Best Dispersed Camping near Gainesville, TX

The roads to the area are paved and fairly decent, though the stretch on CR 2461 is quite narrow. Forrest Road 904, where the dispersed camping is located, is hard packed gravel and in fairly good shape. We parked our 36’ Class A on the side of FR 904, just inside the gate, unhooked our Cherokee and went to scope out the area. There were a number of established and very widely spaced campsites along the FR, each with a fire pit, though all but a few were occupied on the weekend. Several sites were even pull-throughs. We did find a nice pull-through, overlooking the valley to the NW. We had the whole area to our selves on Sunday and Monday. Lots of steers grazing around the area and right up to the RV most mornings. AT&T coverage was fairly good here, generally varying between 1-3 Bars of LTE service, with speeds up to 4.5 MB/s. 

We approached this area, FR 904 and the dispersed camping area, via FM 730 and CR 2461, but there are other routes. If you have a tow vehicle, drop it just inside the gate, leave your RV and go scope out a suitable campsite, as turning around with a large rig is only practical in a couple of locations.

True Dispersed Camping with the added benefit of cell coverage. Spots are very well spaced out. Only a mile drive to a pond for water for camp showers and putting out fires. See deer, armadillos, hogs, and birds. Bring a shovel and TP! About a half hour to town with all amenities.

We stumbled upon this dispersed camping area after driving forest service roads for a while. I would NOT recommend taking any kind of trailer or motorhome down these roads and to this spot. 

To give you an idea- we drove a Toyota 4Runner and a small utility trailer with a roof top tent on it. Though this is some room down there, if someone else is there, I would move on. 

There were some locals who came through and talked to us for a while when they were fishing in the lake. They said that they had been coming to this spot for 30+ years and rarely saw anyone else there. So this is my plea- if you come here, be respectful and clean up after yourself. If you are there in the right time of the year, stay out late and turn off your lights- you'll get a night surprise.

This was my first experience boondocking. Absolutely loved the location! Not too far from town if you need something. There is also a water dispensary in Decatur which is nice and convenient! There are cattle on the property which was really nice to watch! It did get rather windy but I was on top of the hill. Live and learn.

This was my first ever overnight camping trip and besides the mistakes that I made. The place was very easy to find and was isolated (which I enjoy over the concrete pad camping). There’s lots of trails to walk and wildlife is abundant. I recommend this place if you want to really camp and do it for free!

Remote dispersed. Great camping for north central Texas. The sites are a good distance between them. You can drive along the roads and look for them. We spotted 22 sites, there may be more. Download maps before getting here. Cell is not the best. No bathrooms, water, etc. Pack in/pack out. Downloadable hiking maps availability on other apps. Only saw 3 other cameras while we were here. Great hiking.

Cross Timber’s Trail is technical for the region and is a 14 mile point to point trail along the shore of Lake Texoma. It’s on army Corps Of Engineers Land and there are many free walk/hike in first come first serve campsites. But this is my favorite!!!! It’s way up on a wooded peninsula along a spur that overlooks the lake. Birds flock over and it’s far enough away from the freeway that it’s quiet (with the exception of the occasional fishing boat). The trail is more technical than most in the vicinity and is a great place to do a gear shake down and train for those longer through hikes in more mountainous regions.

Roads to campsite are well maintained gravel, fire rings, and good views. Was in a roof top tent but had no problem with wind noise, good cell service.

No bathrooms but there are some at tadra and black creek. There is also water available at those campsite but it’s not potable so pack water in or bring a filtration system.

The coordinates bring you to what looks like a driveway that has signs for no trespassing and beware of dogs. After looking at the map, it looks like that’s the only way to get back there, so I’m assuming the homeowner who shares that road put those signs to keep people away.

Amazing backcountry feel on Lake Texoma shores. Come prepared it's fully primitive but there are spots all up and down the Cross Timbers Trail you can either boat or backpack too.

Good spot. I stayed in my hammock and buddy in his tent back in Nov 2019. Stopped just before a cold front with rain hit and built a fire. Found a long sheet of tent to reflect the heat so had a great time hiking in.

DO NOT COME HERE ALOT OF HARASSMENT ALOT OF PEOPLE MESSING WITH U TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE DONT GO

First trip here last week, early April. Remote, quiet, simple beauty. Easy access, cool area. Worth checking out for a low profile weekender or hike.

Awesome trip with the pup! Most areas have rock campfires setups that people have made. Very remote so bring what you need. Very quiet you won't hear anyone besides the wildlife at night!

Great area that was remote, but easy to get to with few others around. Found a site with beautiful views, but previous visitors left behind debris - if you use, please practice pack in/out principals!