There’s something special about camping by the water. Waking up and seeing the sun rise over a lake is one of the great joys of the RV lifestyle. If you’re in the Fort Worth area, South Holiday Park on the shores of Benbrook Lake offers exactly that experience, with the added practical benefit of a convenient on-site dump station. Located at 6000 Pearl Ranch Road, this U.S. Army Corps of Engineers park is the perfect spot to land after a weekend of fishing for largemouth bass or after a day spent soaking up the cowboy culture at the Fort Worth Stockyards. It makes that final chore of emptying the tanks a painless part of your lakeside retreat.
Benbrook Lake is the main attraction here. It's a massive 3,770-acre reservoir that’s a paradise for anglers, known for its healthy populations of hybrid striped bass and catfish. The park facilities are top-notch for boaters, with concrete launch ramps, courtesy docks, and well-marked “no-wake” zones that keep the water traffic safe and orderly. Even if you don’t have a boat, the shoreline provides plenty of peaceful spots to cast a line or just sit and relax. But the park’s appeal goes far beyond the lake itself. You’re only a twenty-minute drive from the heart of Fort Worth, a city that every RVer should experience at least once.
A trip to the historic Stockyards is a must. You can watch the twice-daily cattle drives, catch a rodeo, and listen to live country music at legendary dance halls like Billy Bob’s. It’s an iconic piece of Texas heritage. For a change of pace, the city’s Cultural District is world-class, home to incredible museums like the Kimbell Art Museum and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, all set within a beautiful, leafy park. It’s a wonderful way to spend a hot afternoon. And when that Texas sun gets to be too much, you can retreat back to the park and find shade on the hiking and horseback riding trails that wind around the lake. It’s this blend of outdoor recreation and urban culture that makes South Holiday Park such a versatile home base.
Using a dump station at a Corps of Engineers campground is usually a predictable and efficient experience. They are designed with big rigs in mind. The station at South Holiday Park is conveniently located near the exit, allowing for easy access on your way out without having to loop back through the campground. You can expect a wide, pull-through lane that can easily accommodate a 40-foot fifth wheel, with dual rinse spigots so more than one person can get their work done. One very important update to be aware of is that as of late 2023, the park has moved to a completely cashless payment system. This means you’ll need a credit card or a device with a payment app to handle any fees. The days of stuffing cash into a metal tube are over here, so be prepared.
In terms of amenities, South Holiday Park checks most of the boxes for a comfortable stay. There is non-potable water at the dump station for rinsing your hoses, and you can get potable water at the spigots at your campsite. The park is pet-friendly, and the equestrian trails are a great place for your leashed dog to get some serious exercise. There are clean bathhouses with showers and restrooms available for both campers and day-use visitors. Dumpsters are located in each loop, making it easy to dispose of trash. The campsites themselves offer 30 and 50 amp electric hookups, which is a fantastic perk. You can run your air conditioner to pre-cool the rig before you head out for a day of sightseeing in Fort Worth.
What you won’t find here are the amenities of a private RV resort. There’s no on-site fuel, propane, laundry, or repair services. You’ll need to plan ahead and fuel up on US-377 before you enter the park. There are propane filling stations about five miles north, so it’s not a major inconvenience, but it is a separate stop you’ll have to make. This is typical for a public park, where the focus is on the natural setting rather than all-in-one convenience.
The cost and value proposition here is excellent. The dump fee for non-campers is usually in line with other Corps parks, typically around $5 to $10. However, with the new cashless system, all fees are set through the recreation.gov portal. It’s essential to check the website or confirm the fee at the gatehouse before you pull up to the dump station. For campers, the dump is included with your site fee. Considering the beautiful lakeside location, the electric hookups, and the proximity to Fort Worth, this park offers outstanding value for any budget-conscious RVer.
To make your visit a breeze, here are a few tips from a seasoned traveler. If you’re camping, you can often reserve your dump station access when you book your site online, which can streamline your checkout process. Try to hit the dump pad before 9 a.m. on a weekend morning. The anglers who have been out since dawn often line up to clean their fish and dump their tanks around that time. If you’re heading to the Stockyards, plan to catch the earlier 11 a.m. cattle drive. The parking lots are much easier to navigate with a larger truck or tow vehicle before the midday crowds arrive. And, of course, make sure you have your Texas fishing license handy if you plan to cast a line; the park rangers and Texas Parks & Wildlife officers do patrol the ramps and shoreline.
In short, South Holiday Park is a fantastic destination that masterfully blends lakeside relaxation with easy access to the vibrant culture of Fort Worth. It’s a flexible hub that works equally well for a weekend fishing trip or a longer stay to explore the city. The combination of concrete boat ramps, electric campsites, and a convenient dump station makes it a reliable and enjoyable stop for full-timers and weekend warriors alike. Just be sure to book your site in advance, confirm the current cashless dump fee, and you’ll be ready for a great Texas adventure.
6000 Pearl Ranch Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76126
(817) 292-2400
Cost: Price not available
Category: Campground
Has Water
recreation.gov/camping/holidaytexas/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=71211