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Best Dispersed Camping near Elgin, TX

4 Reviews

The San Gabriel River Trail surrounding Lake Georgetown offers primitive backcountry camping at several established dispersed sites. Three main free camping areas—Sawyer Park, Walnut Springs, and sites along the San Gabriel River—provide off-grid camping options accessible only by hiking or boating. The full trail spans 26.2 miles around the lake, passing through forests and grasslands with varying shade coverage. All sites require hikers to pack in supplies and follow Leave No Trace principles.

Walnut Springs Primitive Campground features picnic tables and designated fire pits in a large open area, making it one of the more developed dispersed options. A camper noted, "This is possibly the easiest campground on the Goodwater Trail to get to, which may result in more people at this site than others." Access requires either a 2-mile hike from Russell Park or a 4-mile trek from Camp Tejas. Summer temperatures combined with exposed trail sections can make hiking challenging, and campers should carry at least 2 liters of water, as lake access isn't always convenient despite proximity to water.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Elgin, Texas (3)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Elgin, TX

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Elgin, TX

4 Reviews of 3 Elgin Campgrounds

  • Troy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2019

    San Gabriel River Trail

    San Gabriel River Trail + Lake

    This is a review of the primitive (dispersed) campsites along the San Gabriel River Trail. 

    Upon entering one of the access points, park your car for free near the trailhead. It is good to advise one of the park attendants that you will be hiking or place a note inside your car that you are hiking. 

    The trail circles Lake Georgetown and is 26.2 miles. It passes through forests, grasslands, over some small hills and across a few tributaries. 

    This is prmitive (dispersed) camping. There are no facilities or amenities are these camp areas. Pack in some water and bring a water filter to obtain more. Leave No Trace principals should be practiced. 

    There are a few areas with tent pads or clear areas where you may camp. But there are also zones where you may simply camp wherever you can setup a tent or hammock.  I'd say that 40% of the trail has some tree coverage, but 60% is exposed. 

    In the summer be aware that the combination of the temperature and the exposure can make this trail uncomfortable to hike. Take precautions, drink lots of water and stay in the shade all that you can. While you may be hiking within site of Lake Georgetown and the water, it is not always convenient to access the water. So be sure to carry plenty of water - at least 2 liters.

    The trail is getting more and more popular with backpackers, so it is likely that you may see others on the trail. On weekends you may encounter scout troops practicing backpacking. During the weekdays you may not see a single person.

    Dogs are allowed on the trail, but it is nice to keep them on lease.

  • Troy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2019

    Sawyer Park Primitive Campsites

    Sawyer Park Primitive Campsites

    This is a review of the Sawyer Park primitive (dispersed) campsites along the San Gabriel River Trail. There are no facilities or amenities are this campsite. Leave No Trace principals should be practiced.

    Upon entering one of the access points, park your car for free near the trailhead. It is good to advise one of the park administers that you will be hiking or place a note inside your car that you are hiking. 

    The Sawyer Park site is only accessible by hiking or by a boat. It is about 5 miles from the Tejas Campground and 5 miles from Cedar Breaks Campground. This is primitive (dispersed) camping. There are a few areas with clear land or tent pads where you may camp. But there are also zones where you may simply camp wherever you can setup a tent or hammock. There is an old latrine at this site, but it is in poor shape and no-one really uses it. Be prepared to dig a cat hole. 

    Many people stay at this site while hiking the San Gabriel River Trail. The trail circles Lake Georgetown and is 26.2 miles. It passes through forests, grasslands, over some small hills and across a few tributaries.

    In the summer be aware that the combination of the temperature and the exposure can make this trail uncomfortable to hike. Take precautions, drink lots of water and stay in the shade all that you can. While you may be hiking within site of Lake Georgetown, it is not always convenient to access the water. So carry plenty of water while hiking - at least 2 liters. 

    The trail is getting more and more popular with backpackers, so it is likely that you may see others on the trail. On weekends you may encounter scout troops practicing backpacking. During the weekdays you may not see a single person. Dogs are allowed on the trail, but it is nice to keep them on lease.

  • Guillermo L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2021

    Walnut Springs Primitive Campground

    Tent camping recommended.

    I'm very last minute camping trip on a Sunday evening to Monday morning... There was a backpacking group, a group of people who canoed in, and ourselves. Large open area; for fire pits for lamp hangers for picnic tables trees closer the trail and grass sea areas closer to the water. 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. 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. This is the "first come, first serve" campground.

    Enjoyed our stay during a thunderstorm under the big trees.

  • Alexandra
    Jan. 13, 2021

    Sawyer Park Primitive Campsites

    Camped out of the campsite near the lake

    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. water and views were beautiful, and it was a nice place to rest after the 6 miles in. 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. The home back in the rain was fine. A couple slippery spots but very doable. Overall great time here even though we weren’t at the official campsite.

Guide to Elgin

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Elgin, Texas, where nature enthusiasts can enjoy the great outdoors without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With stunning landscapes and a variety of activities, these spots offer a perfect escape.

Dispersed campers should check out Sawyer Park Primitive Campsites

  • Located along the San Gabriel River Trail, Sawyer Park Primitive Campsites provides a serene environment for those looking to immerse themselves in nature while hiking or relaxing by the water.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Elgin, Texas

  • When visiting Walnut Springs Primitive Campground, be prepared for a lack of amenities; it's essential to practice Leave No Trace principles and bring your own water filtration system.

Hiking and exploring while free camping near Elgin

  • The San Gabriel River Trail, accessible from San Gabriel River Trail, offers a 26.2-mile loop that showcases diverse landscapes, making it ideal for both hiking and camping adventures.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Elgin, TX is Sawyer Park Primitive Campsites with a 4-star rating from 3 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 3 dispersed camping locations near Elgin, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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