Best Dispersed Camping near Bagwell, TX

The Bagwell, Texas area features several dispersed camping options within a short drive, primarily centered around water access points and national forest land. Public Ramp 1 Titus County Freshwater Supply District offers free lakefront camping with basic amenities like restrooms and trash disposal, while Thomas Lake Park provides quiet tent camping with picnic tables and boat access. Within an hour's drive, campers can also access the Ouachita National Forest in neighboring Oklahoma, where multiple dispersed camping areas exist along Forest Road 51220, including sites near Cedar Creek that accommodate both tents and RVs. Most camping in this region falls into primitive or dispersed categories, with few developed campgrounds offering full hookups.

Camping regulations vary significantly between Texas and Oklahoma sites. At Public Ramp 1, local police check in campers and enforce a 7-day stay limit, with vehicle registration required for entry. As one camper noted, "Must be 21 to stay, and not just in your car. The sign says tents, RVs, campers, and other vehicles modified for camping are welcome for 7 days." Cell service is generally reliable at lakefront sites, with Verizon and AT&T reported as strong in most areas. Roads to Thomas Lake Park include approximately one mile of dirt access, while Ouachita National Forest sites require navigation of forest roads that may be challenging to locate without precise coordinates. Weather conditions remain mild year-round, though summer humidity can be significant.

Waterfront access represents the primary draw for most campers in the region. Public Ramp 1 receives consistently high ratings for its lake views, with one visitor describing it as "beautiful lake and campground, mostly level camping spots, breezy during the day and calm at night." Thomas Lake Park similarly earns praise for water views, with a camper noting "absolutely gorgeous views of the water" and "well-maintained" grounds. For those seeking more seclusion, Ouachita National Forest sites offer greater privacy, with one camper reporting "large area to park and camp all by yourself, stream is 40 feet away with a swimming hole." Most dispersed sites in the national forest provide significant distance between campsites, with one reviewer estimating "adjacent spots probably a mile apart."

Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BYToyota Trucks
Twin Lakes Resort

Twin Lakes Resort

45 min away

Pine Creek Cove

Pine Creek Cove

50 min away

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Best Dispersed Sites Near Bagwell, Texas (6)

Show More
Showing results 1-6 of 6 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Bagwell, TX

4 Photos of 6 Bagwell Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Bagwell, TX

13 Reviews of 6 Bagwell Campgrounds


  • Dave G.
    Nov. 15, 2021

    Public Ramp 1 Titus County Freshwater Supply District

    A campsite next to a Lake...Free!

    What a beautiful place!  There are dispersed sites throughout the recreation area with clearly marked areas where no camping is allowed.  There are restrooms and water available, as well as dumpsters.  We had great Verizon service!  The local police will stop by to check you in and there is a 14 day stay limit.   When camping here please remember to properly take care of your trash and take a few minute to pick up any trash that maybe in your camping area, to help keep this available for all campers and rec area users.

  • Jessie M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 3, 2023

    Ouachita NF - CR 51220 Dispersed

    Could not find.

    Could not find. find. The grid cordinates lead to someones private cabin. Tucked in middles of residential cabin colmunity. It is national forest borders but private lots.

  • wThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 1, 2023

    Thomas Lake Park

    Good place to stay

    There’s about a mile long dirt road to get to the campground. Very quiet area with plenty of space to set up camp. Grass was freshly mowed when I showed up. Campground overlooks a good sized lake, as well as has a boat ramp. Great stay

  • Luann K.
    Mar. 6, 2022

    Public Ramp 1 Titus County Freshwater Supply District

    Boondock Free for 10 Days

    I found this location because I needed a free spot for a few days for a medical appointment. It is within about 5 miles of Mount Pleasant, TX. Not far from Walmart, Home Depot, and other shopping and restaurants. It's primitive boondocking, but pretty nice and clean. Psrk next to the Water. Boating, fishing, BBQ, and group camping is allowed. Pet friendly on leash.

  • Jeanne A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2022

    Ouachita NF - CR 51220 Dispersed

    Great spot!

    We were her two days and loved it. Then we found the creek just east of us off a small trail. Just start walking right into the woods and you’ll find it. Many camps here some small some large. Some full sun some full shade!

