Top Free Dispersed Camping near Bertram, TX

If you're looking for a place to dispersed camp near Bertram, look no further. Dispersed camping means that no facilities or amenities are provided, so that you can truly disconnect and get back to nature. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your Texas camping adventure.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Bertram, TX (6)

    Camper-submitted photo from Walnut Springs Area — Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Walnut Springs Area — Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Walnut Springs Area — Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Walnut Springs Area — Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Walnut Springs Area — Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Walnut Springs Area — Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

    1. Walnut Springs Area — Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

    24 Reviews
    64 Photos
    17 Saves

    Moss Lake (eight sites) and Walnut Springs (12 sites) are a 1 to 3 mile hike over rugged terrain. We charge an excess vehicle fee of $6 per car, per night, for each vehicle over two per campsite. No ash-producing fires are permitted in this area. You may use containerized fuel stoves that can be turned off for cooking. Minors (under 17) who are not camping with a sponsored group must provide a written consent form to stay overnight. No hammocks allowed in primitive camping areas.

    Magical, Mystical, Enchanted Climb the ancient dome for amazing Hill Country views.

    The massive pink granite dome rising above Central Texas has drawn people for thousands of years. But there’s more at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area than just the dome. The scenery, rock formations and legends are magical, too!

    Things to Do You can hike, backpack, camp, rock climb, picnic, bird, study nature, geocache and stargaze. (You cannot swim here or ride bikes on the trails.)

    Hiking Explore nearly 11 miles of hiking trails. Take a virtual tour with our Interactive Trails Map.

    All trails close 30 minutes after sunset, except the Loop Trail. The Summit Trail may close in wet weather. Check our trail status here or visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed. Rock Climbing Rock climbers must check in at park headquarters. You can pick up route maps there and read the climbing rules. Read through our Climbing Information before you come.

    Pets To protect this Natural Area, pets are only allowed in the designated day-use picnic areas, the campgrounds, and on the Loop Trail (pets are not allowed on any other trail). Don't leave pets unattended, including in vehicles and at campsites, and keep them on a leash no longer than six feet at all times.

    Shopping Our park store carries some gift items. You can buy wood for campfires at the park. Please bring your own drinking water, as it is in short supply due to the ongoing drought.

    Get involved Enchanted Rock needs your help! We will match your abilities to our many needs. You might guide a group to the summit, lead a tour of the loop trail, provide information to park visitors, or help maintain park facilities. Visit our Volunteer page to learn more.

    Join or donate to the Friends of Enchanted Rock.

    Outfitters and guide services The following guides lead rock climbing tours at Enchanted Rock:

    Austin Ascents, austinascents@gmail.com Outpost Wilderness Adventure, info@owa.com Rock-About Climbing Adventures, Adam@Rock-About.com Texas Climbing Adventures, info@texasclimbingadventures.com Ranger Programs Enjoy a star party or a nature hike led by a park ranger, or contact the park for special tours for your group.

    Check our Events page for upcoming programs. Become a Junior Ranger! Pick up a Junior Ranger Activity Guide and borrow an explorer pack. Email us to schedule a school or youth group tour. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Area Attractions Visit Fredericksburg for a taste of German culture in the Texas Hill Country. There you can shop, dine, visit museums and find outdoor activities. Stop by Llano, known as the “Deer Capital of Texas,” for museums, music and more.

    President Lyndon B. Johnson was born near Johnson City. Learn about this colorful Texan at the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park. Tour the Texas White House and Johnson’s boyhood home. The Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site and the Sauer-Beckmann living history farm are nearby.

    Drive the Peach Loop, one of TPWD’s Great Texas Wildlife Trails. It will lead you to some of the best wildlife observation points in this area.

    • Pets
    • Tents
    • Toilets

    $10 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Sawyer Park Primitive Campsites
    Camper-submitted photo from Sawyer Park Primitive Campsites
    Camper-submitted photo from Sawyer Park Primitive Campsites
    Camper-submitted photo from Sawyer Park Primitive Campsites
    Camper-submitted photo from Sawyer Park Primitive Campsites
    Camper-submitted photo from Sawyer Park Primitive Campsites
    Camper-submitted photo from Walnut Springs Primitive Campground

    3. Walnut Springs Primitive Campground

    1 Review
    1 Photo
    39 Saves

    Primitive camping. Please be prepared to filter water, make a cathole and camp without ammenities.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Tents
    • Dispersed
    • Picnic Table
    Camper-submitted photo from San Gabriel River Trail
    Camper-submitted photo from San Gabriel River Trail
    Camper-submitted photo from San Gabriel River Trail
    Camper-submitted photo from San Gabriel River Trail
    Camper-submitted photo from San Gabriel River Trail
    Camper-submitted photo from San Gabriel River Trail

