Looking for the best options for tent camping near Bay City? You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of Bay City, Texas's most popular destinations.
Be aware of the tides and high tide line when choosing a beach campsite. Strong winds or storms can significantly elevate tides and create hazardous conditions along the Gulf Coast.
Follett's Island is the 13-mile stretch of public access beach along the Gulf of Mexico that protects Christmas Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway from severe weather, and provides the community with free entertainment and relaxation. Visitors of Follett's Island enjoy fishing, swimming, and camping along the beach year round. The beach is available via public access entrances along Bluewater Highway, or CR 257.
Be aware of the tides and high tide line when choosing a beach campsite. Strong winds or storms can significantly elevate tides and create hazardous conditions along the Gulf Coast.
Guide
Absolutely breathtaking! Parked parallel to the dunes off the packed down sand! We’re a good distance from all the houses to avoid any potential issues. No permits required and the signs upon entering the beach make no mention.
TravelerThe apartment provides full slope amenities, I am really satisfied.
Guide
We stayed at spot 128 in the Burr Oak. It was very easy to back into, the site is super wide and full asphalt. Site was very level. Bathrooms were somewhat close, about 4 or 5 sites down with a shortcut through the woods. Not a lot of street lights throughout the campground made things nice and quiet at night. The site had good Verizon cell service, around 25-50 mbps. The Tmobile service was around the same. This place is very remote and the park itself is huge, we only stayed one night but it has a ton to offer! Overall the campground was clean, very quiet, with a ton of activities.
ScoutI find that mastering the skill of filling rows or columns makes the game of Block Blast easier.
GuideThis park is really back in there as from the office to the sites it's a good distance which is nice. Level sites and more than enough room between sites. If you like hiking, you can get it done here, just watch out for the gators.....
RangerWe stayed in spot 112 in February 2024.
Scout
No sand, only rocks. One set of bathrooms was very dirty and the other set were locked. All the best area say no camping.
TravelerRight by the gulf and on shell and coral covered beach. Free camping for all types up to 14 days.
RangerWe had fun here with our 3 year old granddaughter. Campsite was nice & large, well spaced out. Bathrooms are clean, and the trails are awesome. Saw about 20 alligators on Elm Lake
Scout
Wow, I recently had the most incredible stay at Brackenridge Park& Campground! this service helped me with this: https://andersenlab.com/services/security-management. I cannot stop raving about this hidden gem nestled in nature's lap. From the second I arrived, I was captivated by the serene environment and the welcoming atmosphere that enveloped me.
The campground itself is a true oasis for nature lovers like me. The lush greenery, towering trees, and the gentle flowing river created an idyllic setting that instantly put me at ease. Whether it used to be a leisurely stroll alongside the scenic trails or simply basking in the splendor of the landscape, I observed myself completely immersed in the tranquility of this place.
The amenities were top-notch too! The well-maintained campsites had all the necessities for a comfortable stay, and the clean restroom facilities were an added bonus. But what truly blew me away were the recreational activities available. From fishing and kayaking to bird-watching and star-gazing, there was once never a dull moment.
The first-class part was the pleasant and helpful staff who made me experience like a valued guest throughout my stay. I left Brackenridge Park& Campground with unforgettable memories and a rejuvenated spirit. I highly recommend this haven to anyone seeking a peaceful escape and a chance to reconnect with nature. This place truly changed my perspective on camping, and I can't wait to return!
Scout
Camp Mohawk is a great get away close to home for many of us. The staff is very
helpful and and kind. They have cabins, dorms, tent camping, hiking trails, stocked
ponds for fishing, playgrounds, volleyball, basketball courts, pavilions for rent with
bar b q grills, plenty of picnic tables throughout the park for convenience of park goers.
Pet friendly with waste stations around for disposal of their waste. Free for day use
To make reservations call 281-756-2319 you and the whole family will have alot
of fun and won't regret it!!!
Guide
We drove our 32ft class C (with tow dolly attached) on the beach without any issue getting in or out, and we saw multiple 2 wheel drive vehicles drive allllll the way down the beach. The sand is compact basically all the way throughout the entire beach. The weather was cloudy when we were there but the potential for a beautiful sunrise on the beach is there. There weren’t a lot of people on the beach during the week, but the weekend was slammed with all sorts of trucks and cars parked on the beach. Some small businesses drove by selling goods from their vehicles, like ice cream trucks and flags.
Oh! And you know the scenes in movies where they have a campfire on the beach? But no beach ever allows a campfire? They allow them here!
