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Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Johnson Branch Unit
The Johnson Branch Unit of Ray Roberts Lake State Park sits on the north shore of Ray Roberts Lake, offering a more remote and less crowded alternative to the popular Isle du Bois Unit. Lakefront camping, equestrian trails, and outstanding fishing make it a favorite for North Texas outdoor enthusiasts seeking a quieter experience.
174 campsitesNorth Texas / DFW3 hr 30 min from Austin$7/person entrance fee
Short answer
Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Johnson Branch Unit 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 Valley View are bookable today.
Getting a site at Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Johnson Branch Unit
Texas state parks release campsites on a rolling 5-month window at 8 a.m. Central, and Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Johnson Branch Unit 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 Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Johnson Branch Unit
Quiet lakefront cabins and ranch-style retreats await near the expansive waters of Ray Roberts Lake.
See cabins & rentals near Valley View →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
Water + Electric
$25/night*93 sites
Water, 20/30-amp electric; restrooms with showers nearbyRV OKTent OK
Water + Electric
$30/night*11 sites
Water, 20/30/50-amp electric; restrooms with showers nearbyRV OKTent OK
Primitive Hike-in
$15/night*70 sites
No hookups - water and restrooms nearby; walk up to 1/4 mile from parkingTent OK
Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Johnson Branch Unit fills up fast — lock in a cabin nearby
Quiet lakefront cabins and ranch-style retreats await near the expansive waters of Ray Roberts Lake.
See cabins & rentals near Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Johnson Branch Unit →We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Guide to Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Johnson Branch Unit
Best Campsites
For Families:Book the water-and-electric sites first - they have water, electric, restrooms and showers nearby and go fastest
For Privacy:The primitive walk-in sites offer the most solitude, with a walk of up to a quarter mile from parking to the campsite
For RVs:Grab a 50/30/20-amp electric site for the most power and easiest big-rig setup
When to Go
March through November. Less crowded than Isle du Bois unit. Spring and fall weekends are busiest.
Tips
- →If Isle du Bois is sold out, check Johnson Branch — it is usually less crowded
- →Bring your horse — the equestrian trails here are excellent
- →The mountain biking is challenging but rewarding
- →Great base for fishing Ray Roberts Lake without the crowds
Highlights
Quieter alternative to Isle du BoisLakefront camping on Ray Roberts LakeEquestrian campsites and trailsExcellent bass and catfish fishingMountain biking trailsLess crowded than DFW-area parks
Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Johnson Branch Unit — Frequently Asked
Is Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Johnson Branch Unit hard to book?+
Yes. Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Johnson Branch Unit is one of the more popular Texas state parks and fills up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. March through November. Less crowded than Isle du Bois unit. Spring and fall weekends are busiest. 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 Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Johnson Branch Unit have?+
Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Johnson Branch Unit has 174 campsites, including Water + Electric, Primitive Hike-in. Sites start at $15/night plus a $7/person entrance fee.
What is the entrance fee at Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Johnson Branch Unit?+
The entrance fee at Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Johnson Branch Unit is $7 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 Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Johnson Branch Unit?+
Texas state parks open reservations exactly 5 months in advance, at 8 a.m. Central. For Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Johnson Branch Unit, 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 Valley View is the quickest place to stay you can lock in today.
How can I get a last-minute campsite at Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Johnson Branch Unit?+
Cancellations at Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Johnson Branch Unit 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 Valley View are bookable today as a backup.
Parks Near Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Johnson Branch Unit
Cabins & vacation rentals near Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Johnson Branch Unit
Privately-owned cabins and rentals around Valley View are bookable today on Vrbo.
See cabins near Valley View →