    4. San Gabriel River Trail

    1 Review
    8 Photos
    37 Saves
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Standard (Tent/RV)
    • Dispersed
    Camper-submitted photo from River Backpack Area — Colorado Bend State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from River Backpack Area — Colorado Bend State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from River Backpack Area — Colorado Bend State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from River Backpack Area — Colorado Bend State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from River Backpack Area — Colorado Bend State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from River Backpack Area — Colorado Bend State Park

    5. River Backpack Area — Colorado Bend State Park

    3 Reviews
    55 Photos
    11 Saves

    This is a backcountry wilderness, low-impact, limited footprint camping area. It is not a group camp area. All tents must be in the boundary of the sites, with only four people per site. Camping outside the designated area is prohibited. Campsites are one mile from the Windmill Trailhead, but you can park at any trailhead in the park to customize your hike. The Windmill Backpack Area is five miles from the river and the main campground. No water or toilets are available in this area. No open fires are allowed, but you may use containerized fuel stoves for cooking. Carry out all trash and dispose of it properly.

    • Tents

    $10 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Windmill Backback Area — Colorado Bend State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Windmill Backback Area — Colorado Bend State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Windmill Backback Area — Colorado Bend State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Windmill Backback Area — Colorado Bend State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Windmill Backback Area — Colorado Bend State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Windmill Backback Area — Colorado Bend State Park

    6. Windmill Backback Area — Colorado Bend State Park

    2 Reviews
    14 Photos
    7 Saves

    This is a backcountry wilderness, low-impact, limited footprint camping area. It is not a group camp area. All tents must be in the boundary of the sites, with only four people per site. Camping outside the designated area is prohibited. Campsites are one mile from the Windmill Trailhead, but you can park at any trailhead in the park to customize your hike. The Windmill Backpack Area is five miles from the river and the main campground. No water or toilets are available in this area. No open fires are allowed, but you may use containerized fuel stoves for cooking. Carry out all trash and dispose of it properly.

    • Tents

    $10 / night


Recent Dispersed Reviews In Bertram

4 Reviews of 6 Bertram Campgrounds


  • Guillermo L.
    Camper-submitted photo from Walnut Springs Primitive Campground
    Oct. 21, 2021

    Walnut Springs Primitive Campground

    Tent camping recommended.

    I'm very last minute camping trip on a Sunday evening to Monday morning... There was a backpacking group, a group of people who canoed in, and ourselves. Large open area; for fire pits for lamp hangers for picnic tables trees closer the trail and grass sea areas closer to the water. Can be biked in from camp Tejas four miles away or can hiking from Russell Park 2 mi away.

    No amenities; be prepared to dig cat hole, if drinking lake water be prepared to filter and sterilize. This is possibly the easiest campgrounds on the good water trail to get to which may result in there being more people at this site than others. This is the "first come, first serve" campground.

    Enjoyed our stay during a thunderstorm under the big trees.

  • Alexandra
    Camper-submitted photo from Sawyer Park Primitive Campsites
    Jan. 13, 2021

    Sawyer Park Primitive Campsites

    Camped out of the campsite near the lake

    We ended up not following our AllTrails after a fork in the road heading towards the campsite, and were pretty pooped so decided to camp there off Sawyer Campsite Rd. People had clearly used the shore as a campsite before as there was a makeshift fire pit and some cleared areas for tents. water and views were beautiful, and it was a nice place to rest after the 6 miles in. Rain started pretty heavily (and being close to the water probably didn’t help with humidity inside the tent) and our rain fly was unwilling to cooperate so we got a bit wet. The home back in the rain was fine. A couple slippery spots but very doable. Overall great time here even though we weren’t at the official campsite.

  • Troy W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Sawyer Park Primitive Campsites
    Oct. 1, 2019

    Sawyer Park Primitive Campsites

    Sawyer Park Primitive Campsites

    This is a review of the Sawyer Park primitive (dispersed) campsites along the San Gabriel River Trail. There are no facilities or amenities are this campsite. Leave No Trace principals should be practiced.

    Upon entering one of the access points, park your car for free near the trailhead. It is good to advise one of the park administers that you will be hiking or place a note inside your car that you are hiking. 

    The Sawyer Park site is only accessible by hiking or by a boat. It is about 5 miles from the Tejas Campground and 5 miles from Cedar Breaks Campground. This is primitive (dispersed) camping. There are a few areas with clear land or tent pads where you may camp. But there are also zones where you may simply camp wherever you can setup a tent or hammock. There is an old latrine at this site, but it is in poor shape and no-one really uses it. Be prepared to dig a cat hole. 

    Many people stay at this site while hiking the San Gabriel River Trail. The trail circles Lake Georgetown and is 26.2 miles. It passes through forests, grasslands, over some small hills and across a few tributaries.

