5-Day Road Trip Through DFW: State Parks, & Luxury RV Resorts
If you’ve ever wanted to plan a local RV road trip around the Dallas–Fort Worth area that mixes nature, comfort, good food, and a bit of nostalgia, this one’s for you. We spent five days bouncing between two very different types of campgrounds — a peaceful state park and a high-end RV resort — and we’ve got a lot to share.
Whether you’re a weekend warrior looking for a new Texas adventure or a local RV owner in need of a close-to-home escape, this DFW loop offers a little bit of everything. And yes, we’re including donuts.
The Itinerary at a Glance
Stop 1: Cleburne State Park
Stop 2: The Vineyards Campground at Lake Grapevine
Local Eats: Soul Fire Brewing in Cleburne and Esparza’s in Grapevine
Final stop: A nostalgic bite at Shipley Donuts
What started as a simple weekend getaway turned into a memorable mini road trip that gave us some unexpected clarity about what kind of camping we really enjoy.
Stop One: Cleburne State Park – A Quiet Escape South of Fort Worth
We kicked off our adventure at Cleburne State Park, about 45 minutes south of Fort Worth. This was our first time taking the new Alliance Delta travel trailer to a Texas state park, and Popular Point Campground did not disappoint. Nestled right next to the lake, our spacious site had great views, decent privacy, and quick access to the hiking trails.
Setup was smooth, and while the site had a bit of slope to it, it was nothing we couldn’t handle. We also broke in a new camping essential — a propane fire pit — which was a game-changer for our allergies and evening ambiance.
Lauren arrived a bit later after work, and together we spent the evening relaxing and just soaking in the slower pace of the park.
Exploring Cleburne: Good Beer and Great Pizza
If you’re staying at Cleburne State Park, carve out time for a trip into town. We visited Soul Fire Brewing, and it may be one of the best small breweries we’ve been to — and that’s saying something. Their pepperoni pizza with hot honey, paired with house-brewed beer and soft pretzel bites, hit the spot.
It’s the kind of place you only discover by getting a little off the beaten path, and that’s exactly what makes it worth it.
Stop Two: The Vineyards Campground at Lake Grapevine
From rustic charm to lakeside luxury, our second stop was the Vineyards Campground and RV Park in Grapevine, Texas. This spot is the opposite of Cleburne — manicured campsites, full hookups, and premier waterfront views that look like something out of a magazine.
Our site sat right on the lake with wide-open water views on three sides. It was stunning. We’ve camped around Lake Grapevine before (shoutout to Twin Coves Campground), but this was our first time trying The Vineyards.
There were high-end rigs all around us, from big Class As to top-of-the-line fifth wheels, but we felt right at home with our smaller Delta. That’s the beauty of campgrounds like this — you bring what you’ve got and enjoy the scenery.
Dining and Exploring in Grapevine
Downtown Grapevine is packed with shops, restaurants, and historic charm. We stopped at Esparza’s, a Tex-Mex staple since 1985 that claims the title of “Margarita Capital of Texas.” The food was fresh, the portions were perfect, and yes — the margaritas were very good.
After dinner, we strolled down Main Street, exploring local boutiques and soaking in the festive vibe. If you’re in town during the holidays, Grapevine transforms into the Christmas Capital of Texas, so keep that in mind for a future trip.
Donuts and Final Thoughts
On our final morning, we couldn’t resist a nostalgic stop at Shipley Donuts — a favorite of Lauren’s late father. It was the perfect capstone to the trip, especially with a solid kolache and a chocolate sprinkle donut that hit all the right notes.
As we wrapped up our DFW mini tour, we reflected on the big takeaway: we prefer the vibe of state parks. The friendly faces, natural setting, and slower pace just feel like home to us. That’s not to say luxury resorts don’t have their place — especially when you want convenience and amenities — but give us trees over concrete every time.
If you’re planning a road trip around Dallas–Fort Worth, this combo of Cleburne State Park and The Vineyards at Lake Grapevine gives you two very different but equally worthwhile experiences. We captured it all on video, from setup to sightseeing to snack stops.
Watch the full video below for our honest thoughts, favorite spots, and some behind-the-scenes moments from life on the road.
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