Loading…
← All Parks
Fort Richardson State Park
Fort Richardson State Park preserves the northernmost frontier fort in Texas, established in 1867 to protect settlers from Comanche and Kiowa raids. The park combines Civil War-era history with natural beauty along Lost Creek, offering camping, hiking, fishing, and a fascinating restored fort complex.
66 campsitesNorth Texas3 hr 45 min from Austin$4/person entrance fee
Short answer
Fort Richardson State Park campsites release on a rolling 5-month window at 8 a.m. Central. Popular dates sell out fast. If your dates are already taken, privately-owned cabins and vacation rentals around Jacksboro are bookable today.
Getting a site at Fort Richardson State Park
Texas state parks release campsites on a rolling 5-month window at 8 a.m. Central, and Fort Richardson State Park fills up fast for weekends and holidays. Popular dates can be gone within minutes of the window opening. If your dates are already taken, the surest way to lock in a place to stay is a cabin or vacation rental nearby.
Places to stay near Fort Richardson State Park
Historic fort echoes meet secluded cabins near the river's bend.
See cabins & rentals near Jacksboro →We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Prefer to try for a state park site? Book direct on ReserveAmerica →
Texas state parks don’t have live cancellation alerts yet — but most sold-out sites free up 1–2 weeks before the date. We’ll email you the booking playbook (exact release times, the cancellation window, how to pounce) and tell you first if live Texas alerts launch.
Get the Texas state-park booking playbook
Campsite Types
Full Hookup
$25/night*4 sites
Water, sewer, 20/30/50-amp electricRV OKTent OK
Water + Electric
$22/night*19 sites
Water, 20/30/50-amp electricRV OKTent OK
Water + Electric
$20/night*18 sites
Water, 20/30-amp electricRV OKTent OK
Water + Electric
$25/night*14 sites
Water, 20/30/50-amp electric (North Park, near the reservoir)RV OKTent OK
Walk-in Tent
$12/night*11 sites
Water nearby - overflow tent areaTent OK
Cabin
$45/night*8 sites
Heating and air-conditioning, bunk beds sleep five; no bathroom (restrooms with showers nearby); no linens provided; full hookups outside
Cabin
$40/night*3 sites
Heating and air-conditioning, bunk beds sleep five; no bathroom (restrooms nearby); no linens provided; water and 30-amp electric outside
Fort Richardson State Park fills up fast — lock in a cabin nearby
Historic fort echoes meet secluded cabins near the river's bend.
See cabins & rentals near Fort Richardson State Park →We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Guide to Fort Richardson State Park
Best Campsites
For Families:Book the full-hookup or water/electric sites first - they're the most comfortable and go fastest, and many are a short walk from the fort and creek
For Privacy:The North Park sites sit about three miles from the main park on Lost Creek Reservoir, near the swimming beach and fishing pier, for a quieter setting away from the historic area
For RVs:The full-hookup sites and the 20/30/50-amp water/electric sites offer the best RV setup; full hookups add a sewer connection
When to Go
March through November. Living history weekends draw extra visitors. Generally easy to get reservations.
Tips
- →Tour the restored fort buildings — the hospital and bakery are highlights
- →Check the park calendar for living history and reenactment weekends
- →The old quarry makes a nice swimming hole in summer
- →Combine with Possum Kingdom Lake (45 minutes west) for a longer trip
Highlights
Restored 1867 frontier fort buildingsLost Creek fishing (bass and catfish)Living history programs and reenactments5 miles of hiking and equestrian trailsInterpretive exhibits on frontier historyQuarry swimming hole
Fort Richardson State Park — Frequently Asked
Is Fort Richardson State Park hard to book?+
Yes. Fort Richardson State Park is one of the more popular Texas state parks and fills up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. March through November. Living history weekends draw extra visitors. Generally easy to get reservations. If your dates are already full, book direct on ReserveAmerica the moment the 5-month window opens, or reserve a cabin or vacation rental nearby that you can book today.
How many campsites does Fort Richardson State Park have?+
Fort Richardson State Park has 66 campsites, including Full Hookup, Water + Electric, Walk-in Tent, Cabin. Sites start at $12/night plus a $4/person entrance fee.
What is the entrance fee at Fort Richardson State Park?+
The entrance fee at Fort Richardson State Park is $4 per person per day. A Texas State Parks Pass ($70/year) waives entrance fees for you and all passengers in your vehicle.
How far in advance should I book Fort Richardson State Park?+
Texas state parks open reservations exactly 5 months in advance, at 8 a.m. Central. For Fort Richardson State Park, popular weekends can sell out within minutes of the window opening, so book the instant it opens. If your dates are already full, a cabin or vacation rental near Jacksboro is the quickest place to stay you can lock in today.
How can I get a last-minute campsite at Fort Richardson State Park?+
Cancellations at Fort Richardson State Park happen regularly, most often 1 to 3 weeks before the date, so it is worth checking ReserveAmerica directly for openings. If nothing is available for your dates, privately-owned cabins and vacation rentals near Jacksboro are bookable today as a backup.
Cabins & vacation rentals near Fort Richardson State Park
Privately-owned cabins and rentals around Jacksboro are bookable today on Vrbo.
See cabins near Jacksboro →