    In the summer be aware that the combination of the temperature and the exposure can make this trail uncomfortable to hike. Take precautions, drink lots of water and stay in the shade all that you can. While you may be hiking within site of Lake Georgetown, it is not always convenient to access the water. So carry plenty of water while hiking - at least 2 liters. 

    The trail is getting more and more popular with backpackers, so it is likely that you may see others on the trail. On weekends you may encounter scout troops practicing backpacking. During the weekdays you may not see a single person. Dogs are allowed on the trail, but it is nice to keep them on lease.

  • Troy W.
    Camper-submitted photo from San Gabriel River Trail
    Oct. 1, 2019

    San Gabriel River Trail

    San Gabriel River Trail + Lake

    This is a review of the primitive (dispersed) campsites along the San Gabriel River Trail. 

    Upon entering one of the access points, park your car for free near the trailhead. It is good to advise one of the park attendants that you will be hiking or place a note inside your car that you are hiking. 

    The trail circles Lake Georgetown and is 26.2 miles. It passes through forests, grasslands, over some small hills and across a few tributaries. 

    This is prmitive (dispersed) camping. There are no facilities or amenities are these camp areas. Pack in some water and bring a water filter to obtain more. Leave No Trace principals should be practiced. 

    There are a few areas with tent pads or clear areas where you may camp. But there are also zones where you may simply camp wherever you can setup a tent or hammock.  I'd say that 40% of the trail has some tree coverage, but 60% is exposed. 

    In the summer be aware that the combination of the temperature and the exposure can make this trail uncomfortable to hike. Take precautions, drink lots of water and stay in the shade all that you can. While you may be hiking within site of Lake Georgetown and the water, it is not always convenient to access the water. So be sure to carry plenty of water - at least 2 liters.

    The trail is getting more and more popular with backpackers, so it is likely that you may see others on the trail. On weekends you may encounter scout troops practicing backpacking. During the weekdays you may not see a single person.

    Dogs are allowed on the trail, but it is nice to keep them on lease.



Guide to Bertram

Camping near Bertram, Texas, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With beautiful parks and campgrounds, you can enjoy nature while making lasting memories with family and friends.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Inks Lake State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The hiking trails are very well maintained, and there’s plenty of variety in difficulty level/length."
  • Fishing: Try your luck at Pedernales Falls State Park Campground. A camper shared, "The campground is okay. Get a site that has a water view. The fishing was great."
  • Swimming: Enjoy a refreshing dip at Pace Bend Park - Lake Travis. One reviewer said, "Gracy Cove was a great spot for a swim to cool off on a hot day."

What campers like

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of restrooms and showers. A visitor at Inks Lake State Park Campground noted, "Restrooms and showers are clean and close too!"
  • Spacious sites: Many enjoy the spaciousness of the campgrounds. A reviewer at Cranes Mill Park mentioned, "I passed off about 75 feet between sites. Most have views of the lake."
  • Wildlife: Campers love spotting wildlife. One camper at Jim Hogg - Lake Georgetown shared, "We saw a few deer run through our campsite during breakfast!"

What you should know

  • Reservations: Many campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak seasons. A visitor at Colorado Bend State Park Campground mentioned, "You need reservations for timed entry, and weekends are way busier than weekdays."
  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds may have limited amenities. A reviewer at Moss Lake Area — Enchanted Rock State Natural Area noted, "There are no showers and the toilets are all compostable toilets but not bad."
  • Cell service: Expect weak cell service in many areas. A camper at Pedernales Falls State Park Campground mentioned, "Cell service was quite weak to nonexistent unless you were out hiking and reached a high spot."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose family-friendly sites: Look for campgrounds with amenities for kids. A parent at McKinney Falls State Park Campground said, "The facilities are well maintained and the sightseeing is wonderful."
  • Plan activities: Make sure to have a list of activities to keep everyone entertained. One family at Blanco State Park Campground enjoyed, "Kayaking on the Blanco River would have been perfect for kayaking."
  • Pack snacks: Keep everyone fueled with snacks. A camper at Cranes Mill Park mentioned, "We received a few OTA channels but there was a clear shot to the southern sky for satellite."

Tips from RVers

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Jim Hogg - Lake Georgetown noted, "The sites are on top of each other pretty much, one after another not much real estate between sites."
  • Use a National Park Pass: If you have one, it can save you money. A camper at Cranes Mill Park shared, "With a National Park Pass you get 50% off so nightly rate is usually $11-15 range."
  • Be mindful of the weather: Check the forecast before your trip. A visitor at Pace Bend Park - Lake Travis mentioned, "The wind never dropped below 18 mph, so we didn’t do much outside."

Camping near Bertram, Texas, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors. With a variety of campgrounds and activities, there’s something for everyone!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Bertram, TX?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Bertram, TX is Walnut Springs Area — Enchanted Rock State Natural Area with a 4.6-star rating from 24 reviews.

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

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