Are you a tent camper? Then this review may be helpful toward making your camping adventure at Loyd Park a good one.

When we camp, we like to stay for at least six to seven days. Three things are essential for such extended stays, shade, shade, shade.

Loyd park has lots of trees. but not every site is well shaded. This is because every site is designed to accommodate RV camping. That's not a criticism, RV's are expensive, and those who own them wish to use them often. Given the number of RV’s we saw during our recent visit (June 2018), I can conclude that RV campers are the money makers and must be accommodated. Just a fact, not a criticism.

So, I suggest you do one of two things first, either reconnoiter the park before you plan to camp and choose a spot with enough shade, then plan your trip around the availability of that site. Or plan your first trip to Loyd Park for Tuesday-Thursday and do your reconnoitering for future visits then.

In the middle of any week the park is mostly empty, giving you the freedom to explore sites. On the weekends however, beginning Thursday evening, the park fills up fast and stays that way till Monday afternoon. We've camped thrice at Loyd Park and, no matter what time of the year we camped, this is what we observed. The entry fee is $10/day, so if you reconnoiter before you camp, bring what you need to enjoy the beach for a day.

If you’re planning your adventure in the summer wear loose clothing or swimwear and keep yourself cool by frequently spraying down with the garden hose and nozzle you brought with you. If you're camping with your children, this is an excellent way to keep them entertained and cool at the same time. Water balloons. Squirt guns. Two hoses. Dad, are you reading this? Mom, are you playful?

Also, bring fan(s) for your tent (and long power cords) the more powerful the fan, the better.

Now, at the three sites we’ve camped, the picnic tables were not anchored to the concrete pad of the site's pavilion. This means that you can move it to suit your camp set up and a screen room, and I strongly recommend that you bring a screen room to put over your picnic table. But, before you set it up, do a search and destroy mission against wasps under the pavilion Hey, the park can't stop Mother Nature from doing her thing. Bugs, insects & WASPS, Oh, my!

I also recommend you bring your own BBQ grill. The common box grills are sufficient enough (provided you scrub it clean first....) to cook a thick steak, but burgs and dogs too easily fall through the gaps in the grate. Look, just don't risk it. Bring your own grill.

Loyd park is definitely a terrific place to explore; the beach is well maintained, they have a camp store and they offer lots of great activities like kayaking. However, know that they can't rent kayaks when the winds are gusting at 12 mph or higher. It's for your safety, after all not everyone is a Navy Seal.

With this review I give the park four stars instead of five because the bathroom facilities need improvement - which is being accomplished.

Fortunately, the facility at Loop A (sites 1-40), as of this writing, are upgraded. Use them for your nightly shower.

When the facilities are all upgraded, you can bet I'll give Loyd park five stars because one of the most significant things about this City of Grand Prairie park is that there is no law against enjoying adult beverages around your camp fire, a human thing to do that is forbidden by law at all Texas State parks. And don't you know Texas Peace Officers take the enforcement of Texas laws seriously?

Kudos to Grand Prairie for understanding what it means to be a human being seeking rest and relaxation with good company in the great outdoors and providing a place for people to do just that. May they remain profitable in this.

See you at Loyd park, fellow tent campers!

Be good!