Dispersed camping near Bryan, Texas provides access to the Sam Houston National Forest and surrounding areas with minimal facilities. Limestone Lake Park sits at approximately 400 feet elevation in the rolling hills of eastern Texas, where summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F and winter nights can drop below freezing. Most primitive sites in the region are accessible year-round but become significantly more challenging after heavy rainfall due to clay soils that retain moisture.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Limestone Lake Park offers direct lake access for anglers. "There are fish in the lake, one foot long dead floating bass was right in front of me. Plenty of smaller fish dancing on the water," notes camper Sebastian, who found it to be "one of my favorite places I've stayed at in Texas."
Hiking and exploration: The Lone Star Hiking Trail spans 130 miles through Sam Houston National Forest with multiple access points. One visitor explains: "The LSHT is broken up into sections. We started at Section 1, which is the easternmost portion, hiking east-west. Each section has a trailhead with a parking lot." The trail features relatively flat terrain with creek crossings but no steep climbs.
Solitude and nature immersion: Kelly's Pond Campground provides isolation from crowds. One visitor described it as "A nice slice of solitude" and "very quiet." The remote setting makes it ideal for stargazing when skies are clear, with minimal light pollution compared to Bryan-College Station.
What campers like
Lake views: Waterfront camping at Limestone Lake Park impresses visitors. "Got in around 11pm on a Friday night and there were plenty of spots open. Woke up to an incredible view and more people around (but still not too crowded)," reports camper Jinoo J. Another visitor mentions that despite the lake being low, the views remain outstanding.
Basic amenities despite primitive setting: Sand Branch in Sam Houston National Forest offers free sites with limited development. Limestone Lake Park provides more than expected, as one camper notes: "Very nice and secluded plenty of campsites all primitive with shelters grills and fishing all out wonderful place."
Accessibility from Bryan: Most primitive camping locations are within 60-90 minutes of Bryan-College Station. Campers appreciate the relative proximity while still feeling removed from urban areas. As Greg C. noted about his lake area experience, it was "not crowded at the time I was there" despite being within reasonable driving distance of several population centers.
What you should know
Navigation challenges: Accurate directions are essential as GPS services frequently lead to incorrect locations. As one Limestone Lake Park visitor warns: "WARNING! If you use Get Directions & Google Maps on this page, it likely will route you to the wrong location. The correct access point is from the SouthEast, via the town of Marquez."
Weather impact on trails: Seasonal rain dramatically affects conditions on the Lone Star Hiking Trail. A hiker described their experience: "But the weather changed. It got considerably cooler and overcast and rainy. It wasn't constant, and it was never a downpour. But it was 50s and damp. Drizzly." Plan accordingly with appropriate footwear and gear.
Variable facilities: Primitive sites have inconsistent amenities. Some locations like Limestone Lake Park have porta potties while others have none. Erik I. points out specific limitations: "They don't allow campfires. As in, none. There are no fire rings. That right there takes it off the list for me."
Tips for camping with families
Bug preparation: Pack appropriate insect repellent for all seasons. Even in cooler months, insects remain active. One camper at Limestone Lake Park noted: "Be prepared for a lot of bugs." Long sleeves and pants are recommended even during warmer months.
Site selection for comfort: Choose locations with covered picnic tables when possible. "Most of the picnic tables are uncovered. There are some that are and I managed to get one, but if it's busy they'll be taken quickly," advises a camper. Arrive early on weekends to secure sites with shade structures.
Water access considerations: Lone Star Hiking Trail requires careful water planning. A hiker advises: "Take plenty of water and a water purifier because there is no potable water available on the sections we hiked." Families should carry 1 gallon per person per day minimum during summer months.
Tips from RVers
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies dramatically between sites. At Kelly's Pond, a camper reported having "only 1 bar of service," making it difficult to maintain communication. Download offline maps before arrival as signal strength isn't reliable enough for navigation once on forest roads.
Site accessibility for larger vehicles: Many primitive sites have limited clearance for larger rigs. Sebastian noted about Limestone Park: "It's your typical park in a lot and haul stuff to your campsite. Texas really needs to get with the program that car camping is a huge thing." Some areas allow RVs to park directly at sites, but others require parking separately and walking to tent locations.