TravelerRandomly found this campground. There are some shaded spots and some wide open areas. All of the rv area is behind locked gates with codes that change. There is a police car that patrols the area. There are trails, a dog park, the lake, wildlife, an event center up the road, a small ball field and .... Wish I had found this earlier in our travels
TravelerGreat place to stop at county park $10 a night $25 for water electric $10 for dry camp and golf course 
Guide
A minimum of water and electric at every site (which we don’t need) The feel is more community park with camping. There is a 12 mile equestrian trail which bikes are allowed to ride on. Other flat trails are around the park and water. It is completely full this Saturday and there are lots of families, music and fires burning. I do not consider this to be a serene wilderness/wildlife area but a Camping area full of activities. Looks like a great place for a family reunion or wedding. Complete with frisbee golf, boating, swimming, dog park, playground and more. The grounds are very well kept.
Guide
They are closed for bridge repairs. Sent down the road. There is no access to trails due to construction
TravelerGreat staff in the office to work with. Easy reservation and access to it after hours. Good security. Gate code required and security passes through frequently. Beautiful morning views of the lake and many deer in the field every night.
Guide
Quiet well maintained park. Owners very nice and available when needed. Wifi works without issue. Nice quiet area to spend the winter.
Guide
Mostly full timers. Older rv’s. They have a couple spots for stop overs. The people are really nice and friendly. Lots and lots of dogs but there is no off leash area for them. There is also a mommy and her teenager donkeys who like carrots and apples.
LegendFirst. Data. Download enough to watch FIFA final. Upload not the greatest. Visible, Verizon 5G, T-Mobile 5G. All great down but low upload speeds. Too many trees for Starlink
Awesome friendly gate house staff. Big park with camping loop. Will be back
LegendFirst. Data. Download enough to watch FIFA final. Upload not the greatest. Visible, Verizon 5G, T-Mobile 5G. All great down but low upload speeds. Too many trees for Starlink
Awesome friendly gate house staff. Big park with camping loop. Will be back
LegendThis would be a 5 star if there was sewer hookup
PROS
No fee to make my own on-line reservations
Park security gate closed overnight hours
Good space between sites
Grass mowed in each site
Extra wide campground roadway
Quiet during our weeknight stay
Wooden and metal picnic table on concrete slab
Pedestal BBQ grill
Metal firering (no cooking grate)
Clean, climate controlled toilet/shower facility.
Ample supply of TP, and hand soap but hand dryer didn’t work and no paper towels. Campfire wood for sale via honor system in the campground
Regular ranger patrol through campground
Lots of dumpsters throughout the campground
.85 miles round trip from site 114 to closest toilet/shower facility
2 bars T-MOBILE
CONS
No discount for a one night stay
Aggressive raccoons
Site 114 not level
No lantern pole in campsite
Site picnic table is anchored to concrete slab and not moveable
No WiFi
TravelerCampground no longer has cable TV, but they tell you to stream TV from the wifi. They also have dinners in the clubhouse with lots of seafood. Great place to go fishing!
RangerWe camped out on the beach for three days at a few different locations and had no problems other than soft sand at one of the access roads (check before you drive into the sand) Minimal traffic in September and the beach was still cleaned of seaweed and debris daily due to the hurricane and higher tides - but we only had water touch our tires one night. Overall, great spot! Just pick your driving lanes and parking spots carefully without 4x4
ScoutThe birds singing in the meadow wake you gently in the morning. There's numerous trails to hike or bike. the observatory and nature centers a bonus to this well appointed state campground.
Scout
This is a very beaten up part of a beach, but great for free camping! I would come here again for the camping part, not for a beautiful scenery(there's a factory right over the water on the other side which meant I did not want to swim in this), definitely not for the showers or restroom, but I would to sleep. The showers are absolutely horrendous. I told myself even if they were cold I'd use them, but these don't look to have been used in years and are DIRTY. Same as the bathroom, but those I'd have to use. It's beautiful to wake up to a beach no matter what and the best thing is that you don't need 4x4 to go here. It's hard shell beach, so there's no way you're getting stuck. Me and my friend used the outdoor shower made to wash off sand to rinse our bodies, but I wouldn't do a full wash in it. I also loved the fact that I could go to San Antonio and Houston then come back to the beach! I know it's about 2 hours away, but I definitely do not want to stay in a hot city. The best part about this place is if you keep your windows open at night a very nice breeze will keep you cool.
GuideKind of an off the beaten place but a real gem for Boondocking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Bay City, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Bay City, TX is Magnolia Beach with a 4.3-star rating from 20 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Bay City, TX?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Bay City, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.