  • Jeanne A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2022

    Ouachita NF - CR 51220 Dispersed

    Forgot somethings

    Stayed 5 days in all. Att service good. The creek is just to the east of camp spot. Most camp spots you have your own driveway and large spot. Adjacent spots probably a mile apart

  • KA M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 9, 2024

    Public Ramp 1 Titus County Freshwater Supply District

    Fabulous & Free

    Thus is truly a great, free place to camp. It is a several minute drive from Mount Pleasant & you'll think you're going out to the boonies, but keep going! The roads are paved and there are a couple areas to camp with several spots each. When we stayed (in January) we had the place to ourselves. There are 2 nice rest room facilities- one with a pop machine. After a while, the on-site police will come by to check you in (name, driver's license, etc) but ours was very friendly. Must be 21 to stay, and not just in your car. The sign says tents, RVs, campers, and other vehicles modified for camping are welcome for 7 days.


Guide to Bagwell

Dispersed camping near Bagwell, Texas centers around several water-oriented sites with varying levels of amenities and accessibility. The region experiences high summer humidity with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through September, while winter nights can drop below freezing. Most sites offer limited to no facilities, requiring campers to pack in water and supplies and follow strict pack-out policies for waste management.

What to do

Fishing access points: Thomas Lake Park provides direct lake access for anglers with a convenient boat ramp. According to one camper, the "campground overlooks a good sized lake, as well as has a boat ramp" making it ideal for fishing enthusiasts.

Swimming opportunities: Cedar Creek in Ouachita National Forest offers natural swimming spots away from the more populated lake areas. As one visitor noted, "right off of Forest road 51220, large area to park and camp all by yourself. Stream is 40 feet away with a swimming hole."

Hiking exploration: While formal trails are limited, the wooded areas surrounding most campsites allow for informal exploration. Visitors to Forest Road 51220 mention, "we found the creek just east of us off a small trail. Just start walking right into the woods and you'll find it."

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Many Ouachita NF - CR 51220 Dispersed campers appreciate the significant separation between camping areas. One review points out that "most camp spots you have your own driveway and large spot. Adjacent spots probably a mile apart."

Well-maintained grounds: Thomas Lake Park receives praise for its upkeep, with a camper noting the "site and road to it are both well-maintained" and mentioning "the soft grass and our sleeping pad" provided excellent sleeping conditions.

Cell service reliability: Connectivity remains strong at many sites, particularly at Public Ramp 1 where one reviewer confirmed, "we had great Verizon service!" Another camper at Forest Road 51220 reported, "ATT service good" throughout their stay.

What you should know

Vehicle requirements: Public Ramp 1 Titus County Freshwater Supply District strictly requires registered vehicles for camping access. One traveler reported, "We hitchhiked here and got turned away for not having a vehicle to register with the campground."

Road conditions: Access to some sites involves unpaved roads that may present challenges during wet weather. A Thomas Lake Park visitor mentioned "there's about a mile long dirt road to get to the campground" while advising others to "watch out for mud spots in the grass."

Navigational challenges: Some dispersed sites can be difficult to locate without precise coordinates. One camper searching for a Ouachita National Forest site reported, "Could not find. The grid coordinates lead to someone's private cabin. Tucked in middles of residential cabin community."

Tips for camping with families

Age restrictions: Some areas have minimum age requirements for overnight stays. At Quachita NF Dispersed by Cedar Creek off 51220, families can enjoy "very private" camping with stream access, while Public Ramp 1 enforces that visitors "must be 21 to stay."

Bathroom access planning: Restroom facilities exist but may require walking significant distances. One camper at Public Ramp 1 noted, "Restrooms are a bit far, but they are there," requiring families to plan accordingly.

Weather preparation: The region's grass camping surfaces can become waterlogged after rain. A family camping at Thomas Lake Park advised, "We got the best sleep we've ever had camping with the soft grass and our sleeping pad. Watch out for mud spots in the grass."

Tips from RVers

Shopping proximity: For provisioning needs, Broken Bow Dispersed off Rd 51220 provides accessibility to supplies. A Public Ramp 1 camper noted its convenience, being "within about 5 miles of Mount Pleasant, TX. Not far from Walmart, Home Depot, and other shopping and restaurants."

Stay duration limits: RVers should note varying stay limitations at different sites. Public Ramp 1 visitors reported, "Can only stay for 7 days, not 14," while others mentioned the local police will "check you in and there is a 14 day stay limit," suggesting enforcement may vary.

Boondocking preparedness: Since most sites lack hookups, RVers must be self-sufficient. One experienced camper called Public Ramp 1 "primitive boondocking, but pretty nice and clean. Park next to the Water. Boating, fishing, BBQ, and group camping is allowed. Pet friendly on leash."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Bagwell, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Bagwell, TX is Public Ramp 1 Titus County Freshwater Supply District with a 4.4-star rating from 7 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Bagwell, TX?

TheDyrt.com has all 6 dispersed camping locations near Bagwell, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.