"Stay tuned for Archery range & campsite information soon!" That line is on the McAllen Parks page for Camp McAllen right now, more than a year after the city held the park's grand opening.
That matters if you live in Northwood Trails. The Hakes Brothers community has its model home at 9800 N 33rd St., and the builder names Camp McAllen as one of the nearby places for recreation. The park sits at 8621 N. 23rd St., in the same 78504 ZIP code. It was designed as a campground, and today you can rely on it as a day park. Plan around the parts the city confirms today, and treat a night in a tent as something you set up by phone.
What Was Built Versus What the City Lists Today
When Camp McAllen opened in July 2025, The Monitor described a 20-acre public campground "tucked between neighborhoods and businesses in the city's northwest corner," north of Frontera Road. The project cost more than $1.8 million. Heffner Design Group designed it, EB Merit Construction built it, and the McAllen Parks & Recreation Department directed the work.
Here's how the amenities in that opening coverage line up with what the city's park page lists today:
| Amenity | In The Monitor's July 2025 opening coverage | On the McAllen Parks page now |
|---|---|---|
| Kayak and canoe launch | Yes | Kayak dock listed |
| Fishing docks | Yes | Listed |
| Gazebo | Group welcome gazebo | Shaded gazebo listed |
| Trails | Walking, running and mountain biking | "Scenic trails" listed |
| Archery range | Yes, for classes and competitions | "Information soon" |
| Tent campsites with screened shelters and fire pits | Yes | "Information soon" |
| Solar lighting and family restrooms | Yes | Not mentioned |
The parts that are confirmed today are the water and the trails. The park opened in stages, which explains the order. A month after the ribbon cutting, KRGV reported that catch-and-release fishing and kayaking were available and that archery and camping would come soon. The park page still reads like it did at that stage, even though camping did open later in 2025.
The Campground Opened by Phone
On October 1, 2025, ValleyCentral reported that the Camp McAllen campground was taking reservations. It was open Friday through Sunday each week, and you booked by calling McAllen Parks and Recreation at (956) 681-3333.
That report also listed gear you could rent, which meant a family without camping equipment could still spend the night. These were the prices in October 2025:
- Camp pad: $12 per night
- 4-person tent: $15 per night
- 6-person tent: $25 per night
- LED lantern: $5 per night
You picked up rentals at the Parks and Recreation office at 2001 Trophy Dr., not at the campground. Those prices and that process are a year old. The city's current page shows a different phone number for general questions, 681-3320, and still lists campsites as coming soon. If a weekend campout is the plan, these are the questions to ask on the call:
- Is the campground taking reservations this weekend, and is it still open Friday through Sunday only?
- Have the 2025 rental prices for pads, tents and lanterns changed?
- Are rentals still picked up at 2001 Trophy Dr., and during what hours?
- Is the archery range open for public use, or only for scheduled classes?
The day-use side keeps posted hours. Park hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., so Monday is the one day it's closed. The on-site office is open Wednesday through Sunday from 3 to 7:30 p.m. That puts the staffed hours in the late afternoon and evening, so you can stop by after work Wednesday through Friday and ask your questions in person.
The Park's Busiest Nights Have Been Organized Events
The city's own programming shows how Parks & Recreation plans to use the site. In June 2026, McAllen Parks posted 956 Paddlers, a glowing-kayak night at Camp McAllen on Saturday, October 3, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., for $30 per person. The listing promised music, snacks, paddling and swag for participants. Paddlers could bring a lantern or use a glowing kayak.
That date has passed, but the event shows what the park is good for. Camp McAllen has a kayak dock and fishing docks inside city limits, and paddling after dark lets you skip the afternoon heat. Parks director Denny Meline put it this way to The Monitor at the opening: "This new campground is more than just a destination. It's a place for exploration, education, and connection with the natural world." The same article said the park is meant for families, youth groups, schools and scouts.
There's another seasonal event for Northwood Trails households with dogs. McAllen Parks is holding its second annual Dogtober Fest, a dog Halloween event with a trick-or-treat dog parade, a costume contest, a photo booth, and booths from community partners and vendors. The city's post asks owners to register. The date and location are on the registration link, so check them there before you buy a costume.
North McAllen's Next Outdoor Projects Are Still Under Construction
Camp McAllen is the north side's newest finished outdoor space. Two more projects are on the way, and neither is ready yet.
The first is a trail. A City of McAllen release dated February 26, 2026, describes drainage work in north McAllen between the Morris and Northeast Regional Stormwater Detention Facilities. That work includes a new hike-and-bike trail along N. 10th and N. 2nd streets and two below-grade road crossings. The city's estimated timeline runs from December 2025 through May 2027, so the trail is still being built.
The second is a much bigger park. In July 2026, The Monitor reported that the city has land next to Lark Community Center for a proposed "mega park." The former owners are contesting the property's valuation, and the city manager said the dispute would not stop construction. At that point the amenities were still only options under consideration, and there was no construction timeline.
Until those projects finish, your outdoor choices close to home are Camp McAllen and the neighborhood parks. The Crossings Park, which Hakes Brothers also names as nearby, is at 2601 Arroyo Ave. A park directory lists walking paths, a playground, a basketball court and picnic areas there. It works for a quick after-school stop. Camp McAllen is the better pick when you want a kayak dock or a fishing pier.
If you want dinner after an evening at the park, N. 10th St. has a new option. GEN Korean BBQ opened its McAllen location in Building A of The District, 7913 N. 10th St., and held its grand opening celebration on June 13, 2026, according to the company's announcement.
Planning a Camp McAllen Weekend From Northwood Trails
- Daytime visit, any day but Monday: Go anytime between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. to fish, kayak or walk the trails. If you plan to bring a kayak or need gear, call ahead to ask about access and rentals.
- Questions in person: Stop by the on-site office Wednesday through Sunday between 3 and 7:30 p.m.
- Overnight stay: Call McAllen Parks and Recreation first. The October 2025 reservation number was (956) 681-3333, and the park page lists 681-3320. Confirm whether the campground is open, which nights it runs, and current rental prices before you count on renting gear.
- Events: Watch McAllen Parks' upcoming events page for seasonal programs like Dogtober Fest and future paddling nights.
Camp McAllen is one of the newest public spaces in Northwood Trails' corner of the city. If you're thinking about what that looks like from a different street, or want to talk about what's being built around Northwood Trails, I'm happy to walk through it with you. Isaiah Ramos is an RGV native, and the conversation can be in English or Spanish. Let's Connect.
