Best Dispersed Camping near Cedar Hill, TX

Dispersed camping options near Cedar Hill, Texas include Hunter Park and Chisholm Trail Park, both offering primitive camping experiences with waterfront access. Hunter Park provides free first-come, first-served camping with no designated sites. The park features a fishing pier, picnic tables, and a large open field. Several campers note the park's proximity to civilization, with the nearest gas station only minutes away. The paved loop design accommodates large vehicles without requiring difficult backing maneuvers.

Chisholm Trail Park operates on a $10 per night honor system with a dropbox at the entrance. No reservations are required. Each site includes a ramada and picnic table, with enough separation between campsites to provide a sense of isolation. The park offers good fishing opportunities directly on the river. According to reviews, the area has flat spots suitable for tent camping and sufficient trees for hammock setups.

Neither park provides drinking water or electric hookups. Portable toilets are available when permanent facilities are closed. Fires are permitted at both locations, but no firewood is supplied. Campers must bring all necessary supplies, including water. Both parks allow pets and provide trash disposal. Cell service is limited but present, with visitors reporting approximately two bars of Verizon coverage at Chisholm Trail Park. Weather conditions vary seasonally, with February nights reported as particularly cold. Limited shade exists at Hunter Park, making summer camping potentially challenging. The proximity to roads and train tracks creates some ambient noise at Chisholm Trail Park, particularly at night.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Cedar Hill, Texas (2)

    1. Hunter Park

    4 Reviews
    Granbury, TX
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (817) 573-3212

    "Free camping near the water. Can't beat that with a stick. We came in February and it was cold that night. The restrooms were closed but they had some porta potties out there."

    "Lots of people seemed to know about it, there were around 15 people who camped there last night and ten or so cars that came through for the fishing pier. If you’re a fisher, this is the place to be!"

    2. Chisholm Trail Park

    2 Reviews
    Whitney Lake, TX
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (254) 694-3189

    "$10/night honor system dropbox at entrance. No reservations or anything, just pull up and find a spot."

    "Secluded primitive camping is nice. Also good fishing right on the river. Amazing place if you enjoy anything from fishing, hiking, picnics, volleyball and nature."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Cedar Hill, TX

6 Photos of 2 Cedar Hill Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Cedar Hill, TX

6 Reviews of 2 Cedar Hill Campgrounds


  • Jesse P.
    Feb. 13, 2022

    Hunter Park

    Great spot for fishing / boating

    Free camping near the water. Can't beat that with a stick. We came in February and it was cold that night. The restrooms were closed but they had some porta potties out there. Plenty of light, maybe to much if you're a dark sky's person but there are nice spots with trees. No electricity or water. Bring your own stuff and come prepared. If you forget something then no worries you are close to the city.

  • sThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 24, 2024

    Hunter Park

    Pretty!

    A cute little park with lots of picnic tables, a pier, and a huge field. The bathrooms were closed but they supplied a porta potty and the nearest gas station is only about two minutes away. Very connected to civilization and it was very well kept. Lots of people seemed to know about it, there were around 15 people who camped there last night and ten or so cars that came through for the fishing pier. If you’re a fisher, this is the place to be! The fish are active. The lake is gorgeous, but if you are car camping or tent camping, be wary about the fact that there will be little to no shade. Plenty of space for a big rig, and the whole thing is designed in a loop, so no backing out necessary! Plus all driving areas to and from the campsite, as well as in it, are paved.

  • Kelsi W.
    Mar. 14, 2025

    Chisholm Trail Park

    Camp at the Water!

    $10/night honor system dropbox at entrance. No reservations or anything, just pull up and find a spot.

    Pros- Beautiful, great fishing, enough trees to hammock camp, flat spots if you want a tent, safe! Fall asleep to the sound of crickets and jumping fish, occasional coyote howls. Each spot has its own Ramada and picnic table. I know there are other campers but we are separated by a field and trees, so it feels quite isolated.

    2 bars with Verizon! Wrote this from my hammock!

    Cons- can still hear road + train noise and neighborhood dogs. Some of the brush is pretty spiky. Some trash from past campers (we picked up as we cleaned up our stay, but who knows if it will be back). But really, no major complaints.

    This place is lovely! Perfect weather in March!!

  • Alejandro G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2021

    Hunter Park

    Been coming here for years!

