Best Dispersed Camping near Cleveland, TX

Dispersed camping near Cleveland, Texas centers around the Sam Houston National Forest, where several primitive sites exist with minimal to no amenities. Hunter Camp on Forest Road 217A, Four Notch Hunter Camp, Sand Branch, Kelly's Pond, and sites along the Lone Star Hiking Trail provide free camping opportunities in natural settings. These sites represent true backcountry camping experiences with varying levels of accessibility and few facilities.

Several access points require cautious navigation on unpaved forest roads. Four Notch Hunter Camp is accessible by dirt roads that most vehicles can handle when driven slowly. Kelly's Pond offers free camping with basic amenities including picnic tables and vault toilets, while most other sites have no facilities whatsoever. Fire restrictions vary by location and season; fires are permitted at Four Notch, Kelly's Pond, and along the Lone Star Hiking Trail, but prohibited at other sites. Cellular reception is limited throughout the area, with reviews noting "only 1 bar of service" at Kelly's Pond.

The Sam Houston National Forest provides a secluded camping experience with opportunities for hiking, especially along the Lone Star Hiking Trail, which spans approximately 130 miles as the longest hiking trail in Texas. One camper described the trail as "a very enjoyable, well maintained, and well marked journey," though seasonal conditions can significantly impact the experience. Another review warned that during wet periods, hikers may encounter "a long unforgiving slog through mud." Kelly's Pond has been described as "a nice slice of solitude," although campers should note that some visitors appear to stay for extended periods. During hunting season, campers at Four Notch Hunter Camp should wear blaze orange for safety, as one visitor advised to "wear blaze orange!!!" when venturing into the forest.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Cleveland, Texas (5)

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Cleveland, TX

5 Reviews of 5 Cleveland Campgrounds


  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 20, 2018

    Lone Star Hiking Trail Dispersed

    A long unforgiving slog through mud.

    My son and I went in mid-November, so your experience will vary depending on time of year.

    The LSHT is the longest hiking trail in the state. It 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. We hiked all of Section 1 and half of Section 2. Each of the 2 sections was about 8 miles long. The length of the LSHT is about 130 miles.

    Zero amenities. No restrooms. No electricity. No cell coverage. Nada. The LSHT is in the Sam Houston National Forest, about an hour north of Houston. So it’s not a "campground," per se, but you can camp anywhere that’s feasible. We just didn’t find very many feasible places to camp. There is a lot of dense undergrowth along the trail portion we hiked. And mud. Lots and lots of mud. It had been raining a lot in the preceding weeks. I’d call the ranger office and ask about trail conditions and what the weather's been like if I were you. I hope you have a good pair of waterproof boots.

    We found a decent spot about 4 miles in, set up our hammocks, and had a good night's rest. The first day's hike was great - plenty of sunshine, cool but not cold, few mosquitoes. It got cold within a couple hours after sunset. I’m glad I brought my underquilt, sleeping bag, and blanket. I’m also glad I brought an extra pair of warm socks, flannel pajama bottoms, and a sock cap. My hiking clothes were soaked with sweat, so changing out of them was essential for a good night's sleep. Well, I don’t actually sleep on these trips. I doze off and on. Anyway, there were no big surprises during the night. The sound of insects. Leaves and branches falling. Coyotes howling in the distance. But nothing scary or annoying. It was very pleasant.

    The original plan was to hike both sections, so we parked my son's pickup at Trailhead 6 and drove back to Trailhead 1 to park my Jeep and start the hike. The plan was solid as long as we started early in the day and could average 2 miles an hour. But we wound up starting out late in the day and did I mention the mud? There was a lot of mud. And obstacles to cross. And creeks to cross. And mud. And more mud. Lots and lots of mud. So we were only able to do 4 miles before we had to find a place to camp. Otherwise, we'd be hiking in the dark.

    So the morning of day 2, we packed our gear and trudged on as quickly as we could. We had about 12 miles to cover. It seemed doable at the time. 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. We trudged on for about another 8 miles and decided to leave the trail at Trailhead 4 and hit the pavement, for fear that we'd again run out of daylight somewhere between Trailheads 4 and 6.

    My advice? Do your homework. Read up in the LSHT. Peruse the website http://lonestartrail.org and buy the book. Prepare for a long slog through mud. I’m glad I took a hammock because there weren’t many places suitable for tent camping. Take plenty of water and a water purifier because there is no potable water available on the sections we hiked. Two people in 2 separate vehicles is a must unless you’re a thru-hiker or just want to hike a bit and hike back to your car. It’s mostly flat with no steep ups and downs, rock climbing, or anything like that. But there were quite a few creek crossings that required going down into a gully and up the other side. I did mention the mud, right?

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 8, 2024

    Kelly's Pond Campground

    Free camping

    Free camping and apart from people. only 1 bar of service. definitely recommend.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2022

    Lone Star Hiking Trail Dispersed

    LSHT-Sections 1 & 2

    Spent a few days in late July on the trail. Went 22 miles then turned back to Stubblefield Campground to stop. Too hot for an old guy, but it was a very enjoyable, well maintained, and well marked journey. We’ll be back.

  • J
    Feb. 13, 2024

    Kelly's Pond Campground

    A Nice Slice Of Solitude

    Kelly's Pond was a great one-nighter for me. It was very quiet, and I had no issues.

    It did appear that some individuals have/had made this a more permanent home, I had been here previously to do some "scouting" if you will, and noticed some of the same campers. They weren't bothering anyone, but if that's something that makes you uncomfortable, you might spring the pocket change for Cagle down the road.

  • Jasmine P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 12, 2023

    Lone Star Hiking Trail Dispersed

    Not a campsite

    We showed up in the middle of night. There was a gate that was locked. It is a really pretty place if you can find a campsite somewhere else


Guide to Cleveland

Dispersed camping in the Sam Houston National Forest offers rustic camping near Cleveland, Texas without developed facilities or reservation systems. Primitive sites span across 163,000 acres of pine forest terrain with elevations ranging from 200-300 feet above sea level. The forest contains over 50 miles of designated off-highway vehicle trails that provide alternate access to remote camping areas during dry conditions.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Kelly's Pond Campground provides access to fishing in a small woodland pond. A camper noted, "Free camping and apart from people. only 1 bar of service. definitely recommend." The pond offers shoreline fishing for bass and catfish.

Wildlife watching: Four Notch Hunter Camp serves as a base for wildlife observation year-round. "Very quiet, except during hunting season," reports one visitor, adding important safety advice to "wear blaze orange!!!" when exploring the forest during hunting seasons.

Long-distance hiking: Lone Star Hiking Trail Dispersed camping provides access to multiple sections of trail. One hiker reported, "Spent a few days in late July on the trail. Went 22 miles then turned back to Stubblefield Campground to stop. Too hot for an old guy, but it was a very enjoyable, well maintained, and well marked journey."

What campers like

Solitude and privacy: Many campers value the isolation at Kelly's Pond Campground. One reviewer described it as "A Nice Slice Of Solitude" and noted "It was very quiet, and I had no issues."

Accessibility: Four Notch Hunter Camp receives positive mentions for its relative accessibility. A camper stated, "Any car should be fine on the dirt road, just take it slow," making this site suitable for those with standard vehicles who drive cautiously.

Free camping options: Multiple sites throughout the forest offer no-cost primitive camping opportunities. At Kelly's Pond, one camper simply stated "Free camping" as a primary benefit, which appeals to budget-conscious outdoor enthusiasts.

What you should know

Long-term campers: Some dispersed sites have unofficial long-term residents. A Kelly's Pond camper observed, "It did appear that some individuals have/had made this a more permanent home, I had been here previously to do some 'scouting' if you will, and noticed some of the same campers."

Trail conditions vary dramatically: Seasonal changes significantly impact hiking experiences on the Lone Star Hiking Trail Dispersed sites. After heavy rains, trails can become challenging as one hiker experienced: "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."

Access issues: Some dispersed camping areas have access restrictions. One visitor to the Lone Star Hiking Trail reported, "We showed up in the middle of night. There was a gate that was locked. It is a really pretty place if you can find a campsite somewhere else."

Tips for camping with families

Navigation planning: When camping at Sand Branch - Sam Houston National Forest, prepare for limited navigation aids. Most forest roads lack signage, and GPS reliability varies throughout the forest.

Heat precautions: Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity. A Lone Star Trail hiker noted July conditions were "Too hot for an old guy," suggesting families should plan activities during cooler morning hours when camping during summer months.

Water requirements: No potable water exists at most primitive sites. Plan to carry 1-2 gallons per person per day, especially during summer months when dehydration risks increase.

Tips from RVers

Site selection: Most dispersed camping areas have limited space for larger recreational vehicles. Four Notch Hunter Camp can accommodate smaller RVs but requires careful site selection on level ground.

Road conditions: Approach forest roads cautiously after rain. Most access roads become difficult or impassable when wet, with no towing services readily available in remote areas.

Generator restrictions: Most primitive camping areas in Sam Houston National Forest prohibit generator use to maintain natural soundscapes. Check current regulations with the ranger district office before planning RV camping that requires power.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Cleveland, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Cleveland, TX is Hunter Camp on Forest Road 217A with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 5 dispersed camping locations near Cleveland, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.