Best Dispersed Camping near Damon, TX

Dispersed beach camping is available at several Gulf Coast locations near Damon, Texas. Follett's Island Beach, Brazoria Beach, Surfside Beach, Gulf Side Oasis Beach, and Matagorda Beach all permit free primitive camping directly on the sand. These sites are located approximately 30-45 miles southeast of Damon along the Texas coastline. No permits are required at most locations, though Matagorda Beach requires a $10 beach parking permit available at nearby gas stations. Camping is generally allowed for up to 14 days, with no reservations needed or accepted.

Beach access roads connect to compact, hard-packed sand that typically accommodates standard vehicles without four-wheel drive. Most campers report minimal issues with getting stuck, though conditions can vary seasonally and after storms. No amenities are provided at these dispersed sites. Campers must bring all necessary supplies including drinking water and waste disposal equipment. Fires are permitted on the beach at most locations unless under county burn bans. Cell service varies by location and carrier. Trash receptacles are limited, and visitors should plan to pack out all waste. The lack of facilities means campers must be entirely self-sufficient.

These Gulf Coast dispersed camping areas offer direct oceanfront access with ample space between sites. "Free beach camping, no reservations needed. We went on a weekend in July and had no problem finding space," noted one Follett's Island visitor. The beaches feature varying conditions, with some areas having debris while others remain relatively clean. Daily beach cleaning occurs at some locations. Camping directly on the sand provides opportunities for sunrise viewing, shell collecting, and fishing. "Hard packed sand. Tide is safely far from the rig. Boondocking and waking up to the ocean sound is amazing," reported a Brazoria Beach camper. Weekdays typically offer more solitude, while weekends bring increased traffic and occasional vendor trucks selling food and other items along the beach.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Damon, Texas (7)

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Damon, TX

21 Reviews of 7 Damon Campgrounds


  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 26, 2021

    Follett’s Island Beach

    South was better Beaching!

    Free beach camping, No reservations needed! We went on a weekend late July 2021, NO PROBLEM finding space. Recommend some type of canopy or awning, Texas Sun is HOT! Plan ahead, stores are few and far between. NO amenities, water, showers or hookups of any kind. Tmobile Cell service wasn't the best. Generator usage is allowed, but you barely could hear any due to all the space between campers & the WAVES SOUNDING SO AMAZING! Sunrise was beautiful! I'll go again!

    Pros: Amazing View, Lots of Space, No harassment, Ice Cream & Food Trucks pass throughout the day (if you have a sweet tooth), beach sand is compacted so you shouldn't get stuck, several beach access roads to enter from. Camp fires 🔥 are permitted & I found firewood laying around.

    Cons: North part of island has LOTS of debris, dead trees, branches, etc. No trash cans or porta pottys either (we didn't mind that, but be prepared to take your trash with & have a bucket for your business, lol). A goofball left all their trash scattered when they departed after their 3 hr beach adventure. Most everyone was mindful of leaving things clean. MORE trash cans could help.

  • Izzy T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 9, 2022

    Brazoria Beach

    Beach boondocking bonanza!

    We have stayed here multiple times in our camper van. There were RV’s there, other camper vans, and tents! There are no hook ups, water, or trash available - pack it in, pack it out, please! Driving along the sand packed beach was easy. Plenty of space to spread out. Obviously it’s not clear water and white sand beach, but the view is still amazing and listening to the ocean waves is dreamy. There are a few convenience stores nearby, but it’s highly recommended to stop for groceries elsewhere. Cell signal is strong

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2022

    Brazoria Beach

    Beach camping

    Great place to park. Pulled in with 23 ft trailer and no problems. No amenities. Great spot to camp for up to 14 days. Few other campers but plenty spread out. Love this spot.

  • Gary N.
    Jan. 20, 2022

    Follett’s Island Beach

    A weekend getaway

    Class B camping. Had beach mostly to ourselves. Primitive camping with no amenities. Just what we were looking for.
    Clean and plenty of room. Good cell services. Not much in the area so pack your pantry in advance.

  • Lisa S.
    Mar. 20, 2021

    Follett’s Island Beach

    Free Beach Camping

    Saturday, March 20,2021 Surfside Beach Access Road #4 Third day here. Temp 72°, light breeze, bright sun.

    A couple of other camping rigs in the distance early this morning along with two část fishermen with pickups at water’s edge. My dogs ran free.

    I moved up here from Access Road #1 two days ago to get away from people and noise congestion and was successful.

    Any vehicle can drive on the upper beach and there is light traffic during the day from beach day users. Late Last night, there were kids doing wheelies in their pick ups and a very loud ATV blasted by around 2:00 AM so if this kind of thing keeps you awake you’ve been forewarned.

    You won’t find camping amenities here, just sun, sand, and surf rolling in with waves big enough for light surfing. Apparently, the fishing is pretty good, too.

    The Freeport beaches are popular, but clean (I picked up one small bag of trash from around my site. The County came through this morning with a clean up detail of four.) The beach is wide and there are very small Dunes on the up side to camp against. No chance of water encroaching on your campsite.

    Love it here.

  • Andrea P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2019

    Follett’s Island Beach

    Free beach getaway

    You get what you pay for, but it’s still not bad. I would definitely come again. Flat packed sand makes it easy to drive any type of vehicle on the beach. There are no fees for driving on the beach, and no fees to camp over night.

    It’s tricky to find because there are only two access roads and you have to drive one way on the beach, so don’t miss the small sign that says free beach access road. There is not much info on the county website either on the address just a “general idea” on how to get here. But if you are down for a little driving adventure to find it, it’s pretty chill.

    There are porta potties every couple hundred feet and trash cans every few feet. So there are plenty of trash cans but the beach is a bit dirty.

    Pets allowed, on leash. I brought my small dog Yoshi with me in this camping trip.

    I have Verizon and have 3 bars LTE.

    You can have small fires on the beach but only if there isn’t a burn ban, which right now I’m pretty there is so I didn’t bring anything with me.

    Nice surprise is that there is an ice cream truck that goes by every now and then. Some people may not like it, but I think it’s nice.

  • Cultivating Fire L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2022

    Follett’s Island Beach

    Quiet spot right on the water

    We camped out on the beach for three days at a few different locations and had no problems other than soft sand at one of the access roads (check before you drive into the sand) Minimal traffic in September and the beach was still cleaned of seaweed and debris daily due to the hurricane and higher tides - but we only had water touch our tires one night. Overall, great spot! Just pick your driving lanes and parking spots carefully without 4x4

  • Mitchell M.
    Nov. 26, 2021

    Follett’s Island Beach

    100 Ft from Water

    Very nice strip of beach. Very easy to access regardless of car type you have, won’t get stuck in sand. This is a 13 mile Long Beach, so amenities may be far and few. Didn’t have any at the spot I stayed. There are multiple beach access points and you can drive right on and drive where you need to get privacy. There was no trash where I stayed and no debris. There is a sand and grass barrier between the beach and the main road. Water is about 100-150 feet from top of beach. Being November, the temperature was mild and there weren’t that many bugs nor people. Lots of gas stations and stores along the way. No need to pay or get permit besides a $2 toll when coming from the East through Galveston.

  • J
    Apr. 5, 2021

    Follett’s Island Beach

    Free Beach camping

    Parked on beach with nobody else in sight. Hard to beat free camping on the beach.


Guide to Damon

Beach dispersed camping near Damon, Texas offers primitive shoreline sites on the Gulf Coast. These no-fee camping areas provide coastal access with minimal regulations for self-sufficient campers. Located 30-45 miles southeast of Damon, these beaches attract visitors seeking oceanfront camping without facilities, hookups or designated campsites.

What to do

Stargazing opportunities: Gulf Side Oasis Beach provides exceptional night sky viewing due to minimal light pollution. "Beautiful night stargazing and relaxing with the ocean waves. The days bright sun and cool water gave us great joy," notes one Gulf Side Oasis Beach Dispersed visitor.

Shell hunting: Beach areas vary in shell quality and quantity throughout the year. Winter and early spring typically yield better shell collecting after storms churn up the Gulf. "We camped out on the beach for three days at a few different locations and had no problems other than soft sand at one of the access roads," reports a Surfside Beach Dispersed Camping visitor.

Beachcombing: The shoreline frequently contains driftwood and marine debris. This makes for interesting beachcombing, especially after storms. "There is a sand and grass barrier between the beach and the main road. Water is about 100-150 feet from top of beach," writes a Follett's Island visitor.

What campers like

Quiet weekday visits: Midweek stays provide significantly more solitude than weekend camping. "Does not have the white sands of South Padre, but not much of a chance of getting stuck unless you really try. Very quiet during the week," shares a Brazoria Beach visitor.

Mobile vendors: Food trucks and ice cream vendors frequently travel the beaches, particularly on weekends and during summer. "Weekend also brings vendor trucks coming down the beach all the time. We were a bit irritated at 1st but then bought ice-cream," notes a Brazoria Beach camper.

Abundant space: The extensive shoreline allows campers to spread out for privacy. "This is theeeeee spot to be! You can drive right on the beach! Sunsets are amazing but watch out for the bugs at night!" shares a Surfside Beach visitor.

What you should know

Vehicle capabilities: The sand conditions vary by season and recent weather. "Dodge 2wd 1500 pulling 10ft trailer with no issues getting in and out," reports one Brazoria Beach camper. Other beaches require more caution: "Will need 4x4 to get out and down the beach," warns a Matagorda Beach Dispersed Camping visitor.

Limited facilities: No water sources exist at these beaches. Campers must bring sufficient drinking water and containers for extended stays. "No accommodations," states a Matagorda Beach reviewer, underlining the need for complete self-sufficiency.

Access points: Beach access roads vary in condition and location. "It's tricky to find because there are only two access roads and you have to drive one way on the beach, so don't miss the small sign that says free beach access road," explains a Follett's Island visitor.

Tips for camping with families

Weather preparedness: Gulf Coast weather changes rapidly, especially during spring and fall. "Recommend some type of canopy or awning, Texas Sun is HOT! Plan ahead, stores are few and far between," advises a Follett's Island Beach camper.

Safety considerations: Parents should monitor tide patterns and storm forecasts. "We only had water touch our tires one night," notes a camper, indicating that while water encroachment happens, proper site selection minimizes risks.

Entertainment options: Bring beach toys and games as no recreational facilities exist. "Plenty of space for privacy, very quiet. Sand is very packed and we had no trouble getting in and out," explains a Follett's Island visitor, highlighting the open space available for activities.

Tips from RVers

Site selection: Position RVs parallel to dunes for best stability and protection from wind. "Absolutely breathtaking! Parked parallel to the dunes off the packed down sand!" shares a Gulf Side Oasis Beach Dispersed visitor.

Driving techniques: Drive cautiously on beach sand, maintaining momentum without excessive speed. "Great place to park. Pulled in with 23 ft trailer and no problems," notes a Brazoria Beach camper.

Leveling strategies: Beach surfaces slope toward the water. Bring leveling blocks and position vehicles accordingly. "We have stayed here multiple times in our camper van. There were RV's there, other camper vans, and tents!" reports a Brazoria Beach visitor.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Damon, TX is Follett’s Island Beach with a 4.6-star rating from 12 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 7 dispersed camping locations near Damon, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.