    This is a very nice park, free camping not designated camp sites. Just first come first served camp where you want. Good fishing and kinda quiet for being a campsite.

  • Alejandro G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2021

    Chisholm Trail Park

    Great fishing spot

    Secluded primitive camping is nice. Also good fishing right on the river. Amazing place if you enjoy anything from fishing, hiking, picnics, volleyball and nature.

  • Sean B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 7, 2025

    Hunter Park

    Right on the water, but meh

    Drove in didn't stay, campsites are right on the water and picnic tables and grill provided. Only a few spots but no privacy and right on top of each other. Good to stay if nowhere else.


Guide to Cedar Hill

Dispersed camping near Cedar Hill, Texas offers rustic, primitive sites with waterfront access. Located within the Brazos River watershed, these off-grid camping areas provide natural settings with minimal amenities. Several sites sit at elevations between 600-800 feet, providing access to both reservoir and river fishing opportunities.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Hunter Park features a fishing pier with active fish populations. "This is a very nice park, free camping not designated camp sites. Just first come first served camp where you want. Good fishing and kinda quiet for being a campsite," notes Alejandro G. about Hunter Park.

Water activities: The waterfront locations provide swimming and boating access during warmer months. "A cute little park with lots of picnic tables, a pier, and a huge field. The lake is gorgeous," shares Sav about Hunter Park. Boat launch areas allow for kayaking and canoeing.

Wildlife observation: Early mornings offer opportunities to spot local wildlife. At Chisholm Trail Park, campers report hearing "the sound of crickets and jumping fish, occasional coyote howls" according to Kelsi W., creating a natural soundtrack for overnight stays.

What campers like

Affordability: The low-cost camping options make these locations budget-friendly. Chisholm Trail Park operates on a "$10/night honor system dropbox at entrance. No reservations or anything, just pull up and find a spot," explains Kelsi W., making it an accessible option for spontaneous camping trips.

Campsite layout: The separation between sites at some locations provides privacy. "Each spot has its own Ramada and picnic table. I know there are other campers but we are separated by a field and trees, so it feels quite isolated," notes a Chisholm Trail Park visitor.

Convenience to civilization: The proximity to urban amenities while still offering a rustic camping experience appeals to many. "If you forget something then no worries you are close to the city," explains Jesse P. about Hunter Park, noting the convenience factor for less-experienced campers.

What you should know

Weather considerations: Seasonal temperature variations affect camping comfort significantly. "We came in February and it was cold that night," reports Jesse P. about Hunter Park. Summer camping presents different challenges with limited shade in some areas.

Facility limitations: Rustic camping near Cedar Hill means bringing your own supplies. "No electricity or water. Bring your own stuff and come prepared," advises a Hunter Park visitor. Permanent restrooms may be closed seasonally, with portable toilets provided as alternatives.

Noise factors: Despite natural settings, some ambient noise exists. At Chisholm Trail Park, campers "can still hear road + train noise and neighborhood dogs," which may affect light sleepers seeking complete silence.

Tips for camping with families

Space for activities: Open areas provide room for children to play. Hunter Park offers "a huge field" according to reviews, giving kids space to run and play games away from the water's edge.

Safety precautions: Waterfront locations require supervision for younger children. "Right on the water, and picnic tables and grill provided," notes Sean B., highlighting the proximity to water that parents should monitor.

Site selection: Choose sites with natural features that enhance the camping experience. "Enough trees to hammock camp, flat spots if you want a tent," suggests a Chisholm Trail Park visitor, pointing out versatile setup options for families with different shelter preferences.

Tips from RVers

Access considerations: The loop design at some locations facilitates easier navigation. Hunter Park is "designed in a loop, so no backing out necessary! Plus all driving areas to and from the campsite, as well as in it, are paved," making it accessible for larger vehicles.

Space assessment: Some campgrounds offer limited sites for larger rigs. "Only a few spots but no privacy and right on top of each other," cautions Sean B. about certain areas, suggesting early arrival for better site selection.

Self-sufficiency: Off-grid camping requires proper preparation. Hunter Park campers advise bringing all necessary supplies, as the park offers no hookups or services for recreational vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Cedar Hill, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Cedar Hill, TX is Hunter Park with a 4.5-star rating from 4 reviews.