Grapevine Offers Peaceful Campsites in the Heart of the DFW Metroplex

Visitors to Grapevine, Texas, have several lodging options, but more people than you may expect are packing their tents or rolling up in RVs to stay at one of its campsites. Specifically, the Vineyards Campground and Cabins on Grapevine Lake, managed by the Parks and Recreation Department, offers a unique balance between feeling immersed in nature and amenities just a few minutes away.

“It’s becoming less common to have a campground tucked into the middle of a city like this,” says Morgan Denny, Lake Parks Manager. “Other than the occasional airplane flying overhead, you wouldn’t think you were so close to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metro Area.”  

The parks and recreation department is preparing for a busy summer, with the World Cup coming to DFW and gas prices changing a fair share of domestic and international travel plans. See how the Vineyards and other camping amenities in Grapevine support the local economy while creating fun opportunities for residents and visitors to relax. 

Campsites Turn Grapevine Events Into Weekend Getaways 

One of the benefits of campsites like the Vineyards being so close to downtown is that visitors can enjoy both a peaceful immersion into nature and a weekend full of events in the same getaway. The campsites are popular with visitors attending Main Street Fest, GrapeFest, and major sporting events like the Texas/OU weekend. Visitors also enjoy camping in December, surrounding the Christmas Capital events.

“Families come for a baseball game or to participate in a sports tournament and enjoy a few days camping while taking part in these festivities,” says Denny.

The proximity to Grapevine is also popular with RV visitors, who often plan meetups at the Vineyards. Groups like the Texas 6-Shooter Caravan or the North Texas Airstream Community will spend their weekend at the campsite and plan excursions into town. As a result, Grapevine’s campgrounds become both a unique gathering place and a hub for guests looking to enjoy the broader community. 

Grapevine Residents Are Invited to Staycation This Summer

While the Parks and Recreation Department is preparing to host World Cup visitors, its staff also recognizes that travel might be harder for families this year because of higher gas prices. Families across Grapevine and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex are invited to camp at the Vineyards and enjoy the feeling of traveling this summer without having to spend hundreds of dollars on gas.

“Grapevine is the perfect staycation,” says Denny. “The Vineyards are a little serene place right in your backyard. You can feel like you’re in a rural part of Texas, but still have the amenities you want.”

Campers can bring their RV or book one of the on-site cabins. The Vineyards also offer fast, reliable Wi-Fi for travelers working on the road or planning to binge their favorite shows while on vacation. 

RV Visitors Have a Big Impact on the Grapevine Economy 

Tourism is an important industry in Grapevine and a key driver of sales for small businesses. The Parks and Recreation Department tracks returning visitors and has found a 50-50 balance between new campsite guests and people who come back every year.

“Some people have been coming to Grapevine for more than 20 years,” says Denny. “More folks are finding our hidden gem and keep returning, along with others who have been here forever.”

As of 2025, 8.1 million American households own an RV, and the median age of RV owners has dropped from 53 to 49 in just 4 years. Nearly a third of RV owners are young families, with 43% having children under 18 in the home. RV owners are also becoming more affluent. As of 2025, 34% have an annual household income greater than $100,000.  

The appeal is straightforward: recreational vehicles of every shape and size allow people to travel more throughout the year. Campers want to spend more time relaxing and less time stressing over travel while immersing themselves in nature and connecting with the planet's natural beauty.

Families used their RVs an average of 30 days each year (up significantly from 20 in 2021), averaging nine trips annually and around 250 miles per excursion. For Grapevine, the average driving distance was a little higher than the national average in 2025: campers traveled across Texas, Oklahoma, and a few far-flung destinations to the tune of 404 miles per RV.

The Vineyards wins visitors over because of its amenities – including its playground, camp store, shower house, restrooms, laundry facilities, and pavilion – but also because of the hard work and dedication of the Parks and Recreation team. They strive to create camping experiences that make people want to come back while enjoying the beautiful community that is Grapevine. 

See Why People Keep Falling in Love with Grapevine

Grapevine is a growing community tucked between Dallas and Fort Worth. It continues to win over visitors and turn them into residents. See Grapevine for yourself and discover why people choose to live here. Start with a vacation or camping weekend this summer. You might come for a few days and then choose to stay here for years to come.