Deer Haven Campground

For Texans seeking a top-tier camping experience that perfectly balances natural beauty with modern convenience, the Deer Haven Campground stands out as a premier destination. Located within the highly acclaimed South Sulphur Unit of Cooper Lake State Park, Deer Haven is much more than just a place to park your RV or pitch a tent—it is a meticulously maintained, spacious loop designed for comfortable, extended family getaways.

This campground is widely recognized by local users for its cleanliness and expansive sites. The name Deer Haven is fitting, as the surrounding area is home to abundant wildlife and offers a serene environment away from urban bustle. Situated near the western edge of the South Sulphur Unit, the campground provides campers with easy access to the stunning waters of Jim Chapman Lake (Cooper Lake). Whether you are planning an annual family tradition with the children and grandchildren or a quiet weekend escape for two, Deer Haven offers the room and amenities to make your trip relaxing and memorable. Visitors appreciate the visible Park Patrol presence, which contributes to a feeling of security, allowing families to fully relax and enjoy their time outdoors without worry.

Deer Haven Campground is located within the Cooper Lake State Park, South Sulphur Unit, a short and convenient drive from Sulphur Springs, Texas. The official physical location is accessible via FM 3505 in the Sulphur Springs area, making it a manageable journey from Northeast Texas and the greater Dallas-Fort Worth region (approximately 90 minutes away).

The South Sulphur Unit is celebrated for its accessibility, featuring well-maintained park roads that lead directly to the campground loop. Deer Haven is particularly well-positioned near the Honey Creek Day Use Area, offering campers a quick and simple route to the boat ramp for launching watercraft onto Jim Chapman Lake. For day-to-day needs, the nearby city of Sulphur Springs provides all the necessary stores, groceries, and services, ensuring you can quickly replenish supplies without losing precious vacation time. The combination of easy highway access and proximate city amenities makes Deer Haven an exceptionally convenient choice for Texas campers.

The Deer Haven Campground loop features developed campsites that cater primarily to RV and tent campers, providing essential utility hookups to maximize comfort during your stay. This ensures that whether you are in a large motorhome or a simple tent, you have access to crucial modern conveniences.

• Full Utility Hookups: Campsites are equipped with both water hookups and electric hookups. The electric service is available in multiple amperage options, including both 30 Amp and 50 Amp, accommodating a wide range of RVs and trailers.
• Sewer Hookups: Select sites within the Deer Haven loop may also offer sewer hookups, providing the convenience of a full-service site for extended stays.
• Restroom and Shower Facilities: The campground loop features a nearby bathhouse that includes restrooms with hot showers, which are kept clean and are typically climate-controlled for greater comfort.
• Campsite Furnishings: Every designated campsite includes a level parking spur (some sites are pull-through, others are back-in), a picnic table, a fire ring with a grill, and a lantern post.
• ADA Accessibility: A number of sites within the Deer Haven loop are designated as ADA accessible, ensuring a higher level of accessibility for campers with disabilities.
• Dump Station: A central dump station for gray water and black water disposal is conveniently located elsewhere within the South Sulphur Unit for all campers.

Deer Haven has cultivated a reputation as one of the most desirable camping loops in Cooper Lake State Park, thanks to several outstanding features that enhance the visitor experience.

• Superior Site Spacing and Size: A key highlight consistently mentioned by guests is the spaciousness of the campsites. The generous site separation provides more privacy and room for outdoor activities, such as lawn games, making it ideal for large family gatherings.
• Direct Lake Access and Views: Many sites offer a clear view to the water and easy access for activities like fishing from the bank or launching a kayak, as noted by enthusiastic returning family campers.
• Excellent Bank Fishing: The shoreline near Deer Haven provides great opportunities for bank fishing on Jim Chapman Lake, which is home to White Bass, Hybrid Striped Bass, Crappie, Catfish, and Largemouth Bass.
• High Visibility of Park Patrol: Campers consistently feel safe and secure due to the very visible Park Patrol, allowing them to leave their sites for park activities or day trips without concern.
• Proximity to Honey Creek Day Use Area: This location puts Deer Haven campers close to the Honey Creek boat ramp, the amphitheater for ranger programs, and one of the park’s main activity hubs.
• Wildlife Viewing Opportunities: True to its name, the campground and surrounding woods are frequently visited by white-tailed deer and other native Texas wildlife, offering excellent viewing and photography opportunities.

For current site availability, specific amenity details, or to make a reservation, prospective campers should utilize the primary contact for Cooper Lake State Park's South Sulphur Unit.

Park Address (General Area): FM 3505, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482, USA

Primary Park Phone: (903) 395-3100

Mobile Phone: +1 903-395-3100

Note: All Texas State Parks require a daily entrance fee in addition to the campsite reservation fee. Reservations, especially for popular loops like Deer Haven, are strongly recommended to be made well in advance, particularly for weekends and holidays.

Deer Haven Campground at Cooper Lake State Park is a compelling choice for any Texan camper, but it holds particular appeal for RV users, tent campers seeking maximum space, and families planning large annual reunions. The established reputation for being clean, flat, and exceptionally spacious sets it apart from more crowded alternatives. The practical benefits—water and electric hookups, nearby clean bathhouses, and paved access—ensure maximum camping comfort. More importantly, the ability to secure desirable sites (like the popular Site 67 and 68 double-sites) for large family groups, combined with the reassuring presence of visible Park Patrol, makes Deer Haven a stress-free environment. If your priority is a beautiful, secure, and roomy campsite on the water with full utilities, providing ample space for lawn games and clear views for lakeside enjoyment, Deer Haven in Sulphur Springs is the ideal destination to build lasting Texas family memories.