LBJ National Grasslands Forest Road 904 Dispersed Camping offers free dispersed camping in north-central Texas, approximately 20 miles southeast of Bowie. The grounds include established campsites with rock fire rings along a hard-packed gravel road. Sites are widely spaced throughout the grasslands, providing isolation with minimal facilities in an area where cattle often graze nearby.
What to do
Hiking trails: The LBJ National Grasslands provides several hiking options including a 3-mile walking trail. "There is a gravel walking trail that is approx 3 miles long one way and features rest stops at intervals along the way. This trail winds through the woods and up and down the hills of the area and is definitely worth checking out," notes a visitor to Wise County Park.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple stocked ponds throughout the area provide fishing options. "We could park right next to our spot and put our boat in with the boat ramp that we could see from our spot," writes a camper at Wise County Park. Another visitor to LBJ Grasslands mentions "a lot of stocked ponds to fish in and some hiking through the different areas."
Wildlife watching: The grasslands support diverse wildlife. "See deer, armadillos, hogs, and birds," reports one camper at LBJ National Grasslands. Cattle often graze freely through the camping areas, with one reviewer noting, "Lots of steers grazing around the area and right up to the RV most mornings."
What campers like
Remote solitude: Sites at Forest Road 904 provide significant privacy. "Very remote so bring what you need. Very quiet you won't hear anyone besides the wildlife at night!" writes one camper. Another adds, "We had the whole area to our selves on Sunday and Monday."
Lake access: Wise County Park receives consistent praise for its lake setting. "The lake is so pristine and the camping spots are fairly large and ours was right on the water," mentions one reviewer. Another states, "Such an amazing park. Very secluded and peaceful. Bathrooms are very clean and the water is clear and beautiful."
Space between sites: Campers appreciate the generous spacing at several locations. At Camper's Paradise, a reviewer notes, "This park was set in trees which is hard to find. Good cover for hot weather." For dispersed camping, a visitor comments, "The sites are a good distance between them. You can drive along the roads and look for them. We spotted 22 sites, there may be more."
What you should know
Variable conditions: Some campgrounds maintain better facilities than others. At The Ooak RV Park & Campground, reviews range widely with one noting, "Nice store and RV park on Lake Amon Carter near Bowie, TX," while another states, "Low water pressure. Trash everywhere. No picnic table."
Limited facilities: Dispersed camping requires self-sufficiency. "No bathrooms, water, etc. Pack in/pack out," explains a reviewer about dispersed camping. For water access, "There is also water available at those campsite but it's not potable so pack water in or bring a filtration system."
Cell service considerations: Coverage varies by location. At Forest Road 904, "AT&T coverage was fairly good here, generally varying between 1-3 Bars of LTE service, with speeds up to 4.5 MB/s." Another camper advises, "Download maps before getting here. Cell is not the best."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Pelham City Park provides play facilities. "Facilities offer a boat ramp, camping, swimming pier and beach area as well as fishing areas," notes a visitor to nearby Selma Park. Another mentions, "There's bathrooms for those who prefer those amenities and a few playgrounds for the little ones."
Pet management: Ensure pets are leashed and prepared for wildlife encounters. "There's cattle roaming around and a lot of stocked ponds to fish in," explains a reviewer of LBJ Grasslands. At dispersed camping sites, limited facilities means bringing pet supplies: "Very remote so bring what you need."
Swimming options: Families can enjoy swimming at select locations. "A roped off swim area is also provided," notes one camper at Wise County Park. Another mentions their site was "right on the water. We could park right next to our spot and put our boat in with the boat ramp that we could see from our spot."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Some parks offer better RV accommodation than others. At Railway RV park, a visitor notes it "has spacious sites some shade great tasting well water and helpful staff." For dispersed camping at LBJ National Grasslands, one RVer advises, "If you have a tow vehicle, drop it just inside the gate, leave your RV and go scope out a suitable campsite, as turning around with a large rig is only practical in a couple of locations."
Seasonal considerations: Summer heat affects comfort levels. "This park was set in trees which is hard to find. Good cover for hot weather," notes a visitor to Camper's Paradise. Another states, "We'll be back when the weather is cooler!" regarding summer temperatures.
Ranger
