Primitive camping options dot the landscape surrounding Cameron, Texas, with most sites concentrated within a 45-mile radius. The region features rolling hills with elevations ranging from 300-600 feet and experiences hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 95°F from June through September. Winter camping remains viable with typical overnight lows rarely dropping below freezing, though seasonal thunderstorms can create challenging conditions year-round.
What to do
Boat access camping: Iron Bridge Park provides direct lake access for water recreation. "There are trash cans and two bathrooms (holes in the ground with four walls). Be prepared for no toilet paper lol! There is enough room to get a big rig to come through, park, and pull around," notes reviewer Sav of Iron Bridge Park at Belton Lake.
Overnight backpacking: The San Gabriel River Trail offers multi-day hiking opportunities with primitive campsites spaced along the route. One camper at Walnut Springs Primitive Campground explains, "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."
Lakeside fishing: Several rustic camping areas provide shoreline access for anglers seeking bass, catfish, and crappie. "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," shares Alexandra about her experience near Sawyer Park Primitive Campsites.
What campers like
Secluded waterfront sites: The shoreline camping areas receive consistent praise for their relative isolation and water views. "The water and views were beautiful, and it was a nice place to rest after the 6 miles in," reports Alexandra about her camping experience near Sawyer Park.
Accessibility without permits: Unlike some regions with strict permitting, rustic camping near Cameron offers relatively unrestricted access. "The park is open 24/7 and doesn't require a permit or pass of any kind," reports Sav regarding Iron Bridge Park, adding that "it's far enough out of the way that the stars were beautiful, and despite being near a popular-ish waterway it did not smell like dead fish."
Diverse terrain for exploration: The varied landscape provides multiple environments within hiking distance. Guillermo L. describes Walnut Springs as having a "Large open area; four fire pits, lamp hangers, picnic tables, trees closer the trail and grass sea areas closer to the water." This diversity of terrain within a single camping area appeals to campers seeking varied experiences.
What you should know
Terrain preparation: Road conditions at many rustic sites deteriorate rapidly during and after rain. Ethan B. warns about Iron Bridge Park: "When you get to the paved parking lot, take the gate to the right and follow the road. It does get rough, so be prepared."
Limited amenities: Even the more developed dispersed camping sites provide minimal facilities. As one camper describes Iron Bridge Park, "There are no real established sites, outside of plenty of space to park next to picnic tables and a parking lot."
Popular weekends: Despite remote locations, some primitive camping areas experience regular traffic. "For being so far back, the park is pretty busy. There are people that live out here and people that come out here for 12-6 am hunting/fishing/driving," notes Sav regarding weekends at Iron Bridge Park.
Tips for camping with families
Choose accessible primitive sites: For families with younger children, select sites with shorter hiking requirements. Walnut Springs offers a good balance of wilderness experience with reasonable access, as Guillermo notes: "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."
Pack additional shelter materials: Weather changes rapidly in the region, particularly during spring and fall. "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," warns Alexandra about her experience near Sawyer Park.
Prepare for wildlife encounters: The rustic camping areas around Cameron host diverse wildlife including deer, armadillos, raccoons, and occasionally wild hogs. Food storage precautions remain essential, and children should be supervised when exploring.
Tips from RVers
Limited designated RV spaces: Most rustic camping near Cameron caters primarily to tent campers or those with smaller rigs. The gravel areas at Iron Bridge Park can accommodate some larger vehicles but lack hookups and formal parking areas.
Road assessment essential: Before attempting access with any RV, scout ahead or research current conditions. "The home back in the rain was fine. A couple slippery spots but very doable," notes Alexandra about general road conditions, though this applies primarily to passenger vehicles rather than RVs.
Self-containment required: No dump stations or water fill opportunities exist at primitive sites. RVers must arrive fully stocked and prepared to pack out all waste.
