long grass provide hunters with long sightlines and game with plenty of cover, making for challenging hunts.

There are a number of private lots mixed in with the public land, and many active cattle ranches. Always take caution while hunting in the area and respect private property.

Horseback Riding

The open expanses of the grasslands are perfect for horseback riding. There are over 75 miles of riding trails that cut across the prairies and hills of the grasslands. You can also Cottonwood Lake, where you’ll get some shade from the hot Texas sun.

Do take caution while riding, as there are a number of private ranches that cut across the grasslands. Tadra Point is a popular RV campground for campers interested in horseback riding.

Birdwatching

The grasslands are also a great destination for RV campers interested in birdwatching. You’ll be able to spot hundreds of species throughout the year, including some birds that are native to northern Texas.

Check the websites of local audubon societies to learn more about the bird species found in the area. Many of them produce excellent field guides and bird checklists. You can also get a checklist of the birds of Wise County from the ranger